Read, on to see our choices for the very best no-annual-fee cards and how to select the very best one for you.
Our Top Picks for the Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Best No Annual Fee Credit Card Reviews
- 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Regular provides for cardholders that increase to 20% money back at choose shops
- Many insurance coverage advantages, consisting of journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage
- 3% foreign deal charge
HIGHLIGHTS
- New cardmember deal:
- bonus_miles_full
- Insurance & security:
- Purchase security, extended service warranty, journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage, rental crash waiver
Intro APR: intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration│ Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type│ Annual Fee: annual_fees
Why we picked it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® covers all the bases: a high base benefit rate, fantastic reward classifications, competitive introduction APR deals and insurance coverage security, all without charging a yearly charge.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a really well-rounded card, providing benefit rates that can quickly contend — and win — with cards that do charge a yearly charge. Not just does it have a strong base rate of 1.5% money back, however it likewise provides a couple of reward classifications:
- Unlimited 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Unlimited 3% back on dining, consisting of takeout and qualified shipment services
- Unlimited 3% back on pharmacy purchases
- Unlimited 1.5% back on all other qualified purchases
Not just are the benefits high, however the card likewise features a great set of insurance coverage for purchases and travel, consisting of purchase security, extended service warranty and journey cancellation or disturbance insurance coverage, in case your journey is interrupted due to covered emergency situations.
Unfortunately, the card does charge a foreign deal charge of 3%, so utilizing it throughout global travel may not be the very best concept . However, offered its high travel benefit rate, it’s a fantastic card to utilize for domestic travel or to book that journey abroad.
Courtesy of American Express
- 3% at U.S. grocery stores and U.S. gasoline station, approximately the very first $6,000 invested in each, 1% later on
- Car rental loss and damage insurance coverage*
- 3% on U.S. retail purchases approximately the very first $6,000 invested, 1% later on
- 2.7% foreign deal charge
- No travel benefits
HIGHLIGHTS
- Welcome deal:
- bonus_miles_full
- Insurance and security:
- Car rental loss and damage insurance coverage, purchase security*
Intro APR: intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration│ Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type│ Annual Fee: annual_fees</span
Why we chose it: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has various bonus categories as well as statement credits that reward cardholders on much needed everyday purchases.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers 3% cash back in a variety of everyday categories, making it an excellent choice for almost anyone:
- 3% back at U.S. supermarkets up to the first $6,000 spent per year, 1% thereafter
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations up to the first $6,000 spent per year, 1% thereafter
- 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases up to the first $6,000 spent per year, 1% thereafter
- 1% back on other eligible purchases
On groceries and gas alone, this card could yield up to a combined $360 in cash back if you reach the $6,000 threshold in each category. Once you do hit that limit though, you’ll still continue to earn, even if it is at a lower rate of 1%. This is in addition to 3% on online purchases, which opens a whole world of purchases you can be rewarded for.
There’s also the car rental loss and damage insurance, which is great for traveling, as well as purchase protection. The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a well-balanced card that almost any household could consider for their day-to-day expenses.
- 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- 8% on tickets bought through Capital One Entertainment
- Travel accident insurance
- No flight cancellation or delay insurance
- No rental car insurance
HIGHLIGHTS
- New cardmember offer:
- bonus_miles_full
- Insurance and protection:
- Extended warranty and travel accident insurance
Intro APR: intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration│ Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type│ Annual Fee: annual_fees
Why we chose it: This card from Capital One offers high rewards on travel, eating and entertainment, and doesn’t charge annual or foreign transaction fees.
If you’re looking for a great travel card, you’ll need to consider its reward rates in transportation and lodging, but also for what you’re going to do the most while traveling: eat and have fun. The card_name has you covered on that front, and all without charging foreign transaction fees.
While the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card focuses mainly on food, it also delivers major rewards on both at-home and on-the-road entertainment:
- 8% back on tickets bought through Capital One Entertainment
- 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 3% back on dining and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target® and Walmart®)
- 3% back on entertainment such as concerts, movie theaters, sporting events and more
- 3% back on select streaming services, including Netflix®, Hulu® and Disney+
- 1% back on all other eligible purchases
The card also provides travel accident insurance, although it doesn’t come with flight or rental car coverage. If that’s a big factor in your travels, you can look at our best overall pick, the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, but do note that it charges that pesky foreign transaction fee.
- 2% back on all qualifying purchases
- Great insurance coverage, including extended warranty and more
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No introductory purchase APR offer
- Only available for residents of CT, DC, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA or VT
HIGHLIGHTS
- Introductory offer:
- bonus_miles_full
- Insurance and protection:
- Cell phone protection, lost luggage reimbursement, extended warranty and purchase security
Intro APR: balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration│ Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type│ Annual Fee: annual_fees
Why we chose it: The TD Double Up℠ Credit Card not only delivers a high, no-hurdles 2% flat rate cash back, but a wide array of insurance protection too.
The TD Double Up℠ Credit Card offers 2% on all qualifying purchases without any obstacles or spending caps. That’s 2% on groceries, gas, clothing, travel and almost everything else except money orders, balance transfers and the such.
The perks don’t end there, however. The card is a Visa Signature, which comes with added benefits, including extended warranties, purchase security, cell phone protection and lost luggage reimbursement. This is the most insurance policies and protections among cards of its category, which makes it a true all-around player in the game.
Note that this card does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it’s not the best card to take for trips abroad.
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent (combined) on office supplies, internet, cable and phone services each anniversary year
- bonus_miles_full
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No travel rewards category
HIGHLIGHTS
- New cardmember offer:
- bonus_miles_full
- Insurance and protection:
- Auto rental collision waiver, purchase protection, extended warranty
Intro APR: intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration││Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type│ Annual Fee: annual_fees
Why we chose it: When it comes to specific business expenses, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers high rewards that could especially pay off for small businesses and new entrepreneurs.
There are many business credit cards to choose from, but if you don’t want to pay an annual fee, it’s tough to beat the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card by Chase, especially because it truly rewards business expenses:
- 5% back on office supply stores and internet, cable and phone services up to the first $25,000 spent combined each anniversary year
- Unlimited 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2025
- 2% back on gas and restaurants up to the first $25,000 spent combined each year
- Unlimited 1% back on all other eligible purchases
While it does place caps on business rewards, this card delivers for entrepreneurs and small businesses who don’t want the additional cost of an annual fee. It also provides good protection services, including purchase protection and extended warranty, which is very valuable after buying expensive equipment.
The main drawback is the lack of travel-related benefits: it doesn’t offer rewards in the travel category (airfare, hotels or rental cars) nor any flight or luggage insurance. It does include an auto rental collision damage waiver and 2% cash back on gas, both of which are great for road trips or for businesses that require constant transportation.
Other cards we considered
Citi Custom Cash® Card
- 5% back on the most used eligible category up to the first $500 each billing cycle
- $500 spending limit can be low depending on the category
- 1% base rate
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is an excellent choice for those who want to pick the type of purchases they get the most out of. The credit card offers 5% back on the most used eligible category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent.
With 5% back on whichever eligible category you choose to spend the most on each month (among restaurants, gas, groceries, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment) this card gives you a higher reward rate than almost any other card. However, with a single high-reward category and its low spending cap, it might leave you wanting more as an everyday card.
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
- 3x points in a variety of categories, including travel, gas, restaurants and streaming
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- No foreign transaction fee
- No flight delay or cancellation insurance
- Streaming category is missing noteworthy services like Netflix and Max
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers 3x points on multiple categories — namely popular ones like gas, travel and dining — and 1x point on all other eligible purchases. And with no foreign transaction fees, it also makes for a good travel credit card. However, its rewards are lackluster when compared to some major competitors, especially due to its lack of flight and luggage insurance.
Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card
- 5% back on rotating bonus categories each quarter up to the first $1,500 spent
- Cash back match for the first year can double your earnings
- No foreign transaction fee
- Not accepted as widely as other cards, especially abroad
- 1% cash back base rate
One of the most popular cards, especially among students and first-time credit card users, the Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card offers plenty of cash back rewards. Its 5% rotating categories are, arguably, among the most useful among its kind and regularly includes groceries, gas, even wholesale clubs or Amazon purchases. The Cashback Match also doubles the earnings at the end of your first year, making it almost impossible to beat… but only for that first year. Afterwards, while it remains a solid card, it doesn’t particularly excel since it lacks the type of insurance coverage many competitors offer.
Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card
- 5% back on rotating categories each quarter up to the first $1,500 spent
- 5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Ample insurance coverage, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Foreign transaction fee
- 1% cash back base rate
A fraternal twin to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, the Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card comes with almost all the same benefits (5% on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining, auto rental collision damage waiver and more), but with an added cell phone protection plan and 5% rotating categories instead of a 1.5% cash back base rate. Both are great cards and the choice relies more on the applicant’s preferences.
No Annual Fee Credit Cards Guide
Credit cards’ annual fees can really add up — these recurring yearly charges on your statement can range from as low as $20 all the way up to almost $700, depending on the card.
However, some of the best credit cards available don’t charge an annual fee and still include rewards and benefits that can help you save money and provide ample insurance coverage.
How to choose the best no annual fee credit card
There are plenty of no-annual-fee cards on the market and choosing the right one can be a labor-intensive process. Here are some factors to take into account when making your selection.
Rewards and categories
One of the main reasons to use a credit card is to get rewarded for your spending and maybe even save some money in the long run. In order to do this, you have to analyze your spending habits carefully and identify what you spend the most on.
You can choose a card with a high flat or base rate — typically 1.5% or 2% for eligible purchases — or you can choose cards with bonus categories, like gas, restaurants, travel or groceries. Many cards offer 2%, 3% and even 5% in special categories, so make sure your spending aligns with the card’s bonus categories so you can take advantage of the cash back or bonus points.
Insurance and protection
A less-talked-about but equally important benefit that credit cards provide is insurance coverage. For starters, credit cards offer standard protection against credit card fraud, meaning cardholders aren’t held liable for unauthorized purchases and won’t need to pay them.
But many cards also offer a wide array of insurance coverage. Normally, premium cards with high annual fees will provide the most insurance, but the best no-annual-fee credit cards will also have one or more types of coverage, such as:
- Purchase protection. This type of insurance can reimburse the cardholder for a covered item that has been damaged or lost within an established timeframe. The issuer might reimburse you for a portion of the cost or its full cost, depending on its coverage limits.
- Extended warranty. An extended warranty is just what it sounds like, it extends the original manufacturer’s warranty of an eligible product. Keep in mind that it needs to have an original manufacturer’s warranty, and that the coverage from your card begins when the original one has lapsed.
- Return protection. This means your credit card issuer can accept your return and refund you if the original seller doesn’t accept returns or if their return window is shorter than your issuer’s.
- Flight insurance. This could have different names and cover different situations, but it frequently refers to an insurance policy that reimburses you for the cost of the airfare in the event of a flight cancellation, delay or other issues.
- Trip insurance. Different from flight insurance, trip insurance can cover or reimburse you if your trip is cut short due to unforeseen circumstances such as injury or illness.
- Baggage insurance. There are different types of baggage coverage: it could be reimbursement for lost baggage (up to a certain amount predetermined by your issuer) or a stipend in the case of late luggage.
- Rental car insurance. Often, credit cards offer an “auto rental collision damage waiver,” which covers damage or theft to the car. This coverage can be primary or secondary, but no-annual-fee cards are more likely to offer secondary, which means cardholders need to present personal insurance to the rental company. In the case of an accident, the card’s insurance will cover what the driver’s primary insurance doesn’t.
- Travel insurance. Travel insurance is different from flight or trip insurance, as it covers medical costs or, in some premium cards, even evacuations in case of emergencies. Some no-annual-fee cards have more specifically called “travel accident insurance,” which covers medical costs in the case of an accident while in an airplane. This is not to be confused with travel and emergency assistance, which is simply assistance contacting the necessary authorities or services during travel.
Keep in mind that coverage only applies to purchases made through the card itself.
Other fees
Credit cards with no annual fees obviously don’t charge an annual fee, but there are other costs that can come with your new card that you need to be aware of:
- Foreign transaction fees. This is, arguably, the most important fee to note after the annual fee. It’s a charge (from 1% to 3%) when using your credit card in a foreign country. Fees may also be charged to online purchases from overseas, but this can vary from card to card.
- Balance transfer fee. This fee is charged when transferring a balance between cards. It’s normally 3% or 5% of the total amount transferred. Some will offer a lower fee provided you transfer the balance within a certain amount of days of account opening. Cards that don’t charge this fee at all are very few.
- Late or returned payment fee. A late or returned payment (meaning not enough funds when the payment goes through) fee will usually be around $40. However, not all cards charge this.
- Cash advance fee. It’s not a good idea to use your credit card for a cash advance, as it charges a much higher interest rate and a fee of, typically $10 or 5% of the total amount transferred.
Who should get a credit card with no annual fee?
Anyone can apply for no-annual-fee cards, but you could benefit from a no-annual-fee card even more if:
It’s your first credit card
Before jumping into a fixed annual cost, it’s best to apply for a credit card without an annual fee. You can learn the ins and outs and determine if regularly using a credit card is for you.
You want to consolidate debt
If you have a high amount of credit card debt and wish to consolidate it, a no-annual-fee card is the best bet. Premium cards with annual fees could increase your balance, and they seldom have 0% APR offers. Usually, the best balance transfer credit cards don’t charge an annual fee.
You use credit sparingly
If you’re planning to use your credit card infrequently or only for emergencies, there might not be a reason to justify paying an annual fee. Sometimes, no-annual-fee versions of premium cards can yield more in the long run because the annual fee won’t cut into those earnings.
While premium cards offer additional perks, many also require high levels of spending in order to earn those benefits and/or are often tailored to luxurious lifestyles.
There are exceptions to this; for example, some of the best hotel credit cards offer rewards that don’t require spending a certain amount, such as free nights and status upgrades.
Are credit cards with annual fees worth it?
Many cards that charge an annual fee provide high reward rates and tons of benefits that not only make up for the annual fee, but far exceed it. However, cardholders don’t always need or use many of these benefits, and their spending isn’t always enough to cover the fee.
For example, a card with no annual fee that offers 2% back on gas will yield $36 in cash back at the end of the year for someone who spends $150 on gas per month.
On the other hand, a more premium card that charges a $95 annual fee and offers 3% back will yield $54 at the end of the year. While the final amount seems higher, the cardholder technically lost $41 in comparison to earning a clean $36 with the no annual fee card, assuming there are no other valuable benefits.
So, are no-annual-fee credit cards better? It depends. It all depends on your overall spending habits and lifestyle. Here are some comparison points to consider.
No cost at all, other than accrued interest
Typically provide higher rewards rate, in some cases much higher
People with little to no credit history are more likely to get approved
Tend to have a wider variety of insurance coverage
Net earnings could be much higher depending on your spending
Often add perks like VIP lounge access, priority reservations and upgraded status at hotels
Often feature introductory APR of 0% for those that qualify
Tend to have generous welcome bonuses
Latest News in No Annual Fee Credit Cards
- If you’re barely starting your credit journey and have little to no credit history, it might be confusing as to what steps to take or how to go about applying for your first credit card. Learn more about this in our article: How To Get a Credit Card With No Credit
Best No Annual Fee Credit Card FAQs
Why do credit cards have annual fees?
Credit cards charge annual fees to cover or make up for all the benefits the card provides, such as hefty statement credits or full refunds on damaged items.
What is a no annual fee credit card?
A no annual fee credit card is simply a credit card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. This includes the majority of credit cards available, from the most basic one at your local bank to travel credit cards with high rewards and insurance coverage.
What is the best credit card with no annual fee?
The best credit card with no annual fee will depend on the applicant, their financial situation and specific needs, since different cards cover different spending categories and insurance policies. At Money, we found the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to be one of the best no annual fee credit cards due to its various bonus categories and insurance coverage, paired with a respectable base rate of 1.5% cash back.
Can credit card companies waive annual fees?
Credit card issuers don’t usually waive annual fees, but there are exceptions. For example, many cards waive the annual fee for the first year as an introductory offer. You can also call your issuer and ask to waive the fee due to a particular situation, but they’re not obligated to agree. With some cards, you can downgrade from an annual fee to a no-annual-fee version if you need to and provided the issuer has one available.
How We Chose the Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Reward rate. We looked at the amount of points and cash back these no-annual-fee cards give cardholders.
Reward categories. Categories are important because they’re what make a card relevant to a person and their spending habits. Some cards might offer high reward rates, but only on very specific purchases, while the best cards offer high rewards on everyday categories that everyone uses.
Insurance and protection. What truly sets many no-annual-fee cards apart is the insurance policies they offer. The coverage provided by each card was an important factor in our methodology to find the best all-around options.
Other fees. While less impactful than other criteria, we also considered other fees in our selection process, especially foreign transaction fees.
Summary of Money’s Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please visit this link.
* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:
Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
