Credit Cards
By
Daisy Hernandez
Credit Cards Editor
Daisy is a credit cards editor at TPG. Her expertise spans earning and redeeming rewards across rotating categories and multiple cards.Prior to this, she wrote news stories and how-to guides and tested and reviewed gear for Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated, Bicycling and Runner's World.
and
Christina Ly
Credit cards writer
Christina Ly is a writer at TPG. She has covered credit cards and personal finance topics since joining the team in 2022.
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Edited by
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Reviewed by
Paige Balcom
Compliance associate
Compliance associate Paige Balcom joined TPG in 2022 and has spent her time working in the credit card industry reviewing content across sites such as CNET, CreditCards.com and Bankrate. She has used her knowledge to train new writers and other compliance members on the intricacies of compliance across multiple brands and partners.
March 01, 2024
The best no-annual-fee credit cards offer cash back, travel credits and other perks — and can be a great way to maximize your rewards while minimizing costs. And since there’s no shortage of quality cards to choose from, you might even find that having more than one cash-back card will offer you even more opportunities to earn rewards that you can redeem as you see fit.
TPG editors have curated this list of top picks that feature cards with generous rates of cash back across multiple categories like dining, entertainment, office supplies and more. Here are the best no-annual-fee credit cards from our partners.
At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending. Our travel and credit cards experts share their own experiences and give honest analyses to help you make decisions that benefit you the most. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads, and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content, points valuations and card analysis are entirely our own.
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Comparing the best no annual fee credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
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More details on the best credit cards
Maximizing no annual fee credit cards
Take advantage of the welcome offer
Several no-annual-fee credit cards feature decent welcome offers with low spend thresholds. We recommend choosing a credit card that will earn you rewards you can redeem for cash back or transferable points or miles so you get the most bang for your buck.
It’s also worth noting that you should check the time frame you’re given to reach that spend threshold so you don’t risk the chance of missing out on it.
Pay the balance off in full each month
One of the reasons no annual fee credit cards are great is right in the name: they don’t require cardholders to pay an annual fee to keep it in their wallets. If you’re trying to cut costs or stick to a budget, another great way to keep some cash in your wallet is to pay off the balance on your no-annual-fee credit card each month.
At TPG, we always advise against carrying a balance month-to-month since it saves you interest charges (which can be quite hefty and add up quickly, to boot).
Create an earning strategy
It’s a good idea to create a spending and earning strategy when opening any new credit card. Doing so lets you take advantage of the welcome bonus and maximize your reward earnings — whether they’re points, miles or cash back.
An earning strategy is also helpful if you carry several credit cards and rotate them to earn maximum points, rewards and other perks. For example, once you know what your key spending categories are, you can match certain cards to recurring or daily expenses to earn more in each category, depending on the earning rate on that specific credit card.
How we rate cards
The best no annual fee credit cards feature various earning categories — some with very generous earning rates — and easy redemption options when you’re ready to cash in your rewards.
Welcome bonus We included cards that feature welcome bonuses with achievable minimum spend thresholds to fit a variety of budgets.
Annual feeThe best part of having a no annual fee card is that you’re still eligible to earn rewards without the need to pay a fee to be a cardholder.
Earning ratesWe chose no annual fee cards that feature popular bonus categories to help you maximize the amount of rewards you earn.
Redemption optionsOur picks provide different ways to redeem rewards, whether you’ve accrued points, miles or cash back.
Added benefitsThe best no annual fee cards offer additional benefits, including but not limited to simple earning structures and no foreign transaction fees.
What is a no annual fee card?
A no annual fee credit card provides you with the ability to access a line of credit and earn rewards like cash back and miles without the added cost of paying a yearly fee to be a cardholder.
A no annual fee credit card is a great way to earn redeemable rewards if you’re new to the points and miles game.
Who should get a credit card with no annual fee?
A no annual fee credit card is a great choice for people who like to adhere to a budget while optimizing their spending without incurring the additional cost of being a cardholder.
How to choose the best no annual fee credit card
To choose which no annual fee credit card is best for you, decide what types of rewards you want to earn — miles, points, or cash back — and in which categories you spend the most money.
Here are some of the main points to consider when choosing a no annual fee credit card:
1
Sign-up bonus
Choose a no annual fee card that provides the opportunity to earn a sign-up bonus, as these are typically a great way to boost your cash back, points or miles rewards. Another plus? No annual fee cards don’t usually have high spend requirements in order to obtain a sign-up bonus making it even easier to increase your reward amount.
2
Annual fee
The beauty of a no annual fee card is that you don’t have to worry about paying to keep it in your wallet. And you still get the added benefits of earning points, miles and cash back like you would with a more premium card, to boot.
3
Bonus categories
Our picks feature decent earning rates across several bonus categories, ensuring there’s a good fit for those looking to maximize rewards without paying an annual fee on a credit card.
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What is a no annual fee card?
A no annual fee credit card provides you with the ability to access a line of credit and earn rewards like cash back and miles without the added cost of paying a yearly fee to be a cardholder.
A no annual fee credit card is a great way to earn redeemable rewards if you’re new to the points and miles game.
Who should get a credit card with no annual fee?
A no annual fee credit card is a great choice for people who like to adhere to a budget while optimizing their spending without incurring the additional cost of being a cardholder.
Ask our experts
What's your favorite no annual fee card — and why?
Apply for Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Great rewards for no fee
“If you want a simple earning structure and don’t want to pay an annual fee, you’ll love the Freedom Unlimited. With at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases, you never have to worry about remembering which card to use where.”
Brian KellyFounder and “The Points Guy”
Apply for Chase Freedom Flex℠
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Lucrative, rotating bonus categories
“I get incredible value from the rotating bonus categories on the Freedom Flex, especially since I also have the Sapphire Reserve in my wallet. That means I can effectively earn 5 Chase points per dollar spent on up to $1,500 in select purchases every quarter after I enroll.”
Nick EwenSenior editorial director
Apply for Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Earn cash-back or Ultimate Rewards points
“I love to combine the rewards I earn on the Ink Business Cash with the Ultimate Rewards points I earn on my Sapphire Reserve, allowing me to earn more valuable rewards without paying an additional annual fee.”
Emily ThompsonCredit cards editor
Pros + cons of no annual fee credit cards
Pros
- Great way to get started in the world of points and miles
- Many no annual fee cards offer rotating bonus categories making it easier to maximize your rewards
- No annual fee cards with flat earning rates on all purchases are great ways to fill in the gaps in your spend/earn strategy
Cons
- These cards typically offer smaller welcome bonuses than more premium cards
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You’ll see us say this a lot because, frankly, it’s the truth: the best credit cards — whether we’re talking about the best airline, grocery or no annual fee credit cards — are the ones that align with your financial goals and spending habits.
The best no annual fee credit card for you might be one that earns a flat-rate on all purchases if you don’t want to track rotating cash back categories. If you don’t mind tracking and activating rotating categories, then you may want to opt in for a no annual fee card that features higher earning rates you have to track on a monthly or quarterly basis.
The application process for a no annual fee credit card is straightforward. You can click on any of the ‘Apply Now’ links on this page to get started.
No annual fee credit cards are excellent for those who want to get involved in the credit card rewards game as well as those who want to earn cash back or points without the added expense of an annual fee.
There are a couple of great no annual fee cards that offer killer rewards, such as the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). The SavorOne offers cardholders 8% cash back on Capital One entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and grocery stores (excluding Walmart® and Target®).
If any of the above are categories you frequently spend in, the SavorOne may be a solid no annual fee credit card to add to your wallet.
It’s possible to downgrade a credit card with a fee to a no-fee card by calling your issuer’s customer service line and requesting this change. The phone number can usually be found on the back of your current card.
It depends. If you’re interested in having an annual fee on a credit card waived, you can call your issuer’s customer service department and ask if they’d be willing to waive the annual fee in order to keep you as a cardholder.
That being said, the decision will be up to the representative you speak with; they may tell you they can waive the fee for a year, or they may say they can’t waive an annual fee, even if that means losing you as a customer.
If you don’t want to worry about annual fees, consider applying for one of the cards on this list. Several options include decent welcome offers, earning categories and even unlimited cash back — all for no annual fee.
