Paying an annual fee isn’t always worth it. While it can sometimes translate to better perks and rewards, it’s also another yearly expense you’re responsible for. Luckily, you don’t need to pay an annual fee to get a good credit card.
Plenty of cards provide solid rewards and long-term value without charging an annual fee. While an annual-fee card might offer incentives and credits that offset the upfront cost, you can still find a card with benefits that don’t cost you extra to carry it. No-annual-fee credit cards won’t charge an extra fee that eats into any of the rewards you earn.
Before applying for a no-annual-fee card, check to see if it can deliver value based on your spending habits. Here are CNET’s recommendations for the best cards with no annual fees.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers an unlimited 2% flat cash rewards structure, making this a simple but powerful card. There’s no worrying about reward limits or bonus categories -- you’ll earn a flat rewards rate on eligible everyday purchases. Plus, if you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months of opening your account, you’ll earn a $200 cash rewards welcome bonus. You can also take advantage of the low introductory APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, as this is a well-rounded card.
Check out our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%; min: $5
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card offers an unlimited 2% flat cash rewards structure, making this a simple but powerful card. There’s no worrying about reward limits or bonus categories -- you’ll earn a flat rewards rate on eligible everyday purchases. Plus, if you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months of opening your account, you’ll earn a $200 cash rewards welcome bonus. You can also take advantage of the low introductory APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, as this is a well-rounded card.
Check out our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card for more details.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%; min: $5
The Citi Custom Cash card offers flexibility in your rewards, but unlike the Discover it Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex, the flexible category is based on your highest eligible spend category. Without having to manually activate anything, this credit card will apply 5% cash back to your topmost spending category each billing cycle, on up to $500 spending per billing cycle (then 1%). Eligible categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
As with the other options on this list, you can also take advantage of the welcome bonus and introductory APR with this card.
For more details, see our full review of the Citi Custom Cash Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months on balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months on purchases
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
The Citi Custom Cash card offers flexibility in your rewards, but unlike the Discover it Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex, the flexible category is based on your highest eligible spend category. Without having to manually activate anything, this credit card will apply 5% cash back to your topmost spending category each billing cycle, on up to $500 spending per billing cycle (then 1%). Eligible categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.
As with the other options on this list, you can also take advantage of the welcome bonus and introductory APR with this card.
For more details, see our full review of the Citi Custom Cash Card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months on balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months on purchases
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
With the U.S. Bank Cash+ card, you can earn 5% cash back on purchases in two eligible categories each quarter. While the rewards rates are competitive, there is a $2,000 spending limit in combined eligible purchases each quarter on the chosen 5% cash back rewards. The eligible bonus categories vary each quarter, but some of the categories you can choose from currently include sporting goods stores, movie theaters, gyms or fitness centers, furniture stores, ground transportation and select clothing stores. You can also earn 2% cash back on purchases in one “everyday” category.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR Intro APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles.
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR Intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles.
- Regular APR
- 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
With the U.S. Bank Cash+ card, you can earn 5% cash back on purchases in two eligible categories each quarter. While the rewards rates are competitive, there is a $2,000 spending limit in combined eligible purchases each quarter on the chosen 5% cash back rewards. The eligible bonus categories vary each quarter, but some of the categories you can choose from currently include sporting goods stores, movie theaters, gyms or fitness centers, furniture stores, ground transportation and select clothing stores. You can also earn 2% cash back on purchases in one “everyday” category.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR Intro APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles.
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR Intro APR on purchases for the first 15 billing cycles.
- Regular APR
- 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
The Citi Double Cash card is one of the best flat-rate cash-back credit cards around. For no annual fee, you can earn up to 2% cash back on purchases -- 1% when you buy them, and then 1% when you pay them off.
It also features a long 0% introductory APR for balance transfers. You can take advantage of the 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months before the standard APR of 19.24% to 29.24% (variable) applies. Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening. Just be aware there is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum) for transfers completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, it’ll be 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum).
Read our Citi Double Cash Card review for more information.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
The Citi Double Cash card is one of the best flat-rate cash-back credit cards around. For no annual fee, you can earn up to 2% cash back on purchases -- 1% when you buy them, and then 1% when you pay them off.
It also features a long 0% introductory APR for balance transfers. You can take advantage of the 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 18 months before the standard APR of 19.24% to 29.24% (variable) applies. Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening. Just be aware there is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum) for transfers completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, it’ll be 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum).
Read our Citi Double Cash Card review for more information.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to earn rewards for a multitude of different purchases, consider the Wells Fargo Autograph card.
Its rewards cover an impressive array of purchases, making it a solid choice for spenders who enjoy traveling and dining. The card also earns rewards for transit, including rideshares, that make it easy to get home safely. It even features a 0% intro APR for purchases for 12 months from account opening (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable) to help avoid interest charges.
You can learn more about it in our Wells Fargo Autograph card review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%; min: $5
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to earn rewards for a multitude of different purchases, consider the Wells Fargo Autograph card.
Its rewards cover an impressive array of purchases, making it a solid choice for spenders who enjoy traveling and dining. The card also earns rewards for transit, including rideshares, that make it easy to get home safely. It even features a 0% intro APR for purchases for 12 months from account opening (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable) to help avoid interest charges.
You can learn more about it in our Wells Fargo Autograph card review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%; min: $5
The Chase Freedom Unlimited* has the potential to be a very rewarding choice, particularly if you can book your travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards or if you like to dine out a lot.
It’s a strong general rewards card that you could use to bolster the return on your spending. Consider using it in tandem with another card that offers even greater rewards for specific purchases such as gas and groceries. That way your essential purchases will be covered -- dining out, gas, groceries, drug stores, plus an above-average base rate.
Read more about it in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited* has the potential to be a very rewarding choice, particularly if you can book your travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards or if you like to dine out a lot.
It’s a strong general rewards card that you could use to bolster the return on your spending. Consider using it in tandem with another card that offers even greater rewards for specific purchases such as gas and groceries. That way your essential purchases will be covered -- dining out, gas, groceries, drug stores, plus an above-average base rate.
Read more about it in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Chase Freedom Flex* offers a wide range of cash-back rewards and additional perks without charging an annual fee. The static rewards include popular spending categories like drug stores and dining, and the quarterly rotating bonus categories often catch other big-budget items. Now through Sept. 30, 2023, you earn 5% cash back on purchases at gas stations, EV charging and select live entertainment on up to $1,500 in combined spending, then 1% if you activate the bonus category before Sept. 14.
You can earn a competitive welcome bonus and take advantage of the introductory APR. The welcome bonus can be redeemed for statement credits against your purchases, and the introductory APR can give you some cushion to pay back big purchases over a longer time period while avoiding interest charges.
For more information, see our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Chase Freedom Flex* offers a wide range of cash-back rewards and additional perks without charging an annual fee. The static rewards include popular spending categories like drug stores and dining, and the quarterly rotating bonus categories often catch other big-budget items. Now through Sept. 30, 2023, you earn 5% cash back on purchases at gas stations, EV charging and select live entertainment on up to $1,500 in combined spending, then 1% if you activate the bonus category before Sept. 14.
You can earn a competitive welcome bonus and take advantage of the introductory APR. The welcome bonus can be redeemed for statement credits against your purchases, and the introductory APR can give you some cushion to pay back big purchases over a longer time period while avoiding interest charges.
For more information, see our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Wells Fargo Reflect can help you pay down credit card debt, but you won’t earn any rewards. You’ll get a 0% introductory APR offer for purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 21 months from account opening, then 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable. Be sure you make any transfers within 120 days from account opening to qualify for the introductory rate.
There’s a balance transfer fee of 5% ($5 minimum) of the amount of each transfer, which is higher than most balance transfer cards, but it could still be worth it depending on the cost of any interest charges you’re dealing with.
You can read all the details in our Wells Fargo Reflect Card review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 5%; min: $5
The Wells Fargo Reflect can help you pay down credit card debt, but you won’t earn any rewards. You’ll get a 0% introductory APR offer for purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 21 months from account opening, then 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable. Be sure you make any transfers within 120 days from account opening to qualify for the introductory rate.
There’s a balance transfer fee of 5% ($5 minimum) of the amount of each transfer, which is higher than most balance transfer cards, but it could still be worth it depending on the cost of any interest charges you’re dealing with.
You can read all the details in our Wells Fargo Reflect Card review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 5%; min: $5
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card*, you earn 1.5 points (equivalent to 1.5 cents) for every dollar spent on any purchase, anywhere. These points can be redeemed for statement credits against travel expenses (like hotels and flights) and restaurants, with no restrictions on airlines, websites or dates. You’ll also enjoy no foreign transaction fees, so anywhere you travel to, you can use this credit card without penalty. The sign-on bonus and introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers make this a well-rounded everyday credit card, as well.
For more details, see our full review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee applies.
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
- Regular APR
- 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% of the amount of each transaction
With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card*, you earn 1.5 points (equivalent to 1.5 cents) for every dollar spent on any purchase, anywhere. These points can be redeemed for statement credits against travel expenses (like hotels and flights) and restaurants, with no restrictions on airlines, websites or dates. You’ll also enjoy no foreign transaction fees, so anywhere you travel to, you can use this credit card without penalty. The sign-on bonus and introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers make this a well-rounded everyday credit card, as well.
For more details, see our full review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee applies.
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
- Regular APR
- 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% of the amount of each transaction
The Blue Cash Everyday Card offers rewards on everyday spending categories. It offers one of the best cash-back rates on U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases. You can also take advantage of its 0% introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.99%. If you need to finance a large purchase or pay down a high-interest debt from another credit card, this card is a solid option.
You can read more about it in our Blue Cash Everyday review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The Blue Cash Everyday Card offers rewards on everyday spending categories. It offers one of the best cash-back rates on U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases. You can also take advantage of its 0% introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.99%. If you need to finance a large purchase or pay down a high-interest debt from another credit card, this card is a solid option.
You can read more about it in our Blue Cash Everyday review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
If you prefer staying at Hilton properties while traveling, the Hilton Honors American Express card could provide a way to turn rewards into hotel stays. However, if you wanted a card for cash-back or statement credits, this won’t be a good pick. Hilton points also might not be worth too much, limiting how rewarding this card can be. But it does offer a number of added amenities for Hilton customers.
You can find out more in our Hilton Honors American Express Card review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
If you prefer staying at Hilton properties while traveling, the Hilton Honors American Express card could provide a way to turn rewards into hotel stays. However, if you wanted a card for cash-back or statement credits, this won’t be a good pick. Hilton points also might not be worth too much, limiting how rewarding this card can be. But it does offer a number of added amenities for Hilton customers.
You can find out more in our Hilton Honors American Express Card review.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
The Capital One SavorOne* is a great weekend companion. You’ll earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart). You can also earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Plus, earn 10% cash back on purchases with Uber and Uber Eats, plus a complimentary Uber One membership through Nov. 14, 2024.
If you’re someone who’s often catching live shows and dining out, you could get a lot out of this card. And for those who prefer quiet nights in, you can binge your favorite shows and buy the snacks while still earning rewards.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% for the first 15 months or at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR
The Capital One SavorOne* is a great weekend companion. You’ll earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart). You can also earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Plus, earn 10% cash back on purchases with Uber and Uber Eats, plus a complimentary Uber One membership through Nov. 14, 2024.
If you’re someone who’s often catching live shows and dining out, you could get a lot out of this card. And for those who prefer quiet nights in, you can binge your favorite shows and buy the snacks while still earning rewards.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% for the first 15 months or at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR
The Capital One Quicksilver* earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back.
That makes it a flexible choice for those who spend on a variety of different purchases. Consider pairing it with a rewards card that earns higher rewards for specific purchases to maximize the return on your spending. And considering it earns 5% cash back for hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel with no foreign transactions fees, it could be used as a low-level travel credit card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 30.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
The Capital One Quicksilver* earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back.
That makes it a flexible choice for those who spend on a variety of different purchases. Consider pairing it with a rewards card that earns higher rewards for specific purchases to maximize the return on your spending. And considering it earns 5% cash back for hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel with no foreign transactions fees, it could be used as a low-level travel credit card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 30.74% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- $0 at the Transfer APR, 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
The Discover it® Cash Back* is another good card that costs nothing but a good credit score to open. It offers decent rewards and an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, but what makes this card really stand out is the Unlimited Cashback Match welcome bonus. For your first year as a cardholder, all of your cash back earned is essentially doubled by Discover, with no limitations. You can rack up a lot more cash back with this welcome bonus than with most credit cards, but you’ll have to be patient to earn it, as Discover won’t match your cash back until after your full first year as a cardholder is up.
For the quarterly rotating bonus category, you’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending for the quarter, then 1%. You have to activate these rewards through your account each quarter to earn them, though. Now through September, you can earn these rewards on gas station and digital wallet purchases.
For more information, see our full review of the Discover it Cash Back.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 17.24% – 28.24% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
The Discover it® Cash Back* is another good card that costs nothing but a good credit score to open. It offers decent rewards and an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, but what makes this card really stand out is the Unlimited Cashback Match welcome bonus. For your first year as a cardholder, all of your cash back earned is essentially doubled by Discover, with no limitations. You can rack up a lot more cash back with this welcome bonus than with most credit cards, but you’ll have to be patient to earn it, as Discover won’t match your cash back until after your full first year as a cardholder is up.
For the quarterly rotating bonus category, you’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending for the quarter, then 1%. You have to activate these rewards through your account each quarter to earn them, though. Now through September, you can earn these rewards on gas station and digital wallet purchases.
For more information, see our full review of the Discover it Cash Back.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 17.24% – 28.24% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®* is an entry-level rewards card for those who fly American Airlines occasionally. You use the rewards you earn to redeem flights.
It offers a 25% savings on in-flight food and drink with a strong welcome bonus of 10,000 AAdvantage miles plus a $50 statement credit after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening. It’s a low spend requirement for a lucrative bonus, which is rare for an airline credit card without an annual fee.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.24% – 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®* is an entry-level rewards card for those who fly American Airlines occasionally. You use the rewards you earn to redeem flights.
It offers a 25% savings on in-flight food and drink with a strong welcome bonus of 10,000 AAdvantage miles plus a $50 statement credit after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening. It’s a low spend requirement for a lucrative bonus, which is rare for an airline credit card without an annual fee.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 21.24% – 29.99% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
If you eat out often, the U.S. Bank Altitude card would be a rewarding choice. It offers one of the highest rewards rates for a no-annual-fee card, in addition to providing solid card perks.
It comes with a $15 streaming credit for paying 11 consecutive months of a streaming service and its bonus categories offer rewards for a number of popular purchases including streaming services and grocery stores. The only thing holding it back is that its welcome bonus has a high spending requirement with a low payout, but all in all it’s a versatile and inexpensive rewards card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases
- Regular APR
- 20.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
If you eat out often, the U.S. Bank Altitude card would be a rewarding choice. It offers one of the highest rewards rates for a no-annual-fee card, in addition to providing solid card perks.
It comes with a $15 streaming credit for paying 11 consecutive months of a streaming service and its bonus categories offer rewards for a number of popular purchases including streaming services and grocery stores. The only thing holding it back is that its welcome bonus has a high spending requirement with a low payout, but all in all it’s a versatile and inexpensive rewards card.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on purchases
- Regular APR
- 20.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
What is an annual fee?
Some issuers charge a recurring annual fee for using a particular credit card. Annual fees can range from $50 for a basic rewards card to over $600 for premium cards with luxury perks. Credit cards with steep annual fees generally offer lucrative rewards and perks, including travel credits, airport lounge access, travel protections and better redemption options. However, many no-annual-fee credit cards still offer rewards and perks but drop the yearly price tag.
How to choose the best no-annual-fee credit card
Before you apply for a credit card, consider what you want out of your card. Start by comparing your goals to card features: A card with an introductory APR could help get rid of credit card debt or finance a large purchase, while a rewards card could put some money back in your pocket for general spending.
You’ll want to choose a credit card that bolsters how you spend already -- you don’t want to alter your spending habits to fit a credit card. You can start with the basics, like credit cards for groceries or gas.
Finding a no-annual-fee credit card with a welcome bonus is a great way to earn a higher return on your spending -- though not every card will have one. You’ll want to be sure you can unlock the bonus without spending on unnecessary purchases, otherwise you should exclude it from your evaluation.
Is a credit card without an annual fee right for you?
It comes down to your spending habits and appetite for perks. While rewards credit cards without an annual fee offer a guaranteed return on your spending, you may be able to get more rewards elsewhere. However, earning higher rewards and taking advantage of specialty travel perks (like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits) is only one piece of the puzzle. If you don’t use these benefits enough to justify the annual fee, you may dig a bigger hole than the one you started with.
Your credit card shouldn’t feel like a chore, so if a portfolio of perks isn’t quite what you’re looking for, a no-annual-fee credit card can still get the job done.
How to maximize your no-annual-fee credit card
If you use your no-annual-fee credit card responsibly, you can reap the benefits without stressing over a high annual price tag. Here are a few tips to consider when using your card:
- Pay your balance on time and in full every month. Paying your credit card bill on time and in full every month is one of the most important steps toward building strong credit. Missing a payment might result in steep late payment fees, and you can accrue interest charges if you carry a balance.
- Take advantage of the welcome bonus and introductory APR. Plenty of no-annual-fee credit cards offer welcome bonuses or introductory APR offers. If you qualify for a credit card with either benefit, make sure you aren’t stretching your finances to meet the welcome bonus. And avoid overspending simply because interest isn’t accruing for now. Once a 0% intro APR period ends, any remaining balance will start accruing interest at your card’s regular APR.
- Pair your no-annual-fee card with a rewards card. Once you get the hang of your no-annual-fee credit card, pair it with a rewards credit card that charges an annual fee. By being more intentional about how you spend, both credit cards can fit nicely in your wallet while providing different needs and benefits.
- Don’t close the account when you’re ready to upgrade. If you add another credit card to your wallet, don’t close your no-annual-fee credit card -- keep it active. When you lose a line of credit, you shorten the length of your credit history and your credit utilization -- how much credit you have compared to the amount of debt you carry. This typically dings your credit score, so consider your options before closing a credit card.
How to apply for a no-annual-fee credit card
Follow these steps to apply for a credit card without an annual fee:
- Find the card that complements your financial habits. If you’re not ready to take on a rewards credit card with an annual fee, there are plenty of solid no-annual-fee options available. Carefully consider each card’s rewards rate, APR, benefits and credit requirements to find the right match for your needs.
- Apply securely on the credit card issuer’s website. Once you settle on a card you want to apply for, click the corresponding link above to access the official application page or visit the issuer’s site.
- Fill out the application. You’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, income and address. Keep in mind every credit card application results in a hard credit check, which gives the issuer permission to pull your credit report from the credit bureaus. A hard inquiry generally drops your credit score by a few points, but it’s usually only temporary.
- If you’re approved, start using your card responsibly. Treat your new credit card like you would cash -- only swipe your card when you know you have the money to pay off your balance in full and on time. If you can’t keep up with your balance or consistently pay your bill late, your credit score will take a hit. Set your account on autopay to eliminate any room for error.
The bottom line
Paying an annual fee isn’t always worth it, especially if you’re looking for a straightforward credit card that swaps top-tier benefits for a smaller annual price tag. However, you don’t have to pay an annual fee to get value from your credit card. If you find a no-annual-fee credit card with a rewards structure that pairs nicely with your spending habits, and you manage to keep up with your monthly bill, you can get more long-term value than you might think.
FAQs
Yes, there are credit cards designed for bad credit that have lower requirements to qualify for. Some have annual fees while others don’t.
They can, but that doesn’t mean they will. It depends on your relationship with your card issuer and the standing of your account. You could contact your credit card issuer and see if they’ll waive an annual fee, but there’s no guarantee.
Many rewards credit cards and travel credit cards have annual fees around $100. These are usually associated with better rewards rates and perks. Some credit cards, like premium travel credit cards, can cost hundreds of dollars or even more. These credit cards often offer a lot of annual statement credits or other niche benefits.
Yes. In fact, most balance transfer credit cards offer no annual fee. You’ll want to keep an eye out for balance transfer fees, though. Most cards charge a 3% balance transfer fee, but some charge as much as 5%. Otherwise, you can find a handful of credit cards with no balance transfer fee.
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash-back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here
*All information about the Discover it Cash Back, American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card, Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.