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No annual fee credit cards are cards with no annual maintenance fee. Paying off your balance every month and avoiding yearly fees means you can get ahead without ever paying a dime to the credit card company.
If you have a good credit score (670 or higher) and don't spend enough to warrant a card with a fee, the best no annual fee credit cards could be right for you.
Great for: Balance transfers and cash back
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 6 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Regular APR
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Rewards 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically
1% - 2% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer N/A
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Features the typically impressive slate of Discover card perks, but without the big bonus cash back. Read Full Review
Discover it® Chrome
Great for: Cash back versatility with a big bonus
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR on Purchases
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months
Regular APR
20.49%-29.24% Variable
Rewards 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.
5% cash back offer
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!
$200 bonus
This Chase card is one of our favorites, and with good reason. You earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, alongside other standout perks (and at least 1% on all purchases). Plus, this one comes without an annual fee and with a generous welcome bonus. Read Full Review
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Great for: Cash back
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
2% cash rewards
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
$200 cash rewards
This card’s unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases is the highest we’ve seen for a flat-rate rewards card with no annual fee. It also has an incredibly easy-to-earn $200 welcome bonus and a generous intro APR offer. We simply haven’t come across this combination of top perks in one card before. Read Full Review
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Great for: Unlimited cash back
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months
Regular APR
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
Rewards Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases
1.5% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
Up to $300 cash back
This card would be highly-rated based on its unlimited 1.5% - 5% cash back rates & 0% Intro APR offer alone. But the innovative sign-up bonus (worth up to $300 cash back) makes it particularly good if this would be your primary credit card. With the bonus, you’ll earn 4.5% cash back on dining and drugstores, 6.5% on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After the bonus, you’ll still earn the regular cash back rates on every purchase. Read Full Review
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Great for: Bonus category cash back
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Rewards Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
1% - 5% Cashback
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer N/A
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
We think this card has among the highest cash back potential for cards with no annual fee. The key is the Unlimited Cashback Match — Discover automatically matches all the cash back new cardholders have earned at the end of the first year. That cash back can seriously add up when you earn 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories (when you activate them, up to the quarterly maximum) and 1% on other purchases. Read Full Review
Discover it® Cash Back
Great for: Flat rate cash back
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay
Up to 2% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
20,000 ThankYou® Points
This card combines a top-notch balance transfer offer for 18 months with best-in-class unlimited 2% cash back on purchases. There's no introductory APR for purchases, so if you use that long balance transfer offer you'll be charged interest on all new purchases until the full balance is paid off. However, once you conquer that balance transfer, this may become your go-to card thanks to the high cash back rate. Read Full Review
Citi Double Cash® Card
Great for: Customizing cash back
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent), 1% cash back on other purchases. Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
1% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
20,000 ThankYou® Points
We love this card’s easy-to-use yet lucrative cash back program. Each billing cycle, cardholders earn 5% cash back in their top spend category (up to $500 spent in eligible categories). Eligible categories include grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, select travel and more. The card automatically adjusts to your spending habits, which makes it easy to maximize your rewards. Read Full Review
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Great for: Unlimited 3x points in certain categories
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.
1X-3X points
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
20,000 bonus points
This card offers unlimited 3X points on common things like restaurants, gas stations, travel, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases. This could be a great pick if you spend a lot in those categories. A solid welcome bonus and cell phone protection are the cherries on top. Read Full Review
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. Balance transfers include a fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards 3% cash back in your choice category, 2% at grocery stores & wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), 1% on all other purchases.
1% - 3% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
$200 cash rewards
This card's wide range of extra cash back options speaks for itself, with a choice of six bonus categories you can change monthly for 3% earnings in the category of your choice. And you can earn 2% back automatically at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. No annual fee and a nice welcome bonus also make this one a winner. Plus, if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, this card will be even more valuable for you. Read Full Review
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Great for: Dining rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.24% - 29.24% (Variable).
Purchases: 0%, 12 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 billing cycles
Regular APR
18.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery. 2X points on streaming services. Plus, a $15 credit for annual streaming purchases like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify®, Apple Music, Disney+, HBO Max and more! 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations, and EV charging stations. 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
1x - 4x points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
20,000 bonus points
A great pick that offers lucrative rewards (up to 4x points), a big bonus, and a competitive 0% intro APR offer, all with no annual fee.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Great for: Intro travel bonus offer
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. Balance transfers include a fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards
1.5 points per dollar
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
25,000 points
This is a good starter travel card thanks to its simplicity and no annual fee. It offers a strong welcome bonus worth $250, unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, and no foreign transaction fee. Simply redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases. The generous 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases offer might come in handy if you want to pay-off an expensive trip over time without interest. It’s a particularly good fit for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase (depending on your tier). Read Full Review
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
These cards offer competitive rewards programs and valuable cardholder benefits -- without the expense. Here are a few features to consider when you compare credit card offers:
Purchase rewards
Even though you're skipping the annual fee, you don't have to give up your rewards. Most of the cash back credit cards with no annual fee let you earn cash back rewards, though a few may have points programs instead. Many of these cards will let you apply rewards to your balance as a statement credit, as well as redeem them for gift cards or merchandise. Don't expect to find transferable travel rewards, however, as those cards tend to have fees in the $100 to $550 range.
Welcome offers
As with purchase rewards, you can find generous welcome offers without big fees. While you might not earn enough to travel first class to Europe, you can easily find no annual fee cards with welcome bonus rewards of $150 or more.
Introductory 0% APR offer
A very common feature of the best no annual fee cards is a generous 0% intro APR offer. You can get 15 months or more interest free -- on top of no annual fee. Just remember that a variable APR will apply after the intro period.
Cardholder benefits
Many credit cards, including ones with no annual fee, offer fringe benefits just for being a cardholder. These can include perks like purchase protection, trip cancellation insurance, and even rental car coverage.
Fees
Even if the card doesn't charge an annual fee, it may have other fees. For example, some cards charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the U.S. Always check a card's fee schedule (usually found in the cardholder's agreement) and understand what additional costs you might incur.
The options for the best credit cards with no annual fee are just as diverse as those for cards with fees. As such, you should really consider what you want out of the best rewards credit card with no annual fee before making a selection.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Balance transfers and cash back |
|
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Cash back versatility with a big bonus |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Cash back |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Unlimited cash back |
|
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Bonus category cash back |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Flat rate cash back |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Customizing cash back |
|
2024 Award Winner
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Unlimited 3x points in certain categories |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: | |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Dining rewards |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Intro travel bonus offer |
No annual fee cards have always played an important role in my card strategy, so I have more than just a professional interest in identifying the best cards on the market.
I've spent the last 7+ years helping readers make smarter personal finance decisions. I've covered everything from mortgages to investing. But my personal passion is credit cards. I've been an avid card collector for more than a decade, and my current collection is in the double digits. My experience has given me a unique perspective on which cards are worth adding to your wallet -- and which cards aren't worth even a $0 annual fee.
Credit cards with no annual fee make for great "utility" cards -- that is, a cash back or rewards card with a solid earn rate that you use for every purchase.
Many of the best no fee cards also offer bonus rates on certain spending categories -- such as groceries and gas -- and can help you get maximum savings on your most common purchases.
These cards are also ideal for those who have low monthly expenses, good credit scores, and an aversion to credit card balances and fees.
In contrast, a card with an annual fee is great for those who travel frequently or spend a hefty amount. If your spending is high enough, cards with fees can potentially save you more money than a card with no fee. But you'll have to do the math beforehand to decide if it's worth it for you.
Here's a look at the basic pros and cons of the best no annual fee credit cards:
One other plus of having a card that doesn't cost anything is that you won't have a reason to close it. Older credit accounts are good for your credit score. They boost your average account age and help lower your credit utilization. Without a fee, you can leave old cards open indefinitely.
You can find nearly any type of card with no annual fee. If you have a low credit score, you can find a secured credit card with no annual fee, while those with average-to-good credit scores can choose from a slew of unsecured options, including some of the best travel cards, cash back credit cards, or business credit cards
One place no annual fee cards actually outdo most cards with a fee is in the introductory APR offer. Many premium rewards cards with big annual fees don't come with intro interest rate offers. Not only do many no annual fee cards come with at least 12 months of 0% intro APR on eligible purchases, but all of the longest introductory offers are from cards with no annual fee.
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.
Annuals fees can be well worth paying. This is especially true when you can take advantage of all the rewards and perks that come with cards with fees. For example, if you travel regularly, it can be worth a few hundred dollars a year for extra rewards on travel purchases or perks like airport lounge access and elite hotel status.
On the other hand, it's better to stick with no annual fee cards if the card's perks and rewards don't outweigh the fee. The best no annual fee credit cards should be savings tools, not money pits.
Annual fees usually go toward covering the card issuer's expenses related to a card's rewards and perks. Depending on the card, annual fees can range from less than $50 a year to well north of $500. (The infamous Amex Black Card has a four-figure annual fee!) The fee is typically charged every year on your cardholder anniversary.
Our Credit Cards Experts
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa and Mastercard.