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A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Showing 12 results
Best overall
Bankrate score
4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Wells Fargo
's secure site
Intro offer
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
$200 cash rewards
Rewards rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
2%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Best for dining & entertainment
Bankrate score
5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Capital One
's secure site
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
$200
Rewards rate
8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
1% - 8%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It’s one of the few no-annual-fee cards to offer an excellent rewards rate on both dining and grocery purchases — many cards favor just one category.
Best for custom bonus category
Bankrate score
4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Citi
's secure site
Intro 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.
$200
Rewards rate
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It boasts one of the most flexible cash back rewards structures, as you can earn elevated cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle.
Best for rotating bonus categories
Bankrate score
4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Discover
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Cashback Match
Rewards rate
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%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: Its rotating categories make earning rewards very flexible, as you can earn elevated cash back in various spending categories throughout the year.
Best for occasional travelers
Bankrate score
4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Capital One
's secure site
Intro offer
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
20,000 miles
Rewards rate
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
1.25 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It offers a solid, unlimited flat rewards rate, making it easy to earn miles even if you don’t actually spend a ton on travel.
Best for beginners
Bankrate score
3.8
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Capital One
's secure site
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
$200
Rewards rate
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply, Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
1.5% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its low cost and streamlined rewards program make it a great fit if you want a low-risk, low-maintenance card.
Best for shopping
Bankrate score
4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Bank of America
's secure site
Intro offer
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
$200
Rewards rate
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
1% - 3%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Why you'll like this: It offers a ton of flexibility since you can choose your top bonus category and switch up once per calendar month.
Best for credit builders
Bankrate score
4.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
No Credit History
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Capital One
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Capital One credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
29.99% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Capital One does automatic account reviews after six months of responsible card use, and if qualified, you can get a higher credit limit — which in return boosts your credit utilization ratio.
Best for renters
Bankrate score
3.9
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Bilt
's secure site
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Bilt credit card.
N/A
Rewards rate
3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, 1x points on other purchases, Earn 1x points on rent without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points in a calendar year. When you use the card 5 times each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.
1X Points - 3X Points
Annual fee
None
Regular APR
See Terms
Best for balance transfers
Bankrate score
4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Citi
's secure site
Intro 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.
$200 cash back
Rewards rate
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its top-tier flat rewards rate and remarkable intro APR offer make it useful as both a balance transfer card and an all-purpose rewards card.
Best for Bank of America customers
Bankrate score
3.8
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Bank of America
's secure site
Intro offer
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
$200
Rewards rate
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
1.5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Why you'll like this: It offers unrivaled potential value since the Preferred Rewards program can boost your cash back rate by up to 75 percent.
Best for commuters
Bankrate score
4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on
Wells Fargo
's secure site
Intro 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
Rewards rate
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases
1X - 3X
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
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Compare the best credit cards with no annual fee
| Card name | Our pick for | Bankrate review score |
|---|---|---|
 | Best overall | 4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Wells Fargo's secure site |
 | Dining & entertainment | 5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site |
 | Custom bonus category | 4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Citi's secure site |
 | Rotating bonus categories | 4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Discover's secure site |
 | Occasional travelers | 4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site |
 | Beginners | 3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site |
 | Shopping | 4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Bank of America's secure site |
 | Credit builders | 4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site |
 | Renters | 3.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Bilt's secure site |
 | Balance transfers | 4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Citi's secure site |
 | Bank of America customers | 3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Bank of America's secure site |
 | Commuters | 4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Wells Fargo's secure site |
On This Page
On This Page
- Are no-annual-fee credit cards a better deal?
- Expert advice for no-annual-fee cards
- Ask the experts
- Our data
- What people say about no annual fee credit cards
- Frequently asked questions
- How we assess the best no-annual-fee cards
Are no-annual-fee credit cards a better deal?
Credit card annual fees can easily be worth it if a card’s benefits outweigh its cost. Many cards with annual fees include perks that offset the annual fee, and the premium benefits and rewards rate might be worth it for frequent travelers or big spenders.
Still, no-annual-fee cards are a better fit for many cardholders — especially if you value simplicity, spend modestly, travel rarely or just want to avoid the stress that comes with trying to offset an annual fee. For example, Bankrate editor Reena Thomas is determined to avoid annual fees, even if that means sacrificing rewards potential. For her, they’re simply not worth the hassle.
According to the latest J.D. Power credit card customer satisfaction study, cardholders are starting to look for cards with lower or no annual fees as credit card debt continues to climb in the U.S. There’s also a growing popularity in redeeming rewards for statement credits versus for travel, which is usually a major focus on cards with annual fees.
If you’re trying to decide whether paying an annual fee is worth it for you, ask yourself whether you’ll take advantage of a card’s perks or spend enough in a given category to make the most of its high rewards rate. If not, a premium card could be a money pit.
Expert advice for no-annual-fee cards
No-annual-fee credit cards tend to be less complex than cards with annual fees, though there are still a few tricks to choosing the best option for you and getting the most out of it.
Here’s how a Bankrate editor chose his no-annual-fee card
Bankrate editor Steve Dashiell chose a no-annual-fee card with rotating reward categories to help him keep an eye on his spending:
“Having crashed and burned on my first attempt at using a credit card, I needed my second attempt to keep things simple. But at the same time, I also wanted some extra depth. My thought was pretty simple: I can set up the card to pay off my balance in full at the end of each statement period so that it effectively runs itself. But once I felt comfortable managing the card, I could lean into some extra card features to take advantage of any perks or rewards.
The Chase Freedom — now the Chase Freedom Flex℠ — came highly recommended by a friend of mine, and it was easy to see why. The card’s rotating reward categories offer an extra incentive to monitor and plan out your spending, something I wasn’t great at doing. And even if I didn’t feel like chasing a quarter’s categories, I could still earn a reliable 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.
During my research, I also learned about the Chase Trifecta, which was just the type of value ‘expansion’ I was hoping for in the event everything went well with my credit card revenge arc. The fact that the card offered so much potential for no annual fee (along with a recommendation from a friend) made choosing the card a no-brainer.”
— Steve Dashiell, Editor, Credit Cards
Bankrate Insight
If you haven’t established a good-to-excellent credit score yet, there are several rewarding secured cards and student cards with no annual fee as well. Several of these may let you eventually upgrade to a full-fledged rewards card with no annual fee.
Still unsure if a no-annual-fee credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool to get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.
Ask the experts: What are the best perks you should look for in a no-annual-fee credit card?
No-annual-fee cards can still have a variety of perks and rewards. The best perks are ones you will actually use, so choose a card with a rewards program that offers a high rewards rate on the types of spending that you do the most. Other perks, like purchase protection and insurance coverages, are also included on many no-annual-fee cards. Take time to review all the details and select the one that makes the most sense for you.
Our data: When’s the best time to get a no-annual-fee card?
Once you’ve decided you want a no-annual-fee card, there’s another key question to consider: when is the best time to apply? Some months may be better than others depending on credit card welcome offers, perks and your seasonal needs.
Our research indicates a solid answer:In 2024, interest for no-annual-fee cards — cash back cards, especially — were the most popular in January, February and April.
According to Bankrate’s proprietary data of readers who clicked on no-annual-fee credit card offers on our site in 2024, reader interest in these offers entered the new year at 79 percent and hovered around 77 percent in the first four months of the year. However, there was a steady decline throughout the summer and a big dip in August 2024 to just under 42 percent. This could be due to card users focusing on paying down vacation debt accrued during the summer.
If you’re looking to get a no-annual-fee card, look out for new offers that may be available at different times of the year. This can include welcome bonus offers and new perks, such as a streaming service credit or temporary point boost.
What people say about no annual fee credit cards
With so many no-annual-fee options to choose from, first-hand experience and perspectives will come in handy if you’re searching for a card. We checked Reddit and other popular discussion forums to see what users considered the best no-annual-fee cards and when an annual fee might be worth it.
Frequently asked questions about no-annual-fee credit cards
How we assess the best no-annual-fee cards
250+
cards rated
50+
rewards programs valued
5000
data points analyzed
40+
perks evaluated
When evaluating the best credit cards with no annual fee, we take into account several factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether they offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards to scoring a large sign-up bonus to saving on interest.
We analyzed over 250 of the most popular credit cards and selected standouts that carry no annual fee. We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period, ongoing APR, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key factors in our card scoring methodology and details we considered when putting together our list of the best rewards cards.
“No annual fee” isn’t good enough
The vast majority of cards in our ratings database carry no annual fee. As such, simply lacking an annual fee isn’t enough to make a card worthy of inclusion on our “Best of” list. We consider a number of other factors relevant to each card’s primary category and only include those that offer great value overall, in addition to charging no annual fee.
To give you a sense of how selective we are, here's a look at how annual fees are distributed across cards in our rating database, as of July 2024.
$0 annual fee71.00%
$1 to $74 fee5.00%
$75 to $99 fee13.00%
$100 to $199 fee3.00%
$200-plus fee8.00%
Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Courtney MihocikArrow RightSenior Editor, Credit Cards
Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at…
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
