Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards
The best no-annual-fee credit cards for cash back, travel, and balance transfer offers. Our methodology for selecting the best no-annual-fee credit cards includes analyzing over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.
Best for Cash Back:
Citi Double Cash Card
Rewards: Earn 2% cash back on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
Best for Renters:
Bilt Mastercard
Rewards: Earn 1x points on rent payments without transaction fees, up to 100,000 points each calendar year, 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on other purchases.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on the card within 3 months of account opening.
Best for Balance Transfers:
Citi Simplicity Card
Rewards: None
Welcome Bonus: None
Annual Fee: $0
Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of the first transfer, and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening.
Best for Travel Rewards:
Wells Fargo Autograph Card
Rewards: Earn 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans, and 1X points on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Best for Building Credit:
Discover it Secured Credit Card
Rewards: Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
No-Annual-Fee Cards: Are They Worth It?
No-annual-fee cards tend to be simpler with rewards that are generally easier to redeem and don’t require maximizing a long list of benefits. They are ideal for those who don’t want to dive deep into the world of credit card rewards or are beginners. However, for those who want to extract the most value, a credit card with an annual fee might be a better option.
Pros of No-Annual-Fee Cards:
* Easier-to-earn bonuses
* Less complex rewards programs
* Lower credit score requirements
* No annual fee
Cons of No-Annual-Fee Cards:
* Fewer luxury perks
* Less rewarding
* Limited travel benefits
In the end, whether it is worth paying a credit card’s annual fee depends on what you want to get from your card. If you don’t want to get bogged down in complex rewards programs and are happy with straightforward cash back, a no-annual-fee card might be the best option.