Best travel credit cards with no annual fee of July 2024
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“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 4:50 p.m. UTC July 10, 2024
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A no-annual-fee travel card offers rewards to help you offset the cost of your next trip without having to justify an annual fee that eats into your earnings. The best no-annual-fee credit cards for travel earn points on everyday spending or common travel expenses that can be redeemed for travel. They also offer useful travel protections and perks when you’re traveling. We reviewed all of the available no-annual-fee cards for travel to create this list of the very best travel cards with no annual fee of 2024.
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Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
- Bilt World Elite Mastercard®: Best no-annual-fee travel credit card.
- Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Best for bonus rewards categories.
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card *: Best for flexible redemption.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card *: Best for hotel rewards on everyday spending.
- Discover it® Miles: Best for welcome offer.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card *: Best for hotel stays.
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 21+ cards analyzed.
- 15+ data points analyzed.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
Best no-annual-fee travel credit card
Bilt World Elite Mastercard®
Best for bonus rewards categories
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Best for flexible redemption
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for hotel rewards on everyday spending
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card
*The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for welcome offer
Discover it® Miles
Best for hotel stays
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
*The information for the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Compare the best travel cards with no annual fee
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Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Earn 30,000 bonus points, enough for up to 4 free nights at participating properties, after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Free nights can require up to 30,000 points per bedroom at participating properties and are subject to availability. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.
UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why it’s the best
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® allows you to earn points on rent payments without transaction fees, as well as bonus points on dining and travel. Plus, you can earn double points on non-rent purchases on the first of each month. You can then transfer those points to numerous hotel and airline partners.
This card offers several valuable protections typically associated with premium travel cards, such as Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, Trip Delay Reimbursement and an Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
Pros:
- Earn rewards on rent payments without transaction fees.
- Rewards transferable to over 15 travel partners.
- No Foreign Currency Conversion Fees.
Cons:
- No welcome offer.
- Must make five transactions per billing period to earn rewards.
- Definition of “travel purchases” is quite strict.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 1 point per $1 on rent payments without a transaction fee (on up to 100,000 points each year), 2 points per $1 on travel (when booked through the Bilt Travel Portal or directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company), 3 points per $1 on dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. At least five transactions must be made per statement period to earn these rewards.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign Currency Conversion Fee: None.
Why it’s the best
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card earns rewards on a range of everyday expenses, such as restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Points are worth 1 cent apiece toward recent purchases or redemptions in the travel portal, but a recently introduced points transfer program has increased your redemption options — potentially unlocking outsized value.
Pros:
- Generous rewards earning structure with no spending caps.
- Recently added transfer partners.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- Minimal travel protections.
- List of transfer partners is shorter than competitors.
- Short intro APR offer on purchases.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 3 points per $1 at restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
The information for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. earns flexible Capital One miles that you can redeem in several ways, including as a statement credit toward your recent travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile or to book travel through Capital One Travel. However, the best value can be found by transferring miles to one of Capital One’s more than 15 transfer partners such as Air Canada, British Airways, Wyndham Rewards, Choice Privileges, Turkish Airlines and more.
Pros:
- Redeem rewards in numerous ways.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Access to 15+ transfer partners.
Cons:
- Best earning rates through the travel portal.
- Low base earning rate.
- Limited cardholder benefits.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 5 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles per $1 on other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card * The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. earns strong rewards on stays within the brand and filling up at the gas pump, as well as an elevated rate on dining and groceries. A perk of the card is automatic Wyndham Rewards Gold status, which means a preferred room choice, late checkout and free WiFi. You’ll also get a 10% discount when redeeming points on qualified stays with Wyndham and an anniversary bonus each year if you meet the spend requirement.
Pros:
- Automatic Gold status.
- Cardholders get access to better room rates than the general public.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- Spending threshold required for anniversary bonus.
- Wyndham may not have properties where you’re traveling.
- Other Wyndham cards with annual fees offer better benefits.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 5 points per $1 spent on Hotels By Wyndham and gas purchases, 2 points per $1 spent on restaurants and grocery purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: 30,000 points, enough for up to four free nights at participating properties, after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Free nights can require up to 30,000 points per bedroom at participating properties and are subject to availability. Resort fees may apply and cannot be paid with points.
- Foreign transaction fees: 0% of each purchase transaction in US dollars.
Why it’s the best
The Discover it® Miles offers simplicity in both earning and redeeming points, with an elevated flat rate on all spending and the option to cash out your rewards at 1 cent apiece. It doesn’t have a traditional welcome offer for new applicants, instead, it doubles your earnings during the first year, thanks to Discover Match®.
Pros:
- Miles earned in the first year are automatically matched.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Elevated base rewards rate is better than the everyday rate on most cards.
Cons:
- No bonus earning categories.
- Minimal cardholder perks.
- No transfer partners.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 1.5 miles per $1 on purchases.
- Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all miles earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
The information for the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers generous returns on purchases at IHG properties, as well as on monthly bills and spending at gas stations and restaurants, making it easy to accumulate points. It also provides automatic Silver Elite status in IHG’s One Rewards program, giving you benefits like 20% bonus points on paid stays and exemption from points expiry. The card’s best feature is a fourth night free when booking a stay of four or more nights with points, which is a perk you can use an unlimited number of times.
Pros:
- Generous welcome offer for a no-annual-fee card.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Fourth night free on award stays using points.
Cons:
- Unlocking extra perks requires significant spending.
- IHG points are typically less valuable than points from other hotel programs.
- Limited redemption flexibility.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 10 points per $1 spent from IHG for being an IHG One Rewards member, 5 points per $1 spent at IHG Hotels and Resorts with the card, plus 2 points per $1 spent from IHG with Silver Elite Status (a benefit of this card), 3 points per $1 spent at gas stations, on utilities; internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming services and restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery and 2 points per $1 on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: 100,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered included:
- Annual earnings: 40%.
- Welcome offer: 15%.
- Annual credits: 10%.
- Booking flexibility: 10%.
- Annual airline rewards value: 5%.
- Annual hotel rewards value: 5%.
- Rental car insurance: 3%.
- Trip delay insurance: 2%.
- Trip cancellation insurance: 2%.
- Lost luggage insurance: 2%.
- Baggage delay insurance: 2%.
- Cellphone protection: 1%.
- TSA Precheck application fee credit: 1%.
- Global Entry application fee credit: 1%.
- Intro APR on purchases: 1%.
How much are annual fees for travel cards?
Annual fees can vary from $0, as the cards on this list prove, up to hundreds of dollars per year. Generally, the higher the annual fee the more perks the card offers.
For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express has an annual fee of $695 (terms apply, rates & fees), but it comes with several travel credits, lounge access and extensive travel benefits that can offset the annual fee.
On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee and offers valuable travel insurance and a small annual hotel credit, but doesn’t have lounge access or other luxury perks.
Pros and cons of travel cards with no annual fee
An annual fee is an important consideration when choosing a credit card and if you’re opting for a no-annual-fee travel credit card there are benefits and drawbacks to be aware of.
Pros
- No annual fee to eat into your rewards.
- Earn rewards on travel spending and use rewards toward future travel.
- Many offer solid welcome bonuses and valuable points redemptions.
Cons
- May lack important insurance coverages for if your travel plans go sideways.
- Earning rates are generally lower than cards with annual fees.
- Some issuers reserve their transfer partners for cards with annual fees.
Choosing the best travel credit card with no annual fee
Choosing the best no-annual-fee credit card means focusing on three key factors: your preferred rewards program, how you plan to use rewards and your spending habits.
Pick your preferred rewards program
If you spend a lot of nights in a particular hotel chain or fly frequently on a specific airline, it’s worth ensuring that the rewards you earn can be redeemed with your desired provider. Many hotels and airlines have co-branded credit cards that offer perks specific to their brands.
For example, if you frequently stay at IHG properties, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Card offers a fourth night free when redeeming points for a stay of four or more consecutive nights.
Plan how you’ll use the rewards
If you aren’t loyal to any particular hotel or airline, you may want to consider a more flexible rewards program. Programs that allow you to transfer points to multiple partners offer a lot of value.
The Wells Fargo Autograph Card and Capital One VentureOne Card both offer transfer partners that let you choose your preferred redemption when it’s time to book travel, which can give you the best location or best price. Alternatively, you can redeem rewards in a travel portal if that works better for your needs. If you want to keep your options open, a flexible rewards card is a better bet.
Understand your spending habits
Having a rewards card that naturally aligns with your spending allows you to get the most from your credit card. For example, someone who works from home will benefit less from cards with bonus earnings at gas stations and commuting than someone with a long commute.
If you have to spend more than necessary to earn rewards or aren’t earning well on your daily necessities, that card isn’t working for you. Aim for a card that can provide extra rewards on your most common spending categories. The answer may be more than one card, such as using one card for groceries and a different one for gas.
Is a no-annual-fee travel card right for you?
While travel credit cards with hefty price tags come with an impressive array of benefits, casual travelers will be better served by a no-annual-fee travel card. If you are not a frequent traveler but still want to earn free flights and hotels, a travel card without an annual fee is a great place to start.
You can keep the card in your wallet and not worry about whether you are getting enough value to justify the fee. Rather than struggling to use benefits you don’t find useful, you may find a no-annual-fee card offers trimmed-down benefits at a price point that you don’t have to justify.
“No-annual-fee travel credit cards can be a great way to supplement your more premium travel cards with better earning categories to maximize your spend,” said Allison Tackette, credit and travel expert from Award Travel Vacations.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
No, not all travel credit cards have an annual fee. Many issuers offer a range of travel credit cards, such as a premium card with a high annual fee and numerous perks, a mid-tier card with a lower fee and more modest benefits and no-annual-fee travel cards, which typically have a shorter benefit list than pricier cards.
Yes, there are several. Three solid examples are the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® * The information for the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (terms apply, rates & fees), and the United Gateway℠ Card * The information for the United Gateway℠ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
A travel card is worth getting if it aligns with your financial and travel goals. Travel rewards — like flexible points, hotel points and airline miles — can sometimes provide outsize value when used for travel bookings instead of paying cash.
Sometimes. None of the cards that made our best no-annual-fee travel cards list come with foreign transaction fees, because there’s little point saving on an annual fee if you’re going to be hit by fees for transactions made overseas. It’s always worth checking the terms and conditions of a card you’re considering to see what fees apply.
Some travel rewards credit cards offer an introductory annual fee for the first year automatically. A good example is the United℠ Explorer Card
*
The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, which has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee.
Aside from these offers, you may be able to get the fee waived on your card through a retention call. This phone call is when you are planning to close a credit card and the issuing bank may try to keep your business. Offers can include reduced or waived annual fees, a bonus earned through spending on the card or even a one-time points bonus — any of which can vary but are used by the card’s issuer to keep you as a customer. There are no guarantees you’ll get any of these offers, however.
For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card please visit this page.
*The information for the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, United Gateway℠ Card, United℠ Explorer Card and Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
