Best no annual fee credit cards of July 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 5:16 a.m. UTC July 1, 2024
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
If you’re in the market for a credit card but don’t want to shell out an annual fee, there are plenty of options available that offer rich rewards and a bevy of other benefits. We’ve researched and created a list of the best no-annual-fee credit cards of 2024. Here’s that list.
our partner
Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Best no annual fee credit cards
- Chase Freedom Flex® *: Best no-annual-fee credit card.
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card *: Best for travel with no annual fee.
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card *: Best for bonus cash back on your favorite categories.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for predictable rewards.
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card *: Best for loyal Bank of America customers.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
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.
- 34+ cards analyzed
- 10+ data points analyzed
- 5-step fact-checking process
Best no-annual-fee credit card
Chase Freedom Flex®
*The information for the Chase Freedom Flex® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for travel with no annual fee
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 bonus cash back on your favorite categories
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
*The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® 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 predictable rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for loyal Bank of America customers
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
*The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash 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 unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Compare the best credit cards with no annual fee
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening,
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Earn a $200 rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
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.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
The information for the Chase Freedom Flex® 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 Chase Freedom Flex® * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers bonus cash back on popular rotating bonus categories as well as elevated rates for travel, dining and drugstore purchases all year. The card also comes with valuable cellphone and travel insurance benefits not often found with no-annual-fee cards. It comes with an easy-to-earn welcome bonus and a decent introductory APR offer for purchases and balance transfers.
Plus, if you pair the Freedom Flex with an Ultimate Rewards® card, you can opt to turn your cash back into points that can then be redeemed for a higher value.
Pros:
- Excellent cash back for popular rotating categories.
- Unlimited elevated rewards on dining and drugstore purchases year-round.
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Cons:
- You have to opt into the rotating categories every quarter.
- Bonus categories may not align with your spending habits.
- Low cash back rate on non-bonus purchases.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
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. comes with above-average travel rewards for a card with no annual fee, and there are no rotating bonus categories to worry about. Rewards are transferable to a list of 15+ partner airlines and hotels or you can choose several flexible options to pay for travel booked with the card. You’re able to reimburse yourself for any travel purchase using miles or book directly through the Capital One Travel portal. The card is ideal for those looking for an entry-level option to get a feel for the travel credit card space and transfer partners.
Pros:
- Earn predictable travel rewards from every purchase.
- Flexible reward redemption options.
- Notable travel insurance benefits¹ for a no-annual-fee card.
Cons:
- No purchase protection or cellphone insurance benefits.
- Elevated rewards rate does not apply to airfare, only hotels and rental cars.
- Potentially high interest rate depending on your credit.
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 U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® 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
With the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , you can earn the highest cash back rewards rate on two of 12 bonus categories you choose each quarter up to the spending cap, giving you an opportunity to maximize your earnings when planning ahead. This is pretty generous earning for a no-annual-fee card, plus there’s an additional “everyday category” where you can earn unlimited bonus cash back. Maximizing cash back does require planning as enrollment is required, but the card makes it easy to align rewards with your spending habits.
Pros:
- High rewards rate on two customizable categories.
- Unlimited bonus rewards on one everyday category.
- Potential to earn more for eligible travel and partner purchases.
Cons:
- Advance enrollment required for bonus categories.
- Low cash back rate on non-bonus purchases.
- Few cardholder perks, like purchase protection.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center, 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories of choice, 2% cash back on one everyday category (like gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants) and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Welcome bonus: $200 rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each foreign transaction.
Why it’s the best
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® features bonus rewards in popular purchase categories and a higher cash-back rate for non-bonus purchases than many competing cards. It also comes with notable travel and purchase protection benefits as well as complimentary subscriptions to DoorDash and Instacart+.
The card’s elevated earnings on most purchases make it a great allrounder for those looking for a single card that does it all. But if you pair it with an Ultimate Rewards card, you can convert cash back into rewards points and redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠ for up to 50% more value.
Pros:
- Elevated rewards in a number of popular categories.
- Above-average base rewards rate.
- Useful cardholder protections and insurances.
Cons:
- Charges foreign transaction fees.
- Potentially high APR.
- Unlocking best redemptions requires another Chase credit card.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on eligible dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: 1.5% back on everything bought in the first year on up to $20,000 in spending, which is worth up to $300.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash 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 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash 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. offers bonus rewards in an eligible category of your choice that you can change every month, along with multiple popular everyday categories. Where the card shines is the opportunity to earn as much as 75% more if you maintain high balances across eligible Bank of America and Merrill accounts. With $20,000 or more in eligible balances, you’ll earn at least 25% more rewards with Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program.
Pros:
- Choose your top bonus category.
- Change your favorite spending category once per month.
- Get up to 75% more cash back with Preferred Rewards.
Cons:
- Bonus category purchases have quarterly spending caps.
- High minimum balances required for Preferred Rewards bonuses.
- No purchase protection or travel insurance benefits.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
Why it’s the best
With the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you’ll earn above-average rewards on all purchases with no rotating categories or bonus categories to track. While it doesn’t include a long list of purchase and travel protections, it comes with two of the most frequently used: cellphone protection and an auto rental collision damage waiver. You can choose how to redeem your rewards, including as statement credits, cash in a Wells Fargo bank account, withdrawals from an ATM or gift cards.
Pros:
- Unlimited flat-rate cash rewards on all purchases.
- Cellphone protection and secondary auto rental collision damage waiver.
- Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers.
Cons:
- No bonus rewards categories.
- Limited purchase and travel protection benefits.
- Charges foreign transaction fees.
Card details:
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
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 rewards value: 56%.
- Reward flexibility: 22%.
- Introductory APR on balance transfers: 5%.
- Introductory APR on purchases: 5%.
- Welcome offer: 5%.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
- Purchase protection: 1%.
- Return protection: 1%.
- Cellphone protection: 1%.
- Extended warranty: 1%.
What is a no-annual-fee credit card?
A no-annual-fee credit card doesn’t charge a recurring fee simply for having the card. Some premium rewards credit cards require fees of $100 to $500 or more per year for enhanced benefits and credit card rewards.
With no-annual-fee credit cards, you may be able to use the card for free if you always pay off your balance in full each month and avoid any late payments. Common fees may apply to balance transfers, cash advances and foreign transactions.
Guide to no-annual-fee credit cards
No-annual-fee credit cards are widely available from many banks, credit unions and other credit card issuers. When shopping around for a no-annual-fee credit card, consider these main factors:
- Rewards: Many cards come with rewards so that you earn cash back, points or miles every time you make a purchase. Rewards structures can have fixed bonus categories, where you always earn a boosted rate on certain spending, rotating or customizable bonus categories that change each month or quarter, or flat rewards on every purchase.
- Perks and benefits: Credit cards often provide additional benefits like purchase and travel insurance, cellphone insurance and welcome bonuses after meeting a certain spending threshold. Consider the benefits you may use when deciding on the best credit card.
- Intro APR period: An introductory 0% APR period enables you to make purchases or transfer a balance with no added interest for a limited time, often over a year. If you can pay off your balance before the end of the 0% period, you won’t incur any interest charges.
- Costs: Annual fees are just one factor that can add to the cost of owning a credit card. Foreign transaction fees, late payment fees, returned payment fees, over-limit fees and credit card interest can make any credit card a costly proposition.
No-annual-fee card vs. annual-fee card
When comparing no-annual-fee credit cards to those with an annual fee, it is important to weigh the benefits against the cost. If you’re looking for simplicity, are particularly budget-conscious or don’t plan to use the card regularly, a card without an annual fee can be ideal. These cards typically come with basic benefits and are suitable for everyday use and building credit.
On the other hand, cards with an annual fee typically offer more lucrative rewards and perks, justifying the cost as long as you can take full advantage of the enhanced benefits. In addition to greater rewards potential, perks like travel credits, airport lounge access and complimentary subscriptions can help offset the fee. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual spending habits and the ability to make the most of a card’s offerings so that you get more than you give.
When to switch to a no-annual-fee card
If you’re unsure about switching to a card with no annual fee, weigh the value of benefits and rewards you’re getting against the cost of your current annual fee. For example, if you add up the cash back you earn from the card and it’s less than you’re paying in annual fees, you could be better off with a no-annual-fee card.
Also, consider the value of any benefits that come with a card, like rental car insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Rental car insurance can easily exceed $100 or more for a weeklong trip, and a single claim from a canceled or interrupted trip can be worth multiple years of annual fees. But if you don’t regularly take advantage of those benefits, you may be better off with a credit card that doesn’t charge a fee for simply having an account.
How to get your annual fee waived
Most credit card companies don’t like to waive annual fees. It may be worth calling the number on the back of your card to ask, but you’ll likely still have to pay to keep a card open if an annual fee is typically required. You may qualify for a retention offer, where you can earn a new bonus if you meet certain usage requirements.
Another option would be to downgrade an annual-fee card to a version without an annual fee. For example, you could downgrade the $95-annual-fee Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to 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. with no annual fee. If you close a credit card account within a month of the annual fee showing up on your account, you may also be able to get a refund for the fee.
Is a no-annual-fee credit card worth it?
A credit card with no annual fee can often be worth it, since you can focus on the rewards and benefits you’ll receive without having to offset an annual fee. That said, it’s important to make sure a no-annual-fee card aligns with your spending habits so you’ll be rewarded for purchases you’re going to make anyway, or comes with a specific feature you’ll make the most of, like an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers or a sizeable welcome bonus.
Annual fees on a credit card aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Credit cards with annual fees often offer premium rewards or benefits. For example, if you want a travel card with airport lounge access, that’s a premium perk — and you’ll almost certainly have to pay an annual fee to get it.
Someone who can take full advantage of high reward rates and other benefits that often accompany cards with annual fees may find that the carrying cost is worth it. But there are plenty of solid credit cards available without annual fees. Ultimately, you’ll have to analyze what card is best for your lifestyle and spending habits.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The best card with no annual fee varies based on your personal needs and where you spend the most. Based on our analysis, the Chase Freedom Flex is the best no-annual-fee credit card for most people.
It depends. If you’re looking to build credit, get an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers, or simply earn straightforward cash back with no frills, then there are many no-annual-fee credit cards to choose from. If you want premium perks, like lounge access, abundant statement credits and the highest rewards rates on popular categories, you’ll likely need to pay an annual fee to get them. Whether or not it’s worth it for you will depend on your spending habits and what ancillary perks you’re interested in.
Most people are best off with around two or three credit cards, though there is no specific rule or guideline for how many credit cards you should have. With at least two cards, you have a backup in case your primary card is lost or stolen. With multiple cards, you can also mix and match where you spend to maximize your rewards.
Annual fees can be worthwhile when the benefits and rewards are worth more than the cost. For example, if you earn cash-back rewards worth $600 per year, a $95 annual fee could make sense. Find the best rewards cards here to learn more.
Closing a credit card account can negatively impact your credit score, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of the card before canceling. Closing a credit card account to avoid annual fees is reasonable in many situations. You may also be able to downgrade the card to a version with no annual fee to keep the account open without an ongoing cost.
If you want to avoid paying an annual fee, consider choosing a card with no annual fee or calling your credit card company to ask to downgrade your card to a version without an annual fee. If you are an active military member, you may qualify for a waived annual fee, but you’ll have to call the issuer to find out.
There’s a common misconception that you need to carry a balance or use a credit card every month to build credit. In reality, maintaining an open credit card account with a low balance, or even zero balance should help you build credit in the long term. You don’t have to pay interest to build credit. Savvy consumers use inactive credit cards a few times per year to keep them from being closed by the issuer. The additional line of credit can help lower your overall credit utilization, which can be a boon to your overall credit score.
¹For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
*The information for the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex® and U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® 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.
