Top American Express credit cards with no annual fee

The American Express Cash Magnet® Card is a simple credit card with unlimited cash back on everything you buy.

The long intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases can sweeten the deal if you’re looking to save money on interest. Included with the card are standard Amex perks, including roadside and global assistance, travel accident insurance, car rental insurance and more.

• The perks

  • Flat 1.5% cash back. Earn 1.5% cash back in reward dollars on all of your purchases. Reward dollars can be redeemed for statement credit, gift cards and merchandise.
  • Welcome offer. Spend $1,000 on purchases during the first 3 months from your account opening and earn in statement credit.
  • Intro APR period. Enjoy a 0% intro APR (see rates & fees) period on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months following your account opening. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to a variable APR of 14.74% to 25.74%.

Families that spend heavily on groceries and gas could find the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express a worthwhile addition to their wallets. It lets you earn accelerated cash back on these categories, and it has a decent welcome offer. Also, if you’re looking to consolidate your debt, the long intro APR period could help.

• The perks

  • Up to 3% cash back. Earn 3% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases annually, after which the rate drops to 1%. Earn 2% back at eligible US gas stations and select US department stores. On all other purchases, earn 1% back.
  • $150 welcome offer. Spend $1,000 on purchases during your first 3 months of account opening and get a $150 bonus as statement credit.
  • Intro APR period. Get a 15 months (see rates & fees) period following your account opening of interest-free purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR from 14.74% to 25.74% applies.

For Hilton regulars and occasional guests, the Hilton Honors American Express Card could be worth considering. It’s the only American Express hotel card with no annual fee, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking. On the contrary, you earn a high number of Hilton Bonus Points on Hilton purchases — plus you’ll earn accelerated Hilton Bonus Points at restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets in the US.

In addition, you get a generous welcome offer and a complimentary Silver status, which lets you earn more points on your Hilton stays.

• The perks

  • Hilton Honors Bonus Points. Earn 7x points on purchases at hotels and resorts from the Hilton portfolio; 5x points at US restaurants, US gas stations and US supermarkets; and 3x points on all other purchases.
  • 75,000-point welcome offer. Earn75,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points once you spend $1,000 on purchases within 3 months of your account opening. With a single point worth about 0.5 cents, that’s around $375 in value.
  • Complimentary Silver status. With the Silver status, you earn 20% more points on Hilton stays, plus you get the fifth reward night free. If you spend $20,000 annually with this card, you’ll upgrade to Gold status through the end of the next year.
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates & fees). You can take this card along on your travels without worrying about paying extra when buying abroad. This is a standard feature among travel cards.
  • Up to 2x miles. Earn 2x miles on purchases at US restaurants and purchases made with Delta. For everything else you buy, earn 1x miles. Redeem miles for flights, gift cards, excursions, shopping and more.
  • 10,000-mile welcome offer. Spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening and get 10,000 bonus miles. Depending on what you redeem your miles for, your welcome offers could be worth between $35 and $200.
  • In-flight savings. Save 20% in the form of statement credit on all of your on-board Delta purchases of food, beverages and headsets.