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How to choose a Chase credit card with no annual fee (2020 guide)
There are 10 options, from cashback to travel cards.
If you want a no-annual-fee card that comes with perks, Chase is a great place to look. The issuer has an impressive stable of market-leading options, especially in the cashback, balance transfer and business card categories. Find the right no-annual-fee Chase card for you based on your spending habits and goals.
Our pick for a no-annual-fee Chase card
Find a Chase credit card with no annual fee
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The best Chase credit cards with no annual fees
At the time of this writng, there are 10 Chase credit card with no annual fee. These include cashback products, a balance transfer option and travel cards.
Best for flat-rate cash back: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a contender for Chase’s best credit card with no annual fee. It’s a great choice if you want to earn flat cash back on all of your purchases. A first-year cashback bonus and a long intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases round out the card. But if you use this card outside of the US, expect to pay foreign transaction fees.
Best for rotating cash back: Chase Freedom®
If you’re looking to maximize your cash back, the Chase Freedom® credit card could be the right choice. You can earn accelerated cash back on rotating categories every three months.
And if you want to move your balance from another card or make a large purchase and carry the balance, you get a long intro APR period.
Best for business: Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
On the business side, the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card could make a case as the best credit card with no annual fee. Businesses that spend on office supply stores, internet, cable and phone services, as well as at gas stations and restaurants, could find the card useful. Aside from earning accelerated cash back on these categories, you can earn a solid signup bonus and you get a long intro APR period on purchases.
Best for hotels: Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ credit card
- Get this card if: You want to save up for a Marriott Bonvoy stay.
This card is an especially good choice if you’re a Marriott regular. But it can also be worthwhile if you’re a frequent traveler but don’t always stay at Marriott properties, as you’ll earn solid rewards on travel.
Best for airlines: United℠ TravelBank Card
The United℠ TravelBank Card is a simple card that can help you save up for a United flight. A nice touch is the 2% in TravelBank cash you’ll earn on United tickets. You’ll also like the 1.5% in TravelBank cash on all purchases, which ensures solid, consistent rewards.
Best for balance transfers: Chase Slate® credit card
The Chase Slate® credit card can be an excellent choice if you’re paying a high APR on another card and you want to save money on interest. You get a long intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers, and for a certain period you won’t pay any balance transfer fees.
How we chose our best credit cards
In most cases, we chose the cards with the highest rewards rates in their respective categories — as well as widespread appeal. In other cases, we chose products that had standout features relative to similar cards.
What’s changed in 2019
At the time of this writing, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a revamped signup bonus. While previously the bonus was a traditional dollar-based bonus awarded after a certain spending target, it’s now a unique, limited-time cashback boost. While it might take some patience to earn a significant bonus now, there’s a lot more potential. If you spend $10,000 in your first card year, you’ll earn a $300 bonus — very impressive for a no-annual-fee card.
As of this year, American Express isn’t the only provider with Marriott Bonvoy cards. Chase has entered as a rival, offering a competitive no-annual-fee option.
Other Chase credit cards with no annual fee
Though the above cards represent the cream of the crop, the following cards can be excellent choices as well depending on your needs.
- Chase Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card.
This is an excellent choice if you spent relatively evenly in different business categories. You’ll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
- Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card.
A strong card for everyday purchases. Earn 3% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. Also, earn 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores as well as 1% back on all other purchases.
- Disney® Visa® Card.
Earn Disney Reward Dollars that you can redeem at Disney resorts, Disney Cruise Line, the Disney store and more. Also, save 10% every day on select purchases at the Disney store and its website.
Chase offers another Disney card that has a $49 annual fee. This card comes with stronger rewards, and it lets you redeem Reward Dollars for statement credit toward air travel.
- AARP® Credit Card from Chase.
This card offers a strong 3% cash back at restaurants and gas stations. Each time you use your card at a restaurant, Chase will donate $0.10 to the AARP Foundation to support the Drive to End Hunger, up to $1 million total.
How to compare Chase credit cards with no annual fee
When looking for a Chase credit card with no annual fee, consider the following:
- Do you want to earn flat cash back on everything you buy?
A good choice would be the Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card. Aside from flat cash back, you get a long intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, and the chance to earn a cashback signup bonus.
- Do you want to earn accelerated cash back on certain categories?
The Chase Freedom® credit card could be your answer. Every three months you can earn accelerated cash back on rotating categories, a decent signup bonus is available and you can use a long intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases.
- Do you want to make balance transfers?
You can choose several Chase cards for balance transfers, but the Chase Slate® credit card could be a good option. Instead of a signup bonus, you can save money on balance transfer fees for a time after opening your account.
- Do you want a small business credit card?
With the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card you earn accelerated cash back on specific categories like office supply stores, gas stations or dining at restaurants. It also comes with a relatively easy-to-earn signup bonus and a long intro APR period on purchases.
Bottom line
Chase offers a small selection of credit cards without an annual fee. You can choose among several offerings designed for different types of spending. Rewards, introductory balance transfer fee promotions and even a small business credit card are all available through Chase.
You can also compare other no-annual-fee credit cards until you find the perfect match for your financial needs.
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