Our pick for a no-annual-fee Chase card: Chase Freedom Flexâ„
Up to 5%
Cash back
- Huge signup bonus for a no-annual-fee card
- 5% back in rotating categories on up to $1,500 quarterly, then 1%
- New rewards on travel, dining and drugstores
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Compare Chase credit cards with no annual fee (2020 guide)
There are 10 options, from cashback to travel cards.
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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.
What's in this guide?
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 writing, there are 10 Chase credit cards with no annual fee. These include cashback products, a balance transfer option and travel cards.
Quick look at best Chase no-annual-fee credit cards
- Chase Freedom Flexâ„ : Best for rotating cash back
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for flat-rate cash back
- Marriott Bonvoy Boldâ„¢ credit card: Best for hotels
- Ink Business Cashâ„ Credit Card: Best for business
- IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card: Best for IHG hotels
- United Gatewayâ„ Card: Best for airlines
Best for rotating cash back
Chase Freedom Flexâ„
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
If you're looking to maximize your cash back, the Chase Freedom Flexâ„ credit card could be the right choice. You can earn accelerated cash back on rotating categories every three months. And if you want to make a large purchase and carry the balance, you get a long intro APR period. Get this card if: You spend in the card's rotating categories.
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on quarterly rotating categories, such as gas, groceries, digital wallet purchases and more. You're capped at $1,500 in combined purchases and have to activate each quarter. After that, you earn 1% cash back. You'll also earn Earn 5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. You can earn a cash bonus when you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of your account opening, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year (then 1%).
- Foreign transaction fees. Every transaction you make abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 14.99% to 23.74% variable |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year |
| Rewards | 5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter (then 1%), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases |
Best for flat-rate cash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$200
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
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 purchases round out the card. But if you use this card outside of the US, expect to pay foreign transaction fees.Get this card if: You want unlimited cash back.
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn $200 bonus cash once you spend $500 in your first 3 months of card membership, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year (then 1.5%).
- Foreign transaction fees. Using this card abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount of every transaction.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 14.99% to 23.74% variable |
| Welcome offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months, plus 5% cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year |
| Rewards | 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 5% on Lyft, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases |
Best for hotels
Marriott Bonvoy Boldâ„¢ credit card
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
3x
Points
Points
30,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
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. Get this card if: You want to save up for a Marriott Bonvoy stay.
- Marriott Bonvoy points. Earn 3x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Earn 2x points on other travel purchases, and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn 30,000 points after you make $1,000 in purchases on your card within the first 3 months from account opening.
- 15 elite night credits every calendar year. This qualifies you for Silver Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy, which gives you privileges such as late checkout upon availability and 10% bonus points on stays.
- No intro APR period. You don't get 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 15.99% to 22.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 15.99% to 22.99% variable |
| Welcome offer | 30,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards | 3x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2x on travel and 1x on all other purchases |
Best for business
Ink Business Cashâ„ Credit Card
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
5%
Cash back
Cash back
$500
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
On the business side, the Ink Business Cashâ„ 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. Get this card if: You want a business card.
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on up to $25,000 in combined purchases each year at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services (then 1%). Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $25,000 in combined purchases every year. Once you reach the limit, a 1% cashback rate applies. This is the same rate you earn on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months of your account opening and earn a $ cash bonus.
- Intro APR period. Get a 0% intro APR period on purchases for the first 12 months of card membership. After that, your rate reverts to 13.24% to 19.24% variable.
- No intro APR on balance transfers. You don't get a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, which makes the card a poor debt-consolidation choice.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.24% to 19.24% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 13.24% to 19.24% variable |
| Welcome offer | $500 cash back after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards | 5% at office supply stores, on Internet, cable and phone up to $25,000 combined annually (then 1%), 2% on gas and dining up to $25,000 combined annually then 1% after that and on all other purchases |
Best for IHG hotels
IHG® Rewards Club Traveler Credit Card
★★★★★
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
15x
Points
Points
100,000
Points welcome offer
Points welcome offer
This card is a great choice for IHG regulars because of its high rewards rate on IHG stays and a generous signup bonus. What's more, every time you spend points for four IHG stays or more, you get the fourth one for free.
- Reward points. Earn 15x points on IHG stays, which comes at around 9% back when redeemed for IHG stays, 2x points at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. With a value of around 0.6 cents per point, the signup bonus is worth around $465.
- Fourth reward night free. Redeem your points for four free nights or more and get the fourth one free.
- No intro APR period. You don't get to save money on interest with a 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both.
- Gold elite status tier not complimentary. Most travel cards let you get one elite status tier just by being a cardmember. To get this perk, however, you need to spend $10,000 each year.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 15.99% to 22.99% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 15.99% to 22.99% variable |
| Welcome offer | 100,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards | 15x total points at IHG hotels, 2x points at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants and 1x points on all other purchases |
Best for airlines
United Gatewayâ„ Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
Up to
3x
Miles
Miles
20,000
Miles welcome offer
Miles welcome offer
The United Gatewayâ„ 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% in TravelBank cash on all purchases, which ensures solid, consistent rewards.
- United TravelBank cash. Earn 2% in TravelBank cash on tickets you purchase from United. Earn 1% TravelBank cash on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn in TravelBank cash when you make $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- In-flight savings. Get 25% back in statement credits when you buy food, drinks and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 16.49% to 23.49% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 16.49% to 23.49% variable |
| Welcome offer | Earn a signup bonus of 20,000 miles after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months |
| Rewards | 2x miles on United Airlines, gas stations, local transit and commuting, and 3x miles at grocery stores on up to $1,500 per month through 9/30/2021. After that and on all other purchases you'll earn 1x miles |
The information about United Gatewayâ„ Card has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
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 2020?
At the time of this writing, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex℠have removed their 0% intro balance transfer offers. Despite that, these two cards are still strong no-annual-fee options.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠and Chase Freedom Unlimited® also got an update to their signup bonus. In addition to earning $200 after you spend $500 in the first 3 months, you now earn 5% cash back at grocery stores on up to $12,000 in the first year of card membership (then 1%). This is worth up to $800 if you clear the cash bonus and spend $12,000 on groceries in your first year.
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 Unlimitedâ„ 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.
Are there secured Chase cards with no annual fee?
No. Chase is one of the rare card providers that doesn’t offer secured credit cards.
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 Flexâ„ 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 a small business credit card?
With the Ink Business Cashâ„ 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.
Do you earn cash or points with Chase cashback credit cards?
You earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points that you can redeem for cash, gift cards, travel purchases or use at Amazon.com. You can also transfer your points to other Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards and get up to 50% higher redemption value for your points.
And what’s cool, there’s no minimum to redeem your points for cash. You can redeem as low as $1.
| Annual fee | Rewards | Signup bonus | Additional perks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $550 |
| 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months |
|
| United Clubâ„ Infinite Card | $525 |
| N/A |
|
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | $149 |
| 40,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months |
|
| The World of Hyatt Credit Card | $95 |
| 25,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months An additional 25,000 bonus points after $6,000 total spent in the first 6 months |
|
| IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card | $89 |
| 140,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months |
|
Average annual fee for a Chase card
Getting a card with no annual fee comes with no additional burden on your finances. But sometimes, a Chase card with an annual fee may be a better option. Especially cards that have the highest annual fees. These are often premium cards with generous signup bonuses, higher rewards rates and additional valuable perks.
| Annual fee | Card | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| $550 | Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
|
| $0 intro annual fee ($525 starting the second year) | United Clubâ„ Infinite Card |
|
Alternatives to Chase cards with no annual fee
You don’t have to limit yourself to Chase credit cards. There are many excellent credit card alternatives with no annual fee. For example:
| Signup bonus | Rewards | Intro APR period | Ideal for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® Double Cash Card | N/A | 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% back when you make the purchase and 1% back when you pay it off | 18 months of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, 13.99% to 23.99% variable after that |
|
| Discover it® Cash Back | Cashback match — Discover will double the cash back you earn during your first year |
| 14 months of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, 11.99% to 22.99% after that | Combining with other 5% cashback cards on rotating categories |
| Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card | $200 bonus after you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days |
| 15 statement closing dates of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, with a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99% after that | Stand-alone rewards card on everyday purchases In combination with other rewards cards |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card | 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months |
| 12 billing cycles of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, and 14.99% to 23.99% variable after that |
|
| U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card | N/A | N/A | 20 months of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, and 13.99% to 23.99% variable after that | Consolidating debt Making large purchases and paying them off for 20 months without interest |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card | 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months |
| 12 months 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases, and 14.49% to 24.99% variable after that |
|
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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