No annual fee credit cards

A no-annual-fee credit card is a great choice if you want to keep costs low. It can also be surprisingly robust, offering attractive rewards or benefits you might not have expected.

Our pick for no annual fee

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

• Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months.
• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
• 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores, 1% back on other purchases.
• Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable rate, currently 14.49% to 25.49%.
• Over 3 million more places in the U.S. started accepting American Express® Cards in 2017 and 2018.
• Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
• No annual fee.
• Terms apply.

Read less

Read more

Apply now
Read review

See Rates & Fees

Compare credit cards with no annual fee

You’ll find many great no-annual-fee credit card options in a variety of categories.

{"niche":"USCCF"}

Sort by:

Name	Product	Annual fee	Balance transfer APR	Purchase APR	Filter values
Citi Rewards+℠ Card		$0	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 24.99% variable)	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 24.99% variable)		The only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase - with no cap.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express		$0	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.49% to 25.49% variable)	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.49% to 25.49% variable)		Earn a $150 bonus statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card		$0	13.49%, 19.49% or 23.49% variable	0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.49%, 19.49% or 23.49% variable)		Earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com		See terms	See issuer's website	See issuer's website		Can't decide on a card? Get personalized credit card offers with CardMatch™.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card		$0	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 15.49%, 21.49% or 25.49% variable)	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 15.49%, 21.49% or 25.49% variable)		Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Hilton Honors American Express Card		$0	17.24% to 26.24% variable	17.24% to 26.24% variable		Earn 75,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the card within your first 3 months of card membership. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Citi Simplicity® Card		$0	0% intro for the first 21 months (then 16.24% to 26.24% variable)	0% intro for the first 12 months (then 16.24% to 26.24% variable)		Enjoy one of the longest intro APRs on balance transfers, no late fees, no penalty rate and no annual fee.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Citi® Secured Mastercard®		$0	23.99% variable	23.99% variable		A no annual fee secured card for people who are new to credit or have limited credit history with a fair to average credit score.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Capital One® Secured Mastercard®		$0	26.74% variable	26.74% variable		Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Load More

Compare up to 4 providers

Clear selection

Compare

Best no-annual-fee credit cards

Though annual-fee cards tend to offer the best features, you’ll find a wealth of top-notch no-annual-fee cards. Here are our picks for the cream of the crop.

Best for flat-rate cash back: Citi® Double Cash Card

As long as you pay off your purchases consistently, this card offers the highest flat-rate cash back for no annual fee. It also offers a stellar intro APR on balance transfers.

• The perks

  • Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases and another 1% back as you pay them off.
  • Intro APR: 0% on balance transfers for 18 months from the date of your first transfer. After that, a 15.49% to 25.49% variable APR applies.
  • Long intro APR window: Transfers can qualify for the intro APR up to 4 months after you’ve opened your account.

Best for travel and no foreign transaction fees: PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express® Card

This card offers excellent rewards on travel, especially if you’re a PenFed Honors Advantage member. It also offers an air travel credit and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit — perks you’d typically find only with premium travel cards.

• The perks

  • Rewards: 3x points on all travel purchases. 4x points if you’re a PenFed Honors Advantage member.
  • Welcome offer: 25,000 bonus points after you spend $2,500 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Travel credits: $100 a year for air travel, $100 every five years for your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee.
  • Promo APR: 0% on balance transfers for 12 months. After that, 12.74% to 17.99% variable applies.

Best for 0% intro APR: Wells Fargo Platinum Card

Here, you’ll find a superb intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers. A few cards offer a similar promotional interest rate. However, Wells Fargo’s product lets you qualify for the balance transfer intro APR for up to 120 days after account opening, which is very generous.

• The perks

  • Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 months from account opening. After that, a 16.99% to 26.49% variable APR applies.
  • Long intro APR window: Your transfers can qualify for the intro APR for as long as 120 days days after account opening.
  • Check your FICO score monthly: Your credit score is pulled from Experian, one of the top credit bureaus in the US.

Citi Simplicity® Card review

Best for low interest: UNIFY Financial Credit Union Variable-Rate Visa® Credit Card

Consider this card if you have excellent credit and want a low APR. You could receive an APR on all balances as low as 7.99% variable. Also, the product is light on fees — balance transfer fees in particular.

• The perks

  • APR: 7.99% to 17.24% variable on all balances.
  • Fees: No annual fee. No balance transfer, cash advance or foreign transaction fees.

Best for small business: American Express® Blue Business Cash Card

Apply now

With this card, you’ll earn a solid 2% cash back on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year, then 1% back. That can be an excellent deal depending on your business, especially as the card has no annual fee. You’ll also receive an intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers, which is uncommon among business credit cards.

• The perks

  • Rewards: On all eligible purchases, earn 2% cash back on up to $50,000 each calendar year, then 1% back.
  • Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months (see rates & fees). After that, 14.74% to 20.74% variable APR.
  • Expanded buying power: In some cases, you can make purchases that put you over your credit limit without penalty. This privilege adjusts according to Amex’s discretion and factors such as your payment history and credit record.

Another great small-business pick: The Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card

Amex’s no-annual-fee business card is a great pick, but it doesn’t have a welcome offer. Also, you might prefer tiered rewards.

The Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card is a formidable competitor, offering a signup bonus and strong rewards in common business categories. It may be a better choice for you.

No annual fee cards by credit card issuer

Top Amex cards with no annual fee

Top Chase cards with no annual fee

Top Citi cards with no annual fee

How to choose a no-annual-fee credit card

1. Decide what kind of card you want.
   To narrow your options, decide how you primarily want to use your card and what you hope to get out of it. Do you want travel rewards? Cash back? A 0% intro APR? There are excellent products in each category, and some that combine features.
2. Compare a few credit cards.
   Once you’ve decided the main feature you want, compare a few cards that offer it. Use our cashback, balance transfer, travel, low-interest and business credit card guides to determine a card that’s right for you.
3. Apply for a card.
   You’ll need information such as your contact details, Social Security number, date of birth, gross annual income and employment information.
4. Wait for your card.
   You may receive instant approval, especially if you apply with a major card issuer. If the issuer needs to review your application, it may take a few days to a few weeks to hear back.If you’re approved, look for your card in the mail within seven to 10 days.

Bottom line

A no-annual-fee card can help you keep costs down. It can also offer great rewards and benefits you didn’t expect.

If you want more options, there are plenty of credit cards to compare. Check out our guide to the best credit cards of 2019.

Frequently asked questions

• What kind of credit do you need to get a no annual fee credit card?

  There are no annual fee credit cards that target everyone from excellent to fair credit. People with bad credit scores, however, will find limited options for no annual fee credit cards. If you’ve had trouble getting approved for credit in the past or you have a bad credit history, you may have to improve your credit before you can qualify for a no annual fee credit card.

• Do no annual fee credit cards pay rewards?

  You may expect that all the great rewards credit cards charge an annual fee, but fortunately, there are several great rewards credit cards without an annual fee. You can find a variety of no annual fee credit cards that pay cash, miles and points rewards. You’ll typically need to have good credit to qualify for a rewards credit card, regardless of whether the card charges an annual fee.

• Can the card issuer begin charging an annual fee later on?

  Your credit card issuer can start charging an annual fee after you’ve already signed up for the card. If your card issuer plans to introduce an annual fee, they’re required to let you know well in advance of the time the annual fee will become effective. You’ll have the opportunity to opt out, or reject, the addition of the annual fee. Your credit card issuer will have to allow you to pay your credit card off under the current terms (no annual fee), but may cancel your account or suspend your purchasing privileges. Unless your credit card has great rewards, opting out of the new fee is typically best.

• Are no annual fee credit cards completely free?

  A no annual fee credit card can be completely free, but it depends on how you use the credit card. Paying on time and in full will help you avoid late fees and interest. Most other fees are transaction based, which means you’ll have to avoid specific transactions to avoid paying fees. This includes balance transfers, cash advances and purchases made in foreign currencies.

• How can I tell if a credit card charges an annual fee?

  Most no annual fee credit cards will prominently advertise that there’s no fee for the card. It’s one of the biggest selling points for a credit card. If you see the phrase “No annual fee” followed by an asterisk (*), check for a caveat in the fine print. You may learn that the annual fee is only waived in the first year of the credit card. The best way to figure out whether a credit card charges an annual fee is to read through the credit card pricing disclosure. All credit cards are required to list the pricing associated with a credit card with each credit card offer.

• What if my application is denied?

  Credit card applications are denied for a variety of reasons. from recent late payments to short employment history. You won’t know the specific reason or reasons you’re denied until the credit card issuer sends a letter in the mail letting you know why. Once you receive the letter, use the details to help you figure out how to proceed with your next credit application. You may need to improve your credit before you apply for a credit card again.