Credit cards with no annual fee 2021

How to compare no-annual-fee credit cards

There are so many great no-annual-fee cards out there, it can be hard to choose the right one. To help you narrow down your options, here’s what to consider:

• Rewards program. Many no-annual-fee cards come with a rewards program. You can either get a card with a high cashback rate on select categories like travel, dining, groceries or gas, or you can get a card with the same rewards rate on all purchases.
• Interest-free period. A 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both is a common feature of no-annual-fee credit cards. You can get up to 15 months of an interest-free period with a rewards credit card or up to 20 months with a card with no rewards program.
• Signup bonus. A signup bonus can give you a burst of rewards soon after you’re approved for a card. Many no-annual-fee cards have bonuses worth between $50 and $300, and some cards even more.
• Choices depend on your credit score. Your credit score has a big effect on which cards you’ll be approved for. For rewards cards and products with intro APRs, you’ll usually want to apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower than that, consider a no-annual-fee secured credit card to build your credit.

No-annual-fee cards by bank

What is an annual fee?

An annual fee is a yearly cost to keep a credit card. If your card has one, the annual fee is charged automatically each year, typically during the month you opened your account.

With a no-annual-fee card, you won’t have to pay this cost, which helps you minimize the expense of owning a credit card.

Annual fees typically range from as low as $30 to as high as $550. Some providers waive the annual fee in the first year, giving cardholders 12 months to enjoy their cards at no cost. That said, a card with an annual fee typically comes with more perks and benefits that can offset the fee.

When is paying an annual fee worth it?

Paying an annual fee can be justified for those who spend heavily on a particular category that offers the highest rewards. For example, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% back on US supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually and 1% after that, while the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 6% back but it costs $95 annually (Terms apply, see rates & fees) after your first year, which you can redeem for a statement credit. The latter also earns a higher cashback rate on other categories.

Here’s how both compare:

Are there no-annual-fee credit cards with rewards?

Yes, a lot of no-annual-fee credit cards offer rewards. Depending on the card, you can earn cash back, points or travel miles. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers 5% cash back in rotating categories on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each activated quarter (1% after reaching the cap), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

Alternatives to no-annual-fee cards

The only alternative is to pay an annual fee. It can seem expensive to get such a card, but if your spending is high enough, it will not only cover the annual fee, but you will earn a lot more rewards and save money on other perks.

Airline cobranded credit cards are an excellent example. An airline credit card that costs around $99 often comes with a first-checked-bag free perk. This can easily save $30 per person per flight. With three one-way flights, you have already covered the annual fee. On top of that, there’s often either priority boarding and in-flight savings on food and beverages that make the card a much better option than a no-annual-fee alternative.

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 2021.