Compare no annual fee credit cards

Pay on plastic and save on card costs with a no annual fee credit card.

See which cards have no annual fee Compare credit cards now
Learn more about annual fees How credit card fees work

Finding a credit card with no annual or ongoing fees can help keep your overall card costs down. Use the table below to compare balance transfer, 0% purchase, credit builder and rewards credit cards with no annual fee.

Table: sorted by length of 0% balance transfer offer, promoted deals first
Name Product Rating Finder score Balance transfers Balance transfer fee Purchases Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
Santander Everyday Long Term Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 26 months reverting to 23.9%
3% (min. £5)
0% for 3 months reverting to 23.9%
£0
23.9% APR (variable)
Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 23.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 26 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49%, min £5
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 24 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49% fee, min £5
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
Check eligibility
Royal Bank of Scotland Longer Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 23 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49%
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
NatWest Longer Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 23 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49%
0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 19 months reverting to 24.9%
2.99%
0% for 19 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
NatWest Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 19 months reverting to 24.9%
2.99%
0% for 19 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 16 months reverting to 24.9%
3.49%, min £5
0% for 18 months reverting to 24.9%
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
Check eligibility
loading
Name Product Rating Finder score Max. intro bonus Earn-rate with brand Default earn-rate Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
M&S Bank Credit Card Transfer Plus Offer Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
N/A
1 point per £1 spent
1 point per £5 spent
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
1 point per £1 spent with M&S and 1 point per £5 spent elsewhere. Enjoy 55 days interest free, preferential rates plus no cash advance fee when buying M&S travel money with the card.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
American Express® Rewards Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
10,000 points
1 point per £1 spent
1 point per £1 spent
£0
31% APR (variable)
Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for every £1 spent thereafter. Earn up to 90,000 bonus points per year through refer a friend, 4,000 points awarded for every friend approved. 1 point = 0.45p (min 1,000 points) to shop, other rewards have differing conversions.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
British Airways American Express® Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
5,000 points
1 point per £1 spent
1 point per £1 spent
£0
31% APR (variable)
Earn 5,000 points when you spend £1,000 within 3 months of account opening. Terms apply. UK 18+, subject to status. Earn 1 Avios for virtually every £1 spent.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Amex® Cashback Everyday Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£125
1% cashback
1% cashback
£0
31% APR (variable)
New Cardmembers get 5% cashback on your purchases (up to £125) for the first 5 months of Cardmembership. Offer ends 9 April 2024. Terms and minimum spend apply. 18+, subject to status. Terms apply. Spend £0 to £10,000 and receive 0.5% cashback on all purchases. Spend over £10,000 and receive 1% cashback on purchases.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 31% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 31% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Yonder Credit Card (no fee)
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
N/A
5 points per £1 spent
1 point per £1 spent
£0
32.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 32.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 32.9% APR (variable).
loading
Table: sorted by length of 0% purchases offer, promoted deals first
Name Product Rating Finder score Purchases Balance transfers Annual/monthly fees Representative APR Incentive Link
Royal Bank of Scotland Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 19 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 19 months
(2.99% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
NatWest Purchase & Balance Transfer Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 19 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 19 months
(2.99% fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
HSBC Purchase Plus Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 18 months reverting to 24.9%
0% for 16 months
(3.49%, min £5 fee)
£0
24.9% APR (variable)
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC Home and Away.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable). You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
Check eligibility
Santander All in One Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 15 months reverting to 23.9%
0% for 15 months
(0% fee)
£3 per month
29.8% APR (variable)
0.5% after £1 of monthly spend. Maximum of £10 cashback paid per month. Cashback paid Monthly into Card Account. Maximum spend for cashback purposes is limited to credit limit.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 23.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 29.8% APR (variable).
Check eligibility
Tesco Bank Clubcard Plus Credit Card Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
0% for 24 months reverting to 19.94%
21.81%
(3.99% fee)
£7.99 per month
37.7% APR (variable)
5 points per £4 spent (£4 minimum) in Tesco and 1 point per £8 spent (£8 minimum) outside Tesco. Must have available credit to earn points. Points are converted to Tesco vouchers or can be exchanged for Partner rewards to receive money off a variety of restaurants, entertainment or Avios points.
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 19.94% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £7.99 per month, your representative rate is 37.7% APR (variable).
loading
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Name Product Rating Finder score Annual/monthly fees Initial credit limits Minimum income Representative APR Incentive Link
Additional account needed
HSBC Student Credit Card Visa
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
Min. limit £250, max. limit £500.
Not specified
18.9%
Available alongside an HSBC Student Account (receive £100 and a 1-year subscription to Headspace when you open a new student account).
Representative example: When you spend £500 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 18.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
Additional account needed
AIB Student Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
Min. limit £300, max. limit not specified.
Not specified
12.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.2% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Additional account needed
TSB Student Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit £1,000.
Not specified
21.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,000 at a purchase rate of 21.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 21.9% APR (variable).
TSB Classic Credit Card Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
Min. limit £500, max. limit not specified.
Not specified
28.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 28.95% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 28.9% APR (variable).
Sainsbury's Bank Everyday Credit Card Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.
Not specified
29.4%
3 Nectar points per £2 spent in Sainsbury's, Argos, Habitat and Tu clothing, and 1 Nectar point for every £5 spent elsewhere. 1 point = 0.5p (min 500pts)
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.4% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 29.4% APR (variable).
loading
Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
Name Product Rating Finder score Annual/monthly fees Initial credit limits Minimum income Representative APR Incentive Link
The Royal Bank Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
Min. limit £250, max. limit not specified.
£10000
12.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
NatWest Credit Card
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
Min. limit £250, max. limit not specified.
£10000
12.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
Go to site
Yonder Credit Card (no fee)
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
£0
Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.
£25,000
32.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 32.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 32.9% APR (variable).
The Ulster Bank Credit Card Mastercard
Finder score
★★★★★
★★★★★
Expert analysis
£0
Min. limit £350, max. limit not specified.
£10000
12.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 12.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 12.9% APR (variable).
The Elfin Card
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
£0
Min. limit not specified, max. limit not specified.
Not specified
14.8%
If you withdraw £1,200 from your credit line and make no early repayments, you will pay £173.52 in interest over two years at a representative APR of 14.8%. Total amount repayable: £1,373.52.
loading

Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow.

What is a no annual fee credit card?

No-fee credit cards let you enjoy a range of benefits without paying a yearly or monthly account fee. Depending on the type of card you choose, you can enjoy no fees for the life of the card or zero fees for a promotional period (such as the first year you have the card). Credit cards with no ongoing fees can help keep your costs low, and are more affordable if you don’t use your card regularly and therefore can’t justify paying high fees.

However, credit cards that involve an annual or monthly fee typically come with more rewards than no-fee cards, so consider how you use your card. It may be the case that added benefits such as travel insurance or cashback on purchases outweigh the expense of the fees involved.

Credit card jargon explained

  • Annual fee. Sometimes known as an account fee, this is a flat fee you pay each year to use your credit card. However, this generally only applies to premium cards, and many credit cards have no annual or ongoing fees.
  • APR. The annual percentage rate (APR) is designed to be a benchmark for consumers, providing an annual summary of the cost of your card. As well as the interest, the APR also takes into account any compulsory charges – like an account fee (if there is one). However, crucially, providers only have to award the advertised APR to 51% of those who take out the credit card – the other 49% could be offered a different (higher) rate, at the provider’s discretion. That’s why it’s often referred to as the representative APR.
  • Interest rate. This is the percentage rate you may be charged on purchases or other card transactions if you don’t pay them off within your interest-free period. Interest rates can be either fixed or variable, meaning they can stay the same, or go up and down, over time.

What is the best no annual fee credit card?

There isn’t one no annual fee credit card that will be best for everyone, and having no annual fee is just one of the features you should look for when comparing credit cards. Understanding what you want to get out of your credit card is the most important factor when choosing the best credit card for you.

For example, if you’re looking to earn rewards on your everyday spending, you might want to consider a cashback or rewards credit card, while if you’re looking to cover the cost of a large purchase, or move an existing debt, a 0% purchase or balance transfer card might be a better option.

Once you’ve decided on the type of card that best suits your needs, you can then take any annual fees into account when comparing cards.

How to choose the best no annual fee credit card

When it comes to choosing the type of credit card that’s right for you, you should keep the following questions in mind:

  1. How often do you use your credit card? If you rarely use a credit card but still want one for unplanned expenses or emergencies, a no annual/monthly fee option will give you the features that you need without burning a hole in your pocket while you’re not using it.
  2. Do you carry a balance? No annual/monthly fee credit cards sometimes have higher interest rates than others, which can mean it takes longer – and is more expensive – to clear a balance. If that’s the case, you might want to consider a low-interest credit card instead.
  3. Do you have existing debt? If you have existing debt, getting a no annual/monthly fee credit card could tempt you to spend more money than you can afford. Aim to pay off your current debts, or consider a balance transfer credit card to save money on interest charges.
  4. What credit card benefits do you want? No annual/monthly fee credit cards sometimes have fewer perks than other options. If you’re interested in features such as rewards programmes and complimentary insurance, make sure you look at a range of cards and consider these factors as well as the annual or monthly fee so that you can find an option that suits all of your needs.
  5. Will you use the credit card after the zero annual/monthly fee promotion ends? If the card comes with no annual fee for a promotional period, consider whether you want to use the card once the introductory period ends. If the card doesn’t have a competitive interest rate or extra features to outweigh the annual/monthly fee cost, you might want to consider switching cards to a zero fee option before the annual fee applies.

Pros and cons of no annual fee credit cards

Pros

  • Save money on your credit card. The most obvious perk of these cards is that you won’t pay an annual or monthly fee. This could save you a significant amount over the life of the card.
  • Practical. Without the extra perks and additional benefits, no annual/monthly fee credit cards can be ideal for emergencies and when extra credit is required.
  • Promotional offers and deals. Some no annual/monthly fee credit cards come with promotional offers, frequent flyer programmes and other perks that you’d regularly have to pay a yearly fee to access.

Cons

  • Higher interest rates. Credit card companies may charge higher ongoing interest rates on no annual/monthly fee credit cards. This could add to your costs if you regularly carry a balance from month to month.
  • Fewer extra features. While some no annual/monthly fee cards do come with frequent flyer programmes and other benefits, they usually have fewer features than cards that charge annual or monthly fees.
  • Temporary £0 annual fee. Unfortunately, not all of these cards offer no annual/monthly fee for the life of the card. If your card only offers zero fees for a promotional period, make sure you know when the standard annual fee will apply and how much it is to avoid any surprise costs.

As there are many types of zero annual or monthly fee cards on the market, it’s important to consider your financial situation and how you intend to use the card. Make sure to consider not only the conditions of the fee, but also the other features, benefits and costs of the card before you apply.

No annual fee credit cards can be a savvy choice for individuals seeking to manage their finances effectively while minimising costs. When selecting such cards, it’s essential to consider factors beyond just the absence of an annual fee, such as interest rates, rewards programs and any additional fees. By carefully assessing your spending habits and financial goals, you can identify the right no annual fee credit card that maximises benefits and minimises expenses, if used responsibly.”

Emily Herring, credit publisher

Applying for a no annual fee credit card

The application process is just the same for a credit card with or without an annual fee. Once you have compared all your options and chosen a credit card that suits your needs, you can use a soft credit card checker to see if you’re eligible for the card. Then, when ready, you can apply through the provider’s application form. These forms usually take a few minutes to fill out depending on the provider.

Frequently asked questions

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

More guides on Finder

4 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    D.GMay 14, 2018

    I am looking for a credit card with no monthly/yearly fee. I don’t intend to use it, it is purely to enhance my credit score. Is this a good idea?

      AvatarFinder
      JoshuaMay 14, 2018Finder

      Hi D.G,

      Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well for you. :)

      It is worth noting that every time you open a new credit card account, it could cost a few credit score points. Thus, the mere action of opening one can affect your score.

      If you don’t intend to use it and you consistently have a zero balance, there’s a chance that your issuer will stop reporting to the credit bureau or worse, close the account. So, in this case, it won’t improve your score and worse, it might even decrease it.

      To improve your credit score, you may do the following:

      Order a copy of your credit report. Request a free credit report from the major bureaus to stay on top of making sure that lenders see only the most accurate picture of your financial health. Confirm that your personal information, employment data, open accounts and balances and other financial details are current and accurate. If you discover any errors, dispute them with the three credit bureaus and the provider that reported them.
      Pay down your credit card accounts. Your overall credit score is determined by many variables, including your credit utilization rate. To indicate to lenders that you’re a responsible borrower, only carry a balance with a utilization of 30% or less. For example, if your credit limit is $1,000, keep your balance below $300, which is 30% of your limit.
      Don’t attempt to open new accounts until your score improves. Every time you apply for credit, it’s listed on your credit report and pulls down your score. By waiting, you can take advantage of better interest rates.
      Avoid hastily closing unused accounts. While this sounds like a good strategy in theory, having only newer accounts will result in a lower score. Lenders want to see a long history of credit in your report.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

    Default Gravatar
    Kai-uweMarch 16, 2018

    Hello, I would like to get a credit card with the lowest costs. I need it just for the UK, purchasing in supermarkets, coffees etc..

      AvatarFinder
      JoshuaMarch 25, 2018Finder

      Hi Kai-uwe,

      Thanks for getting in touch with finder.

      I would like to share with you three pages from our website to help you make a better decision. One option is by looking for no annual fee credit cards. You will find your options on this page.

      Next, explore our low interest rate credit cards. On that page, you should be able to get more familiar with credit cards with low interest.

      Finally, please go to this page to compare 0% Purchase Credit Card offers.

      All the pages I mentioned above will help you find the credit card with the lowest cost.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

Go to site