Right off the bat, we can tell you that credit cards with induced annual fees doesn’t necessarily excite everyone, even though some annual fee credit cards do offer exceptional travel benefits like free hotel nights, trip insurance, and other perks that make annual fees all the more necessary.
Credit cards with no annual fees have a huge appeal to those looking for a great daily-spender and it could benefit your credit score considering that with no annual fee, you’re more willing to keep your card open for a longer time, thus increasing your average account age. No AF cards are a great pick for those just starting out in the points and miles world!
BONUS LINK | OFFER | REVIEW |
Chase Business Complete Checking® | $300 or $500 Cash | Review |
Chase Private Client | $3,000 Cash | Review |
Chase Total Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
Chase College CheckingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing | Up To $700 Cash | Review |
Chase Secure BankingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
Top 10 No Annual Fee Credit Cards:
1) Discover It Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: Earn $50 bonus after first purchase. End up with $100 bonus due to double cash back.
- Spending Requirement: Make 1 purchase within 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Bonus Worth: Total yearly maximum of $6,000 for 5% cash back purchases plus amount earned for all 1% cash purchases which does not have a limit.
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: New customers can double the cash back earned at the end of the first year, up to the maximum of $1,500 each quarter for 5% cash back purchase categories and no limit for all other 1% cash back purchases. Refer your friends and receive $50 each, up to 10 referrals, for a total of $500 extra cash.
Editor’s Note: The Discover IT Card is currently upheld as one of the best no-annual fee cards yet. If you’re a new cardholder, Discover will MATCH the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your 12 billing cycle. Considering that this card has no foreign transaction fees and additional discounts through their Discover Deals Shopping Portal; A card of this caliber deserves to be on this list.
2) Chase Freedom® Summary:
- Learn More
- Maximum Bonus: $150 Cash + additional $25 authorized user bonus
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $500 within 3 months of account opening to get the $150 bonus. You must add an authorized user and make a purchase to earn the additional $25 bonus.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Bonus Worth: That’s $175 in cash back total!
- Expiration Date: No expiration
- Additional Advice: This card is great for people looking to build credit. Having personally used this card myself, I highly recommend it. The bonus is easy to earn and you never have to worry about an annual fee. Earning 5% cash back in rotating categories with no annual fee is a huge value.
Editor’s Note: The Chase Freedom is a must have no-annual fee card and it’s one of my more personally preferred daily-usage cards. the 5X Chase UR Points on up to $1,500 spend in rotating categories is just attractive to say the least. Considering that you can also combine your points with a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, etc., you can transfer your points to valuable airlines and hotel partners; Hyatt or United Airlines.
3) Discover It Miles Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: Earn double miles on unlimited 1.5X miles for every dollar spent on purchases for the first year.
- Spending Requirement: None
- Annual Fee: $0
- Bonus Worth: 100 Miles equals $1.00 but there are no cap on how much you can earn.
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: Refer your friends and receive $50 each, up to 10 referrals, for a total of $500 extra cash.
Editor’s Note: The Discover IT Miles card will effectively earn you 1.5 miles per $1 spent on all purchases with no bonus category to track. Discover IT Miles are also worth an effective 1 cent per point and there’s no sign-up bonus, but you’ll still get up to $30 credit per card anniversary year for in-flight WIFI purchases. Keep in mind that Discover will match you on your first year so you’ll be getting an effective 3 miles back on everything you buy.
4) Chase Freedom UnlimitedSM Summary:
- Learn More
- Maximum Bonus: $150 Cash
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $500 within 3 months of account opening to get the $150 bonus.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Bonus Worth: $150
- Expiration Date: No expiration
- Additional Advice: This card is great for people who aren’t looking to mess with rotating categories. Earn yourself a flat 1.5% Cash Back everywhere.
Editor’s Note: The Chase Freedom Unlimited will effectively earn you Chase Ultimate Rewards Points with no annual fee of course. This is a great daily credit card to have if you aren’t looking to mess with Chase Freedom’s rotating categories. Consider transferring your points to travel partners combining your points with a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
5) Capital One VentureOne Credit Card Summary:
- Learn more about Capital One Venture Rewards and apply here
- Maximum Bonus: 20,000 bonus miles
- Spending Requirement: None
- Annual Fee: None
- Bonus Worth: 20,000 bonus miles is worth $200
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: There is no cap on miles and rewards don’t expire.
Editor’s Note: You’ll be earning 1.25% cashback everywhere with no foreign transaction fees attached.
6) Amex EveryDay® Credit Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: 10,000 bonus points
- Spending Requirement: You must spend $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Bonus Worth: American Express Membership Rewards are worth 0.5 cents to 1 cent each, depending on how you redeem them (bill charges are 0.6 cents/point, Amazon purchases are 0.7 cents/point, and airfare is 1 cent/point) . We estimate this bonus to be worth $100.
- Expiration Date: No expiration
- Additional Advice: With 2X Points at supermarkets and 20% additional points when used 20 times, this is a great card for families who routinely shop for groceries and household products.
Editor’s Note: With a Amex Everyday Credit Card, you could potentially maximize your spending with grocery purchases. Of course, this is an efficient daily-usage credit card that I recommend if you spend quite often at supermarkets. Earn valuable Membership Rewards Points transferable to airline and hotel partners, like Delta and Singapore Airlines.
7) Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: $200 Cash Rewards
- Spending Requirement: $1,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening
- Annual Fee: None
- Bonus Worth: The $200
- Additional Advice: Cell Phone Protection insurance, up to $600 with a $25 deductible
Editor’s Note: With the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card, you could earn a pretty decent rewards earning rate: 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limit, 1.8% cash back on all Apple Pay & Android Pay purchases for the first twelve months. In addition, the Cell Phone Protection insurance, up to $600 is pretty attractive!
8) Citi Double Cash Card
- Apply Now
- Best Feature: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Annual Fee: None
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: Unlike many other cards, Citi Double Cash has no restrictive categories and no limits on the amount of cash back that you earn
Editor’s Note: The Citi Double Cash is a efficient no-annual fee cash back card that will offer you 1% cash back on all purchases. You’ll also earn another 1% when you pay them off, with no limit as to the amount that you earn. Keep in mind that in order to redeem your cash back, you must have earned at least $25. Redeem your cash back in the form of mailed checks, statement credit or gift cards.
9) Barclaycard JetBlue MasterCard Summary:
- Apply Now
- Signup Bonus: 10,000 Bonus Points
- Spending Requirement: $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening
- Annual Fee: None
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: Take advantage of 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. Receive 3x points on all Jetblue purchases, 2x points on groceries and restaurants, and 1x on everything else
Editor’s Note: The Barclaycard JetBlue MasterCard is a pretty nice no-annual fee card and what makes it even more attractive is the no foreign transaction fees attached. Now if you’re expected a free checked bag perk and you fly JetBlue often, then it by be more worth it signing up for the JetBlue Plus Card ($99 Annual Fee).
10) Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card Summary:
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: $100 Bonus
- Spending Requirement: None
- Annual Fee: None
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: Earn 2% cash back for all purchases.
Editor’s Note: It seems like 2% cash back w/ no annual fees are quite common these days, but of course, the Fidelity VISA Signature had to be on our top no-annual fee list because of the no point cap, expiration or restrictive categories attached. Keep in mind that there’s a 1% foreign transaction fee that applies so it’s not a very reasonable idea to use this card out of states.
Honorable Mention:
Capital One® Spark® Cash Select for Business: Best No Annual Fee Business
- Apply Now
- Maximum Bonus: $200 Cash Bonus
- Spending Requirement: $3,000 in first 3 months
- Annual Fee: None
- Bonus Worth: $200
- Expiration Date: None
- Additional Advice: There is no cap on miles and rewards don’t expir
Editor’s Note: Get your hands on a Capital One Spark Cash Select and you’ll receive receive 1.5% cash back on every purchase for your business. Add additional employee cards at no additional cost. This is a card that should have it’s own little place in our top annual fee cards; considering that it’s a business card with no annual fee.
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for a no annual fee credit card, here’s our top ten credit cards with no annual fee (with our added personal favorite business card with no annual fee as well). Having a no-annual fee credit card is one of the most exceptional ways to improve your credit score and lengthen your credit history. Personally, my top pick for no-annual fee personal credit cards of 2016 would be the Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited considering that these cards earn Ultimate Rewards points. Find out which card is fit for you by checking out our complete list of Credit Card Promotions today!