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Best overall
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
chance of approval
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Intro offer
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Rewards rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
2%
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for dining & entertainment
Bankrate score
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
chance of approval
on Capital One's secure site
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards rate
8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
1% - 8%
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for automatic custom category
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
chance of approval
on Citi's secure site
Intro offer
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Rewards rate
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for rotating bonus categories
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on Discover's secure site
Intro offer
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Rewards rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for occasional travelers
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on Capital One's secure site
Intro offer
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
$340 value
We calculate this number by multiplying the card's intro offer by Bankrate's valuation of this issuer's rewards program, showing you how much your points or miles are worth in dollars.
Rewards rate
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
1.25 Miles - 5 Miles
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best overall cash back card with no annual fee
Bankrate score
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
3.8
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
3.8
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
chance of approval
on Capital One's secure site
Intro offer
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Rewards rate
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
1.5% - 5%
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for shopping
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
chance of approval
on Bank of America's secure site
Intro offer
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Rewards rate
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
1% - 3%
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for credit builders
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Capital One credit card.
N/A
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for renters
Bankrate score
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Wells Fargo credit card.
N/A
Rewards rate
3x points on dining 2x points on travel 1x points on other purchases Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year. When you make at least 5 posted transactions in a statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you'll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.
1X Points - 3X Points
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for cash back after intro APR
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
chance of approval
on Citi's secure site
Intro offer
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Rewards rate
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
1% - 5%
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for Bank of America customers
Bankrate score
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
3.8
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
3.8
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
chance of approval
on Bank of America's secure site
Intro offer
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Rewards rate
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
1.5%
Annual fee
Regular APR
Best for transit and commuting
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Bankrate score
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score: 670 - 850
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Intro offer
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
$200 value
We calculate this number by multiplying the card's intro offer by Bankrate's valuation of this issuer's rewards program, showing you how much your points or miles are worth in dollars.
Rewards rate
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1X points on other purchases
1X - 3X
Annual fee
Regular APR
Compare the best credit cards with no annual fee
Card name | Our pick for | Bankrate review score |
---|---|---|
Flat-rate cash rewards + Best overall | 4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Wells Fargo's secure site | |
Dining & entertainment | 5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site | |
Automatic custom category | 4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Citi's secure site | |
Rotating bonus categories | 4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Discover's secure site | |
Occasional travelers | 4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site | |
Overall cash back card with no annual fee | 3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site | |
Shopping | 4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Bank of America's secure site | |
Credit builders | 4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Capital One's secure site | |
Renters | 4.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Wells Fargo's secure site | |
Cash back after intro APR | 4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Citi's secure site | |
Bank of America customers | 3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Bank of America's secure site | |
Transit and commuting | 4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) on Wells Fargo's secure site |
On This Page
On This Page
- Are no-annual-fee credit cards worth it?
- Expert advice for no-annual-fee cards
- Our data
- How we assess the best no-annual-fee cards
- Ask the experts
- Frequently asked questions
Are no-annual-fee credit cards worth it?
A credit card’s annual fee is generally worth it when the benefits of the card equal or outweigh the cost. Many cards with annual fees include perks that offset the annual fee, but no-annual-fee cards can still be valuable.
However, the latest J.D. Power credit card customer satisfaction study finds that cardholders who have a credit card with a $100 or higher annual fee are more satisfied with their card benefits and rewards than cardholders with a no-annual-fee card on average. It’s important to calculate whether these premium features are worth the price tag based on your typical annual expenses and whether you’ll be able to take full advantage of the perks consistently. Otherwise, a premium card could be a money pit.
For example, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card could be a worthwhile step up from the no-annual-fee Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card if you can utilize the annual credits toward airline incidental costs like seat upgrades, in-flight services and baggage fees. Otherwise, the no-annual-fee version could easily be the better choice.
Card | Estimated annual rewards value* | Annual perk value | Value minus annual fee |
---|---|---|---|
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | $338 (33,750 points)
| $0 No perks of monetary value | $338 $0 annual fee |
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | $364 (36,400 points)
| $125
| $394 $95 annual fee |
*Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics spending data, an assumed $22,500 yearly spend and a 1-cent point redemption value.
Pros and cons of no-annual-fee credit cards
No-annual-fee credit cards are one of the more forgiving credit card options available since you don’t need to worry about making up for a yearly cost just to hold the card. However, you should weigh the benefits and drawbacks before applying.
Pros
Affordability with rewards opportunity: You don’t have to pay a premium to get rewards or useful benefits with the best no-annual-fee credit cards.
No planning to cover the cost of an annual fee: If your card carries an annual fee, you have to justify the cost through rewards spending or taking advantage of benefits. A $0 annual fee won’t eat into your hard-earned rewards value.
Better zero-interest offers: No-annual-fee cards are better for settling debt since they tend to offer 0 percent introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers while premium cards typically don’t have these offers.
Cons
Small sign-up bonuses: If the card has a sign-up bonus at all, it’s typically smaller than the offers associated with some premium cards.
Rewards aren’t usually as valuable: No-annual-fee credit cards usually have lower rewards rates and fewer eye-catching perks than their premium counterparts.
The card may carry other fees: No-annual-fee cards may not be the most cost-effective option depending on your needs. Some of these cards may charge foreign transaction fees or other fees, so it’s key to review a card’s terms before ruling it out.
Expert advice for no-annual-fee cards
No-annual-fee credit cards tend to be less complex than cards with annual fees, though there are still a few tricks to choosing the best option for you and getting the most out of it.
Keep in Mind
If you haven’t established a good-to-excellent credit score yet, there are several rewarding secured cards and student cards with no annual fee as well. Several of these may let you eventually upgrade to a full-fledged rewards card with no annual fee.
Still unsure if a no-annual-fee credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool to get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.
What people say about no annual fee credit cards
With so many no-annual-fee options to choose from, first-hand experience and perspectives will come in handy if you’re searching for a card. We checked Reddit and other popular discussion forums to see what users saw as the best no-annual-fee cards and when an annual fee might be worth it.
How a Bankrate editor chose his no-annual-fee card
Bankrate editor Steve Dashiell chose a no-annual-fee card with rotating reward categories to help him keep an eye on his spending:
“Having crashed and burned on my first attempt at using a credit card, I needed my second attempt to keep things simple. But at the same time, I also wanted some extra depth. My thought was pretty simple: I can set up the card to pay off my balance in full at the end of each statement period so that it effectively runs itself. But once I felt comfortable managing the card, I could lean into some extra card features to take advantage of any perks or rewards.
The Chase Freedom — now the Chase Freedom Flex℠ — came highly recommended by a friend of mine, and it was easy to see why. The card’s rotating reward categories offer an extra incentive to monitor and plan out your spending, something I wasn’t great at doing. And even if I didn’t feel like chasing a quarter’s categories, I could still earn a reliable 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.
During my research, I also learned about the Chase Trifecta, which was just the type of value ‘expansion’ I was hoping for in the event everything went well with my credit card revenge arc. The fact that the card offered so much potential for no annual fee (along with a recommendation from a friend) made choosing the card a no-brainer.”
— Steve Dashiell, Editor, Credit Cards
How can you maximize your no-annual-fee credit card?
Pay your balance on time and in full each month
Keeping your spending in check so you can pay off your balance in full each month will allow you to take full advantage of your no-annual-fee card’s low ownership cost and keep your credit utilization low.
Pair the no-annual-fee card with a premium rewards card
When you’re comfortable managing your no-annual-fee credit card, it’s worth combining it with a card that charges an annual fee but provides more reward opportunities and perks. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the best no-annual-fee cash back cards, but pairing it with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for travel rewards can greatly expand your rewards’ redemption value.
Keep the card open when you upgrade
Even if you stop using your no-annual-fee card, don’t close the account right away. Keeping the card open will improve your credit utilization ratio and lengthen your credit history for no yearly charge.
Our data: When’s the best time to get a no-annual-fee card?
Once you’ve decided you want a no-annual-fee card, there’s another key question to consider: when is the best time to apply? Some months may be better than others depending on credit card welcome offers, perks and your seasonal needs.
Our research indicates a solid answer: No-annual-fee cards — cash back cards, especially — are the most popular in January and October, leading into the holidays.
According to Bankrate’s proprietary data of readers who clicked on no-annual-fee credit card offers on our site in 2023, reader interest in these offers dropped 31% from February to August 2023 but quickly rebounded by 44% to their highest interest level all year in November 2023.
Across our top credit card offer pages, the top few cards that users were most interested in each month tended to be a no-annual-fee credit card, usually with cash back rewards and unchanging sign-up bonuses. Each month’s trending offers tended to reflect what users may need a credit card for at that time of year.
For example, a no-annual-fee card with a strong balance transfer offer was one of the most popular cards on our site January through March — when people may need 0 percent intro APRs to recover from holiday spending. And a student credit card shot up in popularity during the fall months while students returned to school.
However, our data also shows that travel cards with annual fees can be just as popular, especially when issuers increase sign-up bonuses in the spring or fall. If you’re on the fence about getting a card with no annual fee, make sure that travel card you might have your eye on didn’t recently increase its welcome offer. Otherwise, that no-annual-fee card could be the next best addition to your wallet.
Bankrate Insight
If you want a travel card, it’s also smart to apply three to six months before your trip so that you can put your sign-up bonus toward your travel plans. That means you may want to apply in March for summer travel and in August for holiday travel at the latest.
How we assess the best no-annual-fee cards
250+
cards rated
50+
rewards programs valued
5000
data points analyzed
40+
perks evaluated
When evaluating the best credit cards with no annual fee, we take into account several factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether they offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards to scoring a large sign-up bonus to saving on interest.
We analyzed over 250 of the most popular credit cards and selected standouts that carry no annual fee. We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period, ongoing APR, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.
Here are some of the key factors that we considered:
Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
Ask the experts
We’ve asked a few personal finance experts about the best perks you should look for on a no-annual-fee credit card.
Many no-annual-fee credit cards also have great perks, including:
- Intro APR. If you're looking for a card that doesn’t charge interest for several months, you’re in luck. There are plenty of cards on the market that offer a low intro APR, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, which can help you save on interest for the first 15 months after opening the account.
- Cell phone protection. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card doesn't charge an annual fee and has cell phone protection, which will reimburse you for the cost to repair or replace your phone if it's damaged or stolen (up to $600 per claim, up to two claims per year, minus a $25 deductible). Although cracked screens and cosmetic damages are not covered, this coverage can definitely give you peace of mind, at no cost.
- Free credit score access. If you want to keep track of your credit score, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is a great option since it offers free access to your FICO Score.
So it really depends on what you’re looking for!
— Erica Sandberg, personal Finance expert
No-annual-fee cards can still have a variety of perks and rewards. The best perks are ones you will actually use, so choose a card with a rewards program that offers a high rewards rate on the types of spending that you do the most. Other perks, like purchase protection and insurance coverages, are also included on many no-annual-fee cards. Take time to review all the details and select the one that makes the most sense for you.
— Thomas Nitzsche, personal finance expert
For any card you consider, you’ll want to look for benefits that match your spending style. For cards that have no annual fee, every benefit that you can take advantage of is a gain (since you don't have an annual fee to offset). Start by looking for options that offer a sign-up bonus. If you want to keep your earning simple, look for a card with a high flat rewards rate (like the Citi Double Cash® Card). If you want to max out your earnings and are willing to take the time to track rotating categories, choose a card that offers a high rewards rate in categories that fit your spending habits (consider a card like the Chase Freedom Flex*).
— Stephanie Zito, personal finance expert
* Information about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
Frequently asked questions about no-annual-fee credit cards
Courtney MihocikArrow RightSenior Editor, Credit Cards
Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at…
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.