Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator
@m_adams
The best airline credit card with no annual fee is the United Gateway℠ Card because it offers 1 - 2 miles per $1 spent and an initial bonus of 30,000 miles for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. The card has a $0 foreign transaction fee, a $0 annual fee, and an low intro APR on purchases.
Best Airline Credit Cards With No Annual Fee in 2026
| Card Name | Rewards Rate | Initial Bonus Offer | WalletHub Rating |
| 1 - 2 miles per $1 spent | 30,000 miles for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months | 4.03 / 5 | |
| 1 - 3 points per $1 spent | 10,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days | 3.44 / 5 | |
| 1 - 2 miles per $1 spent | 15,000 miles for spending $500 in the first 3 months | 3.35 / 5 | |
| 1 - 2 miles per $1 spent | 10,000 miles for spending $1,000 in the first 6 months | 2.86 / 5 | |
| 1 - 3 miles per $1 spent | 15,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months | 3.57 / 5 | |
| 1 - 2 points per $1 spent | 10,000 points for spending $500 in the first 90 days | 2.72 / 5 |
How to Make the Most of Airline Credit Cards With No Annual Fee
Airline credit cards with no annual fees can save you a lot of money if you use them to their full potential. The following strategies can help you maximize your savings:
- Take advantage of bonus rewards: Use the card to pay for flights, dining, groceries, or other rewards categories where your airline card offers bonus miles (but don’t overspend just to earn rewards).
- Use all the available benefits: Take advantage of any secondary perks your card offers, such as free checked bags and discounted in-flight purchases.
- Pay your bill in full every month: Interest charges on airline credit cards can quickly negate any rewards you earn if you carry a balance from month to month.
- Choose wisely when redeeming: Redeem rewards for travel, as travel redemptions often yield higher reward values than gift cards or cash back.
Are Airline Credit Cards With No Annual Fee Worth It?
Airline credit cards with no annual fee are worth it because they allow you to build credit cheaply while earning rewards that essentially go straight into your pocket, rather than having to offset an annual fee first. These cards are best for people who travel occasionally but not often enough to justify paying $95+ each year for the fees that other cards charge.
Airline credit cards with no annual fee are not for everybody, though. Some people are actually better off with a card that charges a fee because paying a fee can unlock better rewards and benefits such as airport lounge access, travel credits, priority boarding, free checked bags and other valuable perks. In addition, more expensive cards tend to come with bigger initial bonuses. The tradeoff is worth it if you fly frequently enough and spend a lot overall.
Other Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee
There aren’t too many airline credit cards with no annual fee to choose from. You might want to consider general-purpose travel rewards cards as well if you want more of a selection.
For example, if you want to redeem for flights on any airline or any other travel expenses, the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is a good option. It gives 1 - 3 points per $1 spent, and points are worth around 1 cent on average, according to our research. Plus, the Wells Fargo Autograph Card has a $0 annual fee.
You can learn more about the best airline credit cards and the best travel credit cards overall here on WalletHub.
Popular Airline Credit Cards
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United Credit Card
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Delta Credit Card
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Southwest Credit Card
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Any Airline
Olivia Martinez, Member
@olivia_m23
From what I can tell, true "airline" cards with no annual fee mostly stink. But if you MUST have one:
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select (first year fee waived)
- United Gateway (basic but okay if you fly United)
- Delta Blue (meh 2x on Delta)
CC Brooks, Member
@chloe_b_style
It kind of depends on which airline you like most. Each airline usually has one no annual fee/low annual fee option.
If you want something more versatile, Capital One VentureOne is good. But if I were you, I’d just pay to get the original Venture. The extra rewards pay for themselves.
Nathan WW, Member
@nward_nlt
Honestly, most no-annual - fee airline cards aren’t very good. The Citi AAdvantage MileUp isn't terrible if you fly American a lot - 2x miles at grocery stores and gas stations, plus no foreign fees.
But you'll get way better value from a general travel card like the Wells Fargo Autograph (3x on flights, no fee).
Moon Grey, Member
@moon_grey
I'm not sure if there are any. I know the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard has its fee waived for the first year, but then it's $99.
Sammy Johnson, Member
@sammy_johnson
Discover it Miles is definitely one of the best. 1.5 miles per dollar in purchases, and no annual fee, what's not to love?
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