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Best Credit Cards With No Annual Fee
WalletHub makes it easy to find the best credit card with no annual fee for you.
No annual fee credit cards are great for light-spenders, and there are plenty of options to choose from, including credit cards with no annual fee and rewards or 0% intro APRs. No annual fee credit card offers are also available to people of all credit levels – from bad credit to excellent credit… show more… show more Â
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4 Best Credit Cards With No Annual Fee (May 2022)
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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

- One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- 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
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- $200 initial bonus
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Potential for a very high interest rate
- Balance transfer fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 15.24%-25.24% variable APR after that
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® Synchrony Premier World Mastercard®

- 2% cash back* on every purchase--no categories, tiers, or limits--no kidding.
- No membership fees
- High rewards rate
- Reports to the three major credit bureaus
- No rewards bonus
- No intro APR on purchases
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Foreign fee
- No annual fee*
- $0 fraud liability
- Secure online and mobile app account access
- Use your Synchrony Premier card on everything from gas and groceries to your next splurge with the confidence that comes from getting great rewards without complex math or shifting reward limits.
- Plus, you'll also gain access to additional key benefits like identity theft protection, money-saving discounts, and concierge travel planning support.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheSynchrony Premier World Mastercard®
Wells Fargo Reflectâ„ Card Wells Fargo Reflectâ„ Card
- No membership fees
- 0% intro APR on purchases
- 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers
- Reports to the three major credit bureaus
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- Balance transfer fee
- Foreign fee
- 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Intro APR extension of up to 3 months with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods. 13.74% to 25.74% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min $5
- $0 Annual Fee
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can earn cash back in the form of a statement credit while you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using your eligible Wells Fargo Credit Card
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- See More Details & Reviews About TheWells Fargo Reflectâ„ Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- 20,000 miles initial bonus
- Miles equivalent of 1.25% cash back on purchases
- Miles are redeemable for any travel-related expense on your bill
- 0% intro APRs
- No annual fee
- 3% balance transfer fee
- Potential for a very high regular APR
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 15.24% - 25.24% variable APR after that
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Citi® Secured Mastercard® Citi® Secured Mastercard®

- Relatively low minimum deposit
- No annual fee
- Expensive financing
- 3% foreign-transaction fee
- No rewards
- The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a no annual fee credit card that helps you build your credit when used responsibly.
- Unlike a debit card, it helps build your credit history with monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus. Once available, you will also have free access to your FICO score online.
- Use your card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted — worldwide.
- A security deposit is required. Once approved, your credit limit will be equal to your security deposit (minimum of $200).
- Get help staying on track with Auto Pay and account alerts.
- With Flexible Payment Due Dates, you can choose any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
- Manage your account 24/7 online, by phone, or in our mobile app.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 23.24%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCiti® Secured Mastercard®
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
- No membership fees
- 0% intro APR on purchases
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- Reports to the three major credit bureaus
- No rewards
- No rewards bonus
- Balance transfer fee
- Foreign fee
- Limited Time Offer!
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 15.24% - 25.24%.
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
- Choose a payment due date that fits your schedule
- No Annual Fee
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPayâ„¢ Plan.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheU.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
- $200 cash rewards bonus
- $0 annual fee
- 2% cash rewards on purchases
- 0% introductory APR
- High regular APR
- Foreign transaction fee
- Balance transfer fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 15.74%, 20.74%, or 25.74% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
- $0 annual fee
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- See More Details & Reviews About TheWells Fargo Active Cash® Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- New! $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
- 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
- 2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
- Terms and conditions apply.
- No membership fees
- 0% intro APR on purchases
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- High rewards rate
- Spending caps on rewards
- Balance transfer fee
- Foreign fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 14.74% - 24.74%
- No Annual Fee
- Pay over time by splitting eligible purchases of $100+ into equal monthly payments with U.S. Bank ExtendPayâ„¢ Plan.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheU.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
- 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 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and tickets at Vivid Seats
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- $200 initial bonus
- High rewards rate
- $0 annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- High regular APR
- Balance transfer fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 15.24% - 25.24% variable APR after that
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- See More Details & Reviews About TheCapital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%).
- 2% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits.
- Terms Apply.
- $0 annual fee
- $200 statement credit initial bonus offer
- Up to 3% cash back
- Spending caps on rewards
- No balance transfers allowed
- Foreign fee
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 15 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 14.74% to 24.74%.
- No annual fee.
- See More Details & Reviews About TheBlue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Best Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
The best credit card with no annual fee is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it has a $0 fee and offers 2% cash rewards on all purchases, plus an initial bonus of $200 cash rewards after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. For context, the average cash rewards card offers about 1% back on purchases.
Wells Fargo Active Cash can even save you some money on interest early on with its introductory APR of 0% for 15 months from account opening. It does require good credit for approval, though.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Discover it® Secured Credit Card is the best credit card with $0 annual fee for bad credit, especially if you want rewards. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card gives 2% cash back on the first $1,000 that you spend at restaurants and gas stations each quarter, along with 1% cash back on all other purchases. The cherry on top is a cash-back match at the end of the first year.
You just have to place a refundable security deposit of at least $200, for a credit limit equal to what you put down.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the best all-around credit cards with no annual fee, especially if you want bonus rewards. In addition to a $0 annual fee, a $0 foreign transaction fee and 0% introductory APRs on purchases and balance transfers, this card offers great cash back rewards. Capital One SavorOne cardholders who spend $500 within 3 months of opening an account get a bonus of $200. All cardholders also earn 1 - 3% cash back in rewards on purchases. Dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases get the top earning rate. This card requires good or excellent credit for approval.
Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card
The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is the best credit card with no annual fee for people with fair credit, or even no credit. The key things you need to know are that it has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and rewards of 1 - 1.5% cash back. The more on-time monthly payments you have in a row, the more you’ll earn in rewards. Applicants with limited-to-no credit history shouldn’t have too much trouble getting approved, either. As a result, the Petal 2 Visa Card can help you build credit inexpensively if used responsibly, and it’s an elite starter credit card.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The best travel credit card with no annual fee is the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card because it rewards cardholders with 5% cash back on travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The Freedom Unlimited card offers an extra 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, up to $20,000 spent in the first year.
Chase Freedom Unlimited also happens to be one of the best all-around credit cards with no annual fee available right now. In addition to its top-notch travel rewards and initial bonus, new cardholders get 3% cash back at restaurants and drugstores. All other purchases yield a solid 1.5% cash back. Plus, this card is available to people with good credit or better, and it offers introductory APRs of 0% for 15 months on new purchases and balance transfers.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is one of the best student credit cards with no annual fee in large part because it offers an initial rewards bonus of 25,000 points, in return for spending $1,000 within 90 days of opening an account. It also gives 1.5 - 3 points per $1 in rewards on purchases, with travel booked through Bank of America earning the top rate. This card does not charge either annual fees or foreign transaction fees, and it is available to students with limited or no credit.
Final Thoughts
WalletHub’s editors compared more than 900 credit cards with no annual fees to identify the top options in the most popular categories. There are lots of really good offers, as you can see.
For your convenience, we’ll recap our editor’s picks for the best free credit cards that you can apply for right now, below.
Best Credit Cards with No Annual Fee Comparison
Credit Card | Best For | Annual Fee |
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | Overall | $0 |
Discover it® Secured Credit Card | Bad Credit | $0 |
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | No Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card | Fair Credit | $0 |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Travel | $0 |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students | College Students | $0 |
How to Find The Best No Annual Fee Card For Your Needs
Finding the best no annual fee credit card for your needs doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need to know your credit score and how you plan to use your new card. The lower your credit score is, the more important it is for you to get a no annual fee credit card. After all, low-cost credit improvement should be your top priority. And a no annual fee credit card can be completely free to use, as long as you pay any balance owed by the due date every month and avoid actions that will trigger any one-off fees that your card may charge. The best “free” credit cards also eliminate other potential costs, adding 0% introductory APRs and $0 foreign transaction fees to the mix.
Still, things aren’t so clear cut for people with good or excellent credit. Many of the best rewards credit cards charge annual fees, at least beginning the second year your account is open, but their generous benefits can more than make up for the cost if you use your card regularly.
Trying to choose the best no annual fee credit card also is a bit like picking a single greatest movie of all time. You might be able to whittle your list down to five or 10 favorites, but some classics are going to be left out when you pare things down to one choice. It’s tough even with one genre – say, the best comedies or the best no annual fee credit cards with cash back rewards – let alone overall.
The answer can change based on who you are and what you’re in the mood for.
If you want an initial bonus, the best no annual fee credit card is the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card because it gives people with good or excellent credit $200 for spending $500 within 3 months of opening an account. Similarly, the best credit card with no annual fee and travel rewards is Capital One VentureOne, offering a bonus worth $200 in travel for spending $500 in the first 3 months.
Methodology for Selecting the Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards
To identify the market’s best credit cards with no annual fee, WalletHub’s editors regularly compare more than 1,500 credit card offers. In addition to annual fees, we consider cards’ rewards, interest rates, approval requirements, and secondary benefits in order to pick the best no annual fee credit cards in the most popular usage categories. Selections range from the best rewards credit cards with no annual fee to the best credit cards with no annual fee for building credit.
WalletHub’s editors update their selections for the best credit cards with no annual fees when warranted, based on changes to existing offers, new offers being introduced, and cards being discontinued.
About the author
John Kiernan has covered the credit card industry for more than 10 years as a writer and editor for WalletHub. His work has been featured by major media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times and has been cited by industry regulators such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Read Full Author Bio
Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards FAQ
Comparing no annual fee credit cards can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.show more
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