Enjoy the benefits of card ownership without having to pay an annual fee for the privilege every year. Whether you're looking for a good rewards program or a low interest rate, a card with a $0 annual fee fits into anyone's budget.
Credit Cards with No Annual Fees: January 2019
This content is not provided by the card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the advertiser's affiliate programs.
Want a good credit card with no annual fee? You can still score big rewards, such as travel miles or cash back, and skip the annual fee. You just have to know where to look.
This is the page to start your search. Here is our list of credit card promotions with no annual fee.
Compare the offers below to find one that's right for you.
Tip: Pay careful attention to each credit card's rewards program and its interest rates before making your choice.
- If you usually pay in full each month, look for no annual fee rewards credit cards that earn rewards on the types of things you purchase the most. Also look at what you can do with the rewards once you get them. Think cash back and travel - not merchandise.
- Otherwise, if you tend to have a credit card balance, focus your search on low interest rates and promotional APRs.
Generally speaking, a no annual fee card is best for consumers who don't spend a lot, or who are looking for a secondary card to cover specific spending categories (e.g.: dining out at restaurants). Otherwise, if you're a big spender or frequent traveler, consider a premium credit card instead. Yes, they come with an annual fee, but they also usually come with more rewards and more benefits.
No Annual Fee with Rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited lets you earn a $150 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. You earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. There is also a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.99-25.74%. The balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum. The cash back rewards will not expire as long as your card account remains open. There is no annual fee.
Consider this card if you want to earn cashback on your purchases. It will give you 1.5% cash rewards on all your purchases. There is no rotating bonus categories to worry about and no quarterly enrollment to remember.
No Annual Fee for College Students
Discover Student It Card will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. This offer is only for new customers. This card earns 5% cash back in bonus categories that change each quarter (up to the quarterly maximum; requires free activation each quarter). All other purchases earn 1% cash back. Plus, you earn a $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.
Consider this card if you are a college student looking to build credit and earn cash back.
Visa No Annual Fee
Chase Freedom lets you earn a $150 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. There is a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.99-25.74%. The balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum.
This is the fun part: You can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. The cash back rewards do not expire as long as your card account remains open. There is no annual fee.
American Express No Annual Fee
Blue Cash Everyday offers a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your new credit card account. This card earns 3% cash back at U.S supermarkets (on up to $6,000/year in purchases, then 1%), 2% cash back at U.S gas stations and at select U.S. department stores, and 1% on other purchases.
The cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise. There is a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable rate, currently 15.24% to 26.24%. There is no annual fee. Terms apply.
Consider this card if you have excellent credit and you spend a lot on groceries and gas. With the Blue Cash Everyday from American Express (a CreditDonkey advertiser), you'll earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6k/year in purchases, then you'll get 1% back) and 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores, like Kohl's and Macy's. The rewards program is consistent, so you don't have to think about rotating reward categories.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. This site may be compensated through the Advertiser's affiliate programs.
Disclaimer: The information for the Chase Freedom and Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by CreditDonkey. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
 At Chase's Secure Site | | - 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.99-25.74%. Balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase - it's automatic
- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
- Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open
- Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠
- No annual fee
| | Our Review: With 1.5% cash back and no annual fee, does Chase Freedom Unlimited live up to the hype? Read this in-depth review to see how it stacks up... Read full review | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | 0% for 15 months | 0% for 15 months | 16.99% - 25.74% Variable | $0 |
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At American Express' Secure Site | | - $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 3 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 and at select U.S. department stores, 1% back on other purchases.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable rate, currently 15.24% to 26.24%.
- Over 1.5 million more places in the U.S. started accepting American Express® Cards in 2017.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
- No annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
| | | | Our Review: If you want a cash back credit card with the same rewards categories year-round and no annual fee, then consider the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Read on for the pros and cons... Read full review | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | 0% on Purchases for 15 months | 0% on Balance Transfers for 15 months | 15.24% - 26.24% Variable | $0 |
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At American Express' Secure Site | | - Special offer: save on interest with a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; after that your APR will be a variable rate, currently 14.49% - 21.49%
- No annual fee
- Reinvest in your business with automatic cash back in the form of a monthly statement credit. Plus take control by choosing the 3% category that best fits your business
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $50,000 spent at wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. office supply stores.
- Earn 3% cash back on the first $50,000 spent in the category of your choice from a list of eight and 1% cash back on other purchases
- With Expanded Buying Power you can spend beyond your credit limit* to make bigger purchases for your business plus earn cash back on those purchases too
- *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors
- Terms apply
- See Rates & Fees
| | | | Our Review: Do you want a simple way to earn cash back with no annual fee? True to its name, the SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express helps small-business owners earn cash back on purchases without having to think much about it. And they can get bonus cash back for purchases in specific categories, which we'll discuss below... Read full review | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | 0% on Purchases for 15 months | N/A | 14.49% - 21.49% Variable | No annual fee |
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At Barclays' Secure Site | | - Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable 14.24% APR will apply
- Low 14.24% variable APR on purchases and cash advances
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- International Chip and PIN
- See Rates & Fees
| | Our Review: With a low APR on balance transfers and purchases and a community-driven approach, the Barclaycard Ring® Mastercard® might be the world's best social credit card... Read full review | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | | N/A | 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable 14.24% APR will apply. | 14.24% Variable | $0 |
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At American Express' Secure Site | | - Get rewarded for business as usual. Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners.
- 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
- Enjoy the flexibility to put more purchases on the Card and earn rewards when you buy above your credit limit*.
- More buying power for your business* means more opportunities to earn points. That's everyday business with the new Blue Business Plus Card.
- *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable rate, currently 13.49%, 17.49% or 21.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
- See Rates & Fees
| | | | Our Review: The Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express combines everyday rewards with no annual fee. Keep reading to find out what makes this Amex credit card a right pick for freelancers and growing businesses... Read full review | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | 0% on Purchases for 15 months | 0% on Balance Transfers for 15 months | 13.49% - 21.49% Variable | $0 |
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At American Express' Secure Site | | - Earn a $150 statement credit after you spend $1,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on your purchases.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be easily redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
- Low intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable rate, currently 15.24% to 26.24%.
- $0 plan fees for plans set up during your first 15 months of Card Membership with Plan It®, a feature that lets you split up big purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee.
- Over 1.5 million more places in the U.S. started accepting American Express® Cards in 2017.
- No Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
| | | | Our Review: American Express Cash Magnet™ Card gives you unlimited 1.5% cash back on your purchases with no annual fee. How does it stack up? Read on... Read full review | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | 0% on purchases for 15 months | 0% on balance transfers for 15 months | 15.24% - 26.24% Variable | $0 |
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At American Express' Secure Site | | - Earn 75,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you use your new Card to make $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands.
- Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
- No Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
| | | | Our Review: Hilton Honors American Express Card is a hotel credit card with no annual fee, so what's the catch? Read on to see if the Hilton AMEX is worth applying for... Read full review | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | | N/A | N/A | 17.99% - 26.99% Variable | $0 |
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| U.S. Bank Business Platinum offers 0% Intro APR* on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR, currently 12.24% - 20.24%. There is no annual fee. | | | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | 0%* for 12 billing cycles* | 0%* for 12 billing cycles* | 12.24% - 20.24%* (Variable) | $0* |
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At HSBC's Secure Site | | - Earn unlimited 1.5% cash rewards on all purchases.
- Earn a $150 cash rewards intro bonus after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months.
- 10% Anniversary Bonus on all Cash Rewards earned once a year.
- No Annual Fee.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then a 15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24% variable APR.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $0 liability for unauthorized purchases.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
| | | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | | N/A | 0% Intro APR for 15 months | Variable APR of 15.24%, 19.24% or 25.24% will be applied | $0 |
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| Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card offers a $200 cash rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months. This card earns 1.5% cash rewards on purchases. There is a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a 16.74% - 27.74% variable APR. Balance transfer fees apply. There is a $0 annual fee. | | Our Review: Wells Fargo Cash Wise cash back card gives you rewards on all purchases. But there are some restrictions. Is it worth the hype? Keep reading to find out... Read full review | | Intro APR for Purchases | Intro APR for Balance Transfer | Regular APR | Annual Fee | 0% for 12 months | 0% for 12 months | 16.74% - 27.74% (Variable) | $0 |
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