Best Rewards Credit Cards for No Annual Fee in 2024
Updated: March 14, 2024
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The top no-annual-fee rewards credit cards typically offer high reward rates on spending across specific categories such as travel, dining, groceries and gas. Some also come with higher-than-standard reward rates on all purchases. A number of these cards give you the means to earn spend-based welcome bonuses in the form of cash back, points or miles.
If you favor using a particular airline or group of hotels, you might benefit from getting a co-branded rewards credit card. Examples of cards from this segment that make the cut include the Hilton Honors American Express Card and the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card.
If you plan to use your no-annual-fee rewards credit card outside of the U.S., look for ones that do not charge foreign transaction fees. Other factors to consider when selecting a card that works well for you include APRs and added benefits.
This article is part of our larger series on
Best Rewards Credit Cards
MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 5 Rewards Credit Cards With No Annual Fee
Quick Summary
Upon going through our list of the best rewards credit cards with no annual fee, you’ll notice that reward rates vary based on the card you get and the bonus categories on offer. We have taken this into account and also have paid attention to APRs, welcome offers and foreign transaction fees to make our selections. To view more options, scroll further down the page.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card
A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts
- 3–7 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
- 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a traveler's dream come true. With no annual fee and a generous welcome bonus, it's a financial no-brainer for those frequenting Hilton properties or just seeking exceptional value. Whether dining out stateside or shopping abroad, you'll accumulate points seamlessly without those pesky foreign transaction fees. And here's the kicker — this card instantly boosts you to Hilton's Silver status! Want more perks? Just up your spending game, and Gold status awaits. This card truly embraces both the occasional and the dedicated traveler.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Generous welcome bonus
- High earning rates with Hilton
- No foreign transaction fees
- Automatic Hilton Silver status
Cons
- Potentially high APR
- High credit requirement
- Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/17/24.
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- 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 Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- No Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
An excellent no-annual-fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back
- 1.5%–6.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 20.49%–29.24% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an impressive card that pairs affordability with abundant rewards. It offers a compelling welcome bonus with no annual fee and substantial cash back in various everyday categories. It's especially beneficial for consumers who frequently travel, dine out or have regular drugstore purchases. The card is also an ally for big-ticket spending or balance transfers with its initial interest-free period. Plus, its flexible and enduring cash back rewards system means you can redeem them whenever you wish. Keep in mind that this card is best suited for consumers with solid credit histories.
All information about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card has been collected independently by Moneygeek.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.Pros
- No annual fee
- Offers 0% intro APR and welcome bonus
- Potentially high cash back for certain categories
- Cash back doesn’t expire and is redeemable at any amount
Cons
- Recommended score needed: Good to Excellent credit
- Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Regular variable APR ranges from 20.49%–29.24%
- Benefit from a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 20.49%–29.24% variable APR after that. Balance transfer fee of 3% applies
- No annual fee
- Earn 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstore purchases
- Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel
- Earn 1.5% on all other purchases.
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
- Citi Double Cash® Card
A great no-annual-fee card that offers up to 2% cash back
- 0% Intro APR (then variable APR)Balance Transfer Offer
- 18 MonthsBalance Transfer Duration
- 19.24%–29.24% VariableAPR
- $5 or 3%, whichever is greater; $5 or 5% after first 4 monthsBalance Transfer Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Citi® Double Cash card has two major highlights: you can enjoy no interest for 18 months when you move your balance from other cards and get 2% cash back on purchases. It's perfect if you have debt on other high-interest cards and can pay it off in 18 months. It lets you eliminate your balance while earning easy rewards on your everyday spending.
Pros
- 2% cash back on all purchases
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- No annual fee
Cons
- No intro 0% APR for purchases
- Penalty APR
- Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 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 December 31, 2024.
- Balance transfer only offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24%–29.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases. If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
- Chase Freedom Flex® Card
An easy-to-use cash back card with quarterly rotating bonus categories
- 1%–5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 20.49%–29.24% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card offers remarkable value, especially for consumers who can maximize the diverse cash back categories. Imagine rewarding your everyday grocery runs or those occasional online splurges. Chase welcomes new cardholders with a bonus, and its 0% introductory APR offers a financial cushion for the initial months. Worried about those accumulated rewards? They're yours to keep indefinitely. While it's a boon for those with good credit and an affinity for diving into rotating reward categories, it's less rewarding for generic purchases. Overall, this card is a solid pick for strategic spenders.
All information about the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by Moneygeek.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.Pros
- No annual fee
- Cash bonus for new cardholders
- Potentially high cash back for certain categories
- 0% intro APR offer
- No minimum amount to redeem non-expiring rewards
Cons
- Requires good to excellent credit
- Rotating categories can be complicated
- Low rewards on non-bonus purchases
- No annual fee
- Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening
- Earn 5% cash back in rotating quarterly bonus categories, like gas stations and select online merchants, for up to $1,500 in total combined purchases each activated quarter
- Earn 5% on travel when purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Earn 3% cash back on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstore purchases
- Earn 3% on drug store purchases
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Enjoy a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers; regular APR applies after this period
- Regular APR: 20.49%–29.24% (variable)
- Enjoy cash back rewards that will not expire as long as your account remains open; no minimum amount is required to redeem them
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Great card for earning points fast for IHG loyalists
- 2-17 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.49% – 28.49% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
We recommend the no-annual-fee IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card to people who frequently stay at properties that are part of the InterContinental Hotels Group and wish to earn reward points faster. You earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Earn 3X points per $1 spent on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 2X points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
If you spend $10,000 or more on purchases in a calendar year, you get Gold Elite Status that remains valid until the end of the following year. If you redeem your points for stays of four or more nights, you get a free reward night. This card is perfect to use outside of the U.S. as it comes with no foreign transaction fees.
Additional benefits include purchase protection and travel insurance coverage.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Points expiration period extension
- High reward rate
- Numerous hotel redemption options
Cons
- Gold Elite status requires high spending
- High APR depending on your credit
- No luxury benefits or perks
- Must pay to transfer points
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- No Annual Fee
- Earn up to 17 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Redeem 3 Nights, Get the 4th Night Free
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Summary of the Best Rewards Cards for No Annual Fee
Find out how all the top cards from this category fare against each other based on aspects such as APRs, welcome offers and reward rates by going through this no-annual-fee rewards card comparison table.
- Credit CardBest ForAvg. Reward RateAnnual FeeCredit Needed
- Hilton Honors American Express Card
A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts3–7 Points per $1*$0 - Chase Freedom Unlimited®
An excellent no-annual-fee card that lets you earn unlimited cash back1.5%–6.5% Cash Back$0 - Citi Double Cash® CardA great no-annual-fee card that offers up to 2% cash back
- Chase Freedom Flex® CardAn easy-to-use cash back card with quarterly rotating bonus categories1%–5% Cash Back$0
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Great card for earning points fast for IHG loyalists2-17 Points per $1$0
No-fee does not mean no-frills. Many cards today offer attractive benefits and rewards without having to pay an annual fee to use them. -- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.
How to Compare Rewards Credit Cards & Intro Offers
Given the significant number of good no-annual-fee rewards credit cards to choose from, paying attention to different factors is important when making a selection.
Co-branded or not
If you are a frequent flyer or regularly use any particular group of hotels, you may benefit from getting a co-branded no-annual-fee rewards credit card. Some of the top options include the Amex Hilton Honors Card, the IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card, the United Gateway Card and the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card.
Rewards rate
Depending on the card you get, you might stand to earn higher rewards on category-based spending. For instance, the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card offers 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and on drugstore purchases. All other purchases come with 1.5% cash back. The Citi® Double Cash Card, on the other hand, lets you earn up to 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you make purchases and an additional 1% when you make your payments on time.
Welcome offer
Several of the top cards from this category come with welcome offers. For example, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time early spend cash bonus of $200 if you spend at least $500 on purchases in the first three months.
APR
Not all cards from this segment come with similar APRs. Pay particular attention to this aspect if you plan to maintain revolving balances in your account from one billing cycle to the next. In such a scenario, you might be better off getting a low APR card. Some no-annual-fee rewards cards also come with time-based 0% APR offers.
Foreign transaction fees
If you use a credit card with foreign transaction fees outside of the U.S., expect to pay up to 3% extra on each international transaction. Some of the rewards cards with no annual fees that waive foreign transaction fees include the Amex Hilton Honors Card, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi.
Added perks
Features and perks tend to vary from one no-annual-fee rewards card to the next. Some of the card-specific benefits you may get include free additional cards, $0 fraud liability, purchase protection, extended warranty and basic travel insurance coverage.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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