Best Travel Credit Cards for No Annual Fee in 2022
The best travel credit cards with no annual fees come with welcome offers for new cardholders. The top ones let you earn points or miles faster through bonus categories. Several of these cards do away with foreign transaction fees.
The top no-annual-fee travel credit cards we’ve selected include co-branded and non-co-branded ones. Co-branded travel cards come with benefits for frequent users of a particular airline or group of hotels. The best cards from this category give you the means to earn bonus miles/points through spend-based welcome offers.
The miles or points per dollar you stand to earn vary from one travel credit card to the next. For instance, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers up to 2x miles per dollar on category-based spending. With the Hilton Honors American Express Card, you can earn up to 7x points per dollar on bonus categories.
Other aspects that require your attention when choosing from the best travel credit cards with no annual fees include APRs, foreign transaction fees and added perks.
MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 5 Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee
Quick Summary
Points/miles earn rates depend not just on the card you get but also on applicable bonus categories. While all the cards we've selected come with welcome offers, they're not the same, even with cards from the same issuer. We have accounted for these factors as well as others such as foreign transaction fees, APRs and added benefits in arriving at our list of the best travel credit cards with no annual fees. Scroll further down the page to view other good cards from this category.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
A great miles rewards card with no annual fees
Good-ExcellentRecommended Credit
$0Annual Fee
up to 2 Miles per $1*Rewards Rate
2xRewards Rate on Air Travel
2xRewards Rate on Dining
We love the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card for more than its no-annual-fee feature. This card lets you earn 2X miles on restaurants worldwide and Delta purchases. All other purchases come with 1X miles.
An welcome offer gives you the ability to earn 10,000 bonus miles. All you need to do is spend at least $1000 on purchases within the first six months.
This card comes with no international transaction fees, which makes it perfect for use when traveling overseas. Other travel benefits include earning 20% as a statement credit when you use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases and complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance.
Cardholders also stand to benefit through purchase and fraud protection in different scenarios.
Pros
No annual fees
Earn 10,000 bonus miles if you spend $1000 on purchases in the first six months
Earn 2X miles on Delta purchases and restaurants worldwide
Earn 1X miles on all other purchases
Redeem points for air travel, seat upgrades and Delta gift cards
No blackout dates when redeeming points for Delta flights
20% back on eligible in-flight Delta purchases
Pay no foreign transaction fees
Car rental loss and damage insurance
Purchase protection and extended warranty to safeguard your purchases
Access to American Express Experiences
Get emergency assistance through the Global Assist Hotline
Fraud protection safeguards you from misuse of your card
Cons
Cash advance fee
Penalty APR applies in cases of late and returned payments
$0 annual fee
2X miles on Delta purchases
2X miles on dining at restaurants worldwide and on takeout and deliveries in the U.S.
1X miles on all other purchases
Earn 10,000 bonus miles upon spending $1000 on purchases in the first six months
Redeem your SkyMiles for air travel to more than 1,000 destinations
Redeem for seat upgrades and Delta gift cards
Reduce the cost of your flight by up to $50 for every 5,000 miles you redeem through the Pay with Miles program
No foreign transaction fees
Get complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance
Get purchase protection and an extended warranty
Use the 24/7 Global Assist Hotline for emergency assistance and coordination services
Fraud protection protects you from fraudulent transactions
American Express Experiences gives you access to ticket presales and Card Member-only events.
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.
A good travel rewards card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts
Good-ExcellentRecommended Credit
$0Annual Fee
3–7 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
7xRewards Rate at Hotels
5xRewards Rate on Dining
We love the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card because it lets you earn reward points faster when you spend across Hilton properties. It also comes with a sizeable spending-based welcome offer.
Eligible spending at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio comes with 7X points. You earn 5X points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery, as well as on groceries at U.S. supermarkets and on gas at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases come with 3X points.
This card is ideal for international use, as it charges no overseas transaction fees.
All cardholders get complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status. This card offers car rental loss and damage insurance and access to Global Assist Hotline.
Pros
No foreign transaction fee
No annual fee
Hilton Honors Silver Status
Welcome bonus
Hilton Honors status upgrade
High points reward rate
Car rental loss and damage insurance
Global Assist Hotline
Fraud protection
Additional cards
Cons
High APR
High credit score requirement
Lower reward rate compared to other Hilton Honors cards
No fee on international transactions
$0 annual fee
Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold Status for spending $20,000 in a calendar year
Earn 80,000 points for spending $1,000 within three months
Earn 7 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels and resorts
Earn 5 points per dollar spent at U.S. gas stations, supermarkets and restaurants
Earn 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
24/7 assistance in case of an emergency
Car rental loss and damage insurance
No liability for fraudulent transactions
Additional cards available
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.
We love the no annual fee U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card not only because it lets you earn reward points faster when you spend on bonus categories, but also because of its intro offers. If you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days, you earn 20,000 bonus points, valued at $200. You may also benefit through the card’s 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles, then 18.74% - 27.74% variable APR after intro period.
This card offers 4x points on dining, takeout and restaurant delivery; 2x points on streaming services, and at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations and EV charging stations; and 1x points on all other purchases. Redeeming your points instantly to shop almost anywhere is possible once you enroll in Real-Time Rewards.
Using this card outside of the U.S. is perfect because it comes with no foreign transaction fees. You also get a $15 credit for annual streaming service purchases from Netflix, Apple TV+, Apple Music, Hulu, Spotify and more.
Pros
High rewards on dining-related purchases
0% introductory APR for the first 12 billing cycles
No annual fee
Annual bonus for streaming services
Zero fraud liability
Cons
Low base rewards rate
Balance transfers attract a 3% fee (except during the introductory period)
Pay no interest on purchases for the first 12 months because of the intro 0% APR offer
Earn 20,000 bonus points if you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
Earn 4x points on takeout, food delivery and dining
Get a $15 credit once a year when you use your card to pay for eligible streaming services such as Netflix, Spotify and Amazon Music
Redeem your reward points for cash back, gift cards, travel or merchandise
Use the U.S. Bank mobile app to lock and unlock your card in case you lose or misplace it
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.
A great travel card with no annual fee for frequent flyers on American Airlines
ExcellentRecommended Credit
$0Annual Fee
1–2 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
2xRewards Rate on Air Travel
2xRewards Rate on Groceries
We recommend this American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card to American Airlines frequent flyers who wish to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. New cardholders get 10,000 bonus miles and a $50 statement credit if they spend $500 on purchases within the first three months.
You earn 2x miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores. All other purchases come with 1x miles. Further, you get to save 25% when you use your card to pay for in-flight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights.
Using this card outside of the U.S. might not be a good idea, given that it comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Pros
Higher rewards on groceries and American Airlines purchases
No annual fees
25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases
Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
Limited travel perks
Earn two AAdvantage miles for each dollar spent on groceries and eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles and a $50 statement credit if you spend $500 in purchases within the first three months
Redeem your miles for award flights on American Airlines to over 1,000 destinations across the globe
Get access to Citi Concierge 24 hours a day, seven days a week for restaurant bookings, gift shopping and more
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.
The best travel rewards card with no annual or foreign transaction fees
Good-ExcellentRecommended Credit
$0Annual Fee
1.25 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
1.25xRewards Rate on Air Travel
1.25xRewards Rate on Entertainment
We feel the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is best suited for people who wish to earn rewards that they may redeem for travel or other purchases.
No annual fees keep your costs to a minimum, as does not having to pay any international transaction fees.
New applicants can benefit through the card's intro APR and bonus miles.
Travel-specific coverage provides added peace of mind when you're traveling. Access to a host of culinary, sports and music events will ensure that you don't miss out on important events.
Pros
No annual fees
Earn 1.25 miles for every dollar
Earn miles that remain valid for the life of your account
Redeem miles in different ways
Intro 0% APR offer
No foreign transaction fees
Access to premier events
$0 fraud liability
Virtual card numbers
Use for balance transfers
Set up an authorized user
Cons
Redeeming points as statement credit requires that you make redemptions within 90 days from the date of your travel purchase
Not all benefits available for authorized users
Pay no interest on purchases for the first 15 months because of the intro 0% APR offer, then variable APR 17.99% - 27.99% after that.
Earn a 20,000 miles bonus if you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Redeeming your miles for a statement credit toward travel and other purchases is simple.
You may redeem your miles through more than 10 travel loyalty programs, such as Flying Blue, Club Premier, Asia Miles, Aeroplan, MilleMiglia, Emirates Skywards and Etihad Guest.
Use your miles when you check out using PayPal or when you shop at Amazon.
Pay no annual fees.
Pay no fees when making purchases in foreign countries.
APR for purchases applies on balance transfers.
Get extra protection when traveling through auto rental collision damage waiver and travel accident insurance.
Get additional warranty protection on eligible purchases at no extra cost.
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.
Each month, MoneyGeek experts go through our extensive database and select all new and existing no-annual-fee travel credit cards. An in-depth comparison follows, where they pay due attention to parameters such as welcome offers, reward rates, APRs and foreign transaction fees. Only then do they publish their revised list of the top cards from this segment.
Summary of the Best Travel Cards for No Annual Fee
Take a look at this no-annual-fee travel card comparison table to determine who these cards are best suited for and the credit you need to apply. You may also check how they fare against each other when it comes to rewards rates.
An excellent no-annual-fee rewards card with a 0% intro APR offer
1–2 Points per $1*
$0
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
No-annual-fee travel credit cards are a great way to earn rewards without paying a fee. While they don't have the same level of benefits as cards with annual fees, you can earn a welcome bonus, receive rewards on your purchases and enjoy other perks. — Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com
How to Compare Travel Credit Cards & Intro Offers
There is no single best no-annual-fee travel credit card because just about every card from this segment comes with its share of pros and cons. As a result, you need to pay attention to your spending patterns and a few other aspects before making a selection.
1
Co-branded or not
If you favor using any particular group of hotels or airlines, you may benefit by getting a co-branded card that comes with airline/hotel-specific benefits. Some of the top no-annual-fee travel credit cards that fit this bill include the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
2
Welcome offer
The best travel cards with no annual fees come with welcome offers, although these vary significantly. For example, the Amex Delta SkyMiles Blue Card comes with a welcome bonus of 10,000 miles that you may earn by spending $500 on purchases in the first three months. The Amex Hilton Honors Card, on the other hand, comes with a welcome offer of 80,000 Hilton Honors bonus points that you may earn by spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months. It offers an additional 50,000 points if you spend a total of $5,000 on purchases in the first six months.
3
Rewards rate
Whether you earn points or miles depends on the card you get. In addition, several cards from this segment offer higher points/miles rates on category-based spending. For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card offers up to 14x points at Marriott properties and 2x points on all other purchases. The Citi Rewards+® Card, on the other hand, offers 2x points per $1 spent at supermarkets and gas stations on the first $6,000 you spend each year, and all other purchases come with 1x points.
4
Foreign transaction fees
Pay particular attention to this aspect if you plan to use your card outside of the U.S. The Citi Rewards+® Card and the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on international purchases. The other cards we've selected do away with this fee completely.
5
APR
Travel rewards cards typically come with higher APRs when compared to cards with no rewards. If you plan to maintain a revolving balance in your account from one billing cycle to the next, you might be better off getting a card with a low APR.
6
Other benefits
The IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card offers a reward night when you redeem your points for a stay of four or more nights. With the United Gateway Card, you get 25% back on United in-flight purchases. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card lets you transfer your miles to any of over 15 partner loyalty programs. Other card-specific features and benefits may come in the form of purchase protection, extended warranty, airport lounge access and varying levels of travel insurance coverage.
Rajiv Baniwal has been writing about different financial topics for over 15 years. Meticulous in his research, he makes sure he provides accurate and up-to-date information. His areas of expertise include mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, insurance and international money transfers.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available. 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. Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.
