Best no annual fee credit cards of December 2024

Bonus: Earn 25,000 online bonus points – equal to $250 in travel or dining – after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

The Rewards: Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on every purchase. Bank of America Preferred Rewards clients earn 25%-75% more on every purchase.

PROS:

• Being able to redeem credit card rewards to cover dining purchases could transform your travel budget.
• The welcome bonus offer is very good for a no-annual-fee travel rewards card.

CONS:

• A flat-rate rewards card is easy, but it isn't the fastest way to earn rewards.
• There aren't a lot of extra perks and features on this card, which isn't unexpected given it doesn't charge an annual fee, but it's still something to keep in mind.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

PROS:

• You can earn 5% cash back in multiple categories (up to a quarterly max and activation is required) which is one of the highest rewards rates available for day-to-day purchases.
• The welcome bonus could be quite lucrative thanks to the Cashback Match offer.
• This card also offers a nice intro 0% APR period which can really add to cardholder savings.

CONS:

• There are a lot of purchase categories to keep track of which can get confusing. You’ll also need to remember to activate the 5% rotating categories.
• The welcome bonus could be worth quite a lot but it's a delayed gratification situation – you'll have to wait to the end of your first year as a cardholder for Discover to match the cash back you earned during that year.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back! Also, take advantage of an intro period of zero interest on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then, RegAPR).

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

The Rewards: Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining; and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

PROS:

• The points that are earned with the Freedom Unlimited® card can be combined with the Ultimate Rewards points earned from other Chase cards, like the CardName, and redeemed to possibly make the points earned worth even more.
• With at least 1.5% cash back earned on every purchase this card has a very good and simple rewards earning rate.

CONS:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited® does charge a foreign transaction fee of foreign_fee, so you may want to use a different card while travelling abroad.
• There are a lot of tiers to keep up with to truly maximize your earning; therefore, if simplicity is your goal, you might look for a flat-rate card instead.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Intro APR offer: 18 months of no interest on balance transfers (then, RegAPR; it's a solid opportunity to put, or rather keep, some money in your wallet.

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

Welcome Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $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.

Rewards: Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.

PROS:

• One of the largest benefits of this card is the ability to earn unlimited 1% cash back when a purchase is made and an additional 1% when you pay for the purchase – encouraging you to pay off your purchases made with card.
• Earning effectively 2% cash back on a card (after purchases have been paid) for all purchases is very good in the no-annual-fee card space.
• For a little extra bonus, the card offers a nice intro APR offer, allowing you the flexibility to transfer in another balance and save on interest.

CONS:

• Even though the card does not have an annual fee, it does charge a balance transfer fee: BalanceTransferFees.
• This card does have a foreign_fee foreign transaction fees, so it may be the card that you leave at home for your next international trip.
• The intro APR offer is one of the best on the market, but it does not apply to new purchases, so if you are transferring in other balances this is a benefit but not if you are looking to carry a balance with new purchases made.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months. You can also enjoy an introductory period of zero interest on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then, RegAPR).

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

The Rewards: Cardholders earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 spent in each category per year, then 1%), and 1% back on other eligible purchases.

PROS:

• This card has excellent everyday rewards earning making it a great option for a wide group of spenders.
• The new cardholder welcome bonus offer is solid for a no-annual-fee card.
• Take advantage of an intro 0% APR offer that can help to save you some money on interest payments.

CONS:

• Foreign transactions fees with the card should dissuade you from using it internationally or you will be paying these fees with every purchase made in a foreign currency.
• The bonus cash back earning categories can be great for those who spend in these categories regularly, but if not there are likely cards that have either more broad bonus categories or categories that fit your spending habits better.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash-back bonus after spending just $500 on purchases with your new card in the first three months. This card also offers a solid introductory 15 months of no interest on purchases and balance transfers (then, RegAPR; balance transfer fee applies).

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

The Rewards: Earn an easy-to-understand 1.5% cash back on every purchase. There are no caps, categories or hoops to worry about.

PROS:

• The intro 0% APR offer is a valuable perk that could help save cardholders money on interest charges.
• The 1.5% cash back earned on every purchase is easy-to-remember and can be lucrative. It's a nice combo for a no-annual-fee card.
• There are no foreign transaction fees charged by this card, a rarity among cash-back rewards cards.

CONS:

• The 1.5% earned on every purchase is great for straightforward earning, but you can earn higher rewards on specific categories with different cards if you're willing to be strategic.
• Savvy credit cardholders may want to have the Quicksilver in their wallet and use it in tandem with a card with rotating spending categories to earn the most rewards possible on purchases made.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Bonus:Earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

The Rewards: Earn 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services and 1% on all other purchases. Additionally, you earn 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Plus, earn 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.

PROS:

• No foreign transaction fees allows you to use this card with peace of mind while traveling abroad.
• Unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services are some of the best rewards earning rates on the market for a no-annual-fee card.

CONS:

• As this card is designed as a cash-back rewards card, it is difficult to redeem rewards earned for things other than cash back and still get good redemption values.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Bonus: Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you spend at least $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

The Rewards: Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice - now with expanded categories, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases. You can update your choice category for future purchases once each calendar month using the mobile banking app or online banking or it will remain the unchanged if you don't choose to update. There is no expiration on rewards.

If you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client with the bank, you can receive 25%-75% more cash back on each purchase depending on your tier.

PROS:

• One of the largest benefits of this card revolves around the ability to choose your preferred top rewards-earning category so you're earning top rewards where you spend the most (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases quarterly).
• If you are a Preferred Rewards client at Bank of America, you can earn 25%-75% more on every purchase depending on your Preferred Rewards tier (tiers are based on total account balances).
• Take advantage of a intro_apr_rate intro_apr_duration as well as on balance transfers made within the first 60 days. After the intro periods, the APR becomes a RegAPR.

CONS:

• This card does charge foreign transaction fees, so this is one you may want to leave in your wallet when traveling internationally.
• If you aren’t a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client, you don’t get nearly as much cash back value out of the card.
• Be aware that you can only change your 3% rewards earning category once per month, so if you have a large upcoming expense in a different category than you already chose you may not earn the full cashback potential of the card.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Bonus: Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening. If you happen to have a big business expense coming up, you'll be glad to know this card also offers an intro period of 12 months no interest on purchases (then, RegAPR).

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

The Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined office supply store and internet, cable and phone services each anniversary year. Also, earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined gas station and restaurant purchases each anniversary year. You'll earn 1% cash back on everything else.

PROS:

• For frequent spend categories like office supplies, internet, cable and phone services, the 5% cash back earned, up to $25,000 annually, is among of the best in the market.
• The intro 0% APR on purchases for 12 months (then, RegAPR) is a great benefit for a business owner with some start-up costs or a major purchase on the horizon.
• The new cardholder welcome bonus is a solid offer, especially for a no-annual-fee card.

CONS:

• The $25,000 annual cap on bonus category spend could be limiting if you frequently make purchases in these categories.
• This card does charge foreign transaction fees.
• The 5% cash back is specific to these categories, so if your business expenses are more varied, you might be better off with a card that offers bonus rewards on all purchases instead of just in select categories.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Welcome Offer: Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership. Plus, but you can take advantage of an introductory no interest on purchases for 12 months (then RegAPR).

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

The Rewards: Cardholders earn two points per $1 spent on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases each calendar year. You earn point per $1 on all your eligible purchases after you reach the spending cap (terms and limitations apply).

PROS:

• With Expanded Buying Power, you can spend beyond your credit limit. Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, and credit record.
• With the 0% intro APR offer on purchases for 12 months (then RegAPR) you can make some initial business purchases without incurring additional fees.

CONS:

• This card does charge a foreign transaction fee, so it may be best to leave this one at home while abroad.
• If your spending is beyond the $50,000 annual spend cap on bonus rewards, a card with no spending cap or at least a higher one might translate to more rewards.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Bonus: Earn a $500 bonus when you spend $4,500 in the first three months of account opening.

Foreign Transaction Fees: foreign_fee

The Rewards: Earn a flat 1.5% cash back on all your purchases; there are no spending caps or categories to keep up with.

PROS:

• With unlimited 1.5% cash back earned on all purchases made, this card makes rewards earning very simple and straightforward.
• The welcome bonus available to new cardholders is generous.
• There are no foreign transaction fees with this card so you can use it while traveling internationally without additional fees incurred. Even if your business doesn't travel abroad often, you could save those fees if you purchase with merchants who charge in a foreign currency.

CONS:

• If your business spend is in particular categories, there may be a better card that will help you to earn maximum rewards in the categories that your business frequently spends in.
• If you spend more than $1,000 monthly with this card, especially after the first year, you may be better off with the annual fee version of this card, CardNamediscontinued. See Rates and Fees

We have not polled this card yet, but would love to hear your thoughts on it if you are a cardholder. Comment below or email us at [email protected] to share more about your experience.