A no annual fee card for travel: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Use our table to compare credit cards without an annual fee. To begin, select your credit score, select the features you want and the rewards type. Select a specific card issuer if you have one in mind or select all providers and browse through the selection of cards.
There are so many great no-annual-fee cards out there that it can be hard to choose the right one. To help you narrow down your options, here’s what to consider:
An annual fee is a yearly cost to keep a credit card. If your card has one, the annual fee is charged automatically each year, typically during the month you opened your account.
With a no-annual-fee card, you won’t have to pay this cost, which helps you minimize the expense of owning a credit card.
Annual fees typically range from as low as $30 to as high as $550. Some providers waive the annual fee in the first year, giving cardholders 12 months to enjoy their cards at no cost. That said, a card with an annual fee typically comes with more perks and benefits that can offset the fee.
Typically, paying an annual fee can be justified for those who spend heavily on a particular category that offers the highest rewards. For example, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually and 1% after that.
On the other hand, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns much higher rewards in the same category but charges an annual fee. The Blue Cash Preferred® offers 6% back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%, and you can redeem rewards for a statement credit. However, the card costs $95 annually after the first year annual fee (Terms apply, see rates & fees).
Here’s how both compare:
| Annual spending | Blue Cash Everyday cash back | Blue Cash Preferred cash back |
|---|---|---|
| $6,000 on U.S. supermarkets | $180 | $360 cash back |
| $3,000 on gas | $60 | $90 |
| $300 on streaming services | $3 | $18 |
| $1,500 on online retail purchases | $30 | $15 |
| Annual fee cost | $0 | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. |
| Total cash back after paying the annual fee | $273 | $388 |
Whether you choose a no-annual-fee credit card depends on what you need out of your card financially. Here’s a quick rundown of whether you might apply for one.
Yes, a lot of no-annual-fee credit cards offer rewards. Depending on the card, you can earn cash back, points or travel miles. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers 5% cash back in rotating categories on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each activated quarter (1% after reaching the cap), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1% on all other purchases.
This is an introductory offer where the card’s annual fee is charged at the end of the first year. The annual fee is typically applied on the anniversary of your account opening, and every 12 months thereafter. You may see an offer that reads something like “$89 annual fee (waived first year)”.
Unfortunately, most credit card owners won’t be able to get an extension of the annual fee waiver. However, service members on active duty can get Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) benefits, which include an annual fee waiver among the other perks.
Credit card issuers that offer SCRA benefits are:
Most of these issuers may only waive the annual fee to those who were cardmembers prior to going on active duty. For additional information, contact your card issuer.
A no-annual-fee card can help you keep costs down. It can also offer great rewards and benefits you didn’t expect.
If you want more options, there are plenty of credit cards to compare. Check out our guide to the best credit cards of 2023.
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