Best Cash Back Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Comparing the best cash back credit cards that do not have an annual fee

• Best for the Straightforward Saver: Citi® Double Cash Card
• Best for those who are Always on the Road: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for the Foodie: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for the Flexible Spender: Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Best for the Avid Shopper: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

A closer look at the best no annual fee cash back credit cards

Citi® Double Cash Card

Rewards rate:

• Earn 2% cash back on unlimited purchases; 1% when you make the purchase, 1% as you pay

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers only.

Regular APR: 18.74% to 28.74% variable rate

Signup bonus: None

Our verdict: The Citi® Double Cash Card offers a simple cash back program for those who like to dip their toes in multiple spending categories. You’ll get 2% back on unlimited purchases, with 1% back when you make the purchase, and then 1% back as you pay. There’s no tracking categories, hitting cash back limits, or strategizing to make the most of your rewards. With the Citi® Double Cash Card, the rewards are pretty much as straightforward as it gets.

Pros:

• Simple cash back rewards on all purchases
• No caps or category restrictions
• Strong overall rewards rate at 2%
• $0 annual fee
• Balance transfer period is longer than typical at 18 months

Cons:

• 3% foreign transaction fee
• No welcome offer
• No intro APR rate on purchases
• You’ll have to wait for half of your cash back until you pay off purchases

Apply now: Citi® Double Cash Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Rewards rate:

• Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Earn 3% cash back on drugstores and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Regular APR: 19.74% to 28.49% variable rate

Signup bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account.

Our verdict: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a simple yet powerful cash back rewards card that’s great for people who are always on the go. Whether you’re booking travel, dining out, or making everyday purchases, you’ll earn cash back. Plus, you’ll get Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance for eligible travel purchases up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip if your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather, or other covered situations.

Pros:

• Solid cash back rates
• Straightforward rewards structure with no additional opt-ins
• $0 annual fee

Cons:

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Apply now: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate:

• Earn 3% unlimited cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (not including superstores like Walmart and Target)
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Bonus 10% back on purchases on Uber and UberEats, plus a complimentary Uber One membership through November 14, 2024.

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Regular APR: 19.74% to 29.74% variable rate

Signup bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account.

Our verdict: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is an impressive cash back card for the foodie who likes to hit the hottest restaurants in town, the grocery store, and the food delivery apps alike! Plus, 10% back on both Uber and Uber Eats doesn’t hurt either. Other nice-to-have features include no foreign transaction fees, and flexible cash back options, like PayPal credit.

Pros:

• Solid cash back on dining, entertainment, and groceries.
• $0 annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• 10% back on Uber and Uber Eats is a nice bonus
• Redeem cash back for any amount
• Flexible cash back redemption options (statement credit, check, PayPal, or shop on Amazon)
• Travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel assistance services

Cons:

• 3% fee on balances transferred within 15 months

Apply now: Capital One Savor Cards

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Rewards rate:

• Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%)
• Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Earn 3% cash back on drugstores and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Regular APR: 19.74% to 28.49% variable interest

Signup bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account.

Our verdict: With Chase Freedom Flex℠, flexible spenders can take advantage of quarterly bonus categories that earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 of combined purchases. That means if you’re strategic, you can save an extra $75 per quarter. The only catch? You’ll have to stay on top of opting into bonus categories each quarter. That’s not everybody’s cup of tea. But if you don’t mind a little extra legwork, a bonus $300 in savings per year is a fine reward.

Pros:

• Get up to $75 extra back each quarter from bonus categories
• Solid rewards rates for drugstores, dining, takeout, and delivery
• $0 annual fee

Cons:

• 3% foreign transaction fee
• Bonus categories require activation each quarter

Apply now: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Rewards rate:

• Earn 3% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
• Earn 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
• Earn 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
• Earn 1% cash back on other purchases

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

Regular APR: 18.99% to 29.99% variable rate

Signup bonus: Earn $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of membership.

Our verdict: For avid shoppers, it’s hard to beat the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. You’ll get 3% back on three major spending categories: gas, groceries, and online retail purchases (that’s on up to $6,000 of purchases for each category). It’s not easy to find strong cash back reward rates for online shopping, so if you’re someone who can’t resist a good discount code, this might be the cash back card for you.

Pros:

• Strong cash back rates for groceries, online shopping, and gas
• $0 annual fees

Cons:

• Spending cap of $6,000 for each spending category
• 2.7% foreign transaction fee
• Higher-than-usual purchase minimum to get bonus offer

Apply now: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

How to compare cash back credit cards

There are countless cash back credit cards available, so how do you know which one to choose? There are a few features you should get to know. This can help you make a more informed decision, so you can get the features you really need.

1. Cash back rate

Of course, you’ll want to understand each credit card’s cash back rate, and make sure it aligns with your spending habits. If most of your discretionary income goes toward food purchases, it might make sense to get a credit card with a higher cash back rate on groceries and dining out, like the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.

But if you’re more of a general spender and your purchases don’t necessarily fall into predetermined categories, you might do better with a more straightforward cash back card like the Citi® Double Cash Card. Or perhaps you’d enjoy the flexibility of the Chase Freedom Flex℠.

A word to the wise: Always read the fine print. Sometimes cash back cards can have restrictions on purchase amounts, and certain spending categories may require opt-ins.

2. Welcome offers

Who doesn’t love a good welcome offer? It’s practically free money! There are just a few caveats. Typically, to get the cash bonus, you need to spend a certain amount of money on the card within a specified timeframe, such as three months. With some cards, the bonus will come in the form of a check. With others, you’ll get an account credit, or you may even be able to choose gift cards to major retailers.

Comparing welcome offers between credit card companies is always a good practice. Just remember that you’ll likely have the card for much longer than three months, so it’s best to look beyond that initial welcome offer, and think about how the card can benefit you over time.

3. APRs

The annual percentage rate, or APR, is the yearly interest rate you’ll pay to borrow money on the card. These rates tend to be variable, meaning they can change over time based on a host of factors, including current economic conditions and your payment history.

When choosing a cash back credit card, it’s a good idea to compare APRs. You’ll also want to look at whether the card offers an introductory APR. Many cards offer a period of 0% APR for purchases and even balance transfers. This is certainly worth considering, especially if you’re planning to make a significant purchase in the near future.

4. Added benefits

What other perks are available? Some cards come with concierge services, exclusive offers, or even complimentary trip insurance. Again, it’s important to think about how you’ll be using the card. If you’re a digital nomad who’s always booking your next trip, complimentary trip insurance might save you a lot of money over the year. And extra cash back on travel purchases probably wouldn’t hurt, either.

Things to consider before you choose your cash back credit card

There’s a lot to think about when assessing cash back credit cards. Start with a quick review of your spending over the past six months, and then ask yourself these questions:

• What are your biggest spending categories each month?
• Is there a cash back card that aligns with your most common spending categories?
• Would you prefer a strong cash back rate on all purchases, or a higher cash back rate on certain spending categories (like dining or travel)?
• With your current spending, how much would you get back each month on Card 1? Card 2? Card 3?
• Are there any other features you need, such as trip cancellation insurance?
• Is there a welcome offer? How does that factor into your first year savings?
• Do you travel internationally a lot? Some cash back cards charge international fees.

By strategically comparing offers and running a few calculations, you can often see which card will give you the most cash back bang for your buck. Happy spending!

Methodology

To choose the best no annual fee cash back credit cards, we combed through hundreds of credit card reviews. Plus, we compared a variety of relevant factors, including cash back program details, spending categories, welcome offers, intro APRs, special features, and more.

The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.