The Best Travel Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Comparing the best travel rewards credit cards that do not have an annual fee

*These numbers were updated as of June 2023.

A closer look at the best no annual fee travel credit cards

There are a wide variety of travel credit cards on the market, which can make choosing the best travel rewards credit card with no annual fee challenging. All of these cards work very well for someone who is always on the road but they have other benefits and rewards that could work for foodies, avid shoppers, and pantry stockers. With that in mind, the following seven best travel credit cards with no annual fee required, in no particular order, should be considered by all travelers:

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate:

• Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases.

Intro APR: Introductory 0% APR for your first 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening.

Regular APR: Variable 16.99% to 26.99%

Signup bonus: 25,000 online bonus points, a $250 travel or dining statement credit value, after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Our verdict: Serving as the ultimate starter card for the best travel credit cards with no annual fee, the Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card is perfect for new travelers. With a catch all 1.5x points back per $1 spent, this card is best for those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of thinking about which card to use for which expense.

Pros:

• No annual fee associated with the card
• An introductory APR that lasts for around a year and a half
• No fees charged on purchases which occur outside the U.S.
• Points do not have an expiration date

Cons:

• Relatively low points back compared to other cards, but a solid starter card

Apply now: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Chase Freedom FlexSM

Rewards rate:

• Earn 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories (currently Lowes and Amazon)
• Earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Earn 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
• Earn 1% on all other purchases

Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers.

Regular APR: 19.74% to 28.49%

Signup bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Our verdict: For those considering the best credit card for travel points with no annual fee that offers rotating rewards, the Freedom Flex by Chase is a must-have. The primary 5% cash back category rotates on a quarterly basis through common expense categories, and the additional 5% on travel purchased through the Chase portal makes this card a great option for travelers and general spenders alike.

Pros:

• Large number of categories in which cash back can be earned beyond travel
• Low intro APR can help card holders pay off large balances related to travel
• Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards portal

Cons:

• Signup bonus is not as large as other cards
• The low end for the APR is higher than the average for other credit cards

Apply now: Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

Rewards rate:

• 2x miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores
• 2x miles for every $1 spent on American Airlines purchases
• 1x miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: Variable 20.99% to 29.99%

Signup bonus: Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Our verdict: When considering the best no-annual-fee credit cards for travel, those who live and die by American Airlines should certainly choose this card. Rather than offering cashback, this card offers miles back which is best for those constantly traveling around on American Airlines. For those who do, these miles can quickly add up and potentially result in a trip in the future.

Pros:

• Rewards offered as miles back is ideal for American Airlines enthusiasts

• Includes a catch-all “all other purchases” miles back category

• Strong welcome bonus

Cons:

• High APR compared to other cards

Apply now: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

Discover It® Cash Back

Rewards rate:

• Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places on a quarterly basis
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases

Intro APR: 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases.

Regular APR: Variable 16.74% to 27.74%.

Signup bonus: None.

Our verdict: For those who don’t have a staple airline or hotel chain that they always stay at, the Discover It Cash Back card is an excellent travel card with no annual fee. Offering only 5% cash back in a number of rotating categories and 1% on all other purchases, it’s less complex than the Chase Freedom Flex making it perfect for travelers who have no idea where their next purchase will come from.

Pros:

• Low variable APR
• Rotating categories is perfect for spenders in multiple areas
• Introductory APR

Cons:

• No sign-up bonus currently offered
• Limited cash back categories

Apply now: Discover It® Cash Back Credit Card

Alliant Visa® Signature Credit Card

Rewards rate:

• 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases per billing cycle (Tier One Only)
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all qualifying eligible purchases

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: Variable 16.49% to 26.49%.

Signup bonus: None

Our verdict: The Visa Signature Credit Card offered by Alliant is best for those seeking a cash back card that racks up points for everyday purchases. With no monthly service fees and ATM rebates of $20/month, there are additional perks that this card offers which make it a strong contender for best credit card for travel with no annual fee. Additionally, the tier system for rewards is an excellent option to have in case expenses ever increase.

Pros:

• Multiple tiers of cash back means it is applicable to different groups of people
• Large limit on the qualifying amount for the higher percentage back

Cons:

• No welcome bonus
• No introductory APR

Apply now: Alliant Visa® Signature Credit Card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Rewards rate:

• Earn 7x points on hotels and resorts for eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
• Earn 5x on dining at U.S. restaurants including takeout and delivery
• Earn 5x points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets
• Earn 5x on gas at U.S. stations
• Earn 3x for every dollar on all other purchases

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: Variable 20.74% to 29.74%.

Signup bonus: Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a free night reward after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.

Our verdict: For travelers who have the Hilton listed as their favourite hotel chain, the Hilton Honors Card is an absolute must-have when looking at best travel credit card with no annual fee. The 7x points back on all purchases made at Hilton properties is an extremely large amount and for those who use this card exclusively at Hilton hotels and resorts for food, drinks, room purchases, and more, the benefits can quickly add up.

Pros:

• Large number of rewards categories
• Large welcome bonus offer which includes a free night at the Hilton

Cons:

• High starting APR with no intro APR

Apply now: American Express Hilton Honors Cards

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Key features:

Rewards rate:

• 2x miles at restaurants worldwide
• 2x miles on Delta purchases
• 1x miles on all other purchases

Intro APR: None

Regular APR: Variable 20.74% to 29.74%.

Signup bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you make $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months.

Our verdict: The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card should be considered the best travel card with no annual fee for those who call Delta their favorite airline. With a solid welcome offer that provides card holders with 10,000 miles for a small amount spent in a large period of time, the 2x points back at restaurants and with Delta purchases makes this best for foodies traveling via Delta.

Pros:

• Reasonable welcome bonus
• Delta miles will not expire
• 20% savings for in-flight purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons:

• No intro APR offer
• The highest miles-back category requires purchases with Delta

Apply now: Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card

How to compare and choose the right travel credit card?

Looking at the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards is more complicated than weighing the benefits of standard credit cards. To do this, consider if there is a specific airline you always travel on or if you are a member of a certain hotel chain where you are always staying. From there, choose a travel credit card that offers cash back or rewards based on purchases related to your most common spending categories.

Is it worth getting a travel credit card with no annual fee?

Generally, no annual fee credit cards tend to offer fewer benefits than credit cards that have annual fees. With that said, however, choosing to get a travel credit card that has no annual fee is still a great way to gain access to a number of different benefits.

Methodology

When considering the best no-annual-fee travel credit card, a number of different factors were taken into account. The most prominent of these factors included the average APR associated with the card, the credit score required to apply for the card, the level of rewards offered by the card, and any bonus benefits associated with a specific card.

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.