The Best Travel Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
At a Glance
Traveling the world can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. One way to save money on travel is to use a travel credit card with no annual fee. These cards offer points or miles that can be redeemed for travel expenses, like flights, hotels, and rental cars. They can also provide other benefits, like travel insurance and purchase protection.
With so many travel credit cards available, it can be challenging to know which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee. We’ve considered rewards rates, benefits, and sign-up bonuses to help you choose the best card for your needs.
- Comparing the best no annual fee travel rewards credit cards
- A closer look at the best no annual fee travel cards
- How do no annual fee travel credit cards work
- Who should get a travel card with no annual fee
- Choosing the right travel credit card
- Is it worth getting a travel credit card with no annual fee
- Methodology
- FAQs
$1,389.09
Is the average cost of a three-day domestic vacation for one person.
Comparing the best travel rewards credit cards that do not have an annual fee
| Credit Card | Sign-up Bonus | Earning Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Discover it® Miles | Discover will double the total number of miles you earned at the end of your first year. | 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | 25,000 bonus points after you make $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening | 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | Earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening | 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 1.25 miles per dollar on all other purchases |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first six months of Card Membership | 7 points per dollar at Hilton properties, 5 points per dollar on dining, groceries, and gas, and 3 points per dollar on all other purchases |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card | Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first three months from your account opening | Up to 14 points per dollar on Marriott purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases |
*These numbers were updated as of December 2023.
A closer look at the best no annual fee travel credit cards
Discover it® Miles
Annual fee: None
Rewards rate: 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases
Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers completed by January 10, 2024.
Regular APR: 17.24% to 28.24% Variable APR
Signup bonus: Discover will match the miles you earned at the end of your first year.
Our verdict: The Discover it® Miles card is an excellent option for travelers looking for a simple and rewarding rewards program. You’ll earn 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases, with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Miles can be redeemed for travel rewards, including flights, hotels, and rental cars.
Pros:
- 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Discover Match
- No blackout dates or restrictions
- Travel benefits
Cons:
- Lower rewards rate than some other travel rewards cards
- No intro APR
- No traditional signup bonus
Apply now: Discover it® Miles
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Annual fee: None
Rewards rate: 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
Intro APR: 0%† Intro APR for your first 15 billing cycles for purchases and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
Regular APR: 18.24% to 28.24% Variable APR
Signup bonus: 25,000 bonus points after you make $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
Our verdict: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is another great option for travelers looking for a simple and rewarding rewards program. You’ll earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Points can be redeemed for travel rewards, including flights, hotels, rental cars, and statement credits for travel purchases.
Pros:
- 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel benefits
- Balance transfer offer
Cons:
- Lower rewards rate than some other travel rewards cards
- Signup bonus is not as generous as some other travel rewards cards
Apply now: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: None
Rewards rate: 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 1.25 miles per dollar on all other purchases
Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR: 19.99% – 29.99% Variable APR
Signup bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening.
Our verdict: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a good choice for travelers looking to earn miles quickly. You’ll earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed for travel rewards, including flights, hotels, and rental cars, or transferred to a number of hotel or airline transfer partners.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Purchase protection
- Travel accident insurance
Cons:
- Lower rewards rate on everyday purchases than some other travel rewards cards
- Limited travel insurance benefits
Apply now: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Annual fee: $0
Rewards rate: 7 points per dollar at Hilton properties, 5 points per dollar on dining, groceries, and gas, and 3 points per dollar on all other purchases
Intro APR: None
Regular APR: 20.99% to 29.99% Variable APR
Signup bonus: 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors Card after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first six months of Card Membership
Our verdict: The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good choice for travelers who stay at Hilton properties frequently. For a no annual fee card, it has a high earn rate on both bonus categories and everyday spending
Pros:
- Hilton Honors Silver status
- No foreign transaction fees
- Purchase protection
- Travel accident insurance
Cons:
- Only beneficial for Hilton loyalists
Apply now: American Express Hilton Honors Cards
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Annual fee: $0
Rewards rate: Up to 14 points per dollar on Marriott purchases, 2 points per dollar on all other travel, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases
Intro APR: None
Regular APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable APR
Signup bonus: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first three months from your account opening
Our verdict: The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is a good choice for travelers who stay at Marriott properties frequently. You’ll earn up to 14 points per dollar at Marriott properties – 3 points for having the credit card, up to 10 points for being a Marriott Bonvoy member, and an additional point with Silver Elite Status, a benefit of the card. Additionally, earn 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights at Marriott properties, as well as other travel rewards.
Pros:
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, which gives you access to benefits like priority check-in, late check-out, and a 10% discount on food and drinks at Marriott hotels.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Purchase protection
- Travel accident insurance
Cons:
- Not as good of a rewards rate on non-Marriott purchases as some other travel rewards cards
- Only beneficial to Marriott loyalists
Apply now: Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card
How do no annual fee travel credit cards work?
No annual fee travel credit cards work just like any other credit card. You’ll earn rewards points or miles for every dollar you spend on purchases. You can then redeem your rewards for travel, cash back, or other valuable items.
Who should get a travel card with no annual fee?
Travel credit cards with no annual fee are a good option for a variety of people, including:
- Budget-minded travelers: If you’re on a budget, a no annual fee travel credit card can be a great way to earn rewards without breaking the bank.
- Occasional travelers: If you don’t travel frequently, a no annual fee travel credit card can be a good way to earn rewards without paying for a card that you won’t use very often.
- New credit card users: If you’re new to credit cards, a no annual fee travel credit card can be a good way to build your credit history and earn rewards at the same time.
How to compare and choose the right travel credit card
When choosing a travel credit card with no annual fee, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Rewards program: Consider what type of rewards you want to earn. Some cards offer points or miles that can be redeemed for travel rewards, while others offer cash back or statement credits.
- Earning rate: Compare the earning rates of different cards to see which will give you the most rewards for your spending habits.
- Sign-up bonus: Many travel credit cards offer a sign-up bonus, a great way to boost your rewards balance quickly. However, remember that sign-up bonuses often come with minimum spending requirements.
- Other benefits: Consider the benefits different cards offer, like travel insurance, airport lounge access, or statement credits for travel purchases.
How to apply for a no annual fee travel credit card
To apply for a no annual fee travel credit card, you can visit the issuer’s website or call their customer service number. You’ll need to provide basic information, like your name, address, and Social Security number. You’ll also need a good credit score to qualify for most travel credit cards.
Is it worth getting a travel credit card with no annual fee?
Whether or not it’s worth getting a travel credit card with no annual fee depends on your individual needs and spending habits. If you travel frequently and can earn a lot of rewards, then a no annual fee travel credit card can be a great way to save money on travel expenses. However, if you don’t travel frequently or don’t spend a lot of money on travel, then a no annual fee travel credit card may not be worth it for you.
Methodology
To create this list of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee, we considered the following factors:
- Rewards program
- Earning rate
- Sign-up bonus
- Other benefits
We also read reviews from consumers and financial experts to get their insights on the different cards.
FAQs
Most no annual fee travel credit cards require a good credit score, which is typically considered to be a FICO score of 670 or higher. However, some cards may be available to people with lower credit scores.
It’s not necessarily hard to qualify for a travel credit card with no annual fee, but it will depend on your credit score and credit history. If you have a good credit score, you should be able to qualify for most no annual fee travel credit cards.
Yes, there are some no annual fee travel credit cards that may be available to people with bad credit. However, these cards may have lower credit limits and higher interest rates.
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