Best of
Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards of April 2020
NerdWalletMarch 20, 2020
At NerdWallet, we strive to help you make financial decisions with confidence. To do this, many or all of the products featured here are from our partners. However, this doesn’t influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.
Show summary
Our pick for
Flat-rate cash back
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Balance Transfers for 18 months
Recommended Credit Score
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer is one of the best rewards cards on the market for its high rate and its ease of use. Cardholders can shop as they normally would and get a fantastic rewards rate. The simple cash-back structure means no categories to track and no complicated redemption options.
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer is one of the best rewards cards on the market for its high rate and its ease of use. Cardholders can shop as they normally would and get a fantastic rewards rate. The simple cash-back structure means no categories to track and no complicated redemption options.
Pros
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer earns a stellar 2% cash back on all purchases: You get 1% back on every dollar you spend and another 1% back when you pay off those purchases. That's best in class for a flat-rate cash-back card with an annual fee of $0.Cons
There's no sign-up bonus or 0% APR period on purchases, nor is there a chance to earn higher rewards in different categories, which you might find on some other cards. You have to accrue a minimum of $25 in rewards before you can redeem them. It charges a foreign transaction fee, so it's not ideal for using internationally.- Earn cash back twice. Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Our pick for
Bonus category cash back
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
on Discover's website, or call (800) 347-0264
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
13.49% - 24.49% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 14 months
Recommended Credit Score
The Discover it® Cash Back earns 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter (requires activation); everything else earns 1%. Not bad for a card with an annual fee of $0. Use it as your everyday card, or pair it with one that earns flat-rate rewards for maximum returns.
The Discover it® Cash Back earns 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter (requires activation); everything else earns 1%. Not bad for a card with an annual fee of $0. Use it as your everyday card, or pair it with one that earns flat-rate rewards for maximum returns.
Pros
The bonus categories have historically included popular everyday spending areas like supermarkets, gas stations and restaurants. It comes with a good 0% APR period as well as Discover's unique bonus for new cardholders: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.Cons
You have to remember to activate the bonus categories each quarter. If your spending doesn't match the bonus categories or you tend to spend significantly above the $1,500 quarterly cap, you might fare better with another card.- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, select rideshares and online shopping, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
- No annual fee.
- View Rates and Fees
Our pick for
Travel rewards
on Wells Fargo's website
on Wells Fargo's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
13.99% - 25.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Recommended Credit Score
If you want stellar rewards for an annual fee of $0, it's hard to do much better than the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card. You'll be rewarded handsomely across a broad range of popular spending categories.
If you want stellar rewards for an annual fee of $0, it's hard to do much better than the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card. You'll be rewarded handsomely across a broad range of popular spending categories.
Pros
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card is about as generous a no-annual-fee travel card as you can get. Spending on gas stations, travel (which includes hotel, airfare, rideshares and transit), restaurants and popular streaming media services earns a fat 3 points per dollar. All other spending earns 1 point per dollar. There's even a 0% intro APR period and a sweet offer for new cardholders: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.Cons
There are no plush perks like lounge access, travel credits or travel transfer partners, which may be worth the trade-off of not forking over a hefty annual fee. And, since it's an American Express card, you may find limited acceptance abroad.- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value
- $0 annual fee and no foreign currency conversion fee
- Earn 3X points on eating out and ordering in
- Earn 3X points on travel including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals
- Earn 3X points on gas stations, rideshares and transit
- Earn 3X points on popular streaming services
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
- View Rates and Fees
Our pick for
0% intro APR period
on US Bank's website
on US Bank's website
Annual Fee
$0*
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99%* Variable APR
Intro APR
0%* on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles*
Recommended Credit Score
With its lengthy intro APR offer of 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card gives you extra breathing room to pay down a big purchase or tame a high balance from another card.
With its lengthy intro APR offer of 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card gives you extra breathing room to pay down a big purchase or tame a high balance from another card.
Pros
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers a long interest-free period on both purchases and balance transfers. When that offer ends, the annual fee of $0* lets you keep it open. Plus, it comes with cell phone insurance.Cons
There's a balance-transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5). That's at the low end of the industry's typical range, but you still can find cards with a fee of $0. There are also no rewards on this card, giving you little incentive to keep using it after the 0% period.- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 13.99% - 23.99%.
- Great offer from U.S. Bank, a 2020 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, February 2020.
- No Annual Fee*
- Flexibility to choose a payment due date that fits your schedule.
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
- View Rates and Fees
Our pick for
Dining and entertainment rewards
on Capital One's website
on Capital One's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Recommended Credit Score
Anyone who hits the town frequently will benefit from the Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card. All dining and entertainment spending on the card earns enhanced rewards without complicated redemption rules or any cost of card ownership.
Anyone who hits the town frequently will benefit from the Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card. All dining and entertainment spending on the card earns enhanced rewards without complicated redemption rules or any cost of card ownership.
Pros
The Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 3% cash back on dining out, takeout and entertainment, including movies, bowling, concerts, and tourist attractions. Eating at home gets rewarded, too, as the card also pays 2% cash back at grocery stores. All other spending earns 1%.Cons
Although it clearly has it charms in the rewards department, the benefits of the Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card are sweet only if you frequently spend in the card's bonus categories. If going out isn't your thing, take a pass.- Earn a one-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 15.49% - 25.49% variable APR after that
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months; 15.49% - 25.49% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Our pick for
Airline card
on American Express's website
on American Express's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.74% - 24.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
Recommended Credit Score
To unlock the most valuable perks of airline credit cards, you'll have to pay an annual fee. But if you're a leisure traveler just hoping to earn airline miles in the background, it's hard to do better than the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
To unlock the most valuable perks of airline credit cards, you'll have to pay an annual fee. But if you're a leisure traveler just hoping to earn airline miles in the background, it's hard to do better than the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Pros
The rewards are similar to what you'd earn with any airline card: 2 points per dollar on purchases directly with Delta and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. But you also get 2 points per dollar at restaurants. There's a modest sign-up bonus, too, and you save 20% on in-flight purchases. Terms apply.Cons
You don't get the free checked bags or priority boarding privileges that other cards offer — but then again, you're not paying for those perks either.- Earn 15,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer Expires 4/1/2020.
- No Annual Fee.
- NEW! Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants, now worldwide.
- Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- NEW! No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates and Fees
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, please visit this page.
Last updated on March 20, 2020
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen in multiple categories.
