Best of
Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards of 2019
NerdWalletJuly 3, 2019
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Our pick for
Flat-rate cash back
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.74% - 25.74% 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.
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 2% cash back on purchases 1% when you buy and 1% as you make payments for those purchases
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time
- 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 15.74% - 25.74% based on your creditworthiness.*
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back
- Click 'Apply Now' to see the applicable balance transfer fee and how making a balance transfer impacts interest on purchases
- No categories to track, no caps on cash back, no annual fee*
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
14.24% - 25.24% 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.
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 at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com and more up to the quarterly maximum, each time 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
16.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% 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.
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, 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 30K bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $300 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 30K bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $300 cash redemption value
- $0 Annual Fee
- Earn 3X points for eating out and ordering in
- Earn 3X points for gas stations, rideshares and transit
- Earn 3X points for travel including flights, hotels, homestays and car rentals
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
- 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers (fees apply), then a 16.24%-28.24% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee
- Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
Our pick for
Flat-rate travel rewards
on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 211-3740
on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 211-3740
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
17.24% - 25.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases for 12 billing cycles
recommended credit score
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card boasts easy-to-earn, easy-to-redeem rewards. All purchases earn 1.5 points per dollar; points can be redeemed for credit against any travel purchase.
Pros
Rewards are flexible and can be used to wipe out the cost of any type of travel you book with the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card. Bank of America®'s definition of travel is extremely broad and includes not just airlines, hotels and car rentals, but also campgrounds, zoos and amusement parks, to name just a few options. If you bank with Bank of America® or invest with Merrill Lynch, you may be eligible for a rewards boost, too, via the Preferred Rewards program.Cons
While points are worth a penny apiece when redeemed against travel purchases, they're worth only a little over half a cent each when redeemed for cash.- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – you’re not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, or baggage fees
- Comes with chip technology for enhanced security and protection at chip-enabled terminals
- 0% Introductory APR for 12 billing cycles for purchases. After the intro APR ends, 17.24% - 25.24% Variable APR will apply
- If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% - 75% more points on every purchase
Our pick for
0% intro APR period
on US Bank's website
on US Bank's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
12.24% - 20.24% 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 12.24% - 20.24% 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 the first 20 billing cycles. After that variable APR currently 12.24% - 20.24%*
- No annual fee*
- Zero fraud liability* protects you against unauthorized transactions
- 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
16.24% - 26.24% 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.
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; 16.24% - 26.24% variable APR after that
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months; 16.24% - 26.24% 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
Small business
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.49% - 21.49% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases for 12 months
recommended credit score
Any small business that spends a bundle on telecom services and/or office supplies can benefit from this card's generous rewards in these categories. The Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card also comes with a stellar sign-up bonus and a 0% intro APR period.
Pros
Bonus rewards of 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year at office supply stores and on cable, internet and phone service. Also, earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other spending. There's also a sweet sign-up offer: Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.Cons
If you aren't spending much in the bonus categories, the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card isn't a good fit. And if your business spends well above that $25,000 bonus category cap, you'll fare better with a different card, potentially one that offers unlimited flat-rate rewards.- Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
- Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
- Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Employee cards at no additional cost
- No Annual Fee
Our pick for
Airline card
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 25.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
recommended credit score
You won’t get the robust perks offered by airline cards with annual fees, but United packs considerable value into the United℠ TravelBank Card, aimed at leisure travelers. It has an easy-to-understand loyalty program with healthy rewards on non-United purchases and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
You earn an unlimited 2% back in TravelBank cash per $1 spent on United airline tickets and 1.5% back on other purchases. You also get 25% back as a statement credit on food and beverage purchases on United flights. Redeem $1 in TravelBank cash for $1 toward a United ticket — no fussing with award seat availability or blackout dates. There's also a decent sign-up bonus.Cons
You won’t receive free checked bags or priority boarding with this card — or any no-annual-fee airline card. Your rewards also aren't part of the regular United MileagePlus frequent-flyer program, so there’s no chance for scoring outsized value when redeeming them.- Earn 2% in TravelBank cash per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United.
- Earn 1.5% in TravelBank cash per $1 spent on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Enjoy 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United®-operated flights when you pay with your United TravelBank Card.
- TravelBank cash is easy to use. $1 in TravelBank cash = $1 when used toward the purchase of a United ticket.
- Your TravelBank cash accumulates in your United TravelBank account on United.com.
- $0 Annual fee
- The information related to the United℠ TravelBank Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
Information related to the United℠ TravelBank Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
Last updated on July 3, 2019
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.
