Want to start earning points and miles, but are still scared of an annual fee? No problem!

It is a myth that you need to spend hundreds of dollars in annual fees for the “right” card to earn those valuable travel rewards points and miles. There are many travel rewards cards, which offer incredible benefits and perks, and have no annual fee. While these cards sometimes lack the “lavish” benefits and perks of travel rewards cards with an annual fee, a travel rewards card with no annual fee can be the perfect starting point for those wanting to “test the waters” of travel rewards. If you tend to spend money on everyday expenses such as dining at restaurants, shopping at supermarkets, and filling your car with gas, you might as well earn some points and miles which can help offset the cost of future travel.

Before You Start: Know Your Credit Score

If you are new to travel rewards and credit in general, it is a good idea to check your credit score before applying for a credit or charge card. That way, you will be able to apply for travel rewards cards which align with both your credit score and your travel goals.

Credit Scores are shown numerically and range from 300 (Poor) to 850 (Excellent / Perfect). While there are a number of credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and credit scores (FICO and VantageScore), generally, scores above 750 are considered excellent*. While some agencies charge for a credit report, there are a number of “free” options as well:

• Personal Bank
• Credit Karma
• Annual Credit Report

Related: Credit Scores 101: Everything You Need to Know

The Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

Here is a quick overview of the best travel rewards with no annual fee, which includes a summary of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

The BILT Mastercard® is one of the most unique, and potentially valuable, travel rewards cards on the market. The card is unique in that it allows cardholders to earn rewards on rent payments without being charged a transaction fee. However, the card also comes with a host of impressive point earning opportunities in key spend categories. In addition, the BILT Rewards program offers numerous promotions (i.e. double points on “Rent Day”), an impressive list of transfer partners, and transfer bonus multipliers (up to 150%) based on status. These benefits are what make the BILT Mastercard® attractive to beginners, even if they do not pay rent each month. 

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is perfect for beginners and more seasoned travel rewards experts looking to supplement their credit card portfolio. With no annual fee and a simple earning structure, earning a minimum of 1.5% back on non-bonus spend (up to $20,000 spent in the first year), the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a surprisingly useful travel rewards card. However, the true value of this card is unlocked when paired with a card that earns premium Chase Ultimate Rewards points such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. When paired, you can connect your cash back rewards into fully transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. 

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 19.74% – 28.49% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5.0% Cash back on Travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3.0% Cash back on Drugstores
• 3.0% Cash back when dining at Restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service)
• 1.5% Cash back on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• No minimum to redeem for cash back
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% – 28.74%
• Access to Chase Credit Journey

The Chase Freedom Flex® is one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. This value lies in the high earning rates across a wide variety of categories, quarterly bonus earnings on specific spending categories, and no annual fee. However, similar to the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, the true value of this card is unlocked when paired with a card that earns premium Chase Ultimate Rewards points such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®. When paired, you can connect your cash back rewards into fully transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. 

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 19.74% – 28.49% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5.0% Cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter
  • Manual quarterly activation required
  • Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter
• 5.0% Cash back on Travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3.0% Cash back on Drugstores
• 3.0% Cash back when dining at Restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service)
• 1.0% Cash back on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• No minimum to redeem for cash back
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% – 28.74%
• Access to Chase Credit Journey

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is the perfect card for those who want simplicity in their travel rewards. The card comes with no annual fee, a simple earning structure (1.25x Miles on all purchases), and the ability to transfer Capital One Miles to partner airlines and hotels. In addition, cardholders have the option to get reimbursed for travel purchases made within the last 90 days with Capital One Miles.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 19.49% – 29.49% (Variable)
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5.00x Miles on Hotels and Rental Cars (booked through Capital One Travel)
• 1.25x Miles on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase – or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% – 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
• No foreign transaction fees
• Capital One Miles are transferable

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express is a great card for beginner travelers who want to earn valuable travel rewards points, but are not able to justify an annual fee (yet). The card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening (then a variable APR of 18.24% to 29.24%), no annual fee, and the opportunity to earn a 20% point bonus on purchases. In addition, cardholders can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership
• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 18.24% – 29.24% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 2x at U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Use your Card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period and get 20% more points on those purchases (less returns and credits)
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR, 18.24% to 29.24%
• No foreign transaction fees
• Membership Rewards® Points are transferable

The Citi Double Cash® Card is a great card for beginners trying to establish good credit habits and not stress about multiple earning categories. Cardholders will earn a flat 2% cash back: 1% when a purchase is made and 1% when the statement is paid. The 1% on payment clause incentivizes users to pay their balance on time and in full, which in turn, improves their credit score; opening the door to other, more valuable, travel rewards cards. While the cash back comes in the form of Citi ThankYou points, which you can redeem for statement credits, pairing the Citi Double Cash® Card with either the Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants) unlocks higher value redemptions through various transfer partners. 

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening
• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 19.24% – 29.24% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 580-850 (Fair / Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5% Cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24
• 2% Cash back on every purchase (1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases)

Other Benefits

• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% – 29.24%

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card launched in 2022 and quickly became one of the most popular credit cards with no annual fee. Cardholders are able to earn 3x in popular spending categories (i.e. Restaurants, Travel, Gas Stations, and more) and enjoy benefits such as cell phone protection. Despite the current lack of transfer partner options in the Wells Fargo program, the fixed-rate redemption allows cardholders to “pay with points.” 

Note: Wells Fargo is soon launching the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Journey Card, which will include the creation of a transferable point currency: Wells Fargo Rewards points. Click here for details. At this time, there are no details in regards to how this affects the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 3x on Restaurants
• 3x on Travel and Transit
• 3x at Gas Stations
• 3x on popular Streaming Services and Phone Plans
• 1x on Other purchases

Other Benefits

• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR thereafter
• Enjoy up to $600 in cellphone protection when you pay your monthly bill with the card (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge

 

 

*Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

 Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company. 

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.