The best no-annual-fee cards can offer competitive rewards programs, intro 0% APR periods and low interest rates. Depending on your spending habits, they could provide more value than a premium credit card with a steep annual fee (some upwards of $500).
Below, CNBC Select reviews the best no annual fee credit cards in a range of categories so you can easily choose the most valuable option. (See our methodology for more information on how we made this list.)
Best no annual fee credit cards
Best for cash back
Citi Double Cash® Card
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Rewards
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. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
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Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- 2% cash back on all eligible purchases
- Simple cash-back program that doesn’t require activation or spending caps
- One of the longest intro periods for balance transfers at 18 months
Cons
- 3% fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $443
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $2,213
Who’s this for? The Citi Double Cash® Card is worth considering if you don’t want to bother with a complicated reward structure thanks to its straightforward flat-rate cash-back approach.
Standout benefits: You’ll get a 0% intro APR on eligible balance transfers for the first 18 months. You complete the transfer within the first four months of account opening to qualify for the intro APR and after that, a variable 18.49% – 28.49% applies, based on your creditworthiness. The intro balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount you transfer with a $5 minimum and applies to transfers you complete within the first four months. The standard transfer fee is 5% of the amount of each transfer with a $5 minimum.
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Best for renters
Bilt Mastercard®
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Rewards
Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points – Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year, 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x points on other purchases
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Welcome bonus
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
Up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- Solid rewards on broad spending categories
- Ability to pay your rent with no transaction fees
- Transfer points to leading frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 rate, including United and World of Hyatt®
Who’s this for? The Bilt Mastercard® is ideal for renters because it allows you to make rent payments with no credit card fees and earn ultra-valuable travel rewards. (See rates and fees.)
Standout benefits: Bilt Rewards are some of the best travel points to earn because of the transfer partners you’ll have access to. You can transfer Bilt points at a 1:1 ratio to Alaska Airlines, World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors, United MileagePlus and more.
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Best for building credit
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
On Discover’s secure site
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Rewards
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
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Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- Cash-back program
- Generous welcome bonus
- Starting at seven months from account opening, Discover will automatically review your credit card account to see if you can transition to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit
Cons
- Cash-back program limits earnings: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1%
- Low credit line prevents cardholders from charging high-cost items or many expenses
Best for balance transfers
Citi Simplicity® Card
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Rewards
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Welcome bonus
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening.
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- Balances can be transferred within 4 months from account opening
- One of the longest intro periods for balance transfers
Cons
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No rewards program
Who’s this card for? If you have credit card debt and want to start paying it down more quickly, the Citi Simplicity® Card is hard to beat.
Standout benefits: This card offers an amazing 21 months of introductory 0% APR on balance transfers (from the date of the first transfer). After that, a variable APR of 18.49% – 29.24% applies. The intro balance transfer fee is 3% of each transfer (minimum $5). To qualify for the intro fee, the balance transfer must be completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, the standard balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer applies (minimum $5).
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Best for travel rewards
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
On Well’s Fargo’s secure site
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Rewards
Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases
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Welcome bonus
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value.
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases
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Regular APR
19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR
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Balance transfer fee
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- Solid rewards on broad spending categories
- 0% intro APR offer
- Get up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Valuable welcome offer
- Access to My Wells Fargo Deals to earn cash back in the form of an account credit when shopping, dining
Cons
- No 0% intro APR for balance transfers
Who’s this card for? The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is a great fit if you want to earn transferrable travel rewards but don’t want to pay an annual fee.
Standout benefits: You can transfer the points you earn with the Wells Fargo Autograph Card to all of Wells Fargo’s travel partners. This includes Choice Privileges, Flying Blue (KLM and Air France), Avianca LifeMiles and many more.
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Best welcome bonus
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
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Rewards
1.5% cash back on every purchase
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Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- Low spending requirement for the welcome bonus
- Redeem cash back for any amount at any time
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- 3% balance transfer fee during the first 15 months your account is open
- No bonus rewards categories
Who’s this for? The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a strong choice if you’re seeking a generous welcome bonus with a low spending requirement.
Standout benefits: Beyond the rewards, you can unlock value with this card’s 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. When the intro APR expires, the standard APR is a variable 19.74% to 29.74%. A balance transfer fee of 3% applies for the first 15 months, after that a fee of 4% of the amount you transfer at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time applies.
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Best for low interest
Titanium Rewards Visa® Signature Card from Andrews Federal Credit Union
Information about the Titanium Rewards Visa® Signature Card from Andrews Federal Credit Union has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
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Rewards
3X points on gas and grocery purchases and 1.5X points on all other purchases
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Welcome bonus
Earn 10,000 points when you spend $1,500 within the first 90 days
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
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Regular APR
14.74% to 18.00% variable on purchases and balance transfers
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Balance transfer fee
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- Low variable APR
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- Credit union membership required, though it’s free
- No special financing on purchases or balance transfers
- Estimated return after 1 year: $543
- Estimated return after 5 years: $2,314
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Who’s this for? The Titanium Rewards Visa® Signature Card from Andrews Federal Credit Union doesn’t offer an intro APR, but its surprisingly low APR range can make it a decent option for paying less interest.
Standout benefits: Balance transfer fees typically range from 3% to 5% of the amount you transfer, and you’ll pay this fee even with the best intro APR cards. The Andrews Federal Credit Union Titanium Rewards Visa Signature doesn’t have an intro APR, but you’ll only pay a 2% balance transfer fee ($10 minimum). So it’s worth doing the math to see if that savings on the transfer fee makes sense.
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Compare travel insurance
More on our top credit cards with no annual fee
Citi Double Cash® Card
Rewards
- 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel℠ until Dec. 31, 2025
- 2% cash back on every purchase: Earn 1% cash back when you buy and 1% cash back as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Welcome bonus
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
This card earns cash back in the form of Citi ThankYou® points, which gives you additional redemption options. You can redeem Citi ThankYou® points for gift cards, direct deposits, statement credits, travel and more. You can also transfer points to a handful of Citi’s travel partners, including Wyndham Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue and Choice Privileges. However, the transfer ratios aren’t great, so if you want to unlock full access to all of the ThankYou transfer partners (and at better transfer ratios), you’ll need a card such as the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees).
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Bilt Mastercard®
Rewards
- 3X points on dining
- 2X points on travel
- 1X points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
- 1X points on all other purchases
You must use the card at least five times each statement period to earn points. See terms.
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0 See terms.
Notable perks
The Bilt Mastercard stands out because you can pay rent with a credit card at no additional cost, but it also has a solid array of insurance perks for a no-annual-fee card. You’ll get *trip delay reimbursement, primary rental car collision damage coverage, trip cancellation/interruption protection, *cell phone protection (subject to $25 deductible) and purchase protection. Bilt’s monthly Rent Day promotion sometimes also offers incredible transfer bonuses, which can dramatically boost the value of your rewards.
*See benefits guide here.
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Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Rewards
- 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
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Citi Simplicity® Card
Rewards
None
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
In addition to the balance transfer offer, the Citi Simplicity® Card offers an intro 0% APR on purchases, but it’s shorter and only lasts 12 months from when you open the account. Once the purchase intro APR ends, a variable 18.49% – 29.24% APR applies.
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Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Rewards
- 3X points at restaurants
- 3X points on travel
- 3X points on gas
- 3X points on streaming services
- 3X points on transit
- 3X points on phone plans
- 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months.
Annual fee
$0
Notable perks
[ Return to card summary ]
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Visa® Titanium Signature Rewards Card from Andrews Federal Credit Union
Is it better to get a credit card with no annual fee?
Whether it’s better to get a credit card with or without an annual fee depends on what you want to get from your card.
No-annual-fee cards tend to be simpler. While the rewards can be less valuable, they are generally easier to redeem and you don’t need to maximize a long list of benefits to offset the cost of keeping the card. This makes them ideal if you don’t want to dive deep into the world of credit card rewards or if you’re a beginner.
If you want to extract the most value possible from a credit card, it may be easier to justify an annual fee. Frequent travelers will have an easier time maximizing statement credits, airport lounge access and travel protections. Cards with annual fees can also be more rewarding, which can add up quickly if you have a lot of credit card expenses.
Also, just because you opened a card with an annual fee doesn’t mean you have to keep it. If you find that you aren’t getting full use of a card’s benefits after a few years, you can cancel or downgrade the card. Downgrading to a no-annual-fee card may not always be an option, but it’s usually worth looking into because you’ll keep the account open, which can improve the age of your accounts and help your credit.
Pros and cons of no-annual-fee credit cards
Pros
- Build credit: When a credit card has no annual fee, it’s easier to justify keeping it year after year, which helps increase the age of your accounts and can boost your credit score
- Easier-to-earn bonuses: The spending requirements you need to meet to earn the welcome bonus from a no-annual-fee credit card are typically easier
Cons
- Fewer luxury perks: No-annual-fee cards aren’t a great option if you want airport lounge access, elite status benefits or ongoing statement credits
- Less rewarding: You’ll typically earn more rewards on your purchases when you use a credit card with an annual fee
FAQs
Does canceling your credit card hurt your credit?
Canceling a credit card can hurt your credit because one of the factors that determines your credit score is the age of your account. However, how old your accounts are is weighted less heavily than your payment history or total debt.
Is it worth paying a credit card’s annual fee?
Paying a credit card’s annual fee can make sense if you’re able to fully utilize that card’s perks and the value you receive is worth more than what you pay. For frequent travelers, this can be easy but depending on your travel habits, credit card annual fees may not be worth it.
Are no-annual-fee credit cards worth it?
Credit cards without an annual fee are worth having because there is no cost to keeping them long-term. This can help strengthen your credit and all of the rewards you earn a profit from day one.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best no-annual-fee credit cards.
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Our methodology
To determine which cards offer the best value without an annual fee, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S.
We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back.
When choosing the best no-annual-fee cards, we focused on cards that have the most value in terms of rewards or benefits. However, we also measured value in other ways, such as ease of approval for those with subprime credit and other benefits that may only apply in niche situations.
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*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, click here.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
