Best credit cards with no annual fee in September 2025
Advertiser Disclosure: Bankrate’s editorial team chooses and recommends the credit cards on this page. While we may receive compensation when users apply for cards through this page, our recommendations and card ratings are produced independently without influence by advertising partnerships with issuers.
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Best for drugstore purchases
Cardholder rating
on Chase's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
Earn $200 cash back
Rewards Rate
1.5% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Why you'll like this: It offers rewards on drugstore items and dining — two expenses you might make daily or weekly — and a decent catch-all rate on everything else.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Limited time offer
Earn $200 cash back + $100 Capital One Travel credit
Best for food & entertainment
Cardholder rating
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
Earn $300 in welcome bonuses
Rewards rate
1% - 8%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It’s one of the few no-annual-fee cards to offer an excellent rewards rate on both dining and grocery purchases — many cards favor just one category.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for rotating bonus categories
Cardholder rating
on Discover's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
Cashback Match
Rewards rate
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: It has one of the highest boosted rewards rates on quarterly categories of everyday spending.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Intro offer
$200 cash back
Rewards rate
2% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its top-tier flat rewards rate and lengthy intro APR offer make it useful for both balance transfers and general purchases.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for flat-rate cash rewards
on Wells Fargo's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
$200 cash rewards
Rewards rate
2%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: It offers the highest flat rewards rate on the market, earning you solid cash back on every purchase for no annual fee.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for shopping
Cardholder rating
Intro offer
$200
Rewards rate
1% - 6%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Why you'll like this: It offers the most flexibility since you can choose your top bonus category change it once per calendar month.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Intro offer
Earn 30,000 bonus Points
Rewards Rate
1X - 5X
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It earns rewards at a solid rate across all of the average person’s most important everyday spending categories.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Limited time offer
Earn $200 cash back + $100 Capital One Travel credit
Best for beginners
Cardholder rating
on Capital One's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
Earn $300 in welcome bonuses
Rewards rate
1.5% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: Its straightforward cash back makes it a good fit if you're new to rewards and already bank with Capital One.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
on Amazon's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card
Rewards Rate
1% - 10%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.24% Variable
Why you'll like this: It offers top rewards rates for Amazon Prime members who shop online frequently.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for credit builders
Cardholder rating
Intro offer
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
29.74% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It offers an unsecured credit option and potential credit limit increases for cardholders with less-than-perfect credit scores.
What you should know
Card Details
Best for renters
Cardholder rating
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards rate
1x - 3x
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
See Rates & Fees
Why you'll like this: It offers unique value — points for rent payments without processing fees, as well as dining and travel rewards.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
on Wells Fargo's secure site
See Rates & FeesIntro offer
20,000 bonus points
Rewards rate
1X - 3X
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: It offers one of the highest rewards rates for commuting costs like gas and transit.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for pairing
Intro offer
$200 bonus
Rewards Rate
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Why you'll like this: It’s the perfect addition to any rewards-earning strategy with high rates in key categories.
Reward Details
What you should know
Best for Bank of America customers
Cardholder rating
Intro offer
$200
Rewards rate
1.5% - 2%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Why you'll like this: It offers unrivaled potential value since the Preferred Rewards program can boost your cash back rate by up to 75 percent.
Reward Details
What you should know
Card Details
Best for automatic rewards
Intro offer
$200
Rewards rate
1% - 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Why you'll like this: It boasts one of the most flexible cash back rewards structures, as you can earn elevated cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle.
Reward Details
What you should know
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Compare the best credit cards with no annual fee
Our picks for | Rewards highlights | Welcome offer | |
---|---|---|---|
Drugstore purchases |
| Intro Offer: Earn $200 cash back Hover to learn more Regular APR: 18.99% - 28.49% Variable | |
Limited time offer More information about this limited time offer | Dining & entertainment |
| Intro Offer: Earn $200 cash back + $100 Capital One Travel credit Hover to learn more Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) |
Rotating bonus categories |
| Intro Offer: Cashback Match Hover to learn more Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR | |
Balance transfers |
| Intro Offer: $200 cash back Hover to learn more Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) | |
Flat-rate cash rewards |
| Intro Offer: $200 cash rewards Hover to learn more Regular APR: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR |
All information about the Chase Freedom Flex and Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
Is a no-annual-fee card right for you?
If the thought of paying money to spend money makes you cringe, you're in the right place. With a no-annual-fee card, as long as you pay your balance on time and in full, you can avoid interest and earn rewards for free.
Here are three scenarios that make sense to say no to an annual fee.
- You won’t spend enough to justify the fee. Big spenders can often earn enough value via rewards to offset an annual fee and then some. But if your cash back or points value won't add up to the annual fee, it's probably not worth paying for. And while annual-fee cards typically offer more perks — like statement credits or airport lounge access — those still may not offset the fee in the long run. Learn why I downgraded my premium cash back card to the no-annual-fee version.
- The fee isn't worth it after the first year. Most of the no-annual-fee cards above offer welcome bonuses in the $200 range, while an annual-fee card's welcome bonus can be worth upwards of $1,000, often in the form of points or miles. These bonuses can easily offset the annual fee on most cards for the first year. But paying an annual fee after the first year might not be worth it, depending on how you use the card.
- Paying a fee doesn't align with your values. Bankrate editor Reena Thomas, Ph.D., was taught by her immigrant parents to save money and cut costs — and that paying an annual fee is unnecessary. You may not see the value of a fee or follow the “spend more to earn more" mentality. Or maybe you just don't want to add tracking the annual fee to your plate of worries.
The good news: Regardless of your reason for avoiding annual fees, you've got credit options.
What perks should you look for in a no-annual-fee credit card?
Annual fee or no annual fee: Crunching the numbers
If you're eyeing a specific no-annual-fee card, it's worth comparing its potential value to that of an annual-fee card in the same family. You might find you'll save more money by paying an annual fee. Yes, really!
It all depends on how much you spend in rewards categories and whether you use the extra perks.
The Blue Cash Everyday and the Blue Cash Cash Preferred both offer solid rewards, while only one charges an annual fee. To run a simple test for when the Blue Cash Preferred card's annual fee may be worth it, let's look at one of the Amex Blue cards' key rewards category — groceries.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | |
U.S. supermarket rewards | 3% (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) | 6% (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) |
Rewards for $3,170* in annual grocery spending | $95 | $190 |
Annual fee | $0 | $0 intro annual fee, $95 after first year |
Rewards value after annual fee | $95 | $95 |
*We calculated this number as the turning point for when the annual fee would potentially be offset by grocery rewards alone.
You spend around $3,170 per year on groceries.
If you’d spent any less on groceries, say $3,000, you’d only net $85 in value with the Blue Cash Preferred, making the Blue Cash Everyday the better option.
But if you spend more than $3,170 at U.S. supermarkets with the Blue Cash Preferred, you'll not only offset the $95 fee, but also earn more on each subsequent dollar spent than you would with the Blue Cash Everyday.
Let's compare the cards in Capital One's Venture portfolio. The VentureOne and both Venture Rewards cards offer the same rewards rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One, so it makes more sense to look at their rates on general purchases.
Capital One VentureOne card | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | |
General spending rewards | 1.25X miles | 2X miles | 2X miles |
Rewards for $12,700* in annual general spending | $158 | $254 | $254 |
Annual fee | $0 (See Rates & Fees) | $95 (See Rates & Fees) | $395 (See Rates & Fees) |
Anniversary points | $0 | $0 | 10,000 (worth $100) |
Annual travel credit | $0 | $0 | $300 |
Rewards value after annual fee | $158 | $159 | $259 |
*We calculated this number as the turning point for when the annual fee would potentially be offset by base spending rewards.
You spend around $12,700 per year on all purchases with the Venture.You book $400 worth of travel via Capital One Travel with the Venture X.
You'd need to spend around $12,700 per year with either Venture Rewards card to make it a better overall value than the VentureOne, not counting the additional perks. For example, the Venture Rewards card offers TSA Precheck and $50 for Lifestyle Collection hotel stays.
And although the Venture X has a high price tag, it can easily offer better value overall than the VentureOne, as long as you use the $300 travel credit and 10,000 miles. That's not to mention the value of perks like expedited airport security and lounge access.
Is it worth paying an annual fee for a credit card?
How to choose a no-annual-fee card that fits your goals
Anyone can put a no-annual-fee card to good use, but here are a few circumstances to consider when choosing the right one for you.
-
If you’re a frequent traveler
Cardholders who pay for flights, hotels or rental cars fairly often but don't want an annual fee cutting into rewards value can find a no-annual-fee travel card useful.
My recommendation: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
The Wells Fargo Autograph card offers 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans — an impressively long list for a no-annual-fee card. It’s also the 4th most popular no-annual-fee card among Bankrate users.
-
If you prefer cash back
If you love cash back, you're in good company — half of rewards cardholders (50 percent) say it's their favorite feature, according to Bankrate's 2024 Credit Card Rewards Survey. Fortunately, most cash back cards don't charge an annual fee.
My recommendation: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
“The cash back is great,” a cardholder says in their review of the Capital One Quicksilver card. “Have collected hundreds of dollars over the years.” It’s also the 3rd most popular card among Bankrate users’ preferred no-annual-fee cards.
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If you spend a lot in a certain category
Big spenders on groceries, dining, gas or other everyday categories can benefit from a rotating or customizable category card. For no annual fee, you could earn up to 5 percent cash back on quarterly boosted categories that you manually activate or select. Just keep an eye on any spending cap, which is common for this type of card.
My recommendation: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card
One cardholder says in a review of the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card: "I only care about getting cash back, whether that is in the form of a statement credit, wire transfer, or worst case retailer gift card as long as I have options for retailers that I frequent.
[This card] allows me to choose which category of spending I get extra points on, which is nice, and it is easy to redeem." And it’s Bankrate users’ 2nd most popular no-annual-fee card.
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If you're building credit
Most credit-building cards don't charge an annual fee. They might be secured — where you have to put down a security deposit — or easier to qualify for. The Capital One Platinum card, for instance, is easy to use, offers automatic credit increase reviews and may let you upgrade to a better card once you've built up your credit.
My recommendation: Capital One Platinum card
“I would definitely recommend this card," a cardholder says in a review of the Capital One Platinum card. "The app is easy to use, make payments, see available credit and even keeps track of credit score.”
It’s the #1 most popular no-annual-fee card among Bankrate users.
Frequently asked questions about no-annual-fee credit cards
How we choose the best cards with no annual fee
Here’s a quick look at how our rating methodology breaks down for no-annual-fee cards:
The vast majority of cards in our ratings database carry no annual fee. So a card with no annual fee doesn't automatically make it on our “Best of” list. We consider a number of other factors — listed below — and only include the cards that offer great value overall.
To give you a sense of how selective we are, here's a look at the annual fees across cards in our rating database, as of July 2024.
-
$0 annual fee 71.00%
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$1 to $74 fee 5.00%
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$75 to $99 fee 13.00%
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$100 to $199 fee 3.00%
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$200-plus fee 8.00%
*Information about the Citi Custom Cash® and Chase Freedom Flex®have been collected independently by Bankrate and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.