When it comes to choosing a credit card, not everyone wants to commit to an annual fee—especially if you’re just beginning to explore rewards. The good news? There are some fantastic no annual fee credit cards on the market that offer cash back, travel rewards, and valuable perks.
Here’s a breakdown of the best no annual fee credit cards of 2024 and who each one is perfect for. This is organized into 2 sections: personal credit cards and business credit cards.
Personal No Annual Fee Credit Cards
If You Want Flexible Cash Back on All Purchases: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Why It’s Great: Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no need to track categories. It’s simple and rewarding, perfect for everyday spending.
• Perks: Beyond the unlimited 1.5% cash back, you’ll also get 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases.
• Best For: Anyone looking for straightforward cash back without the hassle of rotating categories, plus a little extra for dining and pharmacy needs.
• Pro Tip: If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, then every Ultimate Reward point you earn (across any Chase card!) can be combined into that account. Why does that matter? Those are the three Chase cards that allow you to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to their travel transfer partners. This maximizes the value you get out of every point.
If You’re a Renter: Bilt Mastercard®
• Why It’s Great: Bilt Mastercard is unique—it lets you earn points on rent without a fee (up to 50,000 points per year). You also earn 3x points on dining, 2x on travel, and 1x on all other purchases.
• Perks: Points can be transferred to top airline and hotel partners like American Airlines, Hyatt, and more. Plus, Bilt’s monthly “Rent Day” offers bonus points and exclusive perks.
• Best For: Renters who want to make the most out of their rent payments while earning travel rewards.
If You’re a Traveler on a Budget: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Why It’s Great: The VentureOne Rewards card offers 1.25x miles on every dollar you spend and 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• Perks: Miles are super versatile and can be redeemed for travel or transferred to Capital One’s airline and hotel partners, giving you flexibility.
• Best For: Travelers who want to earn miles without paying an annual fee, especially if you book hotels and rentals through Capital One.
If You Want Versatile Category Bonuses: Chase Freedom Flex®
• Why It’s Great: This card offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating quarterly categories (which you activate each quarter) and 3% on dining and drugstores.
• Perks: You also earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases and can combine points with other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards for even more value.
• Best For: Those who love maximizing rewards through rotating categories, dining, and drugstore purchases.
• Pro Tip (same as the tip for the Freedom Unlimited): If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, then every Ultimate Reward point you earn (across any Chase card!) can be combined into that account. Why does that matter? Those are the three Chase cards that allow you to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to their travel transfer partners. This maximizes the value you get out of every point.
If You Want Easy Cash Back: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Why It’s Great: With unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, this card is simple, effective, and hassle-free.
• Perks: There’s no need to track categories or activate rewards. You'll also earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Terms apply.
• Best For: Anyone looking for straightforward cash back without the hassle of categories or points.
Business No Annual Fee Credit Cards
If You Own a Small Business and Love Simplicity: Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
• Why It’s Great: This card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, making it a no-fuss option for small business owners.
• Perks: Earn a lucrative sign-up bonus (often valued at around $750) after meeting minimum spend requirements. You can also combine these cash-back rewards with Chase Ultimate Rewards® points if you have a premium Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred®.
• Best For: Small business owners who prefer cash back without worrying about categories or limits.
• Pro Tip (same as the tip for the Freedom cards): If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, then every Ultimate Reward point you earn (across any Chase card!) can be combined into that account. Why does that matter? Those are the three Chase cards that allow you to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to their travel transfer partners. This maximizes the value you get out of every point.
If You Run a Small Business and Want Flexible Travel Points: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
• Why It’s Great: This Amex business card lets you earn 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in purchases each year (then 1x after that).
• Perks: Membership Rewards points are versatile and can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners.
• Best For: Small business owners who want a straightforward way to rack up Amex points and enjoy the flexibility of redeeming them across various programs.
How to Choose the Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for You
When selecting a no-annual-fee credit card, think about where you spend the most and what you want in return—cash back, travel rewards, or points that can transfer to partners. No matter which one you pick, you’ll save money on fees while still earning rewards that add value to your lifestyle.
Happy spending & earning!
