Top no-annual-fee credit cards, picked by an editor with 17 cards

You don’t need to pay an annual fee to get a strong credit card. Some of the best cards do come with hefty yearly costs, but many no-fee options still deliver solid rewards, useful perks and introductory 0% APR periods. With interest rates still a concern, avoiding an extra annual charge can be a smart move.

I currently carry 17 credit cards, including several that charge annual fees, yet some of the cards I use most often cost nothing to keep. Whether you want cash back on everyday spending or a card that works alongside a premium travel card, there’s likely a no-annual-fee option that fits your habits.

Below are seven of the best no-annual-fee credit cards, selected for their rewards, welcome bonuses, introductory APR offers and other benefits:

• Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for simple, unlimited cash back
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for spending at drugstores and dining
• Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for rotating bonus categories
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best introductory APR card with flat-rate cash back
• Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: Best for high rewards on multiple spending categories
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for simple, elevated rewards
• Discover it® Cash Back: Best sign-up bonus

I have five of the seven cards listed here. Here’s what makes each one stand out and who may get the most value from it.

Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for simple, unlimited cash back

• Why it stands out: Up to 2% total cash back on everything.
• Intro offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. This bonus is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers from the date of account opening; afterward, the variable APR will be 17.49% to 27.49%, based on creditworthiness.
• Who it’s for: People who want strong cash back without any effort.

The Citi Double Cash Card is a benchmark card for a reason. It earns 1% cash back when you buy and another 1% when you pay, for an effective 2% back on every purchase. That means there’s no need to track rotating categories or activate quarterly offers.

Rewards come as ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for cash back or, with certain other Citi cards, turned into even more valuable travel rewards. If you also have a premium Citi ThankYou card such as the Citi Strata Premier® Card, you can move points over and transfer them to Citi airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 rate; otherwise, Double Cash points transfer at a 1:0.7 rate. With that setup, a simple cash-back card can become a useful travel tool.

The Double Cash does not include travel protections, but it excels in consistency. If you want one everyday card with solid rewards and no annual fee, this is a strong choice. I use it for most routine spending that wouldn’t earn more on another card, but I avoid using it outside the U.S. because it charges a foreign transaction fee that would cancel out the cash back. Instead, I use other cards when traveling overseas.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for spending at drugstores and dining

• Why it stands out: Strong earnings on dining and drugstores, plus a solid return on all other purchases.
• Intro offer: Earn $200 bonus cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months.
• Intro APR: 15-month 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% to 27.99%.
• Who it’s for: People who want maximum flexibility in a no-annual-fee card.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited stands out among no-fee cards because it earns 3% cash back at restaurants and drugstores. I especially like it for drugstore purchases, where that return is excellent, though many people could also use it as an all-purpose card.

Here’s how it earns rewards:

• 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel℠.
• 3% on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
• 3% on drugstore purchases.
• 1.5% on all other purchases.

The 1.5% rate on everything else trails the Citi Double Cash’s flat 2% return, but the Freedom Unlimited pays more in categories that matter to many households.

Rewards are issued as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. They can be redeemed for cash back in the usual way, such as statement credits or a check, at a value of 1 cent per point. But if you pair the Freedom Unlimited with a Chase card that has an annual fee, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer points to that more premium card. From there, you may redeem through the Chase travel portal at a higher value or transfer to one of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners, including United Airlines.

Although no-annual-fee cards usually lack premium extras, the Chase Freedom Unlimited includes useful benefits such as rental car coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and extended warranty and purchase protection on eligible items. You can also get a complimentary six-month DashPass membership from DoorDash, if activated by Dec. 31, 2027.

It is also a practical choice if you’re planning a large expense and want time to pay it off. The card offers 15 months of 0% intro APR on purchases, but you should be sure you can clear the balance before the promotional period ends to avoid high interest charges.

Overall, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is a strong pick for anyone who wants a no-annual-fee card. Just note that it does charge foreign transaction fees.

Chase Freedom Flex®: Best for rotating bonus categories

• Why it stands out: Excellent 5% cash back on categories that change each quarter.
• Intro offer: Limited-time offer — earn a $250 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
• Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% to 27.99%.
• Who it’s for: People willing to track rotating bonus categories to maximize rewards.

The Chase Freedom Flex requires some planning if you want to get the most out of its rotating categories. In return, it can deliver very high 5% cash back in those categories, which is exactly how I use it: I pull it out when it can earn me 5% back.

The bonus categories change every three months and, after you enroll, give 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then 1% afterward. From July 2026 through September 2026, the categories include gas stations and EV charging, select live entertainment, transit including tolls and garages, and donations to United Way.

It also shares the same permanent bonus categories as the Chase Freedom Unlimited: 5% on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3% on dining, and 3% at drugstores. Everything else earns 1% cash back, compared with 1.5% on the Freedom Unlimited.

The Chase Freedom Flex also includes purchase protection, extended warranty protection and a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening, followed by a variable APR of 18.49% to 27.99%. Like the Freedom Unlimited, it can be useful if you know you’ll pay off the balance before the promo period ends.

It can also transfer points to a premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card, which may make rewards more valuable. It too charges a foreign transaction fee. But for someone who won’t use it abroad and is willing to keep track of categories, it can be a very rewarding card.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best introductory APR card with flat-rate cash back

• Why it stands out: A no-frills card that earns the same strong cash back on every purchase.
• Intro offer: $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months.
• Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49%, 24.49% or 28.49%.
• Who it’s for: People who want simplicity and don’t need point transfers or complicated strategies.

Like the Citi Double Cash, the Wells Fargo Active Cash earns unlimited 2% cash back on purchases. Its main advantage over the Double Cash is a 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases, while the Double Cash only offers a zero-interest period on balance transfers. It is also a strong one-card option for people who want decent rewards without needing to track categories or enroll in anything. Like most cash-back cards, it charges a foreign transaction fee.

The Active Cash is also a sensible card for recurring bills such as a phone plan, since it offers cell phone protection of up to $600 against damage or theft, up to twice per year, with a $25 deductible.

Wells Fargo Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, withdrawn from Wells Fargo ATMs, deposited into a Wells Fargo checking or savings account, or even sent as a paper check. You do not need to bank with Wells Fargo to redeem rewards.

Although this card is not designed primarily for points collecting, there is a way to turn its cash back into transferable points. If you pair the Active Cash with the no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph® Card or the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card, you can combine the cash back earned on the Active Cash with points from those cards. More on that below.

Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: Best for high rewards on multiple spending categories

• Why it stands out: Strong earnings across several categories, with no annual fee and a yearlong introductory period.
• Intro offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.
• Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 18.49%, 24.49% or 28.49%.
• Who it’s for: People who want elevated rewards on categories like dining and travel but do not need travel protections.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers an unusually broad list of elevated categories for a no-annual-fee card. It earns unlimited 3x points on restaurants and on several everyday spending categories, including travel, transit, gas stations, streaming services and phone plans. It also includes cell phone insurance if you pay your bill with the card.

I opened this card in June 2025 because I wanted the intro APR and the 3x earnings on transit and restaurants, giving me until June 2026 to pay off the balance. Before opening any card with a 0% introductory APR, though, you should already have a plan to pay off what you owe before the higher rate applies. Opening the no-annual-fee Autograph card also gave me a way to convert cash back from my Wells Fargo Active Cash into points that can be transferred to an airline or hotel partner for travel, with only taxes and fees due.

Wells Fargo Rewards points can be redeemed as statement credits, used through the Wells Fargo travel portal or transferred to airline and hotel partners, which can provide better value. The only domestic airline partner is JetBlue, though, so Wells Fargo’s transfers are less attractive than the airline options available through Chase and Citi.

This card is also a good one to use when traveling overseas because it has no foreign transaction fees, unlike most cash-back cards. The downside is that it does not include travel insurance for delays or cancellations, which is a benefit some other no-annual-fee cards do offer.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for simple, elevated rewards

• Why it stands out: High rewards on groceries, dining, entertainment and streaming.
• Intro offer: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from account opening, then a variable APR of 18.49% to 28.49%.
• Who it’s for: People who want a versatile card with strong rewards in common spending categories.

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card ranks among the best cash-back cards and the best grocery cards because it earns unlimited 3% cash back in popular categories, including grocery stores, entertainment, dining and select streaming services.

Since there are no rotating categories or activation requirements, it also appeals to people who want something straightforward. And because it does not charge foreign transaction fees, it becomes even more attractive as a no-annual-fee entry into Capital One’s rewards ecosystem.

Here is how it earns cash back:

• 8% on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
• 5% on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
• 3% at grocery stores, excluding superstores such as Walmart® and Target®, and on dining, entertainment and streaming services.
• 1% on all other purchases.

The Savor Cash card defines entertainment broadly, from movie theaters and theaters to sports events and amusement parks. The streaming bonus category includes, among others, Netflix, Hulu and Disney+.

That structure makes the card appealing on its own, but it can be even more valuable when paired with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which has a $395 annual fee, or another Venture card with a lower fee. In that setup, you can move cash back from the Savor card to the Venture card. You get 1 Capital One mile for each cent transferred, and then you can redeem those miles for statement credits or transfer them to one of Capital One’s 15-plus airline and hotel partners. Miles can be worth more than 1 cent each when transferred, which is why The Points Guy values them at 1.85 cents each.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Discover it® Cash Back: Best sign-up bonus

• Why it stands out: Huge rewards potential in the first year.
• Intro offer: Discover matches all cash back earned at the end of your first year.
• Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 17.74% to 26.74%.
• Who it’s for: People who want a strong sign-up bonus and regularly spend in rotating categories like groceries, gas stations, restaurants, Amazon and more.

This card can generate a very large amount of cash back in your first year, and it remains a strong performer after that. With 5% cash back in select categories each quarter, the rewards can add up quickly. It also does not charge foreign transaction fees.

It is especially appealing if you expect to spend heavily on the card over the next year, since all the cash back earned as a new cardholder is matched at the end of that first year. With the first-year match, the rotating categories effectively earn 10%, and all purchases outside the bonus categories earn 2%. That match makes its everyday-spending return equal to the Citi Double Cash and Wells Fargo Active Cash during the first year, while its bonus categories are much more lucrative. After the first year, when the match ends, the Citi and Wells Fargo cards offer a better return on regular spending.

Here is how it earns cash back:

• 5% in rotating quarterly bonus categories on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter, with enrollment required each quarter.
• 1% on all other purchases.

In the third quarter, the 5% categories are gas stations, transportation and drug stores.

Keep in mind that card welcome bonuses are usually paid soon after you meet the spending requirement, but in this case the sign-up bonus is not paid until the end of your first year as a cardholder. You also need to track the cash-back calendar and activate the bonus categories each quarter online or by phone, or you will miss out on the extra rewards.

New cardholders also get 0% introductory interest on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, but the rate then rises to a variable 17.74% to 26.74%.

How we evaluate credit cards

According to CNN Underscored’s credit card methodology, we evaluate cards based on several factors that matter to real users, not just card experts. The main elements include:

• Earning rate versus redemption value: A high earning rate matters only if the rewards are valuable. We weigh both when judging overall value.
• Fees against benefits: We compare annual fees with the real value of the card’s perks. Travel benefits such as lounge access, statement credits and insurance protections are considered alongside the cost.
• Welcome offer: A strong bonus can make a card worth applying for, but only if the spending requirement is reasonable.
• Ease of redemption: We look at how easy it is to use rewards and whether transferable points have strong airline and hotel partners.
• Travel and purchase protections: Trip delay coverage, baggage protection, rental car insurance, extended warranties and price protection can add real value.
• Interest rates and balance transfer offers: While we recommend avoiding interest charges, we also consider 0% APR offers for people trying to manage debt strategically.

FAQs

Absolutely. Some of my oldest cards do not charge annual fees, and I have no plans to close them. Keeping a card open can help preserve your credit history and available credit, both of which can affect your credit score. Even if you do not use a card often, there is usually little downside to keeping it, as long as you are not tempted to overspend. Just make the occasional purchase so the issuer does not close the account for inactivity.

Yes. You do not need to pay an annual fee to get an introductory 0% APR offer. Several cards on this list, including the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Wells Fargo Active Cash, include promotional periods with no interest on purchases. These can be useful if you have a large expense and need more time to pay it off. Just be sure you have a plan to pay the balance before the promotional period ends, or interest charges can quickly erase the value of the rewards.

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored’s team of editors and contributors reviews credit cards, travel rewards and loyalty programs to help readers keep up with changes and make informed financial decisions. Recommendations are based on real-world value rather than hype, with careful analysis, expert insight and a focus on clarity and transparency.