A credit card with no annual fee and rewards is one of the best financial tools you can have. Why? Because you can earn cashback, points, or miles on your everyday spending without paying an annual cost to keep the card.
If you’re looking for the best no-annual-fee credit cards with rewards, this guide will help you find the top options, maximize rewards, and avoid common pitfalls.
What Is a No-Annual-Fee Credit Card with Rewards?
A no-annual-fee credit card with rewards is a credit card that does not charge an annual fee but still offers cashback, travel points, or other perks.
These cards are perfect for:
✔ People who want rewards but don’t want to pay to keep a card
✔ Budget-conscious users who don’t spend enough to justify annual fees
✔ Beginners looking for their first rewards credit card
Types of Credit Card Rewards
There are three main types of rewards:
1️⃣ Cashback Rewards – Earn a percentage of your spending back as cash (e.g., 1.5% cashback on all purchases).
2️⃣ Points Rewards – Earn points that can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or statement credits.
3️⃣ Miles Rewards – Earn airline miles that can be used for free flights and travel perks.
💡 Pro Tip: No-annual-fee credit cards typically offer lower rewards rates than premium cards, but they are a great way to earn free rewards without extra costs.
How to Choose the Best No-Annual-Fee Rewards Credit Card
Before applying for a no-annual-fee rewards credit card, consider these factors:
✅ Rewards Rate – Choose a card that offers at least 1.5% cashback or 1x points/miles per dollar.
✅ Spending Categories – Some cards offer higher rewards on groceries, gas, dining, or travel.
✅ Welcome Bonus – Many no-annual-fee cards offer intro bonuses like $200 cashback after spending $500.
✅ Foreign Transaction Fees – If you travel, look for a card with no foreign transaction fees.
✅ Intro 0% APR Offers – Some cards provide 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers for up to 18 months.
Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards with Rewards for 2025
Here are the top no-annual-fee credit cards that offer cashback, points, or miles rewards.
1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
💳 Best for: Everyday spending and travel
✅ 1.5% cashback on all purchases
✅ 5% cashback on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
✅ 3% cashback on dining and drugstores
✅ $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in first 3 months
✅ Intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
📌 Why We Love It: This card earns cashback that can be converted to travel points when paired with a premium Chase card.
2. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
💳 Best for: Simple cashback
✅ 1.5% unlimited cashback on all purchases
✅ $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in first 3 months
✅ No foreign transaction fees
✅ Intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
📌 Why We Love It: This card is great for flat-rate cashback with no categories to track.
3. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
💳 Best for: Automatic high cashback on top spending category
✅ 5% cashback on your highest spending category (up to $500 per month, then 1%)
✅ 1% unlimited cashback on all other purchases
✅ $200 welcome bonus after spending $1,500 in first 6 months
✅ Intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
📌 Why We Love It: Automatically adjusts to where you spend the most, making it a flexible rewards card.
4. Discover it® Cash Back
💳 Best for: Rotating 5% cashback categories
✅ 5% cashback on rotating categories (gas, groceries, restaurants, etc.)
✅ 1% cashback on all other purchases
✅ Unlimited Cashback Match (Discover will match all cashback earned in the first year)
✅ No foreign transaction fees
📌 Why We Love It: The Cashback Match feature means you could earn $300+ in cashback in year one.
5. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
💳 Best for: Unlimited high cashback
✅ 2% unlimited cashback on all purchases
✅ $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in first 3 months
✅ Intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
📌 Why We Love It: One of the highest unlimited cashback rates on a no-annual-fee card.
6. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
💳 Best for: Customizable cashback categories
✅ 3% cashback on a category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, etc.)
✅ 2% cashback on groceries and wholesale clubs
✅ 1% cashback on all other purchases
✅ $200 welcome bonus after spending $1,000 in first 90 days
📌 Why We Love It: Lets you choose your highest cashback category every month.
7. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
💳 Best for: Dining, entertainment, and groceries
✅ 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and groceries
✅ 1% cashback on all other purchases
✅ $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in first 3 months
✅ No foreign transaction fees
📌 Why We Love It: Great for food lovers and entertainment spenders.
8. American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card
💳 Best for: Groceries and gas
✅ 3% cashback on groceries, gas, and online shopping (up to $6,000 per year per category, then 1%)
✅ $200 welcome bonus after spending $2,000 in first 6 months
✅ Intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
📌 Why We Love It: Great grocery and gas rewards with no annual fee.
9. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
💳 Best for: Travel and dining rewards
✅ 4x points on dining, takeout, and food delivery
✅ 2x points on groceries, gas, and streaming services
✅ 20,000-point welcome bonus (worth $200) after spending $1,000 in first 90 days
✅ No foreign transaction fees
📌 Why We Love It: One of the best dining and travel rewards cards without an annual fee.
How to Maximize Your No-Annual-Fee Rewards Credit Card
✔ Use your card for everyday purchases – The more you spend, the more rewards you earn.
✔ Pay your balance in full each month – Avoid paying high interest that cancels out your rewards.
✔ Take advantage of sign-up bonuses – Many cards offer $200+ in welcome bonuses.
✔ Combine multiple cards – Use one for groceries, one for travel, and one for flat-rate cashback.
Final Thoughts: Best No-Annual-Fee Rewards Credit Card for You
🏆 Best for Cashback: Wells Fargo Active Cash® (2% unlimited cashback)
🏆 Best for Dining & Entertainment: Capital One SavorOne (3% on dining & streaming)
🏆 Best for Travel: Chase Freedom Unlimited® (5% on travel)
🏆 Best for Beginners: Discover it® Cash Back (Cashback Match doubles your rewards)
With the right no-annual-fee credit card, you can earn rewards for free—making every purchase more valuable! 🚀
Also Check:
- You Can Apply for These 9 Credit Cards with No Deposit
- Credit Card With the Lowest Interest Rate and No Annual Fee: Save hundreds, if…
- How Do I Get a Free Credit Card with No Deposit?
