9 Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards of March 2024

For those who are budget-conscious travelers, you’ve come to the right place. No-annual-fee travel credit cards provide rewards without the burden of an annual ownership cost. No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards can be especially attractive to thrifty or occasional travelers.

Nevertheless, it’s important to note that these cards may not offer the same level of rewards and perks as their counterparts that come with annual fees.

Also read: Best Credit Card Signup Bonus Offers | Credit Cards with a $5,000 Limit Guaranteed Approval

The West News Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards of February 2024

1. United Gateway℠ Card: Best for Airline travel
2. Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Best for General travel
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for Flexible cash back rewards
4. IHG® One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Best for Hotel rewards
5. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for General travel
6. Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for Hotel rewards
7. Discover it® Miles: Best for General travel
8. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best for Airline travel
9. Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Best for Hotel rewards

Let’s know more about the Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards

1. United Gateway℠ Card

The United Gateway℠ Card stands out as a top choice among no-annual-fee airline cards. While it offers bonus MileagePlus miles for more than just United purchases, it’s somewhat light on additional perks.

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: You can earn 2 miles per dollar on United® purchases, as well as at gas stations and for local transit and commuting. For all other purchases, you’ll get 1 mile per dollar.

• Welcome offer: Score 20,000 bonus miles by spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after opening your account.

2. Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card caters to occasional travelers seeking a fee-free and foreign transaction fee-free option. This card offers a straightforward rewards system.

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: Earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases.

• Welcome offer: You can earn 25,000 online bonus points by making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.

3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a versatile credit card, offering flexible cash back rewards to individuals with good to excellent credit scores (670-850). With no annual fee and a special offer of Unlimited Matched Cash Back, where Chase automatically matches all the cash back earned in the first year.

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: Chase Freedom Unlimited® lets you earn 5% back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other eligible purchases.

• Welcome Bonus: New cardholders can enjoy a SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back, where Chase will match all the cash back earned at the end of the first year, with no cap on earnings.

4. IHG® One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Cardholders receive a fourth reward night for free when redeeming points for stays of four nights or more and enjoy automatic Elite Silver status. Earning Gold Elite status with a $20,000 yearly spend brings a 40% bonus on base points through the IHG Rewards Club membership. The card has an ongoing APR ranging from 21.49% to 28.49% Variable and no foreign transaction fees.

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: You’ll earn 3 points for every dollar spent on monthly bills, at gas stations, and in restaurants, and 2 points for every dollar spent on all other purchases. Be aware that your points will expire if there’s no activity in your IHG rewards account for 12 months, but using the card counts as an activity.

• Welcome Bonus: You can earn 80,000 bonus points once you have spent $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months after opening the account.

5. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening, then a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR applies. For those looking to bolster their travel funds with the convenience of a cash-back card, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card might be the perfect choice.

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: Cardholders can enjoy a 2% cash rewards rate on their purchases.

• Welcome Bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus by making $500 in purchases during the first 3 months.

6. Hilton Honors American Express Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Credit Card offers the opportunity to earn Hilton Honors points for every dollar spent, unlocking elite perks at the same time.

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: Enjoy the benefits of earning 7 Hilton Honors points per dollar on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and resorts, 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

• Welcome Bonus: Start with a bang by earning 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $2,000 on the card within the first six months of card membership.

7. Discover it® Miles

The Discover it® Miles stands out by featuring an introductory APR period for balance transfers, a rarity among travel cards. It even offers the flexibility of redeeming rewards for travel or cash back. Discover it® Miles cardholders can earn 1.5 miles for every dollar spent. A great choice for no-annual-fee card seekers. 

• Annual Fee: $0

• Rewards: Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

• Welcome Bonus: Discover is the only card that doubles your Miles earned in the first year with no need to sign up, spend a minimum, or cap your rewards. For every 35,000 Miles earned, you receive 70,000 Miles – a straightforward Miles-for-Miles match.

8. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card stands out as the sole card in the AmEx-Delta Air Lines lineup with no annual fee, making it a great choice for infrequent Delta travelers. However, if you’re a frequent Delta flyer or seek a card with extensive travel benefits, you may find better alternatives.

Annual fee: $0

Rewards: Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases through Delta. 2 miles for every dollar spent at restaurants all over the world, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Welcome offer: You can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new Delta Card in the first 6 months. Please check the Terms & Conditions before.

9. Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card* provides an entry-level option for individuals looking to accumulate Marriott points without the burden of an annual fee. As the sole no-annual-fee card in the Marriott credit card lineup, it offers a sensible choice for travelers interested in Marriott Bonvoy rewards and the perks of Silver Elite status.

Rewards: Receive 2 points for every dollar spent on airfare, trains, travel purchases, and even more. Earn 3 points for each dollar spent while you stay at any of the hotels associated with the Marriott Bonvoy program.

Welcome Bonus: You can earn 30,000 bonus points once you have spent over $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Methodology

The West News has a rigorous method of evaluating credit cards. The factors that we consider are fees, APRs, rewards redemption options, rewards, statement credits, sign-up bonuses, and more. 

Discover the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards at The West News by considering factors like:

1. How much do you get when you use the card?
2. Extra perks for different types of spending.
3. Where you can transfer your rewards.
4. Special offers for new cardholders.
5. Bonuses you get right when you sign up.
6. Ways to use your rewards.
7. Added protections and benefits.

We rate cards on their own and compare them to others in the same category. So even a card that’s just okay can be a star in a specific category. We use government data to see how much a regular cardholder might spend. And we factor in special spending categories for each card to estimate your rewards.

What Does No Annual Fee Mean?

A no-annual fee means the credit card company won’t charge the consumer a yearly fee for using the card. These cards are not completely fee-free cards. No-annual-fee cards still come with additional charges like late fees, balance transfer fees, foreign transaction fees, and more. It is recommended to always study the fee structure for any particular credit card.

Benefits of No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards

The perks of having a no-annual fee travel credit card are less but they are still considerable. These cards won’t cost the cardholder upfront fees. Additionally, other fees and interest on transactions can be avoided by paying bills timely.

As there is no annual charge it means the consumer doesn’t have to meet a yearly spend limit. No annual fees cards may not have perks like the annual-fee cards but they do give you cashback and opportunities to earn rewards by shopping and paying bills. 

Who Should Get a No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Card?

1. Financial Savvy Shoppers: Individuals who want to save money and avoid annual credit card fees.
2. Low Credit Card Usage: People who use credit cards sparingly and don’t require extensive perks.
3. New Credit Card Users: Those who are new to credit cards and want to start with a simple, fee-free option.
4. Budget-Conscious Consumers: People who prioritize budgeting and want to avoid unnecessary expenses.
5. Minimalists: Individuals who prefer straightforward, no-frills credit card options.
6. Multiple Cardholders: Those who complement their credit card lineup with a no-annual-fee card to maximize rewards in different categories.
7. Balance Payers: People who consistently pay off their credit card balances each month and, therefore, won’t benefit significantly from premium card features.

How To Choose the Right Travel Credit Card With No Annual Fee?

Determine your objectives before applying for a credit card. Whether it may be earning rewards and perks or saving money with smart spending. Below given steps can help you take identify the cars according to your needs.

• Identify Your Goals: First and foremost determine what you want from a credit card, whether it’s rewards, cash back, or low APR.

• Assess Your Spending Habits: It’s important to analyse your spending and find a card that rewards those categories.

• Redemption Ease: Ensure the rewards that you earn are easily redeemed and provide good value on your spends.

• Managing Balances: If you are planning to carry a balance, you should consider cards with 0% APR introductory offers, but be aware of the ongoing interest rate.

• Travel Plans: Travel enthusiasts should ideally consider cards with annual fees for travel benefits or opt for flexible currency cards for specific airline or hotel rewards.

• High Category Spending: Consumers with significant spending in expensive categories should opt for premium cards that offer higher rewards.

• Read the Fine Print: Most important to review the card’s terms and conditions, including any potential fees beyond the annual fee.

How To Apply for a No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Card?

To begin with you can start your research with our article and consider the options that meets your requirements. Applying for a credit card is easy and straightforward. All the credit card companies have their online application websites.

Fill in your personal and financial information that includes your name, address, annual income, housing, existing debts and few other things. The file will be scrutinised well before making a decision. Avoid applying for too many credit cards within a short period of time as it may affect poorly on the credit report.

Here’s Our Summary of the Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards