Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards: Top $0 Annual Fee Offers in June 2025

The best no annual fee credit cards offer solid benefits and earn generous rewards without costing you anything out of pocket.

Business Insider's team of personal finance experts evaluated dozens of credit cards with no annual fee to identify these industry leaders.

The winners featured in this guide offer above-average benefits, providing generous financial value without charging for them. Many earn bonus points or cash back when you pay rent, dine out, buy groceries, or travel. The top options even include complimentary perks such as travel insurance and purchase protection to help you get your money back when trip plans go awry.

These are the best no annual fee credit cards you can apply for right now, as chosen by our experts.

Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards in June 2025

Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Families

Best no-annual-fee credit card for families

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Read Review

Insider’s Rating

Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.

4.35/5

Perks

Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months

Regular APR

18.99% - 28.49% Variable

Intro Offer

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Earn a $200 bonus

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros

• Solid flat cash-back rate
• You can combine cash-back rewards with Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card
• No annual fee

Cons

• Some other cards offer a higher rate of cash back on certain types of purchases

Insider’s Take

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for credit card beginners and experts alike. With no annual fee and a high earnings rate, it's worth considering as an everyday card — and it's even better when you pair it with an annual-fee Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Chase Freedom Unlimited review

Product Details

• Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Show Pros, Cons, and More

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is Business Insider's top-choice no annual fee credit card for families because it earns generous rewards on many common expenses without charging an annual fee.

Cardholders earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases. 

New cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This is a good offer because it doesn't require much spending to earn.

The card also comes with a generous zero-interest intro period for new cardholder purchases and balance transfers: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR. 

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® charges foreign transaction fees, so pick a different credit card for international travel. 

Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Cash Rewards

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is best for people who value simplicity, earning unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. It also comes with complimentary cell phone insurance.

New cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening. They're also eligible for a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening (then a 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable APR). 

Like many other cards on this list, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card charges foreign transaction fees, so it's best left at home when you travel internationally. 

Wells Fargo Rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, an alternative form of payment via PayPal, or gift cards.

Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Renters

The Bilt Mastercard® is one of the best no annual fee credit cards for renters, especially if you only want a single credit card for everything (rates and fees). Cardholders can pay rent with this credit card to earn up to 100,000 Bilt Points per calendar year without paying any transaction fees.

Cardholders must make at least five purchases each billing cycle to earn rewards on this card. But that's not hard to do on "Bilt Rent Day", the first day of each month, when cardholders earn double the points per dollar spent on all expenses except rent, up to 1,000 bonus points.

You don't even have to be a Bilt cardholder to earn Bilt Points for dining out: Anyone can download the Bilt app and then link any credit card to their wallet to earn points on all eligible dining purchases. 

The Bilt Mastercard® offers generous benefits for a credit card with no annual fee: cell phone insurance ($25 deductible), no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance for most cardholders, and trip delay insurance that goes into effect after six hours.

Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Foodies

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the best dining and restaurant credit cards and best groceries credit cards because it earns bonus rewards on both types of food expenses.

Cardholders earn 3% cash back on restaurants and most U.S. groceries, and bonus rewards on several other categories, including entertainment and travel purchased through Capital One.

Capital One rewards are very easy to redeem. Use them like cash back, for travel through Capital One Travel, or pair them with a Capital One credit card that offers travel rewards for additional value through Capital One transfer partners.

Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Reward Maximizers

The Discover it® Cash Back is a great pick for people who don't mind doing some extra work to earn big rewards.

This card earns 5% cash back on purchases from rotating categories each quarter up to $1,500 when you activate and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Our Discover cash back calendar helps you track bonus categories each quarter (from April 1 to June 30, 2025, earn 5% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

New Discover it® Cash Back cardholders get extra cash back through the Discover Cashback Match® program, which matches all of the cash back earned in your first 12 months as a cardholder.

Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Online Shoppers

Best no-annual-fee credit card for online shoppers

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Read Review

Insider’s Rating

Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.

3.5/5

Perks

Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per category per year, then 1%). Earn 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Annual Fee

$0

Intro APR

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening

Regular APR

20.24% - 29.24% Variable

Intro Offer

$200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership

Earn a $200 statement credit

Recommended Credit

Good to Excellent

Pros

• Good bonus cash-back rate at U.S supermarkets
• No annual fee.

Cons

• If you spend more than $6,000 at U.S supermarkets in a year, you should use another card to earn bonus rewards once you hit that cap.

Insider’s Take

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid cash-back card with no annual fee. It's an especially valuable choice for purchases at US supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases, thanks to its bonus earning categories.

Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card review

Product Details

• Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• No Annual Fee.
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 20.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
• Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Show Pros, Cons, and More

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is one of the best credit cards for online shopping because it earns 3% cash back on online retail purchases, up to $6,000 per year (then 1% back).

Cardholders also earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations, making this no annual fee credit card a great choice for all household expenses (see rates and fees).

Each bonus category — U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases — has an annual spending cap of $6,000, after which you'll only earn 1% cash back per dollar.

This card offers a welcome bonus for first-year cardholders: $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership.

Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Wellness

The Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card earns generous rewards for pet lovers who value self-care and fitness, shop with intention at secondhand or environmentally friendly businesses, or take public transit.

Cardholders earn a whopping 4% cash back on eligible bonus categories, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. They also get complimentary cell phone insurance on eligible claims.

New Attune℠ Cardholders can earn a $100 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR).

Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Long 0% Intro APR

The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card helps you finance a large purchase or pay down existing credit card debt over a long period of time without incurring additional interest.

New cardholders get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 24 billing cycles, then 17.74% - 28.74% Variable APR.

This credit card with no annual fee only earns rewards on niche purchases, but at a generous rate for the right cardholder: 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center and a $20 annual statement credit for 11 consecutive months of purchases.

The Best No Annual Fee Credit Card Issuers

Many of the best issuers offer credit cards with no annual fees. Two issuers in particular offer valuable credit card benefits typically found on premium cards with annual fees, which can be worth up to several hundred dollars in some cases.

Discover Cards Offer Underrated Value

Discover credit cards don't charge annual fees, making them a great fit for people seeking credit cards that don't cost anything out of pocket.

Discover cards don't offer traditional welcome bonuses, but cardholders can earn extra rewards in Year 1 of ownership through the Discover Cashback Match® program. This is especially valuable if you put all of your annual expenses on a flat-rate rewards card, or max out 5% bonus categories each quarter in your first year.

Finally, Discover offers customers a user-friendly interface online and in its mobile app, making financial management a snap.

Wells Fargo Credit Cards Offer Cell Phone Protection

Wells Fargo credit cards come with a valuable benefit, even those with no annual fee — complimentary cell phone insurance, as long as you pay your monthly mobile bill with the applicable card.

You can typically claim up to several hundred dollars in eligible claims, depending on the individual card, with a very low deductible of just $25. Terms and conditions apply depending on the situation and specific card, so read the fine print in your credit card guide if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged for covered reasons.

How to Apply for a No Annual Fee Credit Card

You might think you can get away with having a lower credit score if you're applying for a credit card with no annual fee. But that's not necessarily the case: Most of the cards on this list require a good credit score at minimum, and having an excellent credit score increases your chances for approval.

If you're struggling with low credit, it's best to spend a few months focusing on how to improve your credit before applying for one of these cards. 

The application process is quite straightforward. To apply, simply navigate to the card you want and click on the "Apply Now" button.

You'll be asked to provide personal information, including your full name, date of birth, Social Security number (SSN), home address, and income-related data.

In most cases, you'll either receive an instant approval notification or see a screen that tells you your application is either under review or that you've been denied.

If you are denied or your account requires further review, you'll typically receive an adverse action notice in the mail explaining why. 

Customer Reviews of Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

In addition to drawing on our credit card expertise to compile this guide, Business Insider's personal finance team reviewed online feedback on social media forums such as Reddit and Facebook to see what everyday consumers have to say about their favorite credit cards with no annual fees.

Common themes and recommendations include:

You Should Earn More Than 1% Back Per Dollar Spent

The best no annual fee credit cards should earn more than 1% cash back or equivalent rewards on common expenses, according to savvy credit card consumers. People recommend using a flat-rate 2% cash back credit card to maximize rewards, or prioritizing cards that offer bonus rewards on select categories.

Keep Business and Personal Expenses Separate

If you're thinking about starting a side hustle or beginning your own business, make sure you use a business credit card to keep your finances separate.

Many of the best small business credit cards earn rewards you can combine with your personal stash of points, helping you reach your award travel goals more quickly while maintaining clean accounting records. Some of the winners don't charge annual fees, ensuring you don't pay anything to earn rewards on the money you spend.

Earn 3% Back on PayPal Purchases

Cardholders who frequently shop online or who spend a lot on PayPal recommend the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® , which earns 3% cash back on all Paypal purchases and 1.5% on everything else.

However, our experts favor credit card benefits such as trip insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty — none of which are offered on the PayPal Cashback Mastercard®.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards

Business Insider's editorial team reviewed dozens of credit cards available to consumers. We compiled this short list of the best options by considering individual card merits and drawbacks.

We evaluated dozens of no annual fee credit cards across all categories — cash back, travel, airline, hotel, and more — and narrowed our focus to cards that earn more than 1 point or mile per dollar on at least one purchase category.

We also weighed welcome bonuses, rewards caps such as the $1,500 quarterly limit on the Discover it® Cash Back's bonus categories when enrolled, and other fine print such as reward redemption opportunities.

See the full breakdown of how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.

FAQs

Katherine Fan

Correspondent, Credit Cards

Katherine Fan was a personal finance expert, journalist, and public speaker with 10 years of industry experience. She covered all things credit cards for Business Insider's personal finance hub.ExperienceKatherine has published more than 1,800 articles, guides, and reviews covering credit card benefits and rewards, small business finances, points and miles travel, loyalty programs, and real estate investing. She wrote full-time for The Points Guy and NerdWallet before joining Business Insider.

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Angela Fung

Affiliate Compliance and Operations Manager

Angela Fung is the compliance and operations manager for Business Insider’s personal finance team. She is a personal finance expert and has been a part of Business Insider for over four years. ExperienceAngela leads the compliance team in identifying and reducing risk for readers, the editorial team, and external financial partners. Her team aims to provide readers with accurate, up-to-date information about financial products and maintain reader trust. She ensures regulatory and partner marketing guidelines are upheld for partners and adheres to the personal finance team’s editorial standards so they can maintain editorial independence. Angela likes helping readers better understand personal finance so that they can build a strong foundation for their financial plan and, hopefully, give themselves the freedom to do more in other facets of their lives.ExpertiseAngela has expertise in and oversees compliance in the following areas of personal finance:

• Personal credit cards
• Business credit cards
• High-yield savings accounts
• CDs

She also has a thorough knowledge of federal regulation for consumer financial protection. A few examples include:

• Regulation Z, Truth in Lending
• Unfair, Deceptive, Or Abusive Acts Or Practices (UDAAP)
• Regulation N, Mortgage Acts and Practices Advertising Rule
• Endorsement Guidelines

EducationAngela graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. In her free time, she shoots lifestyle photography, volunteers at Meals for Unity, and plays tennis.

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