Best Travel Credit Cards No Annual Fee: A Comprehensive Guide

For frequent travelers, a good credit card can unlock a wealth of benefits—from rewards points to travel insurance—without costing a dime in annual fees. While many travel cards come with hefty annual fees, there are several excellent options that provide great perks without the extra cost. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best travel credit cards no annual fee, helping you get the most out of your travels without breaking the bank.

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Best for: Unlimited cashback with travel perks

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is a top contender for those seeking a no-annual-fee travel card. While it’s primarily a cashback card, it earns 1.5% cashback on all purchases, which can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program. This flexibility allows you to convert your points into travel rewards, such as flights, hotel stays, and car rentals.

• Key Features:
  • 1.5% cashback on all purchases
  • 5% cashback on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • 3% cashback on dining and drugstore purchases
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR for the first 15 months
• Why It’s Great for Travelers: Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are highly valuable, and the card offers excellent flexibility in how you can redeem them for travel rewards.

2. Discover it® Miles

Best for: Earning unlimited miles with straightforward redemption

The Discover it® Miles card is one of the simplest travel cards with no annual fee. It earns 1.5 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, and the miles can be redeemed as statement credits to cover travel expenses like flights, hotels, or car rentals. Plus, Discover will match all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year, effectively doubling your rewards.

• Key Features:
  • 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases
  • No annual fee
  • No blackout dates or limits on travel rewards
  • Free FICO® score access
  • 0% intro APR for the first 14 months
• Why It’s Great for Travelers: The straightforward rewards structure makes it easy to earn and redeem miles for travel, and the first-year mile match offer adds tremendous value.

3. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for: Earning cash back that can be used for travel

While the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a cashback card, it offers 1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase. This cashback can be used for travel expenses or redeemed for a statement credit. The card is perfect for those who want to earn rewards without worrying about rotating categories or complex point systems.

• Key Features:
  • 1.5% unlimited cashback on every purchase
  • No annual fee
  • Access to Capital One’s travel portal for booking travel
  • 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases
  • Capital One® Travel Rewards program for additional travel perks
• Why It’s Great for Travelers: While it doesn’t offer specific travel points, the simplicity of cashback makes it easy to use for travel expenses. Additionally, Capital One has its own travel booking platform that could add convenience to your travel planning.

4. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

Best for: Earning unlimited travel points with no annual fee

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is an excellent no-annual-fee option for travelers who prefer earning unlimited travel rewards. You can earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, which can be redeemed for a wide variety of travel expenses, including airfare, hotels, vacation packages, and more.

• Key Features:
  • 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase
  • No annual fee
  • No blackout dates or restrictions on travel redemptions
  • 25,000 online bonus points (worth $250 in travel statement credits) after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days
  • Access to the Preferred Rewards program for enhanced benefits
• Why It’s Great for Travelers: The simple and flexible points system is ideal for frequent travelers who want to maximize their travel rewards without paying any annual fees.

5. Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card

Best for: Earning bonus points in travel categories

The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card is a popular option for travel rewards enthusiasts. It offers 3 points per dollar on travel, dining, and streaming services, 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, and no annual fee. Plus, you can earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months, which can be redeemed for $200 in travel.

• Key Features:
  • 3 points per dollar on travel, dining, and streaming services
  • 1 point per dollar on other purchases
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR for the first 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • 20,000-point bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
• Why It’s Great for Travelers: This card stands out for its bonus categories in travel and dining, which makes it ideal for those who frequently eat out or book travel services.

6. Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Best for: Small business owners who travel

While designed for small business owners, the Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers incredible rewards for travelers, with no annual fee. It earns 2 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent each year (then 1 point per dollar) on everyday business purchases, including travel expenses.

• Key Features:
  • 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 spent in purchases each year (then 1 point)
  • No annual fee
  • Access to American Express Membership Rewards® program
  • Flexible travel rewards redemption
• Why It’s Great for Travelers: Small business owners can earn generous rewards for travel-related expenses, making it a great choice for entrepreneurs who frequently travel for business.

7. Citi® Double Cash Card

Best for: Earning high cashback rates with no fee

Though not a traditional travel card, the Citi® Double Cash Card can be an excellent way to earn travel rewards. It offers 2% cashback on every purchase: 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay for those purchases. You can use the cashback for travel expenses or transfer your cashback to Citi ThankYou® points, which are redeemable for travel rewards.

• Key Features:
  • 2% cashback on every purchase (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
  • No annual fee
  • Ability to convert cashback into Citi ThankYou® points for travel rewards
  • 0% intro APR for the first 18 months on balance transfers
• Why It’s Great for Travelers: The dual cashback structure is ideal for those who want consistent rewards without having to worry about category restrictions. The option to convert cashback to travel points adds flexibility.

Conclusion

There are plenty of excellent travel credit cards that don’t come with an annual fee. Whether you’re looking for simple cashback rewards, flexible points for travel, or bonus categories to maximize your earnings, there’s a card that can suit your needs. By choosing one of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee, you can enjoy a host of travel benefits without the added expense of annual charges.

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