- Travel credit cards make it easy to earn points, miles or cash back on your most common travel expenses.
- Several travel credit cards have no annual fees, making them even more valuable.
- Our top picks for the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards include the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Card, and Chase Freedom Unlimited® among others.
- A travel credit card with no annual fee may not be a great fit for your needs if you only travel once or twice a year.
- Cards with no annual fees may have foreign transaction fees, so check the terms of each card carefully if you plan to travel internationally.
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On This Page
- Key takeaways
- Our top picks for the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards
- Comparing the best travel credit cards with no annual fee
- More info on our top picks for no-annual-fee travel credit cards: Editorial reviews
- What is a travel credit card with no annual fee?
- Who should get a no-annual-fee travel credit card?
- Pros and cons of travel credit cards with no annual fee
- How to choose the best travel credit card with no annual fee
- How to apply for a travel credit card with no annual fee
- Are no-annual-fee travel credit cards worth it?
- FAQs: Best travel credit cards with no annual fee
On This Page
- Key takeaways
- Our top picks for the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards
- Comparing the best travel credit cards with no annual fee
- More info on our top picks for no-annual-fee travel credit cards: Editorial reviews
- What is a travel credit card with no annual fee?
- Who should get a no-annual-fee travel credit card?
- Pros and cons of travel credit cards with no annual fee
- How to choose the best travel credit card with no annual fee
- How to apply for a travel credit card with no annual fee
- Are no-annual-fee travel credit cards worth it?
- FAQs: Best travel credit cards with no annual fee
Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee for 2024
Leigh Morgan - Personal Finance
+ 1 other
Reviewed By
Blake Esken - Los Angeles Times
Travel credit cards help you earn free hotel stays, airline discounts and other valuable benefits. Add in no annual fee on top of this and you can maximize the value of your travel credit card and enjoy even more benefits on your next vacation.
Before you apply for a travel card with no annual fee, it’s important to compare your options. To make the process easier, we reviewed seven no-annual-fee travel credit cards to determine which ones pack the biggest punch in terms of interest rates, fees and other considerations.
Join us as we look at the best travel credit card with no annual fee based on the following criteria:
- Earning rates on popular travel categories
- Status matching with hotel and airline loyalty programs
- Reward redemption methods
Our top picks for the best travel credit cards with no annual fee
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for simple rewards
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best for Delta SkyMiles® loyalists
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for loyal Hilton customers
- IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Best for loyal IHG customers
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for extra benefits
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for road trips in the U.S.
- United Gateway℠ Card: Best for United Airlines loyalists
Our top picks for the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards
Advertiser Disclosure
Best for simple rewards
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on all purchases and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
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Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
20,000 miles
Regular APR
19.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has a simple reward structure— 1.25x miles on all purchases and 5x miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel— so there are no complicated categories to keep track of.
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Card Details
More card info
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR.
- Balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
- Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR offer
- Low spending requirement for welcome offer
Cons
- High APR
- Good or excellent credit recommended
- Few travel perks
Best for Delta SkyMiles® loyalists
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Up to 2X Reward Rate
Earn 2X miles on Delta purchases, 2X miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.), and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases.
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Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
10,000 miles
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
If you like to fly with Delta but don’t want to pay the high annual fees of other Delta cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card still gives you a chance to earn SkyMiles without the commitment of a yearly cost.
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Card Details
More card info
- Pay with Miles: take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
- Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 20% in-flight savings
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
Cons
- Low earning rate
- No free checked bags
- No priority boarding
Best for loyal Hilton customers
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Up to 7X Reward Rate
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Points on eligible Hilton purchases, 5X points on eligible U.S. restaurant, U.S. supermarket, and U.S. gas station purchases, and 3X on all other eligible purchases.
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Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
70,000 Points + Free Night Reward
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
For Hilton loyalists who want to earn points toward free stays or enjoy the perks of Hilton elite status, the Hilton Honors American Express Card offers a way to do just that without worrying about an annual fee.
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Card Details
More card info
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Automatic Hilton Silver status
- 20% bonus points on eligible stays
Cons
- Low point redemption value
- Need good or excellent credit to qualify
- Fewer perks than some travel cards
Best for loyal IHG customers
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Up to 17X Reward Rate
Earn up to 17x total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 3x points on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 2x points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
80,000 bonus points
Regular APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
With no annual fee and a good reward rate on IHG purchases, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is a solid option for travelers who prefer to stay with IHG hotels and want to earn rewards on their stays but don’t want to pay an annual fee to do so. This card comes loaded with a good intro offer and the chance to earn a pile of points (up to 17x) on purchases with IHG hotels. Plus, if you redeem three nights, you can get the fourth night free. All in all, this card is a decent choice if you’re against paying an annual fee and prefer staying with IHG hotels.
Best for extra benefits
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Up to 6.5% Reward Rate
Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 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% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
Up to $300 cash back
Regular APR
20.49%-29.24% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an ideal card for people looking for flexible rewards in various categories. It’s marketed as a cash-back card but it actually earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, so they can be used for more than just cash back. And if you already have a card that earns Ultimate Rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can pool those points together for even more value. On this card, you can earn 5% back on travel purchases through Chase Travel, as well as generous cash back in various everyday categories.
Best for road trips in the U.S.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Up to 3% Reward Rate
Earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000/year spent at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%), 3% back on up to $6,000/year at U.S. gas stations (then 1%), 3% back on up to $6,000/year on online retail purchases (then 1%), and 1% back on all other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
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Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
$200
Regular APR
19.24% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns rewards generously in categories many people already spend a lot of money on— U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. online retailers— making it perfect for taking road trips and earning cash back along the way.
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Card Details
More card info
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening, then 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
- 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.
- Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 0% APR on eligible purchases for 15 months
- Generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & online shopping
Cons
- Rewards cap on spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and online retail purchases
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee
- Low rewards rate outside of bonus categories
Best for United Airlines loyalists
United Gateway℠ Card
Up to 2X Reward Rate
Earn 2X miles on United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1X miles on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
LTO: 30,000 miles
Regular APR
21.99%-28.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
If you’re somewhat loyal to United Airlines but paying an annual fee for one of the higher-tier cards doesn’t seem necessary, the United Gateway℠ Card may provide an alternative. With no annual fee, a decent reward rate on United purchases, gas station purchases, and local transit and commuting, a generous welcome offer, and a solid in-flight discount, this card is a great option for a low-commitment United-branded card. It also has no foreign transaction fees, so if your United flight brings you somewhere outside of the U.S., you can swipe it without worrying about incurring unnecessary charges.
Comparing the best travel credit cards with no annual fee
Card name
Best for
Welcome bonus
Reward rate
Learn more
Best for simple rewards
20,000 miles
1.25X-5X miles
Best for Delta SkyMiles® loyalists
10,000 miles
1X-2X miles
Best for loyal Hilton customers
70,000 Points + Free Night Reward
3X-7X points
Best for loyal IHG customers
80,000 bonus points
2X-17X points
Best for extra benefits
Up to $300 cash back
1.5%-6.5% cash back
Best for road trips in the U.S.
$200
1%-3% cash back
Best for United Airlines loyalists
LTO: 30,000 miles
1X-2X miles
What is a travel credit card with no annual fee?
No annual fee means you don’t pay a fee each year just to keep your account open. You may have to meet other account requirements, but there’s no cost to maintain your card.
Travel credit cards give you points, miles and other rewards on common travel expenses, including airfare, hotel stays and train tickets. A no-annual-fee travel credit card gives you the best of both worlds. You can earn rewards based on your travel habits without paying money to keep your account active.
How do travel credit cards with no annual fee work?
When you have a credit card with an annual fee, you have to pay the same amount of money every year no matter how much you use the card. If you have a no-annual-fee credit card, you don’t have to pay a fee to keep your account open.
This is a major benefit for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without forking over cold, hard cash. If there’s no annual fee, there’s also no need to worry about using the card often enough to break even.
Who should get a no-annual-fee travel credit card?
The best travel credit cards with no annual fee are ideal for casual travelers, as there’s no charge to keep your account active. If you don’t travel for a year or two, you don’t have to worry about getting charged for a dormant account.
These cards may also be a good fit for students studying abroad or users who don’t have a ton of experience managing credit. If you plan to study abroad, look for a student credit card with no annual fee that also doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.
Pros and cons of travel credit cards with no annual fee
Pros
- Opportunities to earn points, miles or cash back on your travel expenses
- Access to partner benefits, such as status upgrades within hotel and rental car loyalty programs
- Ability to transfer rewards to partner companies
Cons
- May have limited benefits due to the lack of an annual fee
- General-purpose credit cards usually offer more redemption options
- Some companies require you to book through a branded portal to take advantage of your travel benefits
How to choose the best travel credit card with no annual fee
Keep these factors in mind as you search for the best credit card for travel with no annual fee.
Rewards
Rewards credit cards for travel typically offer points, miles or cash back on each eligible purchase. You can use these rewards to pay for hotel stays, airfare, transit expenses and other travel costs.
Flexible travel options
Some cards have no blackout dates or other restrictions when using your rewards to make travel plans. Others require you to book through a third-party website or a dedicated portal, so you may not be able to cancel your plans without forfeiting your rewards.
APR
The higher the APR on your credit card, the more interest you’ll pay if you don’t pay your balance by the end of your billing cycle. You can get cards with 0% APR, which allows you to make purchases and/or balance transfers at a rate that’s lower than the regular APR.
Fees
When comparing travel credit cards, watch out for steep fees such as balance transfer fees, cash advance fees or fees for late payments. Opt for cards with no foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad.
Benefits
It’s common for travel credit cards to come with additional benefits, such as travel insurance, rental car coverage, shopping protections and extended warranty coverage. You may even qualify for complimentary memberships or statement credits.
Compare no-annual-fee cards with annual-fee cards
If you travel frequently, you may benefit more from having a credit card with an annual fee instead of a card with no annual fee. Annual fees typically offer higher earning rates and more benefits, like a fee credit for global entry or a card with airport lounge access.
How to apply for a travel credit card with no annual fee
Many travel credit cards require good or excellent credit scores. When you’re ready to apply, be prepared to provide your name, address, telephone number, annual income and monthly mortgage or rent payment. You’ll also need to enter your Social Security number on the application.
To apply for a card, visit the issuer’s website and follow the instructions on the form.
How to improve your chances of getting approved for a travel credit card with no annual fee
To improve your chances of approval, apply for a card that matches your credit profile. If your score is in the good range, you’re likely to be denied if you apply for a card that requires excellent scores.
You can also try prequalifying or applying with a cosigner. If you prequalify for a card, the issuer has already reviewed some of the information on your credit reports and determined that you may fit their approval criteria. Note that prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval; it just makes it more likely.
A cosigner promises to pay back what you borrow if you can’t afford to make your payments. If you decide to apply with a cosigner, make sure the person you choose has a strong credit profile and a steady source of income. Applying with a cosigner with poor credit won’t help you and may even hurt your credit.
Are no-annual-fee travel credit cards worth it?
No-annual-fee travel credit cards are worth it if you want to earn rewards without worrying about how much you’re earning compared to how much you’re spending to keep the card active.
You may benefit more from a travel credit card with an annual fee if you travel frequently and want access to even more benefits. If you only travel once or twice per year, consider getting a traditional credit card. You may benefit from earning cash back or points at restaurants, grocery stores and other everyday purchases.
▶︎ Read more: Best credit cards for grocery shopping & best credit cards for restaurants
FAQs: Best travel credit cards with no annual fee
Are there travel cards with no annual fee?
Yes. Our list of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee has seven entries, so you have plenty of options when it comes to earning travel rewards without having to pay a fee every year.
Which airline credit card does not have an annual fee?
The airline credit cards with no annual fee include the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, American Airlines Aadvantage® MileUp® and JetBlue Card.
Is a travel card with annual fee worth it?
A travel card with no annual fee may be worth it if you want to earn travel rewards but don’t want to worry about how much you are spending to match the rewards to the price of an annual fee.
What is the best credit card to use while traveling?
If you always stay at the same hotel chain, the best card for your needs may be a co-branded card such as a Delta credit card, that helps you earn free nights and other hotel-related perks.
If you’re loyal to one airline, look for a travel credit card that gives you miles or points to use on airfare and in-flight purchases.
What is the most accepted credit card for international travel?
Many overseas merchants accept Visa and Mastercard. It’s less common for merchants to accept Discover or American Express cards when you’re traveling in a foreign country. When choosing a credit card for international travel, remember to look for a card with no foreign transaction fees.
Which is the best no annual fee travel credit card?
The best travel credit card with no annual fee depends on your travel preferences and overall shopping habits. If you like to buy from the same brands, look for a card that maximizes your earnings on purchases from those brands. Otherwise, look for a card with low fees and plenty of perks.
About the Author
Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.
In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.
In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.
About the Reviewer
Blake Esken has over 15 years of experience in product management and has been a member of the Los Angeles Times staff for over five years.
As part of his role at the Los Angeles Times Commerce Team, Blake acts as the in-house reviewer and fact checker for LA Times Compare. He supervises all content for compliance and accuracy and puts to use skills he has honed through years of experience managing high-stakes projects for a range of industry-leading companies.
He has a strong background in data analysis, compliance, and communication, which allows him to support LA Times Compare through fact-checking in an effort to provide up-to-date and factual information across our content.
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* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.
All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.