Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards of 2025
Money.com has partnered with CardRatings.com for our coverage of credit card products. Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers.
Credit cards with no annual fees are especially beneficial for maximizing rewards without a yearly expense. Whether you’re looking for a card that earns generous cash back on groceries, gas, dining or entertainment, there are plenty of options that provide significant value without requiring you to pay a fee.
We’ve rounded up the best no-annual-fee credit cards, focusing on their rewards, welcome offers and additional perks. Read on for the best no-annual-fee cards and how to choose the best one for you.
Our Top Picks for the Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards of 2025
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express — Best Overall
- Discover it® Cash Back — Best for Rotating 5% Cash Back Categories
- Citi Custom Cash® Card — Best for Customized Cash Back
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card — Best for Dining and Entertainment
- Chase Freedom Flex® — Best for Flexible Rewards
Best No Annual Fee Credit Card Reviews
Best Overall: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- 3% at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, up to the first $6,000 spent on each, 1% afterward
- 3% on U.S. retail purchases up to the first $6,000 spent, 1% afterward
- No annual fee
- 3% cash back is limited to $6,000 per category per year
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
- Welcome Offer
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Insurance and Protection
- Car rental loss and damage insurance, purchase protection*
Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 15 months and 0% on balance transfers for 15 months│ Regular APR: 18.24% - 29.24% variable│ Annual Fee: $0
Why we chose it: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers various bonus categories and statement credits that reward everyday purchases.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers 3% cash back in several everyday categories without an annual fee.
- 3% back at U.S. supermarkets up to the first $6,000 spent per year, 1% thereafter
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations up to the first $6,000 spent per year, 1% thereafter
- 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases up to the first $6,000 spent per year, 1% thereafter
- 1% back on other eligible purchases
- Terms apply
On groceries and gas alone, you could earn up to a combined $360 in cash back if you reach the $6,000 threshold in each category. Once you hit that limit, though, you’ll continue to earn at a lower rate of 1%. This is in addition to 3% on online purchases, which opens a whole world of purchases that earn rewards.
There’s also the car rental loss and damage insurance, which is great for traveling, as well as purchase protection. The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a well-balanced no annual fee card that almost any household could benefit from.
Best for Rotating 5% Cash Back Categories: Discover it® Cash Back
- 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories each quarter up to the first $1,500 spent
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
- Activation required for 5% categories
- $1,500 spending cap
- Welcome Offer
- Discover automatically matches all the cash back earned at the end of your first year with Cashback Match™
- Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR applies.
- Regular APR
- 18.24% to 29.24% variable APR after the intro period.
Why we chose this card: The Discover it® Cash Back Card stands out for its 5% rotating categories on everyday categories like groceries, gas, even wholesale clubs or Amazon purchases. The Cashback Match also doubles the earnings at the end of your first year, making it the best no-annual-fee cash back credit card.
Additionally, the unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases ensures you earn rewards on every transaction, even when outside the bonus categories. The card also offers a 0% intro APR period, making it a great choice for those looking to finance large purchases or consolidate balances.
With no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and strong security features, the Discover it® Cash Back Card is a top option for high rewards without added costs.
All information about the Discover it® Cash Back Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.
Best for Customized Cash Back: Citi Custom Cash® Card
- 5% back on the most used eligible category up to the first $500 each billing cycle
- No annual fee
- $500 spending limit can be low depending on the category
- Welcome Offer
- Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
- Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR applies.
- Regular APR
- Variable APR 18.24% – 28.24%
Why we chose this card: The Citi Custom Cash® Card is a top no annual fee card for flexible cash back rewards without tracking rotating categories. Unlike other cash back cards with preset bonus categories, this card automatically applies a 5% cash back rate to the category where you spend the most each billing cycle.
Whether you're spending on groceries, dining, gas, streaming services, or travel, this card ensures you always earn top rewards where you spend the most, making it ideal for spending habits that change month to month.
Additionally, the card’s welcome bonus, along with a 0% intro APR offer, adds further value for financing purchases or transferring balances. With no annual fee and automatic bonus category selection, the Citi Custom Cash® Card is a simple cash back credit card for maximizing rewards.
All information about the Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected independently by Money.com.
Best for Dining and Entertainment: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).
- No annual fee
- Grocery purchases at superstores like Walmart and Target excluded from bonus categories
- Welcome Offer
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months.
- Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
- Regular APR
- Variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24%
Why we chose this card: The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a top no annual fee card for frequent spending on dining, entertainment, and streaming services.
With unlimited 3% cash back in these categories and at grocery stores, you’ll enjoy substantial rewards without paying an annual fee.
The 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months adds further value, making it a compelling option for maximizing cash back on everyday expenses.
Best for Flexible Rewards: Chase Freedom Flex®
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating categories each quarter when activated.
- 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, as well as drugstores.
- Must activate 5% rotating categories each quarter to earn bonus cash back.
- 5% rate applies only to the first $1,500 in combined category purchases per quarter.
- Welcome Offer
- Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months.
- Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR applies.
- Regular APR
- 19.49% - 28.24% Variable APR
Why we chose this card: The Chase Freedom Flex® is one of the most versatile no annual fee credit cards available, offering a mix of rotating 5% categories and fixed bonus rewards with no annual fee. Its 5% cash back in changing categories each quarter allows cardholders to earn substantial rewards in areas where they spend the most, whether that’s gas, grocery stores, or travel. The 3% cash back on dining and drugstores adds additional consistent value for everyday spending.
Unlike many rotating category credit cards, Freedom Flex® also includes travel perks through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, making it an excellent option for those who want flexibility in redeeming their cash back.
With no annual fee, a strong welcome bonus and useful rewards across multiple spending categories, it’s a top card for cash back earnings without additional costs.
All information about the Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card has been collected independently by Money.com.
Best No Annual Fee Credit Card FAQs
What is the best credit card with no annual fee?
Can credit card companies waive annual fees?
Are credit cards with no annual fee better?
How We Chose the Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards
The best no annual fee credit cards offer consumers options without paying annual fees, and, sometimes, foreign transaction fees or other card fees. We rate these cards first on having no annual fee and whether there are no other common fees.
| No Annual Fees | Sign-Up Bonus | Rewards | Other Perks |
| 35% | 30% | 25% | 10% |
- Fees: Cards with $0 annual fees, foreign transaction fees or others.
- Sign-Up Bonus: The value of any new bonuses offered to cardholders including 0% intro offers.
- Rewards: Cashback or points that still provide competitive value despite no annual fee.
- Other Perks: Besides being no-fee, these cards might offer other perks.
Read our full methodology here.
Summary of Money’s Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards of 2025
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express — Best Overall
- Discover it® Cash Back — Best for Rotating 5% Cash Back Categories
- Citi Custom Cash® Card — Best for Customized Cash Back
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card — Best for Dining and Entertainment
- Chase Freedom Flex® — Best for Flexible Rewards
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please visit this link.
* Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:
Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.