Best $0 Annual Fee Credit Cards 2026
The best no-annual-fee credit cards offer sign-up bonuses worth $6,290+ combined across 19 cards, with ongoing rewards of 1.5% to 6% in bonus categories. Every dollar in rewards goes straight to your pocket with no yearly fee reducing your return.
We ranked every $0-fee card by sign-up bonus value, ongoing earning rates, and how well each card fits common spending patterns. Whether you want a simple flat-rate cash back card or the highest possible rewards in specific categories, there is a no-fee card that fits.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
No Annual Fee Credit Card Comparison
| Card | Sign-Up Bonus | Base Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Autograph Card Wells Fargo | 60,000 points $900 value | 1x on all purchases |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold Card American Express | 70,000 miles $770 value | 1x on all purchases |
| United Explorer Card Chase | 60,000 miles $720 value | 1x on all purchases |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold Chase | 100,000 points $500 value | 1x on all purchases |
| Hilton Honors Card American Express | 80,000 points $400 value | 3x on all purchases |
| Blue Cash Preferred Card American Express | $350 $350 value | 1% on all purchases |
| US Bank Altitude Connect US Bank | 20,000 points $300 value | 1x on all purchases |
| Citi Custom Cash Card Citi | 20,000 points $200 value | 1% on all purchases |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase | $200 $200 value | 1.5% on all purchases |
| Capital One SavorOne Capital One | $200 $200 value | 1% on all purchases |
| Chase Freedom Flex Chase | $200 $200 value | 1% on all purchases |
| Blue Cash Everyday Card American Express | $200 $200 value | 1% on all purchases |
Best No Fee Cards Reviewed
The Autograph offers the highest-value sign-up bonus among no-fee cards. It earns 3x on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, phone plans, and streaming, making it a strong all-around card for everyday spending categories without the complexity of rotating categories.
At 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year), no other no-fee card comes close for grocery rewards. It also earns 6% on select streaming services and 3% on transit. The sign-up bonus and grocery earnings easily justify this card for any household spending $200 or more per month on groceries.
The Custom Cash automatically earns 5% on your highest spending category each billing cycle (up to $500 per month). If your spending is concentrated in one area like gas, groceries, or dining, this card adapts to your habits without needing to activate anything.
The Freedom Unlimited is the most versatile no-fee card for everyday spending. It earns 1.5% (as Ultimate Rewards points) on every purchase, plus 3% on dining and drugstores. The real power comes when paired with a Sapphire card, which lets you transfer your points to airline and hotel partners for 1.5 to 2 cents per point value.
The SavorOne earns 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming, and grocery stores. If restaurants and entertainment are your biggest discretionary spending categories, this card consistently outearns flat-rate alternatives without any annual fee.
The Freedom Flex earns 5% in quarterly rotating categories (gas, groceries, Amazon, etc.) up to $1,500 in spending each quarter, plus 3% on dining and drugstores. If you can keep track of which categories are active each quarter, the earnings potential is higher than any flat-rate card.
The simplest high-earning no-fee card: 2% on literally everything (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay your bill). No categories to track, no caps, no activation. Points are ThankYou Points, which can be transferred to airline partners if you also hold a Citi Premier or Strata card.
The Quicksilver earns a flat 1.5% on all purchases with no categories to track. It is one of the easiest cards to use: just set it as your default and forget about it. The $200 sign-up bonus after spending just $500 makes it a low-effort win.
Another excellent flat 2% card competing directly with the Citi Double Cash. The Active Cash pays its rewards as a simple statement credit, making it a bit more straightforward. It also includes a $200 sign-up bonus and cell phone protection benefit.
The Discover it Cash Back is the best starter rewards card. It earns 5% on rotating quarterly categories and 1% on everything else. The Cashback Match doubles all cash back earned in the first year, effectively making it 10% on categories and 2% on everything. No credit score minimum for existing Discover customers, and the card has no foreign transaction fees.
How We Ranked These Cards
Every card on this list has a $0 annual fee. We ranked them by sign-up bonus value first, then considered ongoing earning rates, spending flexibility, and rewards ecosystem (transferable points are worth more than fixed-value cash back). Cards with higher bonus-to-spend ratios score better because they deliver more value per dollar of required spending.
We update this page when bonus offers change. Current data was last verified against each issuer's website. See recent bonus changes →
More No Annual Fee Cards
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card
United Explorer Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold
Hilton Honors Card
US Bank Altitude Connect
Blue Cash Everyday Card
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
No Annual Fee vs. Premium Cards
Premium cards with annual fees of $95 to $695 include perks like airport lounge access, travel credits, hotel elite status, and higher earning rates. But those perks only have value if you actually use them. Here is a quick way to decide:
Choose a $0-fee card if you...
- Spend under $3,000 per month
- Prefer cash back over travel points
- Fly fewer than 4 times per year
- Want to keep things simple
- Are building or rebuilding credit
Consider a premium card if you...
- Spend $5,000+ per month
- Travel frequently for work or leisure
- Would use lounge access and travel credits
- Want hotel elite status and upgrades
- Already maximize a no-fee card's rewards
See our best travel cards or highest bonus cards if a premium card fits your spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best no-annual-fee credit card in 2026?
The best no-annual-fee credit card depends on your spending habits. For flat-rate cash back, the Citi Double Cash and Wells Fargo Active Cash both offer 2% on everything. For rotating categories with up to 5% back, the Chase Freedom Flex or Discover it Cash Back are top picks. For the highest overall sign-up bonus, the Wells Fargo Autograph offers the most value among $0-fee cards.
Can you get good rewards without paying an annual fee?
Yes. No-annual-fee cards offer sign-up bonuses worth $150 to $900 and ongoing rewards of 1.5% to 5% in bonus categories. For average spending levels under $3,000 per month, a $0-fee card often delivers better net value than a premium card because you keep 100% of your rewards without an annual fee reducing your return.
Do no-annual-fee credit cards still have sign-up bonuses?
Most no-annual-fee cards offer sign-up bonuses ranging from $150 to $300 in value. Some cards offer even higher bonuses during promotional periods. The bonus alone makes them worth opening, and with no annual fee, you can hold the card long-term at zero cost.
Should I get a no-annual-fee card or a premium card?
For most people spending under $3,000 per month, a no-annual-fee card provides better net value. Premium cards with $95 to $695 annual fees only make sense if you actively use the perks like lounge access, travel credits, and hotel status. If you just want cash back or basic rewards, a $0-fee card keeps things simple.
What is the best no-annual-fee card for cash back in 2026?
For flat-rate cash back, the Citi Double Cash (2% on everything) and Wells Fargo Active Cash (2% on everything) are the top choices. For higher rates in specific categories, the Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it Cash Back offer 5% in rotating quarterly categories. The Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% at grocery stores.
How many no-annual-fee credit cards should I have?
There is no ideal number, but many rewards optimizers carry 3 to 5 no-fee cards covering different spending categories: a flat-rate card for everyday purchases, a grocery card, a dining card, and a rotating category card. Since these cards cost nothing to hold, there is no downside to keeping them open long-term, which also helps your credit score through lower utilization and longer average account age.