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When it comes to snagging travel rewards without coughing up an annual fee, plenty of popular credit cards let you reap benefits free of yearly charges. Pinpointing the best no-fee travel card for your wallet boils down to how you spend, your preferred way to cash in rewards, and which travel perks catch your eye. This rundown dives into standout travel credit cards carrying no annual fee, alongside key points to mull over before picking your perfect plastic partner.
Top Contenders for No-Annual-Fee Travel Cards
Limited-Time Perk: Snag 20,000 bonus miles plus a $100 travel credit for Capital One bookings.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – Ideal for Novices
- User Rating: 4.3/5 stars
- Bankrate Score: 4.1/5
- Suggested Credit Score: 670 – 850
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: Variable 19.24% – 29.24%
Rewards Snapshot: Earn a cool 5X miles when booking hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars via Capital One Travel. On top of that, enjoy 1.25X miles on every purchase, day in and day out.
Bankrate’s Take: This card scores points for generous rewards on select travel bookings plus a low hurdle to grab the signup bonus. On the flip side, the rewards rate lags behind some rivals, and it doesn’t toss in big-ticket travel perks.
Key Features:
- $300 in travel bonuses during your first year, including $100 towards Capital One Travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Unlimited miles accumulation with no expiration
- Transfer miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases & balance transfers
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card – Best for Delta Fans
- User Rating: 3.8/5 stars
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 20.24% – 29.24% Variable
- Rewards Rate: 1X – 2X Miles
Rewards Rundown: Score 2X Miles dining globally (including U.S. takeout/delivery) and 2X on Delta spends. Rest of your buys earn 1X Mile.
Bankrate’s Verdict: A balanced card for first-timers targeting dining and Delta purchases with a manageable welcome bonus. However, frequent flyer goodies are slim—no free bags or boarding perks—and the intro offer might not cover a one-way flight.
Perks & Pitfalls:
- Pay with Miles savings on delta.com
- 20% off eligible Delta in-flight buys
- Minimal elite perks
- Modest welcome bonus
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card – A Fit for American Flyers
- User Rating: 4.1/5 stars
- Annual Fee: $0 (3% foreign transaction fee applies)
- APR: 20.24% – 29.24% Variable
- Recommended Credit Score: 670 – 850
Rewards Breakdown: Double AAdvantage® miles on groceries (including delivery) and American Airlines purchases, plus 1X mile elsewhere.
Bankrate’s Perspective: While lacking premium perks like free bags or priority boarding, it’s a worthy companion for occasional fliers with grocery-heavy spending. Avid travelers might want to explore more rewarding loyalty cards.
Highlights and Drawbacks:
- Extra miles on grocery shopping
- In-flight purchase discounts
- No complimentary checked bag or preferred boarding
- Foreign transaction fees bite
Hilton Honors American Express Card – Tailored for Hilton Enthusiasts
- User Rating: 4.0/5 stars
- Bankrate Score: 4.3/5
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 20.24% – 29.24% Variable
Perks & Points: Earn 7X Hilton Honors points at Hilton properties, 5X at U.S. restaurants, grocers, gas stations, and 3X on other buys.
Bankrate Insight: This card fills the needs of frequent Hilton visitors, sweetened by complimentary Silver status. Nevertheless, elite benefits like room upgrades or breakfast freebies are absent. On average, Hilton points hold value around 0.6 cents each, so gauge your rewards expectations accordingly.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card – Best for BoA Customers
- User Rating: 4.2/5 stars
- Bankrate Score: 4.3/5
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: Variable 18.24% – 28.24%
Rewards Formula: Earn 3 points per dollar on travel booked via Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points on all other spending. Points keep rolling in with no expiration if you keep the account open.
Bankrate’s Words: Perfect for those loyal to Bank of America, especially Preferred Rewards members who can rake in 25%–75% extra points. No restrictions on booking platforms add welcome flexibility.
Discover it® Miles – Champion of Flexible Redemption
- Bankrate Score: 3.9/5
- Annual Fee: $0
- APR: 18.24% – 27.24% Variable
Bonus Highlights: Unlimited 1.5X miles on every purchase, with Discover doubling all miles earned at year-end—no hoops to jump through. This makes for a hefty welcome boost.
Bankrate’s View: Simplicity reigns here: flat-rate earnings and no fuss. Great for travelers who want to keep things straightforward without missing out on reward potential. Downsides include a longer wait for the welcome bonus and absence of travel-specific perks.
Quick Facts to Keep in Mind
Travel cards without annual fees generally require a credit score ranging from good to excellent (670–850). Some cards cater to those with fair or poor credit but tend to lack significant travel perks and juicy bonuses. Expect to earn at least 1.5X points or miles per dollar spent for worthwhile rewards; anything less often falls short.
How to Pick Your No-Fee Travel Card
As you sift through these no-annual-fee travel cards, weigh several vital aspects:
- Perks that matter: Airline and hotel cards might toss in in-flight savings or elite status, while general travel cards often boast flexible redemptions.
- Rewards style: Are you after flat-rate miles or bonus points on specific categories?
- Redemption ease: Can you use points for statement credits on various travel expenses or only within specific platforms?
Choosing a card that meshes well with your travel habits and spending patterns maximizes the value you’ll squeeze from it.
Common Queries
Which travel card with no annual fee reigns supreme?
Deciding your top pick hinges on personal factors — from favorite airlines and hotels to spending habits. Aligning card benefits with your travel preferences ensures you land a plastic that truly works for you.
Are travel credit cards truly worth the hassle?
Payoff hinges on balancing costs with perks and rewards. Cards with no annual fee lower the bar to value. While annual-fee cards sometimes dish out more lavish benefits, no-fee options can deliver real bang for your buck without the weight of a yearly charge.
*Details regarding American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® were independently gathered by Bankrate.com and are not endorsed by the card issuer.
Bank of America content last refreshed as of August 26, 2025.
