FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST NO ANNUAL FEE TRAVEL CARDS
Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
» FOR GENERAL-PURPOSE TRAVEL REWARDS
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Our pick for: All-around rewards
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards
One of the best no-annual-fee travel cards available, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card gives you a solid rewards rate on every purchase, with points that can be redeemed for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Bank of America® has an expansive definition of "travel," too, giving you additional flexibility in how you use your rewards. Read our review.
Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
Our pick for: Rewards on rent payments
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stands out by offering credit card rewards on rent payments without incurring an additional transaction fee. The ability to earn rewards on what for many people is their single biggest monthly expense makes this card worth a look for any renter. You also get bonus points on dining and travel when you make at least five transactions on the card each statement period, and redemption options include point transfers to partner hotel and loyalty programs. Read our review.
Discover it® Miles
Our pick for: Simple rewards + matching bonus
The Discover it® Miles is the rare travel credit card that lets you redeem your rewards for travel or for cash back at the same rate. (Also rare among travel cards is its intro APR period for balance transfers.) You earn unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent on purchases, and the miles are generally worth 1 cent apiece — that's a solid rate for a card with no annual fee. As with other Discover cards, this one matches the rewards you earn in your first year. Read our review.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost
Our pick for: Capital One miles
With the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost, you don't pay an annual fee, but you also don't get rewards as rich as those on the regular Venture card (see rates and fees). Still, the bonus offer makes this a solid card for starting out with travel rewards. Read our review.
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
Our pick for: American Express Membership Rewards
The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card is the only American Express card without an annual fee that gives you Membership Rewards points ... although you shouldn't expect to get a ton of them. You can earn bonus points at U.S. supermarkets and on certain travel, and your rewards rate gets a boost if you use the card frequently enough. Read our review.
» FOR AIRLINE TRAVEL
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
Our pick for: AAdvantage miles
For occasional but loyal American Airlines flyers, the no-annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® is a cost-effective way to earn not only miles but also credit toward elite frequent-flyer status. Read our review.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Our pick for: Delta miles
To unlock the most valuable perks of airline credit cards, you'll have to pay an annual fee. But if you're a leisure traveler just hoping to earn airline miles in the background, it's hard to do better than the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. Read our review.
United Gateway℠ Card
Our pick for: United miles
This entry-level card gives occasional leisure flyers who prefer United Airlines a way to try out an airline credit card for free. Unlike a lot of cards in its class, it won't cost anything to carry, even if you seldom use it. But it lacks valuable airline-card perks, such as free checked bags and early boarding. Read our review.
JetBlue Card
Our pick for: JetBlue points
With the JetBlue Card, you can earn easy rewards on everyday purchases in addition to airfare. And you won’t have to worry about blackout dates once you’re ready to redeem them. Read our review.
» FOR HOTEL REWARDS
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Our pick for: Marriott points
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card offers bonus rewards not only on purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, but also on other useful spending categories. Plus, you'll earn automatic Silver status and the valuable perks that come with it. Read our review.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Our pick for: Hilton points
The Hilton Honors American Express Card earns bonus rewards on Hilton stays and in common everyday categories. You also get automatic Hilton Honors™ Silver status. Terms apply. Read our review.
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Our pick for: IHG points
The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card earns rewards quickly on IHG hotel stays and eligible everyday purchases. Read our review.
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
Our pick for: Choice Hotels
The Choice Privileges® Mastercard® earns a fairly high rate on stays at Choice Hotels, as well as on major everyday spending categories. It's a solid choice if you're a Choice loyalist, but a general-purpose travel card offers more flexibility. Read our review.
Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card
Our pick for: Wyndham points
The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card rewards you well for Wyndham stays, while also earning bonus points in some popular everyday categories. It offers Gold status and a way to earn a free night each year if you spend enough, all for a $0 annual fee. Read our review.
Best Western Rewards® Mastercard®
Our pick for: Best Western rewards
The Best Western Rewards® Mastercard® offers solid rewards you can redeem for stays and a variety of other options. With automatic Gold status, you also get additional perks. Read our review.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, see this page.
All information about the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
