Top No Annual Fee Credit Cards: Ultimate Ranking and Review

Introduction

Credit cards with no annual fees can offer great value, but not all are created equal. In this comprehensive guide, we'll rank the most popular no annual fee credit cards in tiers, revealing which ones truly stand out and which fall short. We'll examine their rewards structures, benefits, and overall value to help you determine which $0 fee cards deserve a spot in your wallet.

S-Tier Cards: The Cream of the Crop

Citi Custom Cash

The Citi Custom Cash earns an impressive 5% cash back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to $500 in purchases. Eligible categories include popular areas like restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores.

Key features:

• 5% back on top spend category (up to $500 per billing cycle)
• Eligible categories include restaurants, gas, groceries, and more
• Earn valuable Citi ThankYou points
• Can be paired with Citi Premier for travel transfers

The flexibility to automatically earn 5% in your highest spend area makes this card incredibly versatile. When paired with the Citi Premier, you can transfer points to travel partners for even more value. The Custom Cash easily earns its place in the S-tier.

Capital One SavorOne

The Capital One SavorOne offers excellent earning rates across multiple popular categories with no annual fee.

Key features:

• 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, grocery stores, and streaming services
• 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• No foreign transaction fees
• Cash back can be converted to miles with a Capital One Venture card

With strong earning rates in everyday categories and the ability to convert rewards to miles, the SavorOne is a standout no annual fee option that belongs in the S-tier.

Chase Freedom Flex

The Chase Freedom Flex combines rotating 5% categories with fixed bonus categories for a powerful earning combination.

Key features:

• 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter)
• 3% back on dining and drugstores
• 5% on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points

The Freedom Flex offers high earning potential in its rotating and fixed categories. When paired with a Chase Sapphire card, points can be transferred to travel partners for even more value. This versatility earns it a spot in the S-tier.

Bilt Mastercard

The Bilt Mastercard has gained popularity for its unique ability to earn rewards on rent payments without fees.

Key features:

• 1x points on rent payments (up to 100,000 points annually)
• 2x on travel
• 3x on dining
• No fees on rent payments
• Travel transfer partners including World of Hyatt
• Various travel protections and benefits

The ability to earn rewards on rent, typically a non-bonused expense, combined with strong travel benefits and transfer partners, makes the Bilt Mastercard an S-tier no annual fee card.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature

For frequent Amazon shoppers, the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa offers unbeatable value.

Key features:

• 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market
• 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores
• No foreign transaction fees

While it requires an Amazon Prime membership, the consistent 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods makes this card incredibly valuable for many households. Its earning potential places it firmly in the S-tier for no annual fee cards.

A-Tier Cards: Strong Contenders

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

The Costco Anywhere Visa offers strong earning rates for Costco members.

Key features:

• 4% back on gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 per year)
• 3% back on restaurants and travel
• 2% back on Costco purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

The high earn rates on gas, dining, and travel make this a valuable card for Costco members. However, the lack of a signup bonus and limitations on redeeming rewards keep it from reaching S-tier status.

Discover it Cash Back

The Discover it Cash Back offers rotating 5% categories similar to the Chase Freedom Flex.

Key features:

• 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter)
• Cashback Match for the first year

While the 5% rotating categories offer great value, the lack of additional bonus categories and travel transfer options keep it just below the Freedom Flex in the A-tier.

American Express Blue Cash Everyday

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday offers strong cash back in several everyday spending categories.

Key features:

• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
• 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year)
• 3% back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year)

The 3% categories cover major spending areas for many households. While spending caps limit its potential, it remains a strong A-tier option for cash back seekers.

Wells Fargo Autograph

The Wells Fargo Autograph offers a wide range of 3x categories.

Key features:

• 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, and streaming services
• Cell phone protection
• No foreign transaction fees
• Access to Wells Fargo's limited transfer partners

With numerous 3x categories and some travel benefits, the Autograph is a strong A-tier contender in the no annual fee space.

U.S. Bank Altitude Go

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go offers a strong 4x category on dining.

Key features:

• 4x points on dining, takeout, and food delivery
• 2x points on grocery stores, gas stations, and streaming services

The 4x on dining is particularly strong for a no annual fee card, earning it a place in the A-tier.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect

The Altitude Connect offers strong travel and gas rewards.

Key features:

• 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through U.S. Bank
• 4x on travel and gas stations
• 2x on dining, grocery stores, and streaming
• Priority Pass Select membership
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

With strong travel earnings and benefits typically found on premium cards, the Altitude Connect is a solid A-tier option.

Navy Federal More Rewards American Express

For those eligible for Navy Federal membership, the More Rewards Amex offers strong everyday earning.

Key features:

• 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations

While the points aren't as flexible as some other programs, the strong 3x categories across major spending areas make this an A-tier card for eligible members.

B-Tier Cards: Solid Options

U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature

The U.S. Bank Smartly card offers a base 2% cash back rate with the potential for higher earnings.

Key features:

• 2% cash back on all purchases
• Up to 4% back with high account balances

While the potential for 4% back sounds appealing, the high balance requirements make it impractical for most. As a straightforward 2% card, it lands in the B-tier.

PayPal Mastercard

The PayPal Mastercard offers elevated earnings on PayPal purchases.

Key features:

• 3% cash back on PayPal purchases
• 2% cash back on all other purchases

The 3% on PayPal can be valuable for frequent users, but limitations keep it in the B-tier.

Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature

The Fidelity Rewards card offers a straightforward 2% cash back rate with a focus on investing.

Key features:

• 2% cash back on all purchases
• Rewards can be deposited into Fidelity investment accounts
• No foreign transaction fees

As a solid 2% card with an investing angle, it earns a place in the B-tier.

Wells Fargo Active Cash

The Wells Fargo Active Cash is another straightforward 2% cash back card.

Key features:

• 2% cash back on all purchases

As a reliable 2% option, it sits comfortably in the B-tier.

Citi Double Cash

The Citi Double Cash effectively offers 2% cash back on all purchases.

Key features:

• 1% cash back when you buy, 1% when you pay
• Cash back can be converted to ThankYou points

The ability to convert cash back to ThankYou points gives it a slight edge over some other 2% cards, but it remains in the B-tier.

U.S. Bank Cash+

The U.S. Bank Cash+ offers customizable 5% and 2% categories.

Key features:

• 5% cash back on two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 per quarter)
• 2% cash back on one everyday category of your choice

While the customizable categories offer potential, spending caps and less common 5% options keep it in the B-tier.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card offers a choice of 3% category.

Key features:

• 3% cash back in a category of your choice
• 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
• $2,500 quarterly spending cap on 3% and 2% categories
• Potential for higher rates with Preferred Rewards

The customizable 3% category offers value, but spending caps and the need for high account balances to maximize earnings place it in the B-tier.

C-Tier Cards: Average Performers

Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a base 1.5% cash back rate with some bonus categories.

Key features:

• 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• 3% on dining and drugstores
• 5% on travel booked through Chase

While it earns Ultimate Rewards points, the base 1.5% rate is below the new 2% standard, placing it in the C-tier.

Capital One Quicksilver

The Capital One Quicksilver is a basic 1.5% cash back card.

Key features:

• 1.5% cash back on all purchases

With a below-average base rate and no significant additional benefits, it falls into the C-tier.

Capital One VentureOne

The Capital One VentureOne is the no annual fee version of the Venture card.

Key features:

• 1.25x miles per dollar on all purchases
• 5x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

The low base earning rate relegates this card to the C-tier, despite access to transfer partners.

Apple Card

The Apple Card offers elevated cash back on Apple purchases and when using Apple Pay.

Key features:

• 3% cash back on Apple purchases and select merchants
• 2% when using Apple Pay
• 1% when using the physical card

While the Apple ecosystem integration is nice, the earning structure is limited, placing it in the C-tier.

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards

The Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards is a basic 1.5% cash back card.

Key features:

• 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• Potential for higher rates with Preferred Rewards

Without high account balances for Preferred Rewards, this card remains in the C-tier.

Airline and Hotel No Annual Fee Cards

Various airline and hotel co-branded cards with no annual fees typically offer:

• Low earning rates on brand purchases (often 2-3x)
• Few additional perks

These cards include:

• Chase United Gateway
• Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold
• Chase IHG One Rewards Traveler
• Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
• Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card

While these can be okay for very occasional brand loyalists, they generally offer less value than more premium co-branded cards or general travel cards, placing them in the C-tier.

D-Tier Cards: Below Average

Citi Simplicity

The Citi Simplicity is focused on balance transfers and avoiding fees.

Key features:

• Long 0% APR periods for balance transfers
• No late fees or penalty rates
• No rewards

The lack of any rewards and reports of low credit limits place this card in the D-tier for most users.

Citi Rewards+

The Citi Rewards+ offers rounded-up points on purchases.

Key features:

• Points rounded up to the nearest 10 on every purchase
• 2x at supermarkets and gas stations (up to $6,000 per year)
• 10% points back on redemptions

The rounding feature is novel but rarely significant, and the category bonuses are capped low, relegating this card to the D-tier.

Credit One Platinum Rewards Visa

The Credit One Platinum Rewards Visa offers limited cash back.

Key features:

• 2% cash back on select categories only
• No rewards on other purchases

With very limited reward potential and better options available even for those with less-than-perfect credit, this card falls into the D-tier.

Conclusion

No annual fee credit cards can offer significant value when chosen carefully. Top-tier options like the Citi Custom Cash, Capital One SavorOne, and Chase Freedom Flex provide strong rewards across various spending categories. Mid-tier cards often offer solid flat-rate cash back or specific category bonuses.

When selecting a no annual fee card, consider your spending patterns, desired rewards (cash back vs. points), and any additional benefits that align with your needs. Remember that even cards without annual fees should provide value that outweighs other available options.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various no annual fee cards, you can build a credit card strategy that maximizes your rewards without incurring unnecessary costs. Always read the terms and conditions carefully, and consider how a new card fits into your overall financial picture before applying.

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