Are you willing to travel the world? Do you need special travel credit cards without foreign transaction fees? You may benefit from using these travel credit cards and pay no yearly expenses for ownership.
Best Personal Credit Cards Review
We have found a good compilation of personal credit cards with different APR and credit score ranges. But not all of them are trusted.
If you are a frugal traveler who saves funds and wants to have maximum convenience for less cash, keep on reading to find out about the best credit card for balance transfer with no fee available for a variety of needs. You will be able to compare their features and select the most suitable option.
Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards
Thousands of people are searching for the best travel credit card no annual fee these days. They have many reasons for that. People want to save their money by opting for a cheaper lending alternative during their travel. Such credit cards offer bonus points and allow consumers to leave more funds for travel expenses.
Those who don’t travel too frequently may benefit from such travel rewards credit cards the most. There were 511.61 million credit card accounts in 2021. The average cardholder has $5,668 in credit card debt while consumers who are 75 years old and more have the most average credit card debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
If you are a frugal traveler who values your money and wants to obtain additional perks, you may choose one of the travel credit cards from our list below.
Of course, the best travel credit card no foreign transaction fee may lack additional points or travel bonus. Travelers who decide to pay annual fee may obtain more rewards and cash back options for each transaction. But you may still save enough even with no annual fee cards.
Those who agree to pay yearly fees have an opportunity to receive more travel rewards, credits, airport lounge access, extra perks, priority boarding, free checked bags, hotel status, etc.
It may be wise provided that you travel often and want to save cash in the long run. Then the value of these bonus points and perks will be higher than the fee you have to pay each year.
However, people who seek the cheapest rewards credit card may read further and learn about their main features and additional options.
How Do No-Annual-Fee Travel Cards Work?
Generally, a travel card that charges a fee will provide more luxe perks and benefits. On the other hand, you may take advantage of its no-fee counterpart and select the one with no foreign transaction fees. There are a bunch of travel credit cards with additional bonuses that allow consumers to save more cash and avoid spending charges.
They work easily while elite cards with annual fees may cost you hundreds of dollars.
Consumers may also withdraw a personal loan to pay off credit card if they can’t repay the debt or want to make it faster.
It’s a great choice for consumers who want to put more cash aside into their savings. You need to review the travel cards listed below, compare their features and rewards. You need to decide what you will utilize your rewards credit card for.
Do you want to save money at gas stations? Do you want to have no foreign transaction fees? Depending on the specific needs and details of your travel you will be able to select the best travel rewards credit card with no annual fee.
What Does No Annual Fee Mean?
We have decided to analyze several categories of no fee cards including credit cards with airline miles no annual fee, hotel credit cards no annual fee, purchases and balance transfers cards, etc.
If you stay at the hotels and want to minimize your spending, complimentary Hilton honors American cards may help a lot. No annual fee no transaction fee credit card means a consumer doesn’t need to pay a yearly cost for using it.
This card is free of charge doesn’t offer a full range of perks and bonus points for luxurious travel but it also has some benefits and drawbacks. There are two essential advantages of choosing the best travel rewards credit cards with no annual fee.
Firstly, you don’t pay fees for foreign transaction. Secondly, you can easily cash in rewards for your travel expenses. Experts suggest that an average consumer may save about $1,500 in cash back over the term of five years. You may benefit from a cash advance credit card if you urgently require additional monetary assistance to cover immediate cash needs.
What Benefits Are Common for No Annual Fee Cards?
Beyond the exclusion of yearly fees, there are so many advantages of choosing a travel rewards credit card. No annual fee is just one of them. The first important thing is to read the fine print carefully as you can find extra information and details about the usage of your card there.
The perks may vary among different cards and they also differ among service providers. The main advantages of the best travel reward credit card:
- No annual fee. You save your funds and avoid yearly charges.
- Fraud protection. Most card issuers provide this protection to their clients.
- Sign-up bonuses. Most cards offer additional perks during sign-up.
- A solid rewards program. Although cards with yearly charges offer more perks, travel, and miles credit cards with no annual fee also provide benefits.
- Lower APRs.
Best Credit Card for Airline Miles No Annual Fee
Here are the top-rated credit cards with skymiles no annual fee. You should take some time to look through their reviews before you make the final choice.
1. American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card
This is one of the top-notch airline cards with no annual fee. The issuer claims that there is 0% APR while you also get access to extra perks lower interest rates. Clients who have earned a special status of frequent travelers and want to apply for this card may enjoy a free intro period. Earning miles on daily purchases during flights can help you save cash and receive great service.
This card can help you earn 1 dollar for 1 mile provided that you spend this dollar on different purchases while you may earn 2 miles if you spent 1 dollar at grocery stores. Clients may save on dining until these cards expire and the issuers won’t charge you fees for that.
On the other hand, this card offers no free checked bags. Also, you shouldn’t chase getting it if you aren’t ready to pay a 3% foreign transaction fee. The APRs vary between 15.74% and 24.74%.
2,Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
Another great option is to receive this United Airline credit card. No annual fee is among its top benefits. You can get 2 miles per each dollar you spent on purchases or at the restaurants around the world made directly with Delta.
This is one of the best mileage cards with no annual fee and it also provides a 20% discount on in-flight purchases. So, you may enjoy beverages, food or other products during the flight and get benefits apart from express service.
Consumers with credit score up to 850 can apply while the minimum accepted rating is 690. Compare several options as this American airlines credit card no annual fee offers no priority boarding or free checked bags.
What Credit Score Do I Need to Get a No Annual Fee Travel Card?
Many consumers who seek a travel rewards credit card have questions concerning their eligibility.
- Do you need to have excellent credit to qualify?
- Can you obtain a card without introductory APR?
- Can you use it for balance transfers?
While the preferred rewards differ among various cards you should have a FICO rating or at least 670 to obtain this solution.
The best credit card for international travel no annual fee can’t be issued to a client with low credit. You need to have an excellent payment and credit history to qualify. More than that, if you have had negative items on your credit report recently or have filed for bankruptcy you will likely be rejected for obtaining the best travel cards.
No annual fee is offered to consumers who present fewer risks and show their creditworthiness to service providers.
Choose The Best No Fee Travel Credit Card
When it comes to travelling, people are looking for alternative ways to save their funds. The travel rewards credit cards no annual fee are beneficial for all people who would like to stay at various hotels including Hilton and want to save money during months of their travel. Here are some of the top cards for you to look at:
1. Bank Of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
This card offers 15 billing cycles on different purchases and groceries with 0% intro APR. This card best is used for the financial needs of people who search for flexible interest rates and other conditions.
Travelers can be eligible for such transfers and easy purchase if their rating is between 690 and 850.
So, you need to have a good or excellent score to qualify for spending bonuses. The regular APR is between 13.99% and 23.99%.
You may obtain 1.5 points on each dollar you spend. The redemption of these points can be done on purchases for travel expenses. The Preferred Rewards clients may also qualify for up to 75% additional points and redeem even more.
On the other hand, you won’t be able to earn bonus rewards for travel costs and purchases with a flat-rate card, so it can be a downside.
2. Discover It Miles
This card also requires consumers to have a good or excellent credit rating between 690 and 850.
It offers them a variable APR between 11.99% and 22.99%. Paying for purchases can be done with 0% intro APR during the first 14 months.
This is a simple flat rate for American clients to boost their savings and help them with grocery costs during travel. You will be able to redeem the miles for cash back and save in value.
Clients may get generous 1.5 miles for each dollar they spend on different purchases. Another unique benefit is an unlimited match of all the Miles a client has earned at the end of their first year. On the other hand, the acceptance on this travel credit card no annual fee is limited around the world so you may need an alternative for traveling overseas.
Best Airline Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
1. United Gateway Card
It has no yearly charges and the variable APR is between 16.49% and 23.49%.
The eligibility criteria require clients to have a good or excellent credit rating (between 690 and 850).
This option is suitable for occasional travelers who prefer United Airlines and want to enjoy some benefits. The client can get 2 miles for every dollar they spend on commuting, gas, purchases, or local transit. Also, there are no foreign transaction fees.
On the other hand, the downside of this option is that there are no priority boarding or free checked bags.
2. JetBlue Card
This is a special card for domestic airline travel. You may earn 2X points at dining and restaurants, get 3X points on JetBlue purchases, and earn 1X points on other purchases.
The regular APR varies between 15.99% and 24.99%. Also, there is a welcome bonus of 10,000 points. Among the drawbacks is the necessity to have an excellent credit to qualify.
The client has to have a score of 750 to 850 on the FICO scale.
The drawback of this solution is a lack of priority boarding or free checked bags.
Best Airline Credit Card No Annual Fee
If you seek air miles credit cards no annual fee, here is our top pick. It’s the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card. One of the best features of this option is its welcome offer of 10,000 bonus miles after a consumer spent $500 in purchases within the first 3 months.
The APR is variable and changes between 15.74% and 24.74%. The applicants should have a good or excellent rating (from 720 to 850).
This is probably the best airline miles credit card with no annual fee available today. You don’t have to travel frequently to obtain this card but you need to do it with Delta. The air miles credit card no annual fee includes several partners including Korean Air, Air France-KLM, etc.
Pros:
- Higher value than other rewards currencies
- 2X Miles per dollar you’ve spent on purchases with Delta and 1X Mile on other purchases
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons:
- Bad credit holders can’t apply
- May not be accepted abroad
- Low welcome offer
Best Credit Card with No Annual Fee for Travel Insurance
Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card is one of the best travel rewards card with no annual fee. By choosing and opening this option, you will be able to get the general program of bonuses. They include an unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar a client spends.
Also, you will be able to obtain 25,000 bonus points of $1,000 on purchases during the first 90 days. They include no annual fee as well. The Bank of America Travel Rewards can be used for various purchase, buying groceries, or spending funds in different categories.
The card best is used for earning points and redeeming them during your travel, especially if you already cooperate with Bank of America.
Best Hotel Rewards Credit Card with No Annual Fee
Do you like relaxing at one of the Hilton hotels? If you have frequent stays there you may benefit from Hilton Honors American Express Card. This financial tool is one of the best travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fee.
You have a chance to earn 7X Hilton Honors for multiple purchases, 5X points at supermarkets and restaurants, and 3X points on various purchases. Also, there is complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status and no annual fee for the clients. This status means a yearly fifth-night-free reward (provided that you book a minimum of four consecutive nights with points).
After you’ve spent $1,000 during the first three months since you opened the account, you will earn up to 80,000 bonus points here.
Best American Airlines Card No Annual Fee
The best credit card with miles and no annual fee for American Airlines is American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card. It allows cardholders to earn 2X miles on purchases with American Airlines and at grocery stores as well as 1X miles on other purchases.
You may get a 10,000 bonus on your balance if you have opened an account within 3 months and spent $500 during this time. Among credits and bonuses, you may utilize this miles card with zero intro APR to qualify for a 25% discount on various purchases during your flight.
Best Dining and Travel Card with No Annual Fee
It is U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card. It offers a client an opportunity to earn up to 4X reward points per each dollar on food delivery, takeout, and dining as well as 2 points at grocery stores. The welcome bonus for spending is 20,000 while there is no annual fee.
The interest rates are flexible while the APR is between 14.99% and 23.99%. Cardholders should have a good or excellent credit of 700-749 to qualify.
Pros:
- No penalty APR
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons:
- Has balance transfer fee
- No bonus reward tier for entertainment spending
Compare No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards
As you may already notice there is a wide range of financial tools and cards available to consumers these days. Various banks and crediting companies have unlimited offers to consumers including cards for travel, hotel, airlines, etc.
Your aim is to take some time and compare the travel cards you find. Choose wisely among several card issuers until you are satisfied with the interest rates, bonuses, as well as other features.
Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when you are looking for the best card for airline purchases, hotel stays, rental cars, or travel. The billing cycles and bonus rewards may differ.
Unsecured credit cards for building credit may have more demands and strict requirements to apply such as having an excellent score compared to a secured credit option. The annual fees and card offers can be different.
How to Choose a No Fee Travel Credit Card
Here are some of the tips to help you select the right option for you:
- Compare rewards cards programs
You may not earn unlimited points or miles without paying a yearly fee but you have the right to select the option with the most beneficial rewards that appeal to you and your travel needs. For instance, if you aren’t planning to fly abroad you may avoid airline mile cards and select a more suitable solution.
- Choose flexible options for travel
Some options may help you cash in points for travel costs or redeem cash for gift cards while other tools will offer more points within a certain loyalty program. Choose what works best for you.
- Choose 0% APR
The introductory APR can be zero within a limited time so you may take advantage of that. Some cards apply to purchases while others allow you to redeem miles or offer a higher rewards rate.
FAQs about Best Travel Credit Card No Annual Fee
What does no annual fee mean?
It means a cardholder doesn’t have to pay a yearly charge for holding the card. It doesn’t mean you have no other fees.
What is the best express card for earning airline miles?
There is no single best card as each client is different and has various financial needs. You may choose the most suitable offer using this article.
What benefits are common for no annual fee cards?
Different cards offer different benefits and perks. They depend on the provider. The majority of them provide fraud protection and special rewards. For instance, you may obtain an Honors silver status or Hilton Honors if you travel a lot at enjoy staying at this hotel.
What credit score should I have to qualify?
When you aren’t required to pay a yearly fee for holding a card, you need to have a good or excellent rating. Service providers want to check your creditworthiness before they issue this solution. This information may differ but in general, you are supposed to have a rating of 700 and higher.
Best Credit Cards for International Travel
- Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card
Are you seeking the best no fee credit cards for travel? This is one of your options. It offers a solid rewards rate on each purchase, the points can be redeemed for various purchases during your international travel.
Each cardholder has enough flexibility and may utilize their points as they wish. There are a few restrictions.
- Discover it Miles
This is another useful option that allows clients to use their rewards for cash back as well as for travel. Cardholders may earn unlimited 1.5 miles per each dollar. Also, there are no early charges while this card also matches the rewards a client earns in their first year.
What Types of No Annual Fee Travel Cards Are Available?
There is a wide range of financial tools and options for you to select from. You may obtain air miles credit cards no annual fee, choose travel rewards card, secured lending solutions, cards for students, or options for hotel stays. Each solution can be tailored to your individual needs.
Depending on what you are looking for, you may select an appropriate service provider and get a card of your choice. There is a wide range of flexible conditions and bonuses for the clients.
Flat Rate Rewards Cards with No Annual Fee
Discover It miles is probably the best option for earning points at a flat rate. Are you willing to have a steady rate while you earn the points and spend them on purchases?
This card allows you to earn a flat rate of 1.5 miles per each dollar you spend on the purchase. You may compare several other options and you will understand the difference. Other cards have heightened rates even if they come without yearly fees.
You may find heightened rates on several categories including gas. Discover it Miles doesn’t have heightened rates for that. More than that, it allows you to match all the miles you’ve earned during the first 12 months of opening the account.
There are many benefits of becoming a card member of this service. There is no need to track how you earn the rewards. Besides, there are no foreign transaction fees.
Is a Travel Card with No Annual Fee Right for Me?
Do you still have doubts? It can be a great match for you to obtain one of the mentioned cards if you:
- Need to travel on a budget and want to be more frugal
- Enjoy occasional travel
- Want to obtain rewards and bonuses and spend less money
Only frequent travelers can benefit from a card with an annual fee if they need special bonuses such as free checked bags, priority boarding, generous rewards program, or want to spend a lot of cash abroad.
When you travel often and want to save more cash and you aren’t concerned about having to pay a yearly fee you may use a card with an annual fee and have more flexibility and ways of spending your funds.
Hence, there are many advantages of choosing cards with no annual fees. You will be able to obtain fraud protection and a great rewards program with various sign-up bonuses without having to pay a yearly fee for holding this card.
The rates and fees are rather flexible but you need to have a good credit rating in order to apply. If your score is less-than-stellar you may need to search for alternative options of getting supplemental funds or choose a secured card instead.