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Are you one of those people who refuse to pay an annual fee for a credit card? Although some of the best cards offered have steep annual fees, not all of them do. And while paying an annual fee can be a good value for big spenders, those with more modest spending requirements may not find the added costs to be justified.
Thankfully, there are no-fee credit cards that offer impressive interest rates, promotional financing and even reward travel opportunities, but you have to know where to look. Here are eight of the top credit cards with no annual fee and what they offer.
This card offers double points for purchases at U.S. supermarkets, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. The points are earned in the American Express Membership Rewards program, which can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise or travel reservations. But in addition, this is the only no-fee card that allows you to transfer points to airline miles. Furthermore, cardholders receive a 20% points bonus each statement period when they make more than 20 transactions. Other benefits include purchase protection and travel insurance policies.
This card offers several outstanding features often found on more expensive cards. For example, this card has an EMV chip and no foreign transaction fees, so it’s an excellent card to use when traveling outside of the U.S. It is also a competitive rewards card that offers 1.5 points for every dollar spent, as well as an additional 10% points bonus when you have an active Bank of America checking or savings account. Finally, cardholders receive 0% APR promotional financing for 12 months on purchases.
Cardholders receive 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus a $150 sign-up bonus when they spend $500 within the first three months of card membership. Cardholders also receive a full slate of Visa Signature or Platinum benefits, and there are no foreign transaction fees for this card.
This card offers 5% cash back on your first $2,000 combined spent each quarter in two of the purchase categories you choose. Another 2% cash back is offered on your choice of one everyday category (such as gas or groceries), and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You also receive a 0% introductory APR for nine months on balances transferred within 30 days of account opening.
In addition to no annual fees, this card has no late fees, foreign transaction fees, balance transfer fees or any other fees whatsoever. To apply you must join the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, which you may do based on your employment with one of many military, government, or defense organizations, or that of your family members or household members. Or you can become eligible by joining a military support charity for a small, one-time fee.
Simplicity now offers a class-leading 18 months of interest-free financing on both new purchases and balance transfers, with a 5% balance transfer fee. In addition, Simplicity has no late fees or penalty interest rates, making it simple to use.
New cardholders receive $100 in cash back after they spend $500 on purchases within three months of opening the account. In addition, you can earn another $25 in cash back by adding an authorized user who makes a purchase, also within three months of account opening. You also get 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent each quarter in combined purchases from featured categories of retailers, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Finally, this card also offers 15 months of 0% APR promotional financing on both new purchases and balance transfers — with a 3% balance transfer fee.
Before you apply for any credit card, it can be helpful to check your credit score to see where you stand. Then you can target your search to cards that are geared toward your credit range so that you apply for a card for which you’re more likely to be approved. There are many ways to get your credit scores for free — including through Credit.com, where you get two free credit scores updated every 14 days, plus personalized tips on how to improve your scores.
At publishing time, Amex Everyday, Capital One QuickSilver Rewards, Citi Simplicity, PenFed Promise Visa and Chase Freedom are offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any of these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
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