The Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards for Smart Travelers

Travel credit cards are one of the most effective ways to earn points, miles, or cashback for flights, hotels, and other travel-related expenses. However, many travel cards come with hefty annual fees that can sometimes outweigh the benefits, especially if you don’t travel frequently enough to make the most of premium perks. There are several high-quality No-Annual-Fee Travel Cards, offering rewards and benefits without the added cost. These cards are a great option for travelers who want to enjoy rewards and travel perks without worrying about an ongoing fee.

This article will explore the best travel credit cards with no annual fees in 2025, along with the key factors you should consider when selecting one, and how to maximize the rewards you earn with these cards.

Why Choose a Travel Credit Card with No Annual Fee?

There are several reasons why choosing a travel credit card with no annual fee can be a smart decision:

1. Lower Costs: The most obvious benefit is that you don’t have to pay an annual fee, which can range anywhere from $95 to $500 (or more) for some premium cards. This helps you keep your costs down, particularly if you don’t travel frequently enough to justify a high annual fee.
2. No Risk of Underutilization: With no annual fee, there’s no pressure to make a certain number of purchases or use the card in specific ways to justify the cost. You can simply earn rewards on your regular spending without worrying about whether you’re getting enough value from the card to offset the annual fee.
3. Great for Occasional Travelers: If you don’t travel often but still want to earn rewards for your everyday purchases, a no-annual-fee travel card is a great choice. These cards provide the opportunity to earn travel rewards without having to spend large amounts on premium travel perks that you may never use.
4. Ideal for Building Credit: Many no-annual-fee travel cards are designed for people who are new to credit or looking to rebuild their credit scores. They allow you to build a positive credit history while earning rewards, without the burden of a yearly fee.

Key Features of Travel Credit Cards with No Annual Fees

When shopping for a no-annual-fee travel card, it’s important to understand what to look for in terms of features. These cards vary widely in terms of rewards rates, bonus categories, and travel perks, so selecting the right one depends on your spending habits and travel needs.

Here are some key features to consider:

1. Sign-Up Bonuses: While many no-annual-fee cards don’t offer huge sign-up bonuses, some still provide a decent bonus if you meet a minimum spending requirement. These bonuses can jump-start your travel rewards and help you accumulate points or miles quickly.
2. Rewards Rate: Travel credit cards typically offer higher rewards for purchases in specific categories like dining, travel, and groceries. Be sure to choose a card that aligns with your spending habits, whether that’s earning bonus points on everyday purchases or maximizing rewards on travel expenses.
3. Foreign Transaction Fees: If you’re traveling internationally, it’s essential to choose a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Some no-annual-fee cards have this benefit, making them great options for international travel.
4. Redemption Flexibility: Some no-annual-fee cards offer flexible redemption options, such as allowing you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners, while others may limit your rewards to a specific travel portal. Consider how you prefer to use your rewards when selecting a card.
5. Travel Protections: While premium cards often include robust travel protections (such as trip cancellation insurance, car rental insurance, or lost luggage reimbursement), no-annual-fee cards may offer more basic protections. However, some still include important benefits like purchase protection or extended warranty coverage.

Best Travel Credit Cards with No Annual Fees in 2025

Here are some of the best travel credit cards with no annual fees for 2025, each offering its own set of rewards and features to maximize your travel experience.

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent no-annual-fee card that offers a solid rewards rate across various categories, including travel. Also, it’s a great option for those who want a versatile card with flexible redemption options.

• Sign-Up Bonus: $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
• Rewards Rate: 1.5% on every purchase, 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases.
• Key Benefits: No annual fee, access to Chase Ultimate Rewards®, and the ability to transfer points to travel partners like United, Southwest, and Marriott.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a fantastic choice for people who want to earn consistent rewards across a range of categories without paying an annual fee. You can also redeem points for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, giving you flexibility when booking flights, hotels, and more.

2. Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

While the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is marketed as a cashback card, it offers great rewards for travelers as well. It earns a flat rate on all purchases, which is a convenient way to accumulate rewards without having to keep track of bonus categories.

• Sign-Up Bonus: One-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
• Rewards Rate: 1.5% cashback on every purchase.
• Key Benefits: No annual fee, unlimited 1.5% cashback on all purchases, and no foreign transaction fees.

This card is a good option for those who don’t want to deal with rotating categories or complicated reward structures. However, the unlimited 1.5% cashback on every purchase, combined with no foreign transaction fees, makes this a solid pick for travelers who want straightforward rewards.

3. Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card

The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card is another excellent travel rewards card with no annual fee, offering generous rewards in multiple categories.

• Sign-Up Bonus: 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, worth $200 in travel rewards.
• Rewards Rate: 3x points on dining, travel, and streaming services; 1x on all other purchases.
• Key Benefits: No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or statement credits.

The Wells Fargo Propel Card is an ideal option for those who spend heavily on dining and travel. The 3x points in these categories can add up quickly, and the absence of foreign transaction fees makes it a great card for international travel as well.

4. Discover it® Miles

The Discover it® Miles card is a great option for those who want a simple, no-annual-fee card with flat-rate rewards. The card also offers a unique feature in the form of a cashback match at the end of the first year.

• Sign-Up Bonus: Unlimited Cashback Match—Discover will match all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
• Rewards Rate: 1.5x miles on every purchase.
• Key Benefits: No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to redeem miles for any travel-related expenses.

The Discover it® Miles card is particularly beneficial for those who want straightforward travel rewards. The ability to redeem miles for almost any travel expense gives you a lot of flexibility, and the unlimited Cashback Match after the first year is an added bonus.

5. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is another solid option for travelers who want to earn unlimited rewards on all purchases. It’s a great choice for those who want to keep things simple and earn rewards with minimal effort.

• Sign-Up Bonus: 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days, worth $250 in travel statement credits.
• Rewards Rate: 1.5x points on every purchase.
• Key Benefits: No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and flexible redemption options for travel.

This card allows you to earn 1.5x points on every purchase, which is perfect for those who don’t want to track spending categories. Plus, the lack of foreign transaction fees makes it an excellent option for international travelers.

6. American Express® Blue Business Cash Card

While this card is designed for business owners, it’s a great option for those who want to earn rewards on travel-related purchases and other business expenses, all without an annual fee.

• Sign-Up Bonus: $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
• Rewards Rate: 2% cashback on the first $50,000 in combined purchases at U.S. restaurants and U.S. gas stations each year (then 1%).
• Key Benefits: No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and access to American Express’ travel and purchase protections.

The American Express® Blue Business Cash Card provides great rewards for dining and gas purchases, making it ideal for business owners or frequent travelers who need to maximize rewards in these categories.

Conclusion

Travel credit cards with no annual fees are an excellent option for people who want to earn travel rewards without the burden of paying an annual fee. While these cards may not come with as many premium perks as high-fee cards, they still offer valuable rewards and flexibility, especially if you’re an occasional traveler or someone looking for a simple rewards structure.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Capital One QuicksilverOne, and Wells Fargo Propel American Express® are just a few examples of great no-annual-fee cards that can help you maximize your rewards for travel. Whether you’re a casual traveler or just getting started with earning travel rewards, these cards can provide a low-cost, high-value way to boost your travel fund.