Travelers Are on the Move Again
With travel picking up, whether you’re heading on a well-earned vacation or just a weekend getaway, earning rewards for your travel expenses can be a great idea. However, many travel credit cards come with an annual fee. This may work for frequent flyers, but if you don’t travel often, paying a yearly fee might not be the best choice.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best travel credit cards with no annual fee.
Top Travel Credit Cards Without Annual Fees
Best for Earning ThankYou Points: Citi Rewards+® Card
The Citi Rewards+® Card is a solid choice if you’re interested in earning ThankYou Points. It offers 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases made through Citi’s travel portal until December 2025. Additionally, you’ll get 10% of your redeemed points back (up to 100,000 points per year), making it a great option for those who want to maximize point redemptions.
Key Features:
- 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months.
- 5 points per dollar on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com until December 2025.
- 2 points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent each year at supermarkets and gas stations.
- No annual fee.
Best for Cash Back on Travel: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
If you’re a Costco member, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card offers 3% cash back on travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, and car rentals. This card is excellent for those who want to earn cash back on travel while enjoying the perks of being a Costco member.
Key Features:
- 3% cash back on travel purchases.
- 4% cash back on gas (up to $7,000 per year).
- No annual fee (requires a Costco membership).
Best for Hilton Hotel Stays: Hilton Honors Card from American Express
The Hilton Honors Card offers 7 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels, which can be a great choice for frequent Hilton guests. It also provides extra points on everyday purchases like groceries and gas, and there are no foreign transaction fees.
Key Features:
- 7 Hilton Honors points per dollar at Hilton hotels.
- 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No annual fee.
Best for United Miles: United Gateway℠ Card
The United Gateway℠ Card is a great option for travelers who want to earn United MileagePlus miles without paying an annual fee. It offers 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, gas, and local transit, making it a good choice for frequent United Airlines flyers.
Key Features:
- 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, gas, and local transit.
- 25% back on in-flight purchases with United.
- No annual fee.
Best for American Airlines Miles: CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
For American Airlines fans, this card allows you to earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, as well as at grocery stores. Additionally, you can earn loyalty points toward elite status with American Airlines.
Key Features:
- 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and grocery stores.
- Earn 1 loyalty point for every mile earned.
- No annual fee.
Best for Delta Miles: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
If you’re a Delta Airlines frequent flyer, this card offers 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and dining. You’ll also get a 20% rebate on in-flight purchases and no foreign transaction fees, which is perfect for international travelers.
Key Features:
- 2 SkyMiles per dollar on Delta purchases and at restaurants.
- 20% rebate on in-flight purchases.
- No annual fee.
Comparison Chart for No Annual Fee Travel Cards
When choosing the best no-annual-fee travel credit card, it’s important to consider the rewards you can earn and how they fit with your travel needs. Cards with cash-back rewards or co-branded airline and hotel cards can offer the best value, especially if they align with your preferred brands.
Conclusion
If you travel occasionally and don’t want to pay an annual fee, these cards are excellent options. Whether you’re looking for cash-back rewards, points for hotels, or miles for flights, there’s a card that can help you earn benefits without the cost of an annual fee.
