Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards for 2023

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No annual fee credit cards for 2023 are among some of the best offers that you can have. They come with some high-quality perks, more rewards and redemption options, and even cash back for things like everyday purchases to things like airline miles and business software credits. It’s essentially free perks to have in your wallet. Even better, some of these cards have upgraded their bonuses, giving new cardholders the opportunity to earn even more rewards.

Cardholders can build their credit score by raising their debt to credit utilization and building positive monthly credit activity. Additionally, they can establish a relationship with a bank to help improve their chances of getting approved for a perk-loaded annual fee card. Here are some of the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards for consumers and business owners in 2023.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

The Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards 2023

• $200 Cash Back: The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
• Chase Freedom Flex℠: Cash Back Credit Card
• Shopping and U.S. Grocery Purchases: Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express
• Earn Delta SkyMiles: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
• Free Hilton Hotel Night: Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Business Cash Rewards: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

This no annual fee credit card list is divided into personal and business cards (including a few that made it onto our best small business credit cards list) to help you pick a rewards credit card for your purchases. Although these credit cards don’t come with a lot of extra benefits, you can still rack up the rewards points quickly! So what are the best travel credit cards with no annual fees?

Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card – $200 Cash Back

The information for the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best For: Millennials and streaming services

Sign-up Bonus: Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first three months

The Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card is an overall good pick for many reasons. As a newer card from Wells Fargo, it’s been pretty heavily marketed toward millennials as well. Here’s why.

You get 3x points for every dollar you spend on dining (both at restaurants and with ordering services such as UberEats), as well as every dollar you spend on Uber and Lyft, car rentals, flights, hotels, gas, and select streaming services.

Even better, there’s no annual fee, which is a big bonus if you’re not quite looking to drop extra cash on a credit card at the moment. This also gives you a chance to get your feet wet so to speak, without having to worry about a yearly fee. This option, as well as the potential to earn points for many everyday purchases, make this one of the best credit cards for millennials.

The current bonus is 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first three months (an easy enough target to hit), which translates to $200 in a cash redemption.

UPDATE: The Wells Fargo Propel is currently not open to new applicants. However, Wells Fargo has introduced the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, another no annual fee option.

Chase Freedom Flex – Best Travel Credit Card With No Annual Fee

Best For: Cash Rewards
Sign-Up Bonus: New Chase Freedom Flex℠ cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in combined purchases on quarterly rotating bonus categories. But you must activate them (usually through an email or on the app).

These are the Chase Freedom Flex bonus categories:

• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1% back)
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1% on all other purchases

Furthermore, although the Chase Freedom Flex is ideal for getting cashback rewards, you can redeem your points or transfer them to your favorite airline or hotel loyalty program if you own a Chase Sapphire product. Additionally, an Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card will also let you combine your points and use them with Ultimate Rewards transfer partners, or, toward free travel booked through the Chase portal.

Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards 2023: Personal Rewards Credit Cards

These best no annual fee travel credit cards for personal use are a good option as a secondary credit card or to replace your current daily credit card. They each have their own perks and benefits, depending on what you’re looking for and where you spend your money. Here are 5 travel credit cards with no annual fee.

Amex EveryDay Credit Card

The information for the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best For: Shopping and using at U.S. Supermarkets
Welcome Bonus: Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® points after $1,000 in qualifying purchases in your first three months

It’s not every day that you come across a $0 annual fee (See rates and fees) rewards credit card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points. These points can be redeemed for cash statement credits, gift cards, or 1:1 airline and hotel point transfers.

This is all possible with the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card that boasts the following purchase rewards:

• 20% bonus with 20 or more monthly card transactions (terms apply)
• 2x Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (Up to $6,000 per year, then 1x point per $1)
• 1x Membership Rewards® points on all remaining purchases

There is a foreign transaction fee (See rates and fees) though. If you are set on an Amex card but want one with no foreign transaction fee, you can learn more about the best American Express credit cards to find the best option for you.

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

Best For: Earning Delta SkyMiles without worrying about annual fees or foreign transaction fees (See rates & fees)
Bonus Offer: New Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on their new Card in their first 6 months.

You won’t enjoy free checked bags with the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.

But it earns 2x miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Additionally, earn 2x miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1x mile on all other eligible purchases. Plus, you can Pay with Miles: take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.

In addition, eligible in-flight purchases receive a 20% statement credit.

It’s one of the best Delta Air Lines credit cards.

Your Delta SkyMiles never expire as long as you own this card. Furthermore, you can begin redeeming them for award flights starting at 5,000 SkyMiles. Terms apply.

New Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on their new Card in their first 6 months.

Learn more: Airline Credit Cards

The Hilton Honors American Express Card

Best For: Hilton Purchases
Welcome Bonus Offer: New The Hilton Honors American Express Card cardholders can earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. This offer ends on 04/05/2023.

The Hilton Honors American Express Card doesn’t charge an annual fee or a foreign transaction fee (See rates and fees). Furthermore, you’ll also enjoy these complimentary benefits:

• 7x points on eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Honors portfolio of brands
• 5x points for each dollar spent on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets
• 3x points on all remaining eligible purchases
• Automatic Hilton Honors Silver status
• Terms apply

This no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good option if you spend less than $15,000 on annual card purchases.

Learn more: Hotel Rewards Credit Cards

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

Best For: Cash Back, U.S. Supermarkets, U.S. Gas Station purchases, U.S. online retail purchases
Welcome Bonus: The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express welcome bonus is the ability to earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.

If you buy your groceries from a supermarket (not a discount store like Walmart or Target), The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% back on the first $6,000 spent annually at U.S. supermarkets (then 1% once you hit the $6,000 threshold). That’s $180 in statement credits from grocery purchases alone! Plus earn unlimited:

• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
• Plus, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
• 1% cash back on general purchases

Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits. After maxing out the 3% grocery rewards, all remaining U.S. supermarket purchases will earn 1% until your next card anniversary with this $0 annual fee (See rates & fees) card. Terms apply.

Learn more: Cash Back Credit Cards

Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards: Business Rewards Credit Cards

Business spending can get expensive very quickly. While this isn’t always good for the bottom line, the additional rewards points can maximize every purchase. Similarly, these are the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards for business use.

Here are some of the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards for business rewards. However, if you want more options, check out some of the best small business credit cards options. 

Ink Business Cash Credit Card – Best Business Travel Credit Card No Fees

Best For: Cash rewards for office supplies and internet, cable, and phone services
Sign-Up Bonus: New Ink Business Cash® Credit Card cardholders can earn $750 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

With the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, you have the opportunity to earn 5% or 2% back on your business purchases each account anniversary year. Earn 5% back on the first $25,000 in combined spending on these purchases:

• Office supply stores
• Internet, cable, and phone services

You’ll also get 2% back on the first $25,000 combined spending for these purchases:

• Gas stations
• Restaurants

Further, all remaining purchases and any bonus category spending in excess of $25,000 will earn 1% back. The Ink Business Cash Credit Card also comes with primary rental car collision damage waiver protection. Employee cards come at no additional cost and you can place a spending limit on the cards (which still earn rewards).

Redeem your rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel, and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Capital One Spark for Business Cards

Best For: Cash or Travel Rewards On Any Purchase
Sign-Up Bonus: $500 bonus after spending $4,500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening with the Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business; or 20,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening with the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business

You might prefer a flat-rate rewards credit card if you don’t spend enough money in the bonus categories to benefit from tiered purchase rewards. Every business is different and thankfully there’s a wide selection of credit cards to maximize your spending habits.

There are several different versions of the Capital One Spark business cards, but you’ll need to decide if you want to earn cash back or travel miles. Choose the Capital One Spark Cash Select For Business for cash back or the Capital One Spark Miles Select For Business for reward miles that can be used to book award travel or travel statement credits.

Other than the different award redemption, you’ll earn 1.5 miles or cash back on every dollar spent. Further, you’ll never pay a foreign transaction fee or annual fee!

With either Spark Select credit card, each mile is worth 1 cent each. To clarify, that means every 1,000 miles is equal to $10 in rewards. Note that these are also some of the best Capital One credit cards for travel.

Learn more: Business Credit Cards

Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards 2023

The beauty of having some of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee is that they are free to own. This is regardless of how often or little you use them. Furthermore, you may only want to add one of these cards to maintain your rewards points balance so it doesn’t expire. On the other hand, you might want to earn the most cash back possible without paying an annual fee.

It doesn’t matter why you want rewards credit cards with no annual fee. To maximize the card, choose one that offers the most useful rewards for you.

Other Options

There are more options than ever to help you maximize rewards for little to no cost. Lucrative no annual fee credit cards are making a name for themselves in 2023. And, there are plenty to choose from. Whether your focus is on travel dining, hotels, everyday spending, or all of the above, there is a credit for you, all with no annual fee.

Chase Freedom Unlimited

We mentioned the Chase Freedom Flex above (it earns 5% cash back for every purchase or 5 points per dollar on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter, as well as unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases).

There is also the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited, cardholders earn at least 1.5% back on all purchases.

Cardholders earn unlimited:

• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

There is no annual fee with the Chase Freedom Unlimited. There is also no minimum to redeem for cash back. Plus, there is no caveat of earning more for bonus categories. Where this card really shines is the return on spending.

New Chase Freedom Unlimited® cardholders can earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything they buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back! That means new cardholders can enjoy:

• 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (Chase’s premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more)
• 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 4.5% on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service)
• 3% on all other purchases

New cardholders earn this extra 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year.

You can combine your Freedom Unlimited card points with your points from your Chase Sapphire, or Ink Business Preferred card. Then, you can redeem the cash back as points for Ultimate Rewards.

Citi Double Cash Card

For a simple, no-fee card that requires no extra effort on top of swiping it through a credit card machine, the Citi® Double Cash Card is as straightforward as it gets. This card will earn you 2% cash back on every purchase, every day. You will receive 1% cash back upon making the purchase and another 1% upon paying off your statement.

However, even if you carry a balance, you will still earn 1% on payments towards purchases. You just need to pay the minimum balance on time.

In a world of having to keep track of bonus categories and points, the Citi Double Cash Card is refreshing in its simplistic nature. There is no earning cap or confusion around points redemptions, just cash back earning.

This is also one of the best Citi credit cards to have in your pocket.

The Bottom Line

As with any new credit card, make sure to view the security benefits before opening an account. Chase, for example, offers quality protection and extended benefits for cardholders. However, foreign transaction fees can be quite high when it comes to no annual fee credit cards (consider one of the best credit cards for international travel instead).

To find the best no-annual fee credit cards in 2023, analyze your spending. Decide what will earn you the most rewards, then go from there. Hopefully, this list has helped you narrow down your options.

Related Articles: 

• Best Hotel Credit Cards
• The Best Credit Card Offers
• Best Credit Cards For Road Trips
• The Best Contactless Credit Cards

Rates and fees of the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, please click here.

Rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, please click here.

For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.

And for rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.