Maximize Travel Rewards Without Paying an Annual Fee

Choosing a travel credit card that is reasonably priced can allow you to earn rewards without significantly impacting your budget. As prices increase and individuals are more cautious with their finances, credit cards that do not have annual fees yet provide travel benefits are gaining popularity. These cards typically offer points or miles for regular purchases, allow you to decide how to use them, and provide some protection while traveling. This is in addition to the absence of the annual fee associated with premium cards. We’ll show you some travel rewards credit cards that don’t have an annual fee. These cards are great for people who want to get travel rewards while keeping their spending under control. The list of cards includes their main benefits, how to earn points, and whether they can be used in the US and abroad.

Discover it® Miles

The Discover it® Miles card offers unlimited 1.5x miles on all purchases and features a one-time match of all miles earned at the end of the first year. Features

• Rewards Rate: 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases
• Introductory Offer: First-year match of all earned miles
• Redemption: Use miles for travel, statement credits, or cash back
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

This card provides flat-rate rewards and the flexibility of converting cash back into travel rewards via Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Features

• Rewards Rate: 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• Redemption Options: Convert to travel points within Chase ecosystem
• Benefits: 1:1 point transfers, no blackout dates through Chase travel portal
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

A straightforward option that earns 1.25 miles per dollar spent with no foreign transaction fees.

Features

• Rewards Rate: 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases
• Redemption: Use miles for flights, hotels, and other travel purchases
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• Additional Perks: Miles never expire as long as the account remains open

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Ideal for international travelers, this card offers 1.5 points per dollar spent with no foreign transaction or annual fees.

Features

• Rewards Rate: 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases
• Redemption: Travel expenses, including flights, hotels, car rentals
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• Bonus Feature: Cellphone protection included

Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card

This card earns 3 points per dollar in several high-traffic spending categories and is ideal for daily expenses that align with travel.

Features

• Rewards Rate: 3x points on dining, gas, and travel; 1x on other purchases
• Redemption: Flights, hotels, gift cards, and more
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Citi Double Cash® Card

Though primarily a cashback card, its 2% earnings can be redeemed toward travel.

Features

• Rewards Rate: 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay, up to 2% cash back
• Redemption: Cash back convertible to Citi ThankYou® points for travel
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%
• Benefit: Simple earning structure with flexible redemption

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

Best for individuals who spend frequently on food and groceries, with additional points earned on all purchases.

Features

• Rewards Rate: 4x points on dining (including takeout), 2x on groceries, 1x on all other purchases
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• Redemption: Travel, statement credit, or merchandise

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

Designed for users building or rebuilding credit while earning up to 1.5% cash back.

Features

• Rewards Rate: Starts at 1% and increases to 1.5% with consistent on-time payments
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• Credit Building Tool: Reports to major credit bureaus
• Tech Perk: Includes mobile app for tracking spending and rewards

FNBO Traveler’s Club Visa Signature® Card

Offers 2x points on traveler-centric categories with no annual fee, suited for individuals with consistent travel activity.

Features

• Rewards Rate: 2x points on dining, hotels, and travel purchases
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• Additional Perks: Travel accident insurance and purchase protection

Blue Frontier from American Express™

An entry-level travel card offering 1x mile per dollar with added perks and no annual or foreign transaction fees.

Features

• Rewards Rate: 1 mile per dollar on all purchases
• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• Perks: Access to ticket presales, purchase protection, and special event invites

Conclusion

Travel rewards credit cards with no annual fee are a good way to earn points or miles on everyday purchases without having to pay for them every month. There are many no-annual-fee options that can meet your needs, whether you’re traveling abroad, exploring your own city, or getting the most out of your daily spending. All of the cards on this list are useful without costing a lot of money in the long run. They are great for people who want to keep track of their money while traveling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are travel reward credit cards?

Travel rewards credit cards offer points or miles for purchases that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel-related expenses.

Why choose a card with no annual fee?

A card with no annual fee helps users earn rewards without worrying about offsetting the cost of the fee through spending. This is especially helpful for casual travelers or budget-conscious users.

Can I still get good travel perks without paying an annual fee?

Yes. Many no-annual-fee cards provide strong benefits, such as no foreign transaction fees, flexible redemption options, and generous welcome offers.

Are these cards good for international use?

Several cards listed, such as the Capital One VentureOne and Bank of America Travel Rewards cards, have no foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international travel.

How do I redeem miles or points?

Most cards offer redemption through their online portals or apps, where you can book travel, convert to gift cards, or receive statement credits.

Will having multiple non-annual-fee cards hurt my credit score?

Not necessarily. Credit scores are affected by multiple factors, such as utilization and payment history. Responsible use of multiple cards can help improve your credit score over time.

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Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.

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Article Title: Best Travel Rewards Credit Card No Annual Fee

https://fangwallet.com/2025/06/23/best-travel-rewards-credit-card-no-annual-fee/

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