Traveling can be a great way to see new places and learn about different cultures. But, it can also get expensive fast. Luckily, using travel credit cards with no fees can help you save money and earn rewards. This guide will show you the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards, how to get the most out of your rewards, and how to use your points for free or discounted travel. Whether you travel a lot or just take the occasional vacation, you can explore the world without breaking the bank.
Key Takeaways
- Discover it® Miles offers 1.5x Miles on every dollar spent, and it matches all Miles earned at the end of the first year1.
- Discover it® Miles credit card offers unlimited 1.5x Miles on all purchases, redeemable with no annual fee1.
- 57% of credit cards have no annual fee, with a range of $0 to $550 for those that do2.
- The most common rewards rate for travel credit cards is 1.5x points/cash back on all purchases2.
- Transferring points or miles to a travel partner can often provide the best value for travel rewards redemption3.
Introduction to No-Fee Travel Credit Cards
Travel credit cards are great for both frequent and occasional travelers. They let you earn rewards on your everyday spending and offer benefits that make traveling better. No annual fee travel credit cards are especially good because they don’t cost you anything to use. This makes them a smart choice for starting your travel rewards journey.
Benefits of Using Travel Credit Cards
Travel credit cards give you more than just rewards. They come with perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, airport lounge access, and insurance for travel costs4. Using a no-annual-fee card for your daily buys helps you collect points or miles. You can use these for flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. This makes it easy for anyone to start with travel rewards programs.
Types of Travel Rewards Cards with No Annual Fee
There are many no-annual-fee travel credit cards to choose from4. General travel rewards cards like the Wells Fargo Autograph℠Card and the Bank of America® Travel Rewards card let you use points for different travel costs4. If you fly with a certain airline, airline-specific cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card can earn you miles with that airline4. Hotel loyalty cards, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Bold and Hilton Honors American Express Card, give rewards and perks for hotel stays4. Think about your travel habits and what you like to do to pick the best no-fee travel credit card for you.
Card | Key Features | Estimated Rewards Earned |
---|---|---|
Wells Fargo Autographâ„ Card | Rewards in various spending categories, such as restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming, and more. | 4 |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | Solid rewards rate on every purchase, flexible points redemption for any travel purchase. | 4 |
Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card | Rewards on rent payments without additional transaction fees. | 4 |
Discover it® Miles card | Simple rewards system with a matching bonus in the first year, intro APR period for balance transfers. | 45, |
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card – Miles Boost | Entry point to travel rewards with no annual fee, slightly lower rewards compared to the regular Venture card. | 45, |
Amex EveryDay® Credit Card | Membership Rewards points with bonus points at U.S. supermarkets and on specific travel categories. | 4 |
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® card | Earn airline miles and elite frequent-flyer status at no annual fee. | 4 |
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Earn airline miles without an annual fee and valuable perks. | 4 |
United Gatewayâ„ Card | Earn United miles for occasional leisure flyers at no cost, but lacking certain airline-card perks. | 4 |
JetBlue Card | Easy rewards on everyday purchases and airfare without blackout dates for redemption. | 4 |
“Travel credit cards can be a valuable asset for frequent and occasional travelers alike, offering rewards and benefits that can enhance your travel experiences.”
travel credit cards with no fees
Looking for travel credit cards with no fees can help you earn rewards without an annual charge. These cards offer great benefits, like earning points or miles on your daily spending.
Best No-Annual-Fee Cards for General Travel Rewards
The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card and the Discover it Miles are top picks for a simple, no-annual-fee option. They let you earn 1.5 miles or points per dollar on all purchases6. The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is another great choice, offering more rewards on dining, gas, transit, streaming, and more4.
Top Airline Credit Cards Without Annual Fees
If you fly with a certain airline often, airline credit cards with no annual fees can be a smart choice. The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp, Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card, and United Gateway Card are good options. They let you earn miles on your everyday spending4. These cards might not have the most perks, but they’re a budget-friendly way to collect miles for flights or elite status.
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard is special because it rewards you on rent payments, making it great for renters4.
Card | Rewards Rate |
---|---|
Bank of America Travel Rewards | 1.5 points per $1 spent |
Discover it Miles | 1.5 miles per $1 spent |
Wells Fargo Autograph | 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, streaming, and phone plans; 1X points on other purchases |
Bilt World Elite Mastercard | Rewards on rent payments |
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp | Earn AAdvantage miles on everyday spending |
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express | Earn Delta SkyMiles on everyday spending |
United Gateway Card | Earn United MileagePlus miles on everyday spending |
Strategies for Maximizing Travel Rewards
Smart travelers know how to make the most of travel rewards. Two main strategies are meeting the minimum spend to get sign-up bonuses and using bonus spending categories on your credit cards.
Meeting Minimum Spend Requirements
Many travel credit cards offer big sign-up bonuses, worth hundreds of dollars in free travel. To get these bonuses, you must spend a certain amount within the first few months. By using your new card for everyday expenses like groceries, gas, and bills, you can quickly meet the spending goal and earn the bonus points or miles.7 Keeping track and staying organized will help you make the most of these offers.
Leveraging Bonus Categories and Promotions
Travel credit cards give you more points or miles for spending in certain categories, like dining, travel, or groceries. By using your cards wisely in these categories, you can earn more points or miles faster.8 Also, credit card companies often have special promotions, like bigger bonuses or extra points for certain purchases. Keeping up with these deals and using them can increase your travel rewards even more.8
To get the most from travel rewards, use your credit cards smartly, meet the minimum spend, and keep an eye on bonus categories and promotions. With these strategies, you can improve your travel experiences and use your credit card rewards better78.
Managing Multiple Travel Credit Cards
Building a travel credit card portfolio means staying organized for the best rewards. Keep an eye on your minimum spend requirements, due dates, and fees9. With many cards, watch out for late payments or unnecessary fees9.
Stay in control with calendar reminders, budgeting apps, and yearly card reviews9. This way, you can enjoy your travel rewards without paying too much in credit card annual fees.
- Track due dates and spending needs for each card10.
- Use your main cards for everyday buys to earn more rewards10.
- Take advantage of welcome bonuses and sign-up deals for more points and miles10.
- Watch out for card rules, like American Express’s “lifetime language” and Chase’s 48-month rule10.
- Cancel cards with annual fees if they don’t offer enough value10.
Follow these tips to master managing multiple travel credit cards. You’ll get the most from your credit card organization and travel rewards without paying too much in credit card annual fees910.
Card | Welcome Bonus | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee |
---|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 60,000 bonus points | – | $95 |
Citi Strata Premier℠Card | 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points | 2x on all purchases | $95 |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | – | 2x on all purchases, 5x on flights and vacation rentals | $95 |
Marriott Bonvoy Bevyâ„¢ American Express® Card | 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points | – | $250 |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | 40,000 Bonus Miles | – | $0 first year, then $150 |
“Credit card collectors can amass miles and points through welcome offers to use for business-class flights and hotel suites.”10
Redeeming Points for Travel
Travel credit cards are great for turning your points or miles into flights, hotels, and more. Many cards let you use your rewards through their own booking sites11. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card gives you 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. You can use these for $750 towards travel booked through Chase Travel11.
Booking Flights and Hotels with Points
You can also transfer your points to loyalty programs of airlines or hotels at good rates11. With a premium Chase card, you can move World of Hyatt points at a 1:1 ratio11. Plus, you can book flights from the U.S. to Hawaii for just 15,000 points with Turkish Airlines11.
Transfer Partners and Airline/Hotel Loyalty Programs
Planning how to use your rewards can make your travel credit cards more valuable11. Many cards let you transfer points to airline and hotel loyalty programs for more value11. You can transfer to World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, United MileagePlus, and Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program11. Knowing how to use these programs can help you get more from your rewards.
The Citi Strata Premier℠Card gives you 70,000 bonus ThankYou® points after spending $4,000 in the first three months11. You can transfer these to various airline and hotel partners11. Turkish Airlines miles also transfer at a 1:1 ratio from Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, or Citi ThankYou® Points11.
Some cards offer special ways to use your rewards, like bidding on exclusive events with Delta SkyMiles Experiences11. Knowing all the ways to redeem your rewards can help you get the most value. This way, you can enjoy more free and memorable trips.
Conclusion
Travel credit cards with no annual fees can change how you manage your money. They let you earn rewards and save on your trips. Understanding the different types and how to use them can help you travel without spending a lot on fees12. These cards are great for both experienced travelers and those new to travel rewards.
Choosing the right credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture, can earn you points and miles. These can help pay for flights, hotels, and more without extra fees13. With no annual fees, you save money and get perks like lounge access and travel insurance12. Just remember to keep your credit score up and pay off your card each month to get the most value13.
Travel credit cards with no fees are perfect for any trip, whether it’s in the U.S. or abroad. They help you save money and make your travels more enjoyable. With these cards, you can focus on making memories without worrying about the cost. Start your next adventure with the freedom and savings these cards offer!
FAQ
What are the benefits of using travel credit cards with no annual fees?
Travel credit cards with no annual fees can help you earn rewards and save money. They offer perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, airport lounge access, and insurance for travel costs.
What are the different types of no-annual-fee travel credit cards?
There are many types of travel credit cards with no annual fee. These include general travel rewards cards, airline-specific cards, and hotel loyalty cards. The best one for you depends on how you travel and what you like.
What are some of the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards for general travel rewards?
Great choices for simple travel rewards are the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card and the Discover it Miles. The Wells Fargo Autograph Card is also a top pick with its wide bonus category coverage.
What are the top airline credit cards with no annual fees?
For those who fly often with a certain airline, co-branded credit cards are a good choice. Options include the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp, Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card, and United Gateway Card. These cards let you earn miles without an annual fee.
How can I maximize my travel rewards with no-fee credit cards?
To get the most from your no-fee travel credit cards, meet the minimum spend to earn sign-up bonuses. Use your cards in bonus categories and take advantage of special promotions from the card companies.
How do I effectively manage multiple travel credit cards with no annual fees?
Keep your no-fee travel credit cards in order by tracking spend requirements, payment dates, and annual fees. Avoid late payments and fees by using budgeting tools and deciding if you should keep or cancel cards each year.
How can I redeem my travel rewards for the most value?
Redeem your points or miles through the card issuer’s travel booking site or by transferring them to airline or hotel loyalty programs. This can often be done at good rates. Planning your redemptions can help you get the most from your travel rewards.
Source Links
- Travel Credit Card | Discover it Miles Credit Card
- Best Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees of September | Bankrate
- How Do Travel Credit Cards Work? | Bankrate
- Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards of September 2024 – NerdWallet
- If you want a travel rewards card without an annual fee, check out these top options
- Best travel credit cards with no annual fee of August 2024
- Travel for Free: How to Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards | Keiko Lynn
- A Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Points and Miles – NerdWallet
- How My Travel Credit Cards Support My Digital Nomad Lifestyle
- How to Maximize Travel Benefits With Multiple Credit Cards
- 3 Ways I Use Credit Card Points For Unique Travel Experiences
- Are Travel Credit Cards Worth It? – NerdWallet
- Travel Credit Cards 101, or: How to See the World for (Almost) Free — Two Dusty Travelers