Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards of January 2026: Fly Farther, Pay Less
Best travel credit card with no annual fee
Best travel credit card with no annual fee
Bilt World Elite Mastercard®
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® earns its place as our best no-annual-fee travel card, thanks to an array of travel protections and rewards* that are on par with some annual fee travel cards. On top of that, you can also pay your rent with it to earn rewards (up to 100,000 points per calendar year).
Key takeaways
- You don’t have to choose an annual fee credit card to get great travel rewards and perks.
- The best credit cards for travel with no annual fee offer generous sign-up bonuses, allow you to transfer points to transfer partners, or offer statement credits for travel purchases.
- Even cash back cards with no annual fee might be good for travelers, offering perks like trip insurance, no foreign transaction fees and bonus rewards on travel.
- Winner (Best travel credit card no annual fee): Bilt World Elite Mastercard®
- Best airline credit card no annual fee: The New United Gateway℠ Card
- Best hotel credit card no annual fee: Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates & fees)
- Best no-annual-fee card for simple travel rewards: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Best Chase travel card no annual fee: Prime Visa
- Best no-annual-fee travel card with an intro APR: Discover it® Miles
- Best no-annual-fee travel card for students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
- Best travel business credit card no annual fee: Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business*
- Best no-annual-fee cash back card for travel: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best no-annual-fee travel card for bad credit: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Top 10 no-annual-fee travel credit cards
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Foreign Exchange Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bilt World Elite Mastercard®*
|
Winner (Best travel credit card no annual fee)
|
N/A | 1X - 5X points
| $0 | |
The New United Gateway℠ Card*
|
Best airline credit card no annual fee
|
30,000 miles
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases.
| 1X - 2X miles
| $0 | |
Hilton Honors American Express Card*
|
Best hotel credit card no annual fee
|
70,000 points
Earn 70,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.
| 3X - 7X points
| None | |
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card*
|
Best no-annual-fee card for simple travel rewards
|
20,000 points
Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
| 1X - 3X points
| None | |
Prime Visa*
|
Best Chase travel card no annual fee
|
$150 Amazon gift card
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
| 1% - 5% cash back
| $0 | |
Discover it® Miles*
|
Best no-annual-fee travel card with an intro APR
|
Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match
Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match. You could turn 35,000 Miles into 70,000 Miles.
| 1.5X Miles
1.5 Miles per dollar on all purchases.
| None | |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students*
|
Best no-annual-fee travel card for students
|
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
| 1.5X points
1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases.
| $0 | |
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business*
|
Best travel business credit card no annual fee
|
50,000 miles
One-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| 1.5X Miles
1.5 Miles per $1 on every purchase
| $0 | |
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*
|
Best no-annual-fee cash back card for travel
|
$200 Cash Back
Earn $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
| 1% - 8% cash back
| None | |
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card*
|
Best no-annual-fee travel card for bad credit
|
N/A | 1.5% - 5% Cash Back
| None |
Methodology: How we chose the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards
We take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards. We use an objective rating and ranking system that evaluates over 200 credit cards from more than 50 issuers. All recommendations are made by LendingTree’s editorial team, completely independent of affiliate partnerships or compensation. Every card is selected based on its merit and ability to help people achieve their financial goals. We use the following criteria to make our picks:
We calculate the value of rewards and perks for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor Statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes the card’s sign-up bonus, annual bonus (including free night certificates) and travel perks like lounge access and travel credits. We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates, minimum thresholds to redeem, blackout dates and the availability of flexible redemption options like travel statement credits and cash back.
We also compare a card’s benefits, such as purchase protections, travel protections and elite status benefits against benefits from other cards.
Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best travel credit card with no annual fee. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value most to choose the best card for you.
Best credit card for travel with no annual fee
Bilt World Elite Mastercard®*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Rewards: 1X - 5X points
- Earn 1X points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
- Earn up to 5X Bilt points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card
- Earn 2X points on travel
- Earn 3X points on dining
- Earn 1X points on other purchases
- Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
- Earn points at a quick pace on travel and dining
- Earn points on rent with no transaction fee (up to 100,000 points per calendar year)
- Transfer points 1:1 to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Solid travel protections
- $0 foreign transaction fee
- No sign-up bonus
- Must use the card five times each statement period to earn points
The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® is the best card for travelers who want to avoid an annual fee because it offers rewards and travel benefits comparable to top-notch annual fee cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It lets you earn points at a high rate in several bonus categories and transfer points 1:1 to a variety of travel loyalty programs, including United MileagePlus. It also offers no foreign transaction fees and strong travel protections, including an auto rental collision damage waiver and trip cancellation and interruption protection. And if you’re a renter, it moves to no-brainer status since you can pay your rent and earn rewards (up to 100,000 points per calendar year) with no transaction fee.
Even if you’re not a renter, you can still get a lot of value without any annual cost. On the downside, though, you’ll need to make sure you use the card at least five times each statement period to earn points.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $937**
- Ongoing annual card value: $937**
- $0 Annual Fee
- Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
- Earn 3x points on dining, 2x points on travel, and 1x on other purchases
- Earn double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points)
- Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
- Earn up to 5x Bilt points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card
- Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent payments, credit card statements, toward a down payment on a home, etc.
- Other features and benefits include: Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Purchase Security, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, Cellular Telephone Protection, and Trip Delay Reimbursement
- Select Apply Now to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
Best credit card for airline miles no annual fee
The New United Gateway℠ Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 30,000 miles
- Lucrative welcome bonus
- Rewards bonus categories for United purchases, gas stations and local transit
- Shopping coverage and travel insurance
- 25% back on United in-flight and club drink purchases
- Auto rental coverage
- No free checked bag
- No priority boarding
- No travel accident, trip delay or lost bag insurance
The New United Gateway℠ Card is the best airline credit card with a $0 annual fee because — unlike similar cards — it offers a few valuable benefits. That includes a lucrative welcome bonus with a comparably small spending requirement and bonus rewards on a wide variety of categories, including United flights, gas and groceries. It also has decent travel coverage and shopping protections for an annual-fee-free airline card.
However, besides a 25% discount on United purchases, it’s lacking in airline-specific perks. For that, you’re better off with a United card with an annual fee for a comparable minimum spending requirement.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $582**
- Ongoing annual card value: $252**
- Earn 30,000 bonus miles
- 0% intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases & no annual fee.
- 2x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
- Earn 2 checked bags after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year
- Member FDIC
Best credit card for hotel points no annual fee
Hilton Honors American Express Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 70,000 points
- Generous welcome offer
- Earns generous points on everyday spending categories
- Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver Status
- American Express might not be accepted everywhere, especially when traveling internationally
- Rewards are limited to Hilton
- Hilton points low in value compared with many other rewards
Squeezing a lot of value from hotel cards with no annual fee is not an easy task. The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a $0-annual-fee hotel card with a lot to offer, thanks to its great rewards-earning potential and better-than-usual hotel benefits. Its welcome offer alone makes it one of the most rewarding $0-annual-fee cards you can find. You’ll earn points at a high rate on a variety of lucrative categories, including eligible Hilton purchases, U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets. You’ll also get complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status, which gives you bonus points, your fifth night free on award stays and more.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $1,512**
- Ongoing annual card value: $412**
- Earn 70,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/15/2026.
- No Annual Fee.
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card: at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Points don't expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Card is active and in good standing.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- Pay It Plan It®: Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Best no-annual-fee card for simple travel rewards
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 20,000 points
- $0 annual fee
- Earn points at a high rate on a variety of purchases
- Solid welcome offer
- Intro APR on purchases
- Travel transfer partners
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Small list of transfer partners
If you don’t want to fuss with point transfers or travel portals, the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card is a simple travel rewards card that can take you far. Its high earning rate on several common spending categories lets you earn points quickly — and you could earn a valuable welcome offer. It also offers decent travel protections, including rental car insurance, travel and emergency assistance services and Roadside Dispatch®.
Plus, you can transfer points to a few transfer partners, though if you’re looking for a wider selection, the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® may be a better fit.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $696**
- Ongoing annual card value: $446**
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Best Chase travel credit card with no annual fee
Prime Visa*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: $150 Amazon gift card
Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.
- Instant Amazon gift card upon approval
- Generous rewards on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, as well as other bonus categories
- Travel and purchase protections including travel accident insurance, baggage delay insurance and extended warranty
- $0 foreign transaction fee
- Only Amazon Prime members get top rewards
- You can trigger a penalty APR that may remain indefinitely with a late payment
- If you choose the payment plan on Amazon purchases, those purchases will not earn rewards
- No points transfer to travel partners
The Prime Visa has two-fold appeal for Amazon Prime shoppers who also happen to like to travel. You’ll get the highest bonus rewards on Amazon, Whole Foods and Chase TravelSM purchases. In addition, you’ll get a slew of travel protections and a $0 foreign transaction fee, which are seldom found on $0-annual-fee cards.
The up-front Amazon gift card is a solid welcome for new cardholders since there is no purchase necessary. However, the card becomes less valuable in terms of rewards if you use it to finance large purchases (in lieu of rewards) or don’t have a Prime membership.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $564**
- Ongoing annual card value: $414**
- Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
Best no-annual-fee card for travel with an intro APR
Discover it® Miles*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match
- Generous introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Flat-rate, unlimited rewards require no spending tracking
- Discover matches your cash back earned in the first year for new cardholders
- Redemption can be a simple statement credit on travel purchases
- No bonus miles in popular spending categories
- Does not offer travel insurance or protections
- No miles transfer to travel partners
If you’re looking for a decent travel card to help finance an upcoming trip, the Discover it® Miles is one of the best deals you can find. It offers a 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases (followed by a 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR).
It’s a great card for beginners with a simple, flat rate. You can redeem for cash back or statement credits on travel you purchase — at the same 100 miles equals $1 value. Discover will also match all the miles you earn in the first year for new cardholders.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $600**
- Ongoing annual card value: $300**
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match. You could turn 35,000 Miles into 70,000 Miles.
- Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
- No annual fee.
- Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants, and more.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Best travel card with no annual fee for students
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 25,000 points
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Solid welcome offer
- Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases
- Decent earnings rate
- Simple rewards structure
- Limited travel redemptions
- Few travel benefits
- No purchase or extended warranty coverage
- No auto rental or travel insurance
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a good choice for students who want to build credit while earning rewards. It’s among the best student cards currently available in that it combines simple rewards with a solid earning rate and offers an intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases. In fact, it has the same perks found on the non-student version of the card.
This student credit card focuses more on the basics of credit building so you won’t find travel perks and protections. But there’s no foreign transaction fee, making it perfect for studying abroad.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $550**
- Ongoing annual card value: $300**
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a 17.49% to 27.49% Variable APR will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job. Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Best no-annual-fee travel card for business
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 50,000 miles
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
- Earn a generous sign-up bonus
- Can transfer your miles to travel transfer partners
- Complimentary employee cards
- $0 foreign transaction fee
- Rental car coverage, roadside assistance and extended warranty
- Lack of bonus reward categories in popular spending categories
- High spend requirement to earn sign-up bonus
- High penalty APR if you make a late payment
Small business owners looking for a $0-annual-fee travel card can’t go wrong with the Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business. It has a solid earnings rate, a chance to earn a high-value sign-up bonus and lots of redemption options — including 1:1 miles transfer to 20+ travel partners.
Earnings are limited since there aren’t multiple bonus spending categories, but given its strong base rate, it may be a good choice to use in tandem with a tiered rewards card.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $1,578**
- Ongoing annual card value: $583**
- Earn unlimited 1.5X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel using a Spark Miles Select card
- No annual fee
- Transfer your miles to 15+ leading travel loyalty programs like Air Canada and Emirates™
- Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
- Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 1.5X miles from their purchases
- For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Best no-annual-fee cash back card for travel
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: $200 Cash Back
Earn $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
- Easy-to-earn sign-up bonus
- One of the most rewarding cards for groceries, dining and entertainment
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Purchase and travel protections like extended warranty and MasterRental® Coverage
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Potentially high APR
- A fee applies to balance transfers
- No bonus rewards on travel booked outside of Capital One Travel
- Recommended for applicants with good / excellent credit
Though it’s actually a cash back card, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is still a smart choice for travelers thanks to its key travel benefits like travel insurance. Plus, if your trips involve enjoying new restaurants, seeing shows and visiting attractions, this card has arguably the best earning potential for a $0-annual-fee card.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $652**
- Ongoing annual card value: $452**
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
- For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
Best no-annual-fee travel card for bad credit
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Capital One will automatically review your account starting at six months to see if you qualify for a higher credit line.
- Solid rate on all purchases
- Earn elevated cash back on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One’s travel portal
- Foreign trasaction fees: None
- Credit line is equal to deposit
- Can’t earn points or miles that could be transferred, just cash back
- High 28.99% (Variable) purchase APR
- High late payment fee of up to $40
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for those looking to rebuild credit while leveraging their regular spending to earn rewards. It stands out compared to other secured cards for its solid rewards earning rate. It’s a good option for travelers because it has a few travel benefits, like emergency card replacement and a reward boost on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One’s travel portal.
First-year versus ongoing value
- First-year card value: $54**
- Ongoing annual card value: $54**
- No annual or hidden fees, and you can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. See if you're approved in seconds
- Put down a refundable $200 security deposit to get at least a $200 initial credit line
- Building your credit? Using a card like this responsibly could help
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- You could earn back your security deposit as a statement credit when you use your card responsibly, like making payments on time
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Top rated mobile app
- For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
How to choose a no-fee travel credit card
Travel credit cards offer you the chance to earn rewards that can take you around the world at a discount. If you’re trying to choose a card, you may want to compare your top picks from our list or even expand your search by checking out our list of best no-annual-fee credit cards. When comparing cards to pick the best no-fee travel credit card for you, here are some key features to keep in mind:
Are you a frequent flyer on an airline or a devoted loyalist to a hotel chain? If you are, it may make sense to pick a co-branded card that rewards your loyalty. Even if you’re looking for a more flexible point currency, like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you’ll want to pay attention to the transfer partners in order to maximize value. Many of the best flexible points programs allow you to transfer points into many different loyalty programs to maximize your earnings.
While a sign-up bonus is a one-time value to the card, some can be worth over $1,000, though the bonuses on no-annual-fee travel cards typically are worth less. Nonetheless, taking advantage of one or more lucrative sign-up bonuses could be a way to rack up points toward that dream trip you’re planning.
The card’s rewards earning rate is one of the most important features. Long after you’ve earned your sign-up bonus, it’s the card’s earning rate that is going to help you earn rewards faster.
Take a look at your spending over the past few months. Are you eating out a lot? Then a card that rewards restaurant spending might be a good fit for you. Or maybe you’re driving a lot more? Consider a card that rewards gas purchases. It’s worth taking a few minutes to crunch the numbers to figure out where you’ll get the most value.
Not all points currencies are created equal. Transferable point currencies — like Chase Ultimate Rewards® or American Express Membership Rewards — are often worth more than hotel points or airline miles, but most of the cards that earn these rewards have an annual fee.
→ Check out LendingTree’s guide to what credit card points are worth.
No-annual-fee travel rewards cards vary in how you can redeem points or miles, so make sure to take a look at your travel goals and the card’s redemption flexibility. Many co-branded airline or hotel cards allow you to redeem only for travel purchases from that brand, which is a significant limitation but might be fine if you’re a brand loyalist. Generally, the more flexible the redemption options, the better.
If you are planning on traveling internationally, a credit card that offers no foreign transaction fees will help save you from being charged an additional percentage on each purchase. No one wants to get hit with hundreds of dollars in surprise fees after their fun vacation, so if you travel internationally, look for a card without foreign transaction fees.
Most no-annual-fee travel cards do not offer sought-after benefits such as free checked bags or priority boarding. However, many offer travel insurance, purchase protection, rental car insurance or elite status. These extra perks can make your stay more comfortable, allow you to get a discount on an airline food purchase, score a room upgrade or even get a free night’s stay. It’s worth checking the fine print on these perks to see if a card you’re considering has benefits that would bring you real value.
Who should get a no-fee travel credit card?
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Beginner credit cardholders
If you’re a student or just new to credit cards, a no-annual-fee travel credit card is a great option — especially if you’re planning to study abroad or dorm far from home. The card will help you build credit — as long as you pay your bill in full each month — and you’ll get perks like travel rewards and trip insurance.
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Infrequent travelers
If you love to travel but only manage to take to the skies or hit the road a couple of times a year, a no-annual-fee travel card might be a great option for you. While travel credit cards that charge hefty annual fees have value for frequent flyers and digital nomads, you likely won’t be able to maximize such cards with just a trip or two.
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Those diversifying points
No-annual-fee cards can play an important role in anyone’s card portfolio, even seasoned rewards chasers. Some of these cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® pair well with the premium Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® cards, which do charge annual fees, allowing you to earn more bonus points in additional categories.
Others, like the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, would help you earn Marriott Bonvoy® points, thus allowing you to transfer fewer of your valuable American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to Marriott.
Should you get a travel card with an annual fee instead?
Travel cards with annual fees can easily be justified if you reach a certain level of spending and can take advantage of other value-added perks. Even if you don’t travel frequently per se, if you spend a fair amount in a card’s top-earning categories, it could still be worth the fee.
In our example below, the $0-annual-fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card would generate only $250 in rewards with $20,000 in spend. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, on the other hand, would generate $400 in rewards with the same amount of spend. When you subtract the $95 annual fee, you still come out ahead for the year with $305.
Example miles earnings
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $95 |
| Earning rate | 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| Miles earned on $20,000 annual spend | 25,000 | 40,000 |
| Value of miles | $250 | $400 |
→ See the best annual fee travel cards
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the Bilt World Elite Mastercard®, The New United Gateway℠ Card, Hilton Honors American Express Card, Wells Fargo Autograph® Card, Prime Visa, Discover it® Miles, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
