Maximizing Your Rewards: The Best Zero Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards

Travel reward credit cards are the easiest and quickest way to access cheap travel and flight discounts. You can use a travel credit card to start earning rewards, points, or air miles and save hundreds of dollars in the process. And you can maximize your savings by choosing cards with no annual fee!

Although paying an annual fee on a travel card can still work out as profitable, it is only natural to want to limit your spending as much as possible. So, we have pulled together a list of our favorite no annual fee travel credit cards for you to consider when looking to save money on flights and hotels.

What is a No Annual Fee Credit Card?

No fee travel credit cards do not require you to pay an annual fee to maintain ownership of your card. However, this does not mean that there are no costs or fees involved that you need to pay. Costs could include interest fees, fees for overdue payment or exceeding your limit, and foreign transaction fees.

Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards for 2023

Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card

• No Annual Fee
• 0% APR for first 18 months (then 17.74%-27.74% Variable.)
• 25,000 reward points (equivalent to charges of a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases) after you spend $1,000 within the first three months of opening your account.
• 1.5x points for every dollar you use to buy all other eligible purchases.
• Your points will not expire for as long as you keep your account open.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Redeem your reward points against travel and dining such as flight purchases, baggage costs, car rentals, accommodation, and even takeout!
• No limits on where you can spend your points, so you are not limited to a certain airline or hotel partner.
• Preferred Rewards members will earn between 25% and 75% for each purchase.

These simple and straightforward cards will allow you to earn points towards travel with no annual fee or complicated rewards system to deal with. And you also don't have to deal with restrictions about where and when you can spend the points you have accumulated, meaning you will be able to shop around to get the best value for your rewards.

Chase Freedom Flex Travel Card

• No Annual Fee.
• Introductory 0% APR for the first 15 months from opening your account.
• $200 bonus once you spend $500 within the first 3 months of opening your account.
• Earn 5% cash back on eligible purchases within selected rotating categories.
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
• 3% cash back on purchases made at restaurants and in drug stores.
• 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.

This card will reward you generously for a variety of different spending categories and a base level of 1% cash back for all your purchases. Which means that you may be able to earn more points quicker. However, you will need to activate eligible spending categories as they become available to activate your 5x points rewards.

The United Gateway Travel Credit Card

• No Annual Fee
• Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $,1000 within the first 3 months of your account opening.
• 2x miles for each dollar you spend on purchases with United, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans.
• Earn 1x miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases using your card.
• 25% back on onboard United purchases such as food, drink, and Wi-Fi onboard United Flights.
• Complimentary DashPass membership for 1 year which gives you access to $0 fees for delivery and lower service charges.

This simple and streamlined travel rewards card is a great option for those who are casual flyers with United and want to access benefits without committing to an annual fee or high minimum spend requirements.

JetBlue Travel Credit Card

• No Annual Fee
• A bonus of 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 within the first three months of account opening.
• 3x points per dollar spent on purchases with JetBlue.
• 2x rewards points for each dollar you spend at restaurants and grocery stores.
• 1x rewards on all other eligible purchases.
• Your rewards points don't expire for as long as you keep your account open.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Save 50% on inflight purchases of food and drink on JetBlue flights.
• No blackout dates for when you can redeem your rewards points.

This is a great option for those who fly with Jet Blue occasionally and are looking for a no-commitment way to start enjoying discounts and benefits.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

• No Annual Fee.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• 80,000 Hilton Honors bonus points when you spend $1,000 within the first three months of your account opening.
• Complimentary Silver Status with card membership.
• 7x bonus points for all eligible purchases with Hilton hotels and properties.
• 5x rewards points for purchases made at eligible restaurants, US supermarkets, and gas stations.
• 3x points for all other eligible purchases you make on your card.

If you regularly book with Hilton Hotels, this no annual fee card is a great, low-pressure way to get started building up valuable points toward your next trip.

Takeaway - Maximizing Your Rewards: The Best Zero Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards

Are you looking to get started on earning points and discounts towards travel, but don't feel comfortable committing to the high annual fees associated with premium travel cards?

Our list of the best Zero Annual Fee Travel Credit cards will allow you to start building up points with your preferred airlines or hotels with a lower commitment level. And they'll all reward you with a healthy bonus if you spend a certain amount within the first three months of card membership.

Remember when assessing each card to ensure you have the means to pay back interest and will not be negatively affecting your credit score with late repayments and falling into debt. If you do, these starter travel cards are the perfect first step toward saving hundreds or thousands of dollars on your future travel.