Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Credit Cards for 2026
You don't have to pay $95 a year to earn real travel rewards. Here are the cards that prove it.
The Case for Paying Nothing
I'll be honest with you: if you read our guide to the best travel credit cards for adults 55+, you know that the Chase Sapphire Preferred — a card with a $95 annual fee — is our top overall recommendation. The math supports it. The travel protections justify it. For most travelers, it's the right call.
But "most" isn't "all."
Some people have a deeply held conviction that credit cards should not cost money. That paying an annual fee, no matter how small, goes against a principle they've held for decades. And I respect that conviction — because it's not wrong. It's just a different framework.
If your annual fee tolerance is exactly zero dollars, this guide is for you. And here's the good news: you don't have to settle for mediocre rewards. The no-annual-fee travel card landscape has improved dramatically in recent years, and several of these cards earn rewards that would have required a premium card just five years ago.
You will give up a few things — transfer partners, airport lounges, trip cancellation insurance. But you'll gain something that has its own real value: the absolute certainty that your credit card will never cost you a penny.
Let's find the right one.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you apply through one, WanderWise earns a referral commission at no cost to you. We recommend these cards because they're genuinely good — not because of the commission structure. If a better no-fee card existed that we didn't earn a commission on, it would be on this list. Read our full editorial policy →
How We Evaluated No-Fee Cards
No-annual-fee cards play a different game than premium cards. They win on simplicity, accessibility, and risk-free earning. So we adjusted our scoring criteria accordingly:
| Category | Weight | What We're Measuring |
|---|---|---|
| Earning rate on 55+ spending | 30% | Points or miles earned on groceries, dining, gas, and general purchases |
| Redemption value and flexibility | 20% | What your rewards are actually worth, and how easy they are to use |
| First-year value | 15% | Sign-up bonus or first-year promotions (like mile matching) |
| Simplicity | 15% | Is the earning structure easy to understand and use without tracking? |
| Foreign transaction fees | 10% | Does it charge you 3% extra on purchases abroad? (Many no-fee cards do) |
| Supplemental benefits | 10% | Anything extra — purchase protection, credit score monitoring, extended warranty |
The 5 Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Cards for 2026
Card #1: Discover it Miles — "The Best First Step in Travel Rewards"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best Overall No-Fee Card)
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | All miles earned in year one are matched (effectively doubles your first-year earnings) |
| Earning rate | 1.5x miles on every purchase |
| Redemption value | 1 cent per mile as statement credit against travel |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Notable perks | First-year mile match · Free FICO score · U.S.-based customer service · Freeze It on/off switch |
Why it's our top pick:
The Discover it Miles is the rare card that makes no compromises for its $0 price tag. You earn 1.5 miles on every single purchase — no categories to track, no rotating bonuses to activate, no mental overhead whatsoever.
But the defining feature is the first-year mile match. Every mile you earn in your first twelve months is automatically doubled at the end of the year. That transforms the 1.5x earning rate into an effective 3x for your entire first year — which is higher than what most $95 and $250 annual fee cards offer on their bonus categories.
Let me put real numbers on that. If you spend $3,500 per month (groceries, dining, gas, bills, everything), you'll earn 63,000 miles in year one. At the end of the year, Discover doubles it to 126,000 miles — worth $1,260 in travel. From a card that costs zero dollars.
After the first year, the match goes away and you're earning a flat 1.5x, which translates to about $630 per year on the same spending. Still meaningful. Still free.
The trade-offs are real: Discover has no transfer partners (your miles are only good for statement credits), travel protections are minimal, and some international merchants — particularly in parts of Europe and Asia — don't accept Discover. For a primary international travel card, you'd want something on the Visa or Mastercard network. But as a domestic travel rewards card with no annual fee? Nothing beats it in year one, and very little matches it in year two and beyond.
Who should get this card:
- Complete beginners who want zero risk and zero cost
- Anyone who wants to prove the concept of travel rewards before committing to a premium card
- People who primarily travel domestically (where Discover acceptance is excellent)
- Cautious spenders who love the idea of earning travel rewards but hate the idea of fees
See the current Discover it Miles offer →
Card #2: Wells Fargo Autograph — "The Everyday Earner"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 20,000 points (after $1,000 in 3 months) |
| Earning rates | 3x on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, streaming, phone plans · 1x on everything else |
| Redemption value | 1 cent per point as statement credit or through Wells Fargo rewards portal |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Notable perks | Cell phone protection (up to $600) · Zero liability protection · Visa Signature benefits |
Why it made our list:
The Wells Fargo Autograph is what happens when a bank decides to put premium earning rates on a free card. Three points per dollar on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, streaming, and phone plans covers an enormous swath of typical spending for people our age.
Let's break down the earning for a realistic monthly budget:
| Category | Monthly spend | Points earned |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | $500 | 1,500 (3x) |
| Gas | $250 | 750 (3x) |
| Travel (averaged) | $400 | 1,200 (3x) |
| Phone plan | $120 | 360 (3x) |
| Streaming services | $50 | 150 (3x) |
| Everything else | $2,000 | 2,000 (1x) |
| Monthly total | $3,320 | 5,960 |
| Annual total | $39,840 | 71,520 points = $715 |
That's $715 in annual rewards from a card that costs nothing. Add the 20,000-point sign-up bonus ($200), and your first-year value reaches $915.
The cell phone protection is an unexpected bonus that's genuinely useful: pay your monthly phone bill with this card, and you get up to $600 in coverage if your phone is damaged or stolen (with a $25 deductible). Many people pay $10–15 per month for phone insurance through their carrier — this card replaces that cost entirely.
The limitations: points are worth a flat 1 cent each with no transfer partners and no way to boost their value. And that 1x rate on non-bonus categories means groceries, utilities, insurance, and other household expenses earn at a lower rate than the Discover it Miles' flat 1.5x.
Who should get this card:
- People who spend heavily on dining, gas, and travel — the categories where 3x earns significantly more
- Anyone who wants strong everyday earning categories without paying an annual fee
- People who'd appreciate free cell phone protection ($120–180/year value if you're currently paying for carrier insurance)
- Travelers who need international acceptance (Visa network is accepted virtually everywhere)
See the current Wells Fargo Autograph offer →
Card #3: Capital One VentureOne — "The Simpler Sibling"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 20,000 miles (after $500 in 3 months) |
| Earning rates | 1.25x miles on every purchase |
| Redemption value | 1 cent per mile (statement credit against travel) or transfer to partners |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Notable perks | Transfer partners (same network as Capital One Venture) · Purchase Eraser for travel · Very low spend requirement for bonus |
Why it made our list:
The VentureOne is the no-fee version of the Capital One Venture card. The earning rate is lower — 1.25x instead of 2x — but it carries one feature that no other card on this list offers: access to Capital One's transfer partners.
This means you can move your miles to Air Canada Aeroplan, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, and other airline programs. For most no-fee card holders, rewards are stuck at a flat value — 1 cent per mile, take it or leave it. With the VentureOne, you have an upgrade path to squeeze more value from your miles when you're ready to learn about transfers.
The sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles requires only $500 in spending over 3 months. That's the lowest spend requirement on this list — essentially one month of normal living expenses. If meeting minimum spend makes you nervous, this card removes that worry entirely.
The trade-off is straightforward: at 1.25x on everything, the VentureOne earns less than both the Discover it Miles (1.5x) and the Wells Fargo Autograph (3x on key categories). On $3,500 in monthly spending, the VentureOne earns about $525 per year versus $630 from the Discover card. That's real money left on the table.
But if you think you might eventually upgrade to the full Capital One Venture ($95/year, 2x on everything), starting with the VentureOne lets you build a relationship with Capital One and accumulate miles in the same ecosystem. It's the apprenticeship card.
Who should get this card:
- People who like Capital One's simplicity and want to start in their ecosystem without paying a fee
- Anyone who values having transfer partner access, even on a no-fee card
- People intimidated by high spend requirements for sign-up bonuses ($500 is achievable for everyone)
- Travelers who plan to eventually upgrade to the full Capital One Venture
See the current Capital One VentureOne offer →
Card #4: Bank of America Travel Rewards — "The Loyalty Play"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 25,000 points (after $1,000 in 3 months) |
| Earning rates | 1.5x points on every purchase |
| Redemption value | 1 cent per point as statement credit against travel |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Notable perks | Up to 75% earning bonus with Preferred Rewards · No foreign transaction fees · Visa Signature benefits |
Why it made our list:
On the surface, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card looks similar to the Discover it Miles — 1.5x on everything, no annual fee, statement credit redemption. And for most people, the Discover card is the better choice thanks to the first-year mile match.
But if you bank with Bank of America, this card becomes something special.
Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program boosts your earning rate based on your combined balances in BofA banking and Merrill Lynch investment accounts:
| Combined Balance | Earning Bonus | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000–$49,999 (Gold) | 25% | 1.875x |
| $50,000–$99,999 (Platinum) | 50% | 2.25x |
| $100,000+ (Platinum Honors) | 75% | 2.625x |
At the top tier, this free card earns 2.625 points per dollar on every purchase. That's higher than the Capital One Venture ($95/year) at 2x on everything. Higher than many premium cards. And the annual fee is still zero.
On $3,500/month in spending with Platinum Honors: 2.625x × $42,000 = 110,250 points = $1,102 in annual travel rewards. From a free card. If you already bank with BofA and have retirement funds at Merrill, this is extraordinary value hiding in plain sight.
Without Preferred Rewards status, the card earns a competitive but unremarkable 1.5x. The sign-up bonus of 25,000 points ($250) after $1,000 in spending is solid.
Who should get this card:
- Existing Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers — especially those with $50,000+ in combined accounts
- Anyone who wants a no-fee card with supercharged earning potential through a banking relationship they already have
- People who value the Visa network's near-universal acceptance
See the current BofA Travel Rewards offer →
Card #5: Chase Freedom Unlimited — "The Future Foundation"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Additional 1.5% cash back on all purchases in year one (effectively 3% back on everything) |
| Earning rates | 1.5% on every purchase · 3% on dining and drugstores · 5% on travel through Chase portal |
| Redemption value | 1 cent per point (or 1.25–1.5 cents when combined with a Sapphire card) |
| Foreign transaction fees | 3% (this is a significant drawback) |
| Notable perks | Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points · Points transfer to Sapphire card for higher value · Purchase protection · Extended warranty |
Why it made our list:
The Chase Freedom Unlimited earns the same Ultimate Rewards points as the Chase Sapphire Preferred — and that makes it uniquely powerful for a no-fee card, but only under the right circumstances.
On its own, the CFU is a solid but unexciting 1.5% cash back card. Points are worth 1 cent each, redeemable as statement credit or through Chase's portal. Nothing special.
But here's the magic: if you also hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, you can transfer your Freedom Unlimited points to that card — where they're suddenly worth 1.25 or 1.5 cents each through the portal, or transferable to airline and hotel partners at potentially 2–3+ cents each.
This makes the Freedom Unlimited the ideal companion card. Use it for all your non-bonus-category spending (where it earns 1.5x instead of the Sapphire Preferred's 1x), then funnel those points into your Sapphire card for maximum value.
The first-year bonus — an extra 1.5% on everything — means you effectively earn 3% back on all purchases for twelve months. On $3,500/month in spending, that's $1,260 in first-year rewards before you even factor in the 3% on dining and 5% on portal travel.
The critical caveat: This card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. Do not use it outside the United States. For international travel, use your Sapphire card or any of the other no-foreign-transaction-fee cards on this list.
Who should get this card:
- People who already have (or plan to get) a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve — the CFU becomes a points-earning powerhouse when paired
- Anyone who wants to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points without an annual fee
- People who primarily travel domestically (due to the foreign transaction fee)
- Those who want a strong first-year bonus with minimal effort
See the current Chase Freedom Unlimited offer →
The Complete Comparison
| Discover it Miles | WF Autograph | CO VentureOne | BofA Travel | Chase Freedom Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Best earning rate | 1.5x everything (3x year 1) | 3x dining/gas/travel | 1.25x everything | 1.5x (up to 2.625x w/BofA) | 1.5x (3x dining, 5x portal travel) |
| Sign-up bonus | Year-one match (~$540+) | 20,000 pts ($200) | 20,000 miles ($200) | 25,000 pts ($250) | +1.5% first year (~$630) |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None | None | None | 3% |
| Transfer partners | No | No | Yes | No | Yes (with Sapphire card) |
| Network | Discover | Visa | Mastercard | Visa | Visa |
| Simplicity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best for | Year-one value; beginners | Dining/gas spenders | Future upgraders | BofA customers | Sapphire cardholders |
| WanderWise rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Which No-Fee Card Is Right for You?
Start here: Do you bank with Bank of America and have $50,000+ in combined BofA/Merrill accounts?
- Yes → Get the BofA Travel Rewards card. The Preferred Rewards boost makes it earn more than most paid cards.
- No → Continue.
Next: Do you already have (or plan to get) a Chase Sapphire card?
- Yes → Get the Chase Freedom Unlimited as your companion card. Your points will be worth significantly more funneled through the Sapphire ecosystem.
- No → Continue.
Next: Do you spend heavily on dining and gas ($750+ per month combined)?
- Yes → Get the Wells Fargo Autograph. The 3x on those categories earns meaningfully more than a flat-rate card.
- No → Continue.
Finally: Do you want the maximum first-year value or the simplest ongoing card?
- Maximum first-year value → Get the Discover it Miles. The mile match makes it unbeatable in year one.
- Simplest ongoing card → Get the Capital One VentureOne. Simple earning, simple redemption, and access to transfer partners if you ever want more.
The Honest Truth About No-Fee Cards
I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't say this plainly: for most travelers over 55 who take two or more trips per year, a $95 annual fee card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture will earn you significantly more in net value than any no-fee card.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred, for example, costs $95 but earns roughly $300–500 more per year in rewards and travel protections than the best no-fee alternative. That's a net gain of $200–400 annually.
The no-fee cards on this list are genuinely good. But they're best suited for:
- People who are new to travel rewards and want to start with zero risk
- People with a philosophical commitment to avoiding annual fees
- People who travel once a year or less (where the fee premium is harder to justify)
- People who want a solid backup card alongside their primary travel card
If that's you, pick a card from this list and feel great about it. You'll earn real rewards that translate into real travel, and you'll never pay a cent for the privilege.
If you're ready for more, our guide to the best travel credit cards for adults 55+ is waiting whenever you are.
Your Next Step
Pick the card that matches your situation. Apply — it takes five minutes. Set up autopay for the full balance (always pay in full, every month). Start using it for everything you'd normally buy.
Within twelve months, you'll have hundreds — potentially over a thousand — dollars in travel rewards. From a card that cost you nothing.
That's not a bad way to start.
- Discover it Miles →
- Wells Fargo Autograph →
- Capital One VentureOne →
- Bank of America Travel Rewards →
- Chase Freedom Unlimited →
Related Reading
- Credit Card Annual Fees: Why Paying $95 Saves Thousands →
- How to Maximize Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses →
- Best First Credit Card for Travel After 55 →
- Hawaii on Points: Complete Guide →
Last updated: February 2026. Card terms and bonuses are accurate as of publication. We update this guide monthly — bookmark it and check back before applying. Affiliate disclosure: WanderWise earns a commission when you apply through our links. This doesn't affect our rankings or recommendations. Read our full editorial policy →