Cash Back Credit Cards With No Annual Fee: 8 You Shouldn’t Ignore

Finding the right credit card can feel like a full-time job. You want a card that has all the features, but who wants to pay an annual fee?

Fortunately, there are many options for cash back credit cards with no annual fees. The key is determining what you want from your credit card to make the right decision. For example, the Discover it^® Cash Back(Rates and fees) has rotating categories quarterly. Is that something you can handle, or would you prefer a card with a rate that never changes, like the Citi Double Cash^® Card?

Keep reading to learn all about the top cash back credit cards with no fees and how they compare so you can determine which is best for you.

8 of the highest cash back credit cards with no annual fee

• Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card
• Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Freedom Flex^®
• Chase Freedom Unlimited^®
• Citi Double Cash^® Card
• Discover it^® Cash Back

Compare cash back credit cards with no annual fee

Credit card	Great for someone who...	Rewards type	FinanceBuzz value calculation1 <p class="">These values are based on the <a href="https://financebuzz.com/financebuzz-credit-card-valuation">FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model</a>, which takes a look at rewards earned via spending, the welcome offer, and the annual fee. We used a valuation of 1 cent/point unless otherwise stated above. These are estimated values - your actual earnings will depend on how much you spend and in what categories.<br></p>
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Wants to earn easy, but generous rewards for everyday spending	Flat-rate	Year one earnings: $950 Year two earnings: $750
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card 4.4 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Has predictable monthly spending	Choose your bonus categories	Year one earnings: $705 Year two earnings: $505
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card 4.5 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Wants effortless cashback on all of their purchases	Flat-rate	Year one earnings: $763 Year two earnings: $563
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card 4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Enjoys spending on dining and entertainment	Tiered categories	Year one earnings: $1,105 Year two earnings: $905
Chase Freedom Flex® 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Has varied spending throughout the year and can maximize the quarterly spending categories	Rotating bonus categories	Year one earnings: $855 Year two earnings: $655
Chase Freedom Unlimited® 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Wants a powerful rate for everyday spending, plus bonus categories for travel and dining	Tiered categories	Year one earnings: $953 Year two earnings: $653
Citi Double Cash® Card(Rates and fees) 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Wants effortless cash back on all of their purchases	Flat-rate	Year one earnings: $950 Year two earnings: $750
Discover it® Cash Back(Rates and fees) 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Has varied spending throughout the year and can maximize the quarterly spending categories	Rotating bonus categories	Year one earnings: $1,070 Year two earnings: $535

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

The flat rate the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card offers is a nice break from tracking categories and worrying about which credit card to use. In addition, it comes with a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable), so if you have balances to transfer, you can get them paid off without interest.

Despite not having an annual fee, you can still enjoy many benefits including:

• Cell phone protection up to $600 against theft or damage (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Auto rental collision damage waiver
• Travel emergency assistance services
• Roadside dispatch

However, keep in mind that this card doesn’t offer any bonus categories with higher rewards rates. This can be a major downside for someone who travels frequently, as the travel benefits are also limited.

Apply now or find more details in our Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review.

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

The Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a great choice for someone with spending that’s predictable from month to month because you can change your bonus category monthly or leave it the same if it’s your highest spend category. I like the flexibility of being able to earn more on purchases you know you’ll make.

The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles (then 18.49% - 28.49% Variable). You also get a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.49% - 28.49% Variable).

The downside is there’s a cap on how much you can earn in the top two bonus categories. Once you spend $2,500 in a quarter, your rewards default to 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Apply now or get more details in our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

If you want an easy-going card that doesn’t require you to worry about categories or spending caps, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option. Even though this cash back credit card has a $0 annual fee, it also has intro APR offers:

• 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable). Balance transfer fee applies
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)

These introductory rates can come in handy if you need time to pay off a new purchase.

I like this card for its travel benefits that are unique for a $0 annual fee credit cards. Not only can you earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), but you also get travel accident insurance, complimentary concierge service, and more.² <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above 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.<br></p>

Learn more by checking out our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards review.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

If a majority of your spending is on dining or entertainment, you can earn a decent amount of cash back with the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, including 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. The best news is that the cashback is unlimited, so you don’t have to worry about hitting spending limits on your favorite categories.

I also like this card for its travel benefits without categorizing itself as a “travel credit card.” Earning 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) is a great perk.

While these are great perks, since this is a Mastercard, the basic benefits are limited and don’t include things like auto rental collision damage waivers, roadside assistance, or luxury hotel benefits.

Learn more in our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards review.

Chase Freedom Flex^®

If you are a flexible spender, you may enjoy the Chase Freedom Flex^® with its rotating categories quarterly. You can check out the cashback calendar on its website so you can plan your purchases.

It’s important to know that you must activate the rewards to get them, and the cap is $1,500 on combined purchases quarterly, so I’d use this card only for the bonus categories to get the extra cash, but then use another card when you max out the reward.

Since the card pays a healthy bonus on travel purchases, it makes sense that they offer trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waivers, and travel and emergency assistance services.

Check out more details in our Chase Freedom Flex review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

While earning 1.5% cash back isn’t anything to write home about, there’s no cap on your spending, so you can earn unlimited rewards. I also like that there are bonus categories allowing you to earn 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.

The card also has intro APR periods:

• 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable)
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable)

This gives you time to pay off large purchases or those pesky credit card balances. While the card doesn’t include many travel benefits, you do get a complimentary 3-month DoorDash DashPass when you activate by January 31, 2025 and can earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.

Apply now or learn more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card is a popular cash back card for its consistent reward rate on all purchases. It’s a good option if you frequently make purchases that don’t fall into typical cashback categories, such as groceries, gas, or restaurants.

The Citi Double Cash card is simple — 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. I like it for the motivation to pay the balance off since you get cash back after paying the amount charged. This makes you more likely to pay your bill off faster so you can earn rewards.

The card also offers a healthy introductory offer of 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable). This gives you a little more time to pay off those high credit card balances.

Apply now or get more information in our Citi Double Cash^® Card(Rates and fees) review.

Discover it^® Cash Back

The Discover it^® Cash Back requires plenty of tracking as its bonus categories change quarterly, but it might be worth it since you can earn a healthy 5% cash back on those categories when you activate. The downside is the limit is $1,500 combined in all bonus categories per quarter.

The Discover it Cash Back card also offers intro APR offers:

• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 18.49% - 27.49% Variable *Rates as of December 12, 2024)
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 18.49% - 27.49% Variable *Rates as of December 12, 2024)

There is a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*, so keep that in mind.

There is a $0 annual fee. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This card could be very helpful, especially if you focus on the bonus categories. However, I wouldn’t use it for large purchases or travel because it doesn’t include travel or extended warranty benefits like the other cards on the list.

Apply now or get more info in our Discover it^® Cash Back(Rates and fees) review.

What to consider before you choose a cash back card

When considering a cash back card, there are many factors to consider:

• What type of cash back will benefit you the most? Do you prefer a flat rate so you don’t have to think about it or do you like bonus offers and rotating categories? Look at your previous expenses to see if the rotating categories would benefit you.
• Will you use the rewards? Most cards offer a cash redemption option, but they may offer more value for other options. Consider if you’ll use those options or if you strictly want cash back to find the highest redemption options.
• What features do you need? Some of the no-annual-fee cash back credit cards have limited benefits outside of earning cash back, but others are chock full of benefits. Think about what you need and/or would use when finding the right credit card.

FAQs

Products that didn’t make our list

This list of the best cash back credit cards with no annual fee is not exhaustive. There are a few cards that didn’t make the list, but deserve an honorable mention:

• Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express: This card earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. It didn't make our list because the welcome offer is lower than other cards. But it's a good choice if you are looking for an Amex card.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card: This is a good option if you want a high cashback rate at U.S. supermarkets, but it is capped. You can earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries; 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchases. It also does come with an annual fee of $95.

Bottom line

Earning cash back on a credit card is great, but make sure you’ll use the rest of the card’s features and that it has no annual fee, or at least an affordable one. The best credit card is the one that fits your spending habits and goals the best. The suggestions provided should help you start your journey in finding the perfect cash back card.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash

Drawbacks

• Foreign transaction fee of 3%
• No bonus categories

Card Details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.