Guide · No-fee cards
No-Fee Credit Cards
“No fee” usually means no annual fee. Other costs can still apply: interest, foreign fees, cash advance fees and late fees. This page gives a quick overview so you know what to check.
General information only. Terms, fees and regulations vary by card and country.
What does “no-fee” really mean?
Usually means
No annual fee for holding the card. You can keep it open at no yearly cost, as long as you meet basic terms (no long-term unpaid debt, etc.).
Still can include
- Interest on unpaid balances
- Foreign transaction fees
- Cash withdrawal fees
- Late payment fees
Common fee types on cards
| Fee | Applies when |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | Simply for holding the card (0 on no-fee cards). |
| Interest | On balances you don’t pay in full by the due date. |
| Foreign transaction fee | On purchases in foreign currency or abroad. |
| Cash advance / ATM fee | When withdrawing cash with the card. |
When a no-fee card is a good fit
- You want a simple card without paying just to keep it open.
- You usually pay the full balance each month.
- You don’t need premium lounge access or luxury perks.
- You want to build or maintain credit history over time.
If you travel a lot or use rewards heavily, a card with an annual fee can sometimes offer better net value.
Checklist for “no-fee” cards
- Confirm that the annual fee really is 0.
- Look up the APR and how interest is calculated.
- Check foreign transaction fees if you travel or shop abroad.
- See if there is any fee for paper statements, replacements or inactivity.
- Compare rewards to other no-fee options.
Compare no-fee cards side by side
Use our comparison tool to filter for cards with no annual fee and see which ones still offer solid rewards, travel terms or extra benefits.
Go to comparison