17 Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards That Save You Money in 2025

Want to save money and still get great credit card benefits? You’re not alone. Most Brazilians who earn up to 3 minimum wages actively look for cartao de credito sem anuidade (no-annual-fee credit cards) to handle their everyday purchases.
The right no-annual-fee credit card can really help your wallet, whether you use it for daily expenses or dream of travel rewards like 67% of cardholders. Premium cards often target people with monthly incomes above R$15,000. However, many excellent no-fee options provide impressive benefits – from cashback and travel miles to purchase protection and digital banking features.
Our team reviewed the top 17 no-annual-fee credit cards for 2025 to give you a full picture of their benefits, approval requirements, and user experiences. These cards range from those with original credit limits of R$250 to ones that give up to 1.6 points per dollar spent. This helps you find the perfect match based on your spending habits and financial goals.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited shines as a versatile no-annual-fee credit card that lets you earn both cash back and travel rewards.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Benefits
You’ll get packed with everything in protections when you own this card. The coverage includes protection against damage or theft up to $500 per item for 120 days. The card also provides trip cancelation insurance that covers up to $1,500 per traveler and $6,000 per trip. Eligible items get an extra year added to their manufacturer warranties.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Rewards Structure
The rewards program gives you tiered earning rates:
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel
- 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
- 1.5% back on all other purchases
New cardholders can grab a $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. The card also comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Score Requirements
Your chances of approval look best with a credit score of at least 670. Some people with scores in the low to mid-600s have gotten approved. A score above 700 boosts your approval odds even more.
How to Maximize Chase Freedom Unlimited Rewards
These strategies help you get the most value:
- Match it with premium Chase cards like Sapphire Preferred or Reserve to unlock transfer partners and boost point values by 25-50%
- Browse Chase’s bonus mall before shopping online to potentially triple your reward rates
- Combine points with other Chase Ultimate Rewards cards to get better redemption value
Your rewards stay valid as long as you keep the account active. The card also lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards, or merchandise through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Your points can be worth more when you transfer them to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
Citi Double Cash Card
The Citi Double Cash Card stands out among no-annual-fee credit cards with its simple yet rewarding cash back program on everyday purchases. New cardholders can get $200 cash back by spending $1,500 during their first six months with the card.
Citi Double Cash Rewards Program
This card comes with a two-step rewards structure that gives you 2% cash back on everything you buy. You’ll earn 1% on purchases and another 1% when you pay your bill. Right now, you can earn 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions if you book through the Citi Travel portal – this offer runs until December 31, 2025.
Citi Double Cash Credit Requirements
While Citi doesn’t openly share specific credit score requirements, you’ll likely need a score around 670 or higher to get approved. Notwithstanding that, your approval chances might be good with a lower score depending on your income and account history. The good news is you can call Citi’s reconsideration line at 1-800-695-5171 if your application gets denied.
Best Ways to Use Citi Double Cash
Here’s how to get the most value from your card:
- Link a ThankYou account to change your cash back into ThankYou Points
- Get your rewards as statement credits, direct deposits, or checks without any minimum redemption amount
- Spend your points on travel bookings, gift cards, or donate them to charity
The card gives you 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then switches to 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR. Balance transfer fees start at $5 or 3% in the first four months and go up to 5% after that.
Travel lovers can get even more value by combining the Double Cash Card with a Citi Premier Card. This combo lets you access Citi’s complete list of transfer partners and gives you more ways to use your rewards. You can move your points to several loyalty programs like JetBlue TrueBlue, Wyndham Rewards, and Choice Privileges.
Capital One Quicksilver
The Capital One Quicksilver credit card rewards users with simple cash back and travel benefits that make it perfect for daily spending. Users get 1.5% cash back on everything they buy, with no caps on rewards.
Capital One Quicksilver Benefits
The card goes beyond basic cash back by offering 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. New users can grab a $200 bonus after they spend $500 in their first three months. The card’s detailed travel protections include:
- Extended warranty on eligible items
- Travel accident insurance with card-paid fare
- 24-hour travel help if you need emergency card replacement
- Free concierge help to plan dining and entertainment
Capital One Quicksilver Approval Process
Capital One lets you know about your application in just 90 seconds online. Your new card arrives within 7-10 business days after approval. Here’s how to boost your approval chances:
- Look for pre-approval offers that won’t hurt your credit score
- Keep your credit usage under 30%
- The QuicksilverOne card might work better if your credit score needs work
Maximizing Capital One Quicksilver Rewards
Your rewards value grows when you:
- Book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel to earn 5% back
- Cash in your rewards through multiple ways:
- Get statement credits or checks
- Pay for recent purchases
- Shop on Amazon.com or PayPal
- Pick up gift cards from various stores
You can redeem rewards whatever the balance. These rewards never expire as long as your account stays active. Capital One Shopping finds and adds coupon codes to your online shopping automatically, which helps you save even more than the regular cash back.
Discover it Cash Back
The Discover it Cash Back stands out as a distinctive rewards card. Its rotating quarterly bonus categories let cardholders maximize their earnings throughout the year.
Discover it Cash Back Rewards Calendar
The first quarter of 2025 lets cardholders earn 5% cash back at restaurants, home improvement stores, and select streaming services. This applies to combined purchases up to $1,500 after activation. Select streaming services cover popular platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube Premium. Every other purchase earns a standard 1% cash back.
First Year Match Program
The card’s standout feature lies without doubt in its welcome offer. Discover automatically matches all cash back earned during the first year instead of providing a traditional sign-up bonus. This means cardholders earn 10% back in rotating categories and 2% on all other purchases during their first year effectively. To cite an instance, earning $500 in rewards during your first year means Discover will match it with another $500.
Credit Score Requirements
Applicants need a good to excellent credit score to maximize their approval chances. Most approved applicants have scores of 670 or higher. The average credit score of approved cardholders reaches 689, while 760 remains the most common approval score. Cardholders average 44 years of age with an annual income of $90,960.
To maximize rewards value:
- The Discover website, mobile app, or 800-DISCOVER number activates bonus categories each quarter
- Quarterly spending needs tracking to meet the $1,500 bonus category limit
- Credit utilization should stay below 30% for optimal account management
The program’s rewards offer exceptional redemption flexibility. Cardholders can redeem earnings for:
- Direct deposits to bank accounts
- Statement credits
- Amazon.com or PayPal purchases
- Gift cards (starting at $5)
- Charitable donations
The rewards never expire while the account stays active. The program requires no minimum redemption amount, which lets cardholders access their rewards whatever the balance.
American Express Cash Magnet
The American Express Cash Magnet card keeps things simple with a clear way to earn rewards without tracking spending categories. You’ll get $200 cash back after spending $2,000 during your first six months.
Amex Cash Magnet Benefits
This card gives you important travel and shopping protection features. You’ll get car rental loss and damage insurance when you say no to the collision damage waiver at the rental counter. The purchase protection covers your eligible items against damage or theft for 90 days, up to $1,000 per incident and $50,000 per year.
The Global Assist Hotline helps you handle travel emergencies with services like medical referrals, passport replacement help, and customs information. The Amex Travel portal’s Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee means American Express will refund the difference if you find a lower price for the same room elsewhere.
Approval Requirements
People who get approved usually have good to excellent credit scores. The card starts with a 0% APR on purchases for 15 months. Once approved, you can handle your account through American Express’s mobile app that sends immediate purchase alerts and fraud warnings.
Rewards Optimization Tips
Here’s how to get the most value from your Cash Magnet card:
- Put your regular spending on the card to earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases
- Use Pay It Plan It to spread out big purchases over time with a fixed monthly fee instead of interest charges
- Sign up for Amex Offers to earn extra rewards on specific purchases
The rewards program lets you redeem your earnings flexibly. Cash back comes as Reward Dollars that you can use for statement credits or Amazon.com purchases. The ShopRunner benefit gives you free two-day shipping at participating stores.
The card combines smoothly with digital payment options, so you can split purchases with friends using Venmo through Amex Send and Split. The dispute resolution service helps you quickly handle any questionable charges.
Wells Fargo Active Cash
The Wells Fargo Active Cash card ranks high among top choices with its simple 2% cash rewards on all purchases and no annual fees.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Benefits
New cardholders can earn a $200 cash rewards welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. The card comes with detailed protection benefits:
- Cell phone protection up to $600 for damage or theft (with $25 deductible)
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- Access to Visa Signature Concierge and Luxury Hotel Collection
You’ll get a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. After that, the variable APR shifts to 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24%.
Credit Requirements
Your FICO score should be at least 670 to improve approval odds. A qualifying score alone doesn’t guarantee approval. Other factors matter too:
- Opening another Wells Fargo credit card in the last six months
- Current credit cards with Wells Fargo
Maximizing Cash Rewards
The card offers several ways to get the most value:
- You can redeem rewards through multiple options:
- Statement credits (starting at $1)
- Direct deposit to qualifying Wells Fargo accounts
- ATM withdrawals in $20 increments
- Gift cards
The card merges naturally with Wells Fargo Rewards. This lets you offset eligible purchases or move rewards to qualifying Wells Fargo accounts. My Wells Fargo Deals provides customized merchant offers that earn extra cash back as account credits.
This card remains Wells Fargo’s best cash back product. The 3% foreign transaction fee might matter to international travelers. The card works well with other Wells Fargo products, especially if you already bank with them.
Bank of America Customized Cash
The Bank of America Customized Cash credit card makes everyday spending more rewarding with its flexible rewards structure and unique category selection feature.
Reward Categories
Cardholders can earn 3% cash back in their chosen category from six options, which stands out as the card’s best feature:
- Gas and EV charging stations
- Online shopping (which has cable, streaming, internet, and phone services)
- Dining
- Travel
- Drug stores
- Home improvement and furnishings
Cardholders also earn 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, plus 1% on everything else. The 3% and 2% rewards work for the first $2,500 in combined quarterly spending. The card offers extra flexibility by letting users change their 3% category once per calendar month through online banking or the mobile app.
Preferred Rewards Program
Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program lets cardholders earn even more based on their qualifying account balances. Members can get these reward increases:
- Gold tier (minimum $20,000): 25% increase
- Platinum tier (minimum $50,000): 50% increase
- Platinum Honors tier (minimum $100,000): 75% increase
These increases can substantially change how much you earn. Platinum Honors members can get up to 5.25% in their choice category and 3.5% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Program benefits stay active for a full year, whatever your balance fluctuations might be.
Application Process
Applicants should have a credit score of at least 670 to improve their approval odds. New cardholders can get a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. The card comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of opening the account.
Bank of America customers will find the application process smooth and straightforward. Preferred Rewards members get priority service and better benefits across banking services. The card also has contactless chip technology and detailed online banking features.
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum card stands out as a great financial tool for people who want long interest-free periods. This card offers one of the longest 0% APR deals you can find.
0% APR Benefits
This card shines with its impressive 0% introductory APR that runs for 21 billing cycles. The deal works for both purchases and balance transfers. A variable APR of 17.74% – 28.74% kicks in after this promotion ends. The U.S. Bank ExtendPay Plan lets cardholders split their eligible purchases into fixed monthly payments without interest. They just need to pay a small monthly fee.
Balance Transfer Features
The balance transfer program has these important features:
- You get 60 days to transfer balances at the promotional rate
- Each transfer costs 5% (minimum $5)
- You can’t transfer balances from other U.S. Bank accounts
This card works great for people who want to combine high-interest debt or pay off big purchases. The math is simple – divide what you owe by 21 months to figure out your monthly payments. This helps you clear the debt before regular interest rates start.
Credit Requirements
You’ll need good to excellent credit scores to improve your chances of approval. This card works best if you want to:
- Clear existing debt without paying interest
- Pay for big purchases over time
- Set up structured payment plans for monthly bills
The card doesn’t have a rewards program, but it excels at helping you manage debt. It also protects your cell phone when you pay your monthly phone bill with the card. A smart strategy would be using this card alongside a rewards card. Use the rewards card for regular spending and this one for debt consolidation or major purchases.
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum keeps things simple. It gives you almost two years of interest-free financing to handle your financial needs. The long zero-interest period beats most other cards, making it a solid choice for planning your finances.
Capital One SavorOne
The Capital One SavorOne credit card takes dining and entertainment to the next level with great rewards and no annual fee. This updated version of the popular dining card keeps its main benefits while adding new features for 2025.
Dining and Entertainment Rewards
The SavorOne card really shines with its rewards structure. You’ll earn 3% unlimited cash back on dining, entertainment, groceries, and select streaming services. Entertainment rewards cover movie theaters, sports events, theater productions, amusement parks, tourist attractions, aquariums, zoos, dance halls, record stores, pool halls, and bowling alleys.
The card gives you even more rewards through Capital One’s travel portal:
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- 10% cash back on Uber transactions through November 14, 2024
Sign-up Bonus Details
You can get a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in your first three months as a cardholder. The rewards program lets you redeem your cash back through:
- Statement credits
- Direct deposits
- Gift cards
- PayPal purchases
- Amazon.com checkout
Approval Strategy
Your best shot at approval comes with a credit score of 700 or higher. Some people with lower scores have gotten approved too, though not as often. Before you apply, here’s what to keep in mind:
Capital One lets you have no more than two personal credit cards. The bank also looks at:
- Credit utilization ratios
- Payment history
- Recent credit checks from the past 3-6 months
You can check if you might qualify using Capital One’s online pre-qualification tool. This won’t hurt your credit score and helps you know your chances. If you’re denied, Capital One will send you a letter explaining why, so you can fix any issues before trying again.
The card works hand in hand with Capital One Dining, which gets you special reservations at award-winning restaurants. You’ll also get extended warranty coverage and free Uber One membership.
Chase Freedom Fle
The Chase Freedom Flex is reshaping the rewards scene with quarterly bonus categories that work smoothly with Chase’s broader system. Cardholders can earn higher rewards at grocery stores, fitness clubs, hair and spa services, plus Norwegian Cruise Line bookings in the first quarter of 2025.
Rotating Categories
The life-blood of this card gives you 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly bonus category purchases after activation. The card also gives these permanent rewards:
- 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel
- 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
- 1% back on all other purchases
You need to activate your rewards, and Chase makes this easy through:
- Chase’s bonus activation page
- Email notifications
- Phone support
- In-branch assistance
Chase Ultimate Rewards Integration
Chase Ultimate Rewards are a great way to get versatile benefits. Your points never expire as long as your account stays active. You can redeem your earnings for:
- Cash back
- Travel bookings
- Gift cards
- Products through Chase’s shopping portal
The value gets even better when you pair this card with premium Chase cards like Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. This lets you transfer points to travel partners and boost redemption rates by 25-50%.
Credit Score Needs
Most people who get approved have credit scores around 700 or higher. Some reports show approvals for scores in the low to mid-600s. Your approval chances depend on:
- Payment history significance
- Credit utilization below 30%
- Length of credit history
- Recent credit applications
This card becomes more valuable as part of Chase’s Ultimate Rewards system. Smart planning of purchases around quarterly categories can boost your earnings significantly. The card works best as part of a broader credit strategy, especially if you want to maximize rewards in different spending categories.
Discover it Miles
The Discover it Miles credit card sets itself apart with its mile-matching program and flexible redemption choices. This no-annual-fee card simplifies travel rewards and serves both frequent travelers and everyday spenders who want versatile rewards.
Travel Rewards Structure
Cardholders earn 1.5x Miles on every purchase through a straightforward earning rate that eliminates category tracking or spending limits. Miles accumulate on all transactions, from airfare and hotels to groceries and online shopping. International travelers benefit since the card has no foreign transaction fees.
First Year Match
New cardmembers get an unlimited Mile-for-Mile match program that makes this card unique. Your first year’s earned Miles get automatically matched by Discover, which doubles your rewards. A cardholder spending $12,000 in the first year earns 18,000 Miles, and Discover’s match brings it to 36,000 Miles – worth $360 in rewards.
Redemption Options
Miles give you flexible redemption methods:
- Statement credits for travel purchases within 180 days
- Direct bank account deposits
- Amazon.com and PayPal purchases
Travel purchases eligible for redemption include:
- Airline tickets and hotel stays
- Car rentals and travel agent bookings
- Online travel site reservations
- Commuter transportation
- Restaurant dining
- Gas station purchases
Each Mile is worth $0.01, whatever redemption method you choose. Discover it Miles stands out from competing cards because cardholders can redeem rewards without meeting minimum amounts.
The card comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Cardholders can track their rewards easily through Discover’s online portal, which shows earnings and redemption options clearly. Your Miles stay valid as long as your account remains active, letting you accumulate rewards over time.
Capital One VentureOne
The Capital One VentureOne credit card stands out as a flexible travel rewards card. It pairs key benefits with an easy-to-understand rewards structure and doesn’t charge an annual fee. New cardholders can earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 in the first three months.
Travel Benefits
Capital One Travel gives cardholders access to unique features that improve their trip planning. The platform uses AI-powered price prediction to help travelers save an average of 15% on flights. The service has these features:
- Price match guarantee on flights, hotels, and rental cars
- Price drop protection with up to $50 in travel credit
- Option to cancel flights for any reason
- Flight price freeze capability
The card goes beyond booking perks with detailed travel insurance coverage. Benefits include auto rental coverage and travel accident insurance worth up to $250,000. You’ll also get lost luggage reimbursement up to $3,000 and access to emergency assistance services.
Miles Earning Structure
The rewards program offers clear value in every spending category:
- 1.25x miles per dollar on everyday purchases
- 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on Capital One Entertainment purchases
Your miles never expire as long as you keep your account active. You can use your miles in several ways:
- Book travel through Capital One Travel
- Get statement credits for travel purchases
- Redeem for cash back or gift cards
- Transfer to travel loyalty programs
Approval Requirements
Capital One usually looks for applicants with good to excellent credit scores. The card comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (19.99%-29.99% variable APR after that). New applicants should look at:
- Their existing credit card relationships
- Recent credit applications
- Overall credit utilization
The card blends naturally with Capital One’s wider range of services. Cardholders get access to exclusive dining experiences through partnerships with MICHELIN Guide and the James Beard Foundation. On top of that, the card provides virtual card numbers for better security and $0 fraud liability protection.
American Express Blue Cash Everyday
The American Express Blue Cash Everyday card adds value to essential purchases in multiple categories without an annual fee. Cardholders can earn a $200 welcome bonus after spending $2,000 during their first six months.
Grocery Rewards
Cardholders earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in annual purchases, with 1% after that. Families managing weekly grocery budgets will find this reward structure particularly valuable. Esri’s spending estimates suggest the average American could earn $547 in their first year (including welcome bonus) and $1,935 over five years.
Online Shopping Benefits
Digital shopping really shines with this card, offering 3% cash back at U.S. online retailers up to $6,000 yearly. This benefit covers:
- Online boutique purchases
- Major e-commerce platforms
- Digital retail transactions
Regular 1% rates apply to some online transactions like travel bookings and food delivery services. Members also get free ShopRunner membership that provides two-day shipping at more than 100 online stores.
Credit Requirements
Good to excellent credit scores starting at 670 help applicants get approved. American Express looks at several key factors beyond credit scores:
- Payment history importance
- Credit utilization rates
- Overall income levels
- Existing credit relationships
New cardholders enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then a variable APR of 18.24%-29.24% kicks in. Amex Offers gives cardholders access to special discounts at restaurants, clothing stores, and hotels.
The perks include up to $15 back each month on Home Chef meal kit subscriptions. The card naturally works with digital payment solutions, and cardholders can track their spending through American Express’s mobile app. Cash back comes as Reward Dollars that members can use for statement credits or Amazon.com purchases.
Citi Rewards+ Card
The Citi Rewards+ Card stands out with its innovative round-up feature that turns everyday purchases into better rewards. New cardholders can earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first three months.
Round-up Feature
The card’s main benefit rounds up rewards to the nearest 10 points on every purchase without any maximum limit. A $4 coffee purchase earns 10 points, while an $11 lunch gives you 20 points. Small transactions become more valuable as this feature boosts rewards on modest spending.
Cardholders earn 2 ThankYou Points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations on the first $6,000 spent annually. The card gives 5 ThankYou Points per dollar on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com until December 31, 2025.
ThankYou Points Program
The rewards program lets you redeem points flexibly:
- Gift cards (2,500 points equals a $25 gift card)
- Travel bookings through Citi Travel
- Online shopping at Amazon and Best Buy
- Statement credits for eligible purchases
Cardholders get 10% points back on the first 100,000 points redeemed annually. Points can transfer to select loyalty programs like JetBlue TrueBlue, Wyndham Rewards, and Choice Privileges, though at lower rates than premium Citi cards.
Application Process
Applicants typically need credit scores of 670 or higher for good approval odds. The card has a competitive introductory APR offer on purchases and balance transfers, with variable rates from 18.24% to 28.24% afterward.
Key eligibility criteria include:
- No new account bonus received in the past 48 months
- Balance transfer fee: 3% (minimum $5) during first four months
- No annual fee
The card blends with Citi’s banking services and has complete online account management and fraud protection features.
PNC Cash Rewards
The PNC Cash Rewards Visa credit card rewards you for everyday spending with different reward tiers. You can earn a $200 cash back bonus by spending $1,000 in your first three months.
Reward Categories
The card gives you different cash back rates:
- 4% cash back at gas stations (in-store and at the pump)
- 3% cash back at restaurants, cafes, and fast-food establishments
- 2% cash back at grocery stores
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
These higher reward rates have an annual spending limit. Your combined purchases in bonus categories (4%, 3%, and 2%) can’t exceed $8,000 per year. This limit resets on your cardmember anniversary date. After hitting this limit, all purchases earn 1% cash back.
Redemption Options
Your cash back adds up and becomes available when you reach $25. PNC’s digital platforms let you redeem rewards through:
- Statement credits toward Cash Rewards balance
- Direct deposits into qualifying PNC accounts
Your rewards never expire as long as your account stays active. PNC Online Banking and the mobile app help you track transactions, create alerts, and redeem rewards quickly.
Approval Requirements
You need to qualify for at least a $500 credit line. The card comes with strong protection features:
- Cell phone protection up to $800 against theft or damage
- Zero Liability fraud protection
- PNC Easy Lock to pause your card temporarily
New cardholders get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 90 days of opening the account. After that, a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.24% applies based on your credit score.
The card’s contactless technology makes everyday purchases quick and simple. You also get detailed online account management tools that help you track your spending and rewards easily.
TD Cash Credit Card
The TD Cash Credit Card lets cardholders customize their rewards categories to match their spending habits. Cardholders can adjust their preferences quarterly to get the most rewards from their lifestyle expenses.
Cash Back Structure
The rewards program gives cardholders the freedom to pick their top two spending categories and earn unlimited 3% and 2% cash back respectively. When you open your account, you automatically get 3% cash back on dining and 2% at grocery stores. You can choose from these categories:
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Gas
- Grocery Stores
- Travel
All other eligible purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back. The card stands out because you can change your preferred categories up to four times a year to match your seasonal spending.
Sign-up Bonus
You’ll get $200 cash back after spending $1,000 in your first 90 days with the card. The card also comes with a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. The bonus shows up in your Points Summary within 6-8 weeks after meeting the spending requirement.
Credit Requirements
The card’s variable APR ranges from 19.24% to 29.24%, based on your credit score. You must live in these eligible states:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington, D.C.
The card works naturally with TD Bank’s digital platforms, making reward tracking and redemption quick and easy. You can access special offers through online banking or the TD Bank mobile app. The card has no annual fee, which makes it a great choice for everyday spending.
HSBC Cash Rewards
The HSBC Cash Rewards Mastercard stands out with its first-year rewards multiplier that gives new cardholders better earnings. This card comes with no annual fee and rewards that are simple to track.
Rewards Program
The card’s best feature gives you 3% cash back on everything you buy in your first 12 months, up to $10,000 in spending. Your rewards rate drops to 1.5% back on all purchases after this intro period. You’ll also get a 10% anniversary bonus on all cash rewards you earn each year, which makes your rewards even better.
You can redeem your rewards in several ways:
- Statement credits (the simplest option)
- Direct deposits to eligible HSBC bank accounts
- Charitable donations
- Travel bookings through HSBC’s portal
Some redemption options give you less value – gift cards are worth just 67 cents per dollar, while travel and merchandise give you 80 cents. Statement credits or direct deposits are your best bet to get full value from your rewards.
Application Process
HSBC stopped taking new applications for this card in December 2021. Current cardholders can still use all their benefits and rewards. The application used to need:
- An HSBC bank account
- Extra documents during processing
- Proof of yearly income and credit history
Credit Score Requirements
Most approved applicants have credit scores between 670 and 850. HSBC looks at more than just credit scores:
- Your yearly income
- Current credit accounts
- How much credit you use
- Your record of on-time payments
The card comes with complete fraud protection and online banking features. HSBC’s online portal lets you track rewards, handle redemptions, and control your account settings quickly. The card also works well with digital payment systems, so you can tap to pay for everyday purchases.
Comparison Table
Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Main Rewards Rate | Additional Category Rewards | Intro APR Offer | Key Benefits/Features | Recommended Credit Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Freedom Unlimited | $200 after $500 spend in 3 months | 1.5% on all purchases | 5% on travel via Chase, 3% on dining & drugstores | 0% for 15 months | Purchase protection up to $500, Trip cancelation coverage | 670+ |
Citi Double Cash | $200 after $1,500 spend in 6 months | 2% total (1% + 1%) | 5% on hotels/car rentals via Citi Travel | 0% for 18 months (BT) | Convert rewards to ThankYou Points | 670+ |
Capital One Quicksilver | $200 after $500 spend in 3 months | 1.5% on all purchases | 5% on hotels/rental cars via Capital One Travel | – | Extended warranty, Travel accident coverage | – |
Discover it Cash Back | Matches first year cashback | 1% on all purchases | 5% rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500) | – | Double rewards in your first year | 670+ |
American Express Cash Magnet | $200 after $2,000 spend in 6 months | 1.5% on all purchases | – | 0% for 15 months | Purchase protection, Rental car coverage | 670+ |
Wells Fargo Active Cash | $200 after $500 spend in 3 months | 2% on all purchases | – | 0% for 12 months | Phone protection up to $600 | 670+ |
Bank of America Customized Cash | $200 after $1,000 spend in 90 days | 1% on all purchases | 3% choice category, 2% grocery/wholesale | 0% for 15 months | Choose your reward category | 670+ |
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum | – | No rewards program | – | 0% for 21 months | Phone protection included | Good to Excellent |
Capital One SavorOne | $200 after $500 spend in 3 months | 1% on all purchases | 3% on dining, entertainment, groceries | – | 8% back on Capital One Entertainment | 700+ |
Chase Freedom Flex | – | 1% on all purchases | 5% rotating categories, 3% dining/drugstores | – | Links with Ultimate Rewards | 700+ |
Discover it Miles | Mile-for-Mile match first year | 1.5x miles on all purchases | – | 0% for 15 months | No fees on foreign transactions | – |
Capital One VentureOne | 20,000 miles after $500 spend in 3 months | 1.25x miles | 5x miles on hotels/cars via Capital One Travel | 0% for 15 months | Travel accident coverage | Good to Excellent |
Amex Blue Cash Everyday | $200 after $2,000 spend in 6 months | 1% on all purchases | 3% US supermarkets/online retail (up to $6,000) | 0% for 15 months | Free ShopRunner membership | 670+ |
Citi Rewards+ | 20,000 points after $1,500 spend in 3 months | Points round up to nearest 10 | 2x points at supermarkets/gas stations | – | Get 10% points back on redemptions | 670+ |
PNC Cash Rewards | $200 after $1,000 spend in 3 months | 1% on all purchases | 4% gas, 3% dining, 2% grocery | 0% for 15 months (BT) | Phone protection included | – |
TD Cash | $200 after $1,000 spend in 90 days | 1% on all purchases | 3% and 2% on chosen categories | 0% for 15 months (BT) | Pick your categories | – |
HSBC Cash Rewards | Currently unavailable | 1.5% on all purchases | 3% first year (up to $10,000) | – | Bonus of 10% on anniversary | 670-850 |
Conclusion
No-annual-fee credit cards are a great way to get value through their rewards programs and benefits. Each card works best with certain spending patterns. Chase Freedom Unlimited shines with travel rewards, and Citi Double Cash gives steady cash back on everything you buy.
Your spending habits and money goals should guide your credit card choice. Cards need credit scores above 670 to give better rewards, but you’ll find options for all credit levels. New cardholders can get welcome bonuses around $200, which makes these cards even more appealing.
These cards become really useful when they match how you spend. Someone who eats out often might like Capital One SavorOne’s 3% restaurant rewards better. Regular online shoppers could do better with American Express Blue Cash Everyday’s 3% back on digital retail purchases.
Protection perks add extra value beyond the rewards. Most cards include cell phone protection, purchase coverage, and travel insurance at no yearly cost. You can use your rewards however you want – as statement credits, direct deposits, or to book travel.
The right no-annual-fee credit card combines rewards that match your regular spending with useful benefits that make everyday purchases better. Take time to think over your spending habits, credit profile, and the perks you want most.