Best Travel Credit Cards with Zero Annual Fees (2025 Edition)
Looking for the best travel credit cards without getting hit by an annual fee? You’re not alone. In 2025, with rising travel costs and hidden fees everywhere, it’s more important than ever to keep your credit card perks—without paying extra. The good news? Some of the best travel cards out there now come with $0 annual fees, and they still offer rewards, travel insurance, and even points for free flights.
In this guide, we’ve handpicked the top no-annual-fee travel cards that actually deliver. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or just looking to save on your next vacation, there’s a perfect option for you.
💳 1. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
✅ Annual Fee: $0
🎁 Welcome Bonus: 20,000 miles after spending $500 in 3 months
📍 Best For: Beginners and casual travelers
🌎 Redemption: Any airline or hotel through Capital One Travel
Why it rocks:
You earn unlimited 1.25x miles per dollar on every purchase. Miles are easy to redeem and don’t expire. There are no blackout dates, and it’s incredibly user-friendly.
💡 Tip: Pair it with Capital One Shopping to earn extra cash back and boost your travel fund.
✈️ 2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
✅ Annual Fee: $0
🎁 Welcome Bonus: $200 bonus after $500 spent in 3 months
📍 Best For: Domestic travelers + everyday use
🌎 Redemption: Points become more powerful when paired with Chase Sapphire cards
Why it rocks:
You get 5% on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on everything else. It’s not strictly a travel card, but when combined with Sapphire Preferred or Reserve, the points become transferable to travel partners.
💡 Power move: Transfer points to Chase Sapphire and use them for flights with United, Hyatt, or Southwest.
🌐 3. Discover it® Miles
✅ Annual Fee: $0
🎁 Welcome Bonus: Matches all miles earned in first year
📍 Best For: Simplicity and flat-rate earners
🌎 Redemption: Travel purchases or statement credit
Why it rocks:
Earn 1.5x miles on all purchases. What’s unique is that Discover matches your total miles at the end of your first year, effectively giving you 3x value in year one. That’s hard to beat for a no-fee card.
💡 Tip: Redeem miles for Airbnb, gas, or any travel expenses—not just flights.
🌎 4. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
✅ Annual Fee: $0
🎁 Welcome Bonus: 25,000 points after $1,000 spent in 90 days
📍 Best For: Flexible redemptions + loyal BoA users
🌎 Redemption: Statement credits for any travel-related purchase
Why it rocks:
Unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on every purchase, no expiration. If you bank with BoA, you can earn 25%–75% more rewards depending on your account balance.
💡 Combo hack: Use this with your BoA checking/savings for an even bigger boost.
🌍 5. Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
✅ Annual Fee: $0
🎁 Welcome Bonus: 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 spent in 3 months
📍 Best For: Earning on travel AND everyday expenses
🌎 Redemption: Flights, hotels, car rentals, and more
Why it rocks:
Earn 3x points on travel, gas, dining, streaming, transit, and phone plans. One of the most versatile no-annual-fee cards out there.
💡 Stack it: Add it to your travel wallet alongside a premium card for maximum rewards coverage.
🧾 Quick Comparison Table
| Card | Bonus (2025) | Rewards Rate | Travel Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| VentureOne (Capital One) | 20,000 miles | 1.25x all purchases | No blackout, simple miles |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $200 cash | Up to 5% with Chase UR | Transfers to travel cards |
| Discover it® Miles | Double miles first yr | 1.5x all purchases | Match bonus is unique |
| BoA Travel Rewards | 25,000 points | 1.5x all purchases | Better for BoA customers |
| Wells Fargo Autograph℠ | 20,000 points | 3x on top travel areas | Extremely versatile |
🛡️ What to Look For in a No-Annual-Fee Travel Card
- 🔍 Sign-up bonus: Minimum $150 value
- 💼 No foreign transaction fees
- 🧳 Travel perks: Insurance, car rental coverage, trip delay
- 🎯 Flexible redemption options
- 🏦 Compatibility: Does it combine with premium cards?
✅ Final Thoughts
You don’t need to pay a hefty annual fee to earn valuable travel rewards in 2025. These no-fee travel credit cards offer powerful perks for travelers who want to earn miles, get free flights, and travel smarter—without extra cost.
🧭 Your next step:
Compare cards, grab the best sign-up bonus, and start stacking points today.