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- How to find the best credit card for airlines miles with no annual fee
- The best option overall: Bilt Mastercard®
- The best option for easy earning: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- The best option for small businesses: Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
- The best option for occasional American Airlines customers: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
- The best option for occasional United Airlines customers: United Gateway℠ Card
- The best option for occasional Delta Airlines customers: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
What are travel credit cards, and how do they work?
Travel credit cards are financial products that offer various rewards and benefits geared towards frequent travelers. They typically earn you points or miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. These rewards can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses. Travel credit cards may also include perks like travel insurance, airport lounge access, and no foreign transaction fees.
How do I choose the best travel credit card for my needs?
Choosing the best travel credit card depends on your travel habits, spending patterns, and preferences. Consider factors like the type of rewards offered (points, miles, or cash back), the card’s annual fee, sign-up bonuses, earning rates, redemption options, and additional travel perks. Analyzing these features will help you find a card that aligns with your lifestyle and offers the most value.
What are the benefits of using a travel credit card over other types of credit cards?
Travel credit cards provide unique advantages for travelers, such as earning rewards specifically tailored to travel expenses. Additionally, many travel credit cards offer travel-related perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and travel insurance. Some cards also waive foreign transaction fees, making them ideal for international travelers.
What is a sign-up bonus, and how can I qualify for it?
A sign-up bonus is a promotional offer provided by the credit card issuer to entice new cardholders. To qualify for a sign-up bonus, you usually need to meet specific spending requirements within a certain timeframe after opening the account. The bonus can be in the form of points, miles, or cash back, and it’s a great way to jump-start your rewards earning.
Do travel credit cards charge foreign transaction fees?
Not all travel credit cards charge foreign transaction fees. Many of the top-tier travel cards waive these fees, making them ideal for international travel. However, it’s essential to read the card’s terms and conditions to confirm this before using it abroad.
How can I maximize the rewards earned with my travel credit card?
To maximize rewards, use your travel credit card for everyday expenses and large purchases. Take advantage of bonus categories and special promotions to earn more points or miles. Consider combining your travel credit card with loyalty programs to stack rewards and get even more value out of your purchases.
Getting the travel itch but know you shouldn’t be opening any more expensive credit cards?
We feel you.
There’s no getting around the fact that the biggest intro bonuses and beefiest perk armories belong to the pricier premium cards. Unless you know you can maximize their value, you shouldn’t have too many of them in rotation and you need to make up the points using some more affordable products. Or even better—find one with no annual fee whatsoever.
In this article, we’ll help you find the best credit card for airline miles with no annual fee. They might not send you off in first class, but they’ve got more than enough power to get you where you want to go…and do it cheaply.
Read also: Best Airline Credit Cards of 2024
How to find the best credit card for airlines miles with no annual fee
The best credit card for airline miles with no annual fee will depend on your individual situation. Each card has its pros and cons, so before making a decision, ensure you understand what you need from any given product.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you need transferable points and miles?
- Do you need a specific airline currency?
- Do you need a lot of points fast?
- Do you need a steady earner?
Knowing the answer to these questions can help narrow down the best credit card for airline miles with no annual fee. Let’s take a look at some of the best cards out there.
Best credit card for airline miles overall: Bilt Mastercard®
The best credit card for airline miles with no annual fee overall is without a doubt the Bilt Mastercard. This trailblazing card is unique in the market because it’s the only credit card designed to pay rent—whether your landlord accepts cards or not.
Current welcome bonus
The Bilt Mastercard does not offer an introductory bonus. However, its utility in covering significant expenses like rent makes it a highly valuable option for renters.
Rewards rate
- Rent payments: Earn 1x points, up to 100,000 points annually.
- Dining: Earn 3x points per dollar spent.
- Travel: Earn 2x points per dollar spent.
Note: To activate these rewards, the card must be used at least five times within each statement period.
Additional benefits
Bilt points are considered some of the most valuable in the market due to a growing list of transfer partners. This makes the card particularly appealing for frequent travelers and renters alike.
- Best for: Renters
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 20.99% - 28.99%
- Reward Rate: 1X - 3X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Why we like it
The no annual fee Bilt Mastercard® is a very unique product that can turn points earned from one of your largest monthly expenses into a heap of travel rewards and other redemption options. It’s the only card that allows you to pay your rent with no transaction fees—you’ll earn 1X points on rent, up to 100,000 points a year. Many landlords don’t accept credit cards or they charge a convenience fee to use a credit card to pay rent—making it an intriguing option for renters across the US. Plus, its points can be transferred to valuable airline and hotel partners. You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
Reward details
3x points on dining
2x points on travel
1x points on other purchases
1x points on rent without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points in a calendar year. When you use the card 5 times each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you’ll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
The greatest benefit is obvious: redeeming points earned from rent into travel rewards with no transaction fees attached.
Bilt has some excellent and unique transfer partners, like United Airlines and Hyatt.
Decent points-earning potential in other categories like 2X points on travel, 3X points on dining, and 1X points on rent (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year) and other purchases.
You can earn interest on Bilt Points when you reach Silver status.
A few other nice benefits are included, such as Cellular Telephone Protection.
Cons
No sign-up bonus
Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points. So you can’t use it solely for rent. I’d advise putting some restaurant bills on it, as you’ll grab 3X points on those transactions.
The best for easy earning: card_name
Capital One is known for its excellent easy-to-earn travel cards, and its VentureOne Rewards card might just be the best credit card for airline miles with no annual fee.
Current welcome bonus
Despite having no annual fee, the card comes with a valuable 20,000-mile intro bonus earned after spending $500 within three months of opening the card—perfect for a quick points injection.
Rewards rate
- General purchases: Earn a flat rate of 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases. This rate applies universally, making it simple and straightforward to accumulate miles.
Additional benefits
Venture Miles are among the most valuable travel currencies available. Cardholders can transfer their miles to a diverse array of 18 airline and hotel partners, enhancing the flexibility and utility of the miles earned.
- Best for: Beginners wanting to learn points and miles
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1.25X - 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
20,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
20,000 bonus points after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from card opening.
Why we like it
The Capital One VentureOne is an excellent card for those taking more deliberate steps into the world of travel rewards thanks to its lack of annual fee and flat-rate earning. Cardholders earn 1.25X miles per dollar spent on all purchases, plus 5X miles per dollar on travel purchased through Capital One. Its 20,000-mile welcome bonus is also solid for a no-annual-fee card.
Reward details
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase
Pros & Cons
Pros
Its flat-rate earning system makes the VentureOne an easy option for earning miles on all types of spending. While not as high of a rate as its sister cards, it may be the right option for some lower-spending users.
No annual fee makes it fairly risk-free for learning how to transfer points to travel partners and maximize the value of your rewards
The 20,000-mile intro bonus is worth $200 when used directly on the Capital One Portal, and even more when transferred to an airline or hotel partner. With only $500 of spending required to receive the miles, that’s a wonderful 20% return.
No foreign transaction fees. This is fairly uncommon for a no-annual-fee card.
Cons
Earning rate isn’t huge
- Big and moderate spenders can earn more points elsewhere
Cash-back cards may be more lucrative
The best for small businesses: Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Small business owners with an eye on a new card could do far worse than the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card. Its incredible intro bonus helps make it the best credit card for airline miles with no annual fee for those with some business expenses to cover.
Current welcome bonus
This card offers an introductory bonus that is unusually high for a cashback card: earn up to $750 or transform it into 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. To qualify for this bonus, cardholders must spend $6,000 within the first three months of opening the account.
Rewards rate
- General purchases: Earn a consistent 1.5% cashback on all purchases without any category restrictions. This straightforward, flat rate makes it easy to accumulate rewards on business expenses.
Additional benefits
While technically a cashback card, a quirk unique to Chase means its up to $750 intro bonus can be transformed into 75,000 super-valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. This is only possible if you own one of Chase’s other points-earning cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
- Best for: Small Business Owners
- Annual Fee: $0
- Variable APR: 17.99% - 23.99%
- Reward Rate: 1.5%
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
$750 Cash Back
Offer Details:
$750 cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Why we like it
The Ink Business Unlimited Card shines with its large intro bonus, currently sitting at $750 of cash back. The card has no annual fee and a simple but strong rewards-earning rate, with 1.5% cash back (1.5x points) on all purchases. This means you don’t have to worry about tracking any bonus categories and still know that each time you swipe the card you’ll be racking up points.
Even better, if you have a companion Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, you can pool your rewards from the Ink Unlimited and make them more valuable by transferring them to Chase’s travel partners like Hyatt, United Airlines, British Airways, Southwest, and more.
Reward details
1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase for your business
Pros & Cons
PROS
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For small business owners and freelancers it’s one of the best cards for turning spending into valuable rewards. The welcome bonus alone is worth $750 of cash back and you’ll continue to rack up rewards with a solid earning rate that applies to all purchases.
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It has no annual fee.
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If you have another Chase card like the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, you can pool your points and make them more valuable. You’ll be able to transfer your points to Chase’s travel partners like Marriott, Air Canada, Southwest, United, and more.
CONS
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It does lack some of the juicier benefits attached to other business credit cards likes the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. But with no annual fee, it’s hard to argue with its value proposition.
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It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
The best for occasional American Airlines customers: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
American Airlines AAdvantage program is arguably the most valuable points currency among the US’ big airlines. The problem? They’re hard to earn unless you fly with the airline or its partners. There are only a few ways to transfer points to the program, and it might not be possible for you. Instead, you can opt for the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® credit card.
Current welcome bonus
It currently comes with a 15,000-mile intro bonus, earned after spending $500 within three months of opening the card.
Rewards rate
- Groceries: Earn 2x miles per dollar spent, enhancing everyday earning potential.
- American Airlines purchases: Also earn 2x miles per dollar, making it particularly rewarding for regular customers of the airline.
Additional benefits
This card is an excellent choice for those who frequently shop for groceries or fly with American Airlines, as it boosts mile accumulation significantly in these categories without an annual fee.
The best for occasional United Airlines customers: United Gateway℠ Card
United Airlines’ MileagePlus program is another valuable way to use points thanks to its huge number of partners. While you can transfer to United from a Chase card, a co-branded card like the United Gateway Card is a simple way to get a solid injection of the airlines’ miles.
Current welcome bonus
The card is running a limited-time offer—earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. While that may not feel like much, those miles could fly you from Texas to Ecuador for $5.60.
Rewards rate
- United purchases: Earn 2x points per dollar.
- Gas stations: Earn 2x points per dollar.
- Local transit: Earn 2x points per dollar, including taxis, mass transit, tolls, and rideshare services.
- All other purchases: Earn 1x points per dollar on everything else.
Additional benefits
Apart from the initial mileage bonus, the card’s affiliation with United Airlines offers additional travel benefits and rewards, enhancing its value for regular travelers who prefer United for their travel needs.
The best for occasional Delta Airlines customers: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
We’re breaking our own rules slightly with this card. The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex Card isn’t really a no-annual-fee card, it costs $150 a year. But there’s no annual fee for the first year (see rates and fees), making it a pretty amazing deal. Whether you choose to keep it after the first year is up to you, but it’s the only card on our list with any perks to speak of, as well as a solid intro bonus.
Current welcome bonus
The intro bonus is currently set at 50,000 SkyMiles, earned by spending $2,000 within the first six months of opening the card.
Rewards rate
- Restaurants worldwide: Earn 2x miles per dollar, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- U.S. supermarkets: Earn 2x miles per dollar, making everyday purchases more rewarding.
- Best for: Delta Airline Lovers
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
- Regular APR: 20.49%-29.74% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1X - 2X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card
50,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
50,000 Bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card isn’t a showstopper, but it’s an excellent example of an airline card that’s easy to keep in your wallet. Its annual fee is $0 for the first year and then $150 the years after, but if you and a partner fly one roundtrip a year with Delta, its free checked bag benefit already makes up for that fee. Throw in a solid 50,000-point intro bonus and simple rewards-earning categories, and it’s almost a no-brainer for anyone with even a little domestic US travel on the horizon.
Reward details
2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
The 50,000-mile intro bonus is earned by spending an extremely achievable $2,000 in six months—well within a realistic budget for many.
The free first-checked bag for everyone on the booking more than validates the $150 annual fee.
A simple 2X miles on dining at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery), and U.S. supermarket transactions make earning points simple.
$200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 annually is a nice reward that shouldn’t be too hard to meet
Card members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Cons
SkyMiles award redemption rates on Delta’s partners can be pricey
Its 2X miles on Delta purchases is lower than what its sister cards earn
Bottom line
Specific airline miles can be hard to come by, and if you find yourself in need, it’s not always convenient or sensible to open a premium card with a hefty annual fee.
A no annual fee airline credit card is the perfect alternative, offering you a boost of points without the added cost.
Frequently asked questions
No annual fee credit cards for airline miles allow you to earn rewards on everyday purchases without the added expense of a yearly fee. These cards are great for budget-conscious travelers who still want to accumulate miles for future travel.
When choosing a card, consider your spending habits and travel goals. Look for a card that aligns with your most frequent expenses, such as groceries or gas, and one that offers rewards with airlines you use regularly.
Yes, many no annual fee cards offer valuable travel rewards. While these cards may not offer as many perks as premium cards, they can still provide substantial rewards, especially when used strategically.
Consider the rewards rate, sign-up bonuses, and the airlines you can redeem miles with. It’s also important to understand any limitations or caps on earning rewards.
Cards with transferable points allow you to convert your earned points into miles with various airline partners, providing greater flexibility in how you can use your rewards.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
