In 2025, many consumers are looking for rewards credit cards that provide benefits without the burden of an annual fee. Whether you’re after cash back, travel points, or other perks, the best rewards credit cards with no annual fee can help you earn valuable rewards on everyday purchases. These rewards credit cards allow you to maximize your spending and enjoy great bonuses without having to worry about an annual fee eating into your rewards.
Credit card offers can be a great way to maximize your spending while earning valuable rewards. That’s why we’ve rounded up the top nine rewards credit cards that provide excellent benefits without piling on excessive fees.
1. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- Reward Breakdown:
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.
- Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases.
- Card Details:
- Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
- Regular APR: 19.24% – 29.24% Variable.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Pros:
- High flat-rate cash back on all purchases.
- Generous sign-up bonus.
- Introductory 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers.
- Cons:
- High regular APR after the introductory period.
- Balance transfers incur a fee of 3% intro for 120 days, then up to 5% (min $5).
2. Citi Double Cash® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: No sign-up bonus offered.
- Reward Breakdown:
- 1% cash back on purchases.
- An additional 1% when you pay off your balance.
- Card Details:
- Introductory APR: 0% for 18 months on balance transfers (balance transfer fee applies).
- Regular APR: 15.24% – 25.24% Variable.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Pros:
- Simple and high flat-rate cash back on all purchases.
- Long introductory APR period on balance transfers.
- Cons:
- No sign-up bonus.
- Balance transfer fee applies during the introductory period.
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn a $250 bonus when you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account—just use the provided link to get started..
- Reward Breakdown:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase.
- 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores.
- 1.5% on all other purchases.
- $100 sign-up bonus through the Chase high school checking account
- Card Details:
- Introductory APR: 0% interest for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers with select Chase Bank bonus offers
- Regular APR: 19.74% – 28.49% Variable.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Pros:
- High cash back rates in multiple categories.
- Substantial sign-up bonus.
- Introductory 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers.
- Cons:
- Requires activation for quarterly bonus categories.
- High regular APR after the introductory period.
4. Discover it® Cash Back
- Sign-Up Bonus: Discover Bank promotions match all the cash back you earn during your first year, with no limit
- Reward Breakdown:
- 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories (activation required)
- 1% on all other purchases.
- Card Details:
- Introductory APR: 0% for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Regular APR: 11.99% – 22.99% Variable.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Pros:
- High cash back rates in rotating categories when you use this link
- Cash back match at the end of the first year.
- Introductory 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers.
- Cons:
- Requires activation for rotating categories.
- Balance transfers are subject to a fee.
5. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- Reward Breakdown:
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Card Details:
- Introductory APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Regular APR: 15.24% – 25.24% Variable.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- $250 Bonus: $250 Capital One 360 Checking Bonus in 2025
- Pros:
- Simple, unlimited cash back on every purchase.
- With Capital One promotions, no rotating categories or activation required.
- Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers.
- Cons:
- Lower cash-back rate compared to cards with rotating categories.
- High regular APR after the introductory period.
6. Chase Freedom Flex®
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- Reward Breakdown:
- 5% cash back on rotating categories (activation required).
- 3% on dining at restaurants and drugstores.
- 1% on all other purchases.
- Card Details:
- Introductory APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Regular APR: 19.24% – 28.99% Variable.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Pros:
- 5% cash back on rotating categories.
- Extra rewards on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Cons:
- Requires activation for rotating categories.
- High regular APR after the introductory period.
7. U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn a $150 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 90 days.
- Reward Breakdown:
- 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in combined purchases in two categories of your choice each quarter.
- 2% on one everyday category like groceries, gas, or restaurants.
- 1% on all other purchases.
- Card Details:
- Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Regular APR: 15.99% – 25.99% Variable.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Pros:
- Customizable categories for maximum cash back.
- No annual fee.
- Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers.
- Cons:
- Requires category selection each quarter.
- High regular APR after the introductory period.
8. Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Sign-Up Bonus: Discover matches all the cash back earned during the first year, with no limit.
- Reward Breakdown:
- 5% cash back in rotating categories (activation required) on the first $1,500 in purchases each quarter.
- 1% on all other purchases.
- Card Details:
- Introductory APR: 0% for 6 months on purchases.
- Regular APR: 14.24% – 25.24% Variable.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Pros:
- Great rewards for students building credit.
- Cash back match at the end of the first year.
- No annual fee.
- Cons:
- Requires activation for rotating categories.
- Limited to $1,500 in quarterly spending at the 5% rate.
9. U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- Reward Breakdown:
- 4 points per $1 spent on dining, including takeout and delivery.
- 2 points per $1 spent on groceries, gas, and streaming services.
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
- Card Details:
- Introductory APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Regular APR: 15.99% – 24.99% Variable.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Pros:
- High points earnings on dining and everyday purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers.
- High points earnings on dining and everyday purchases.
- Cons:
- High regular APR after the introductory period.
- Points redemption options are more limited compared to other cards.
Types of Rewards Credit Cards
1. Cash-Back Cards
Cash-back credit cards offer a straightforward way to earn rewards on every purchase. You’ll earn a percentage of your purchase amount back, typically ranging from 1% to 6%. These cards are ideal for people who want simplicity and rewards without tracking rotating categories.
- Examples: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, Citi Double Cash® Card.
- Best for: Individuals who prefer no-hassle, reliable rewards.
2. Travel Rewards Cards
Travel rewards credit cards allow you to earn points or miles for travel-related purchases. Points can be redeemed for free flights, hotel stays, and other travel expenses. These cards often come with additional travel perks like lounge access and travel credits.
- Examples: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
- Best for: Frequent travelers who want to earn points toward future trips.
3. Tiered Rewards Cards
Tiered rewards credit cards offer higher rates of cash back in specific categories such as dining, groceries, or gas. Outside of these categories, you’ll earn a standard cash-back rate.
- Examples: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
- Best for: People who spend heavily in specific categories.
4. Rotating Category Cards
Rotating category rewards credit cards reward you with higher cash-back rates in specific categories that change every quarter. These categories usually include common areas like restaurants, gas, and groceries.
- Examples: Discover it® Cash Back, Chase Freedom Flex®.
- Best for: People who are willing to activate categories and track their spending.
5. Customizable Rewards Cards
Customizable rewards credit cards allow you to choose which categories earn the highest rewards, such as groceries, dining, or gas. You can change your chosen categories each quarter.
- Examples: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.
- Best for: People who want control over how they earn rewards.
Conclusion
Choosing the right rewards credit card depends on your spending habits, how much effort you’re willing to put into managing categories, and your preference for simplicity or maximizing rewards.
The best rewards credit cards offer great flexibility, whether you’re seeking cash back or travel rewards, and most importantly, they come with no annual fee. By evaluating your needs and the options above, you can find the perfect rewards credit card for 2025.