Why would you want to apply for a card that has its annual fee waived?

There is an almost unbelievable amount of competition in the market for travel rewards cards since new cards and more attractive deals are presented on these pages virtually daily. But at the same time, the business strategy for premium rewards cards is to charge cardholders a significant annual fee to recuperate part of the expenses of the rewards and services that are delivered. This price may range anywhere from $95 to over $1,000.

Regrettably, it is not always possible to determine with absolute certainty how much value you will be able to extract from any deal. At the very least, not until you've given it a go. I've had dozens of different reward cards for the last three decades. Some of them I signed up for purely for the sign-up bonus, but I ended up maintaining them because of the ongoing value of the prizes and advantages they provided. On the other hand, with previous cards, I began an account with a positive attitude and the presumption that it would give genuine long-term benefit, only to be let down.

However, if you apply for a card that does not charge an annual fee, you have the first year to put the card through its paces and find out what it can do for you without making any kind of financial commitment. Does the rewards programme live up to its claims and expectations? Are the advantages simple to put into practice? Is the level of client service satisfactory? These are questions to which you may not have an answer until you've had a card for at least a year and put it through its paces.

And if you are on the fence about the value of the card's annual cost, having it waived for the first year may effectively reduce in half the average fee you pay over the account's first two years. This is true if you are on the fence about the value of the card's annual fee.

Top personal credit cards that provide travel rewards and have no annual fee for the first year

American Express has released its Blue Cash Preferred® Card.

The current offer for newcomers is: After using your card to make transactions totalling $3,000 during the first six months of card membership, you will be eligible to get a statement credit of $250.
Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 each year after that (see rates and fees).

Why we enjoy it: Members of the Blue Cash Preferred card can earn 6% cash back on the first $6,000 in annual purchases made at U.S. supermarkets, 6% cash back on U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit (including taxis, ride-hailing apps, tolls, parking, and more), 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, and 1% cash back on other purchases. These benefits are in addition to the standard 1% cash back on all other purchases. Cashback is given in the form of Reward Dollars, which may be redeemed for a credit to your account.

You may earn a statement credit of up to $7 per month toward your Disney Bundle subscription, and you can receive a statement credit of up to $10 per month toward your Equinox+ membership. To take advantage of these perks, you will need to enrol in advance.

Please refer to our comprehensive review of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card for more information.

American Express has provided a link to the official application for the Blue Cash Preferred Card.

Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® issued by Citi® and American Airlines®

The current introductory offer is as follows: You will get 50,000 bonus miles after using your card to spend $2,500 in transactions during the first three months of creating your account. This incentive is worth $885 in TPG's eyes.

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $99 every year after that.

Why we like it: As a cardholder, you will receive a free first checked bag for you and up to four companions on your same reservation. Additionally, if you spend $20,000 or more on your card during your cardmember year and then pay the annual fee to keep the card open for another year, you will be eligible to receive a $125 American Airlines flight voucher. When you pay for items made on board using your card, you will get a discount of 25% on such purchases.

You will earn two miles for every dollar spent on American Airlines purchases if you use the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card, as well as two miles for every dollar spent at petrol stations and restaurants, and one mile for every dollar spent on everything else. In addition, you will be given boarding priority and have the opportunity to earn one Loyalty Point toward AAdvantage elite status for every dollar that you spend using the card.

Please refer to our comprehensive analysis of the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card for more information.

Click here for the official application link for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard.

American Express Card with Delta SkyMiles® Gold Membership

The current introductory offer is for 40,000 extra SkyMiles, which can be earned by making $2,000 worth of purchases with your card during the first six months of being a card member. This incentive is worth $564 in TPG's eyes.

The first year's yearly cost is free, and after that, it is $99 (see rates and fees).

The reason we appreciate it so much is that it is a middle-of-the-road choice among Delta's credit cards. You and up to eight friends on the same reservation will each get one free checked bag and priority boarding, and the maximum number of companions you may have is eight. If you use your card to make transactions totalling $10,000 or more during a calendar year, you will be eligible to get a $100 flight credit that may be used against future travel on Delta. When using this card to make in-flight purchases on Delta flights for items such as food, drinks, and headsets, cardholders are entitled to a statement credit equal to a discount of 20% on their purchases.

You can earn two miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases with the Delta Gold card, two miles for every dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and on takeout and delivery services in the United States, two miles for every dollar spent at supermarkets in the United States, and one mile for every dollar spent on any other purchases.

Please refer to our comprehensive evaluation of the Amex Delta Gold card for more information.

Here is the link to the official application for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.

A Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard® is available to those who qualify.

The current introductory offer is as follows: After making $1,000 worth of purchases on your card within the first 90 days from account activation, you will be eligible to get 60,000 bonus points and a $100 companion travel ticket. This incentive is worth $760 in TPG's eyes.

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $79 every year after that.

Why we enjoy it: Hold off on discarding this card until you have a better understanding of the changes that have been made to the Free Spirit programme. In addition to the $100 companion flight voucher that is included in the welcome offer, you will also receive a $100 companion flight voucher after each account anniversary provided that you have spent $5,000 or more on your card in the preceding calendar year. This requirement is in place to qualify for the welcome offer voucher. You are also immune from the rules regarding the expiry of Free Spirit points for as long as you maintain your status as a cardholder.

Other advantages of being a cardholder include expedited boarding in Zone 2 on all flights and a discount of 25% on in-flight purchases of food and beverages made using the card in question. You will get three points for every dollar spent on Spirit Airlines purchases when you use the Free Spirit Travel More card. You will receive two points for every dollar spent at restaurants and grocery stores, and you will earn one point for every dollar spent on everything else.

The Points Guy has researched to compile this information on the Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard. The information about the card that can be seen on this page has not been vetted or supplied by the entity that is the issuer of the card.

Please refer to our comprehensive evaluation of the Free Spirit Travel More card for more information.

Card of Exploration for United

The current introductory offer is for 60,000 extra miles, which can be earned by spending a total of $3,000 on transactions made with the card during the first three months after creating an account. The TPG places a value of $726 on this incentive.

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 every year after that.

Why we enjoy it: You will get priority boarding, a free first checked bag for you and a companion on the same ticket (as long as you paid for the flights using this card), a 25% rebate on premium drink purchases made in-flight and at United Clubs, and two one-time passes to United Clubs per year. In addition, this card provides a feature that is difficult to find among cards that do not charge an annual fee in the first year: a refund of up to $100 of the application price for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus.

You will earn two miles for every dollar spent on purchases made with United Airlines, two miles for every dollar spent on dining (including eligible delivery services), two miles for every dollar spent on hotel reservations made directly with the hotel, and one mile for every dollar spent on any other purchases. For every $12,000 that you spend on purchases with your card, you will get 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward elite membership with United Airlines. This method allows you to earn a maximum of 1,000 PQPs in a single calendar year, and these points may be utilised toward your United Airlines status at any level up to and including Premier 1K. Access to more United award flight availability is yet another significant perk.

Please refer to our comprehensive evaluation of the United Explorer Card for more information.

The web address for the official application: is United Explorer Card

Credit card issued by U.S. Bank under the brand name Altitude® Connect Visa Signature®

The current introductory offer is for 50,000 bonus points, which can be earned by spending $2,000 on purchases made with the card during the first 120 days after creating the account. Because each of these points may be redeemed for one penny, the total value of this incentive comes to $500.

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 every year after that.

The card comes with a greater number of bonuses than you may anticipate, which is one reason why we enjoy it. You will be eligible for a $30 statement credit after making streaming purchases for 11 months, up to $600 in reimbursement through cellphone protection if you pay your monthly wireless bill with this card, and other Visa Signature benefits such as auto rental collision damage waiver and roadside dispatch if you pay your monthly wireless bill with this card. A statement credit of up to one hundred dollars will be sent to you as reimbursement for the cost of your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application.

Cardholders of the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotel stays and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards travel portal. They also earn 4 points per dollar spent on travel, 4 points per dollar spent at gas stations and EV charging stations, 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores and grocery delivery services, 2 points per dollar spent on dining and streaming services, and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.

See our comprehensive evaluation of the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card for more information on the subject.

The best credit cards for small businesses that provide travel rewards and have no annual fee for the first year

The American Express Business Green Rewards Card offers a variety of benefits.

To take advantage of the current introductory promotion, new card members may earn 25,000 extra Membership Rewards points after making transactions totalling $3,000 during the first three months of card membership. This incentive is worth $500 in TPG's eyes.

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 each year after that (see rates and fees).

Why we like it: If you have the Business Green card, you will have access to crucial features such as Amex Offers, and you will earn significant Membership Rewards points on every transaction you make. The card allows you to enrol in Pay Over Time and does not have a spending limit that is written in stone. This means that the maximum amount you can charge to the card is dynamic and changes based on your spending patterns, payment history, and other criteria. Even if you never use it to carry a debt on your card, you might still be eligible to earn a targeted offer of bonus points just for registering in this feature and using it.

Amex cardholders may earn two points for every dollar spent on prepaid hotels and flights booked online with Amex Travel, while only earning one point for every dollar spent on other transactions. According to our most recent assessments, they represent a return on investment of 4% and 2%, respectively, on expenditure.

The information on the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express has been gathered by The Points Guy without any involvement from American Express. The information about the card that can be seen on this page has not been vetted or supplied by the entity that is the issuer of the card.

Please refer to our in-depth analysis of the Amex Business Green Card for more information.

American Express Card for Your Business with Delta SkyMiles® Gold

The current introductory offer is as follows: Obtain 50,000 extra Delta SkyMiles after making purchases totalling $2,000 during the first three months of card membership. The TPG places a value of $705 on this incentive.

The first year's yearly cost is free, and after that, it is $99 (see rates and fees).

Why we like it: If you possess a Delta Business card, you may enjoy many of Delta's privileges without having to first gain elite status with the airline. This is one of the reasons why we appreciate it. You and up to seven other passengers travelling under the same reservation will each enjoy one free checked bag, priority boarding on Delta flights, and a discount of twenty per cent off any purchases made on board (given as a statement credit). In addition, cardholders have the opportunity to receive a $100 flight ticket for Delta after making a total of $10,000 in transactions during a calendar year.

Cardholders earn two miles for every dollar spent on transactions made with Delta Air Lines, as well as two miles for every dollar spent in the United States at restaurants, shipping providers, and certain media platforms for advertising. For all other purchases, you will earn one mile for every dollar spent.

Please refer to our comprehensive review of the Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card for more information.

Here is the link to the official application for the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card.

Capital One's Spark Miles programme for commercial customers

The current welcome offer is that customers may get 50,000 bonus miles after making transactions totalling $4,500 during the first three months after creating an account. The TPG places a value of $925 on this incentive.

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 every year after that.

Why we like it: The Spark Miles for Business card offers simplicity, which is something that certain individuals value, and this card does that. You have the opportunity to earn 5 miles for every dollar spent on hotels and rental vehicles booked via Capital One Travel, in addition to earning an unlimited 2 miles for every dollar spent on any other transactions. According to our estimations, the value of Capital One miles has been steadily rising over the last several years as a result of the addition of additional transfer partners.

In addition, cardholders may get a statement credit of up to one hundred dollars to compensate them for the application cost for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and they can utilise virtual card numbers to make online transactions with an additional layer of protection.

Please refer to our comprehensive evaluation of the Capital One Spark Miles for Business for more information.

Click here for the official link to the application: Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is an excellent business credit card.

The current promotion allows customers to get a bonus of 65,000 AAdvantage miles after making a transaction totalling $4,000 during the first four months after creating an account. The TPG places a value of $1,150.50 on this incentive.

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $99 every year after that.

Why we like it: Even if you don't have elite status with American Airlines, you can still enjoy benefits like priority boarding and a free first-checked bag (for you and up to four people on the same reservation) when you use the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card. This benefit is good for everyone on the reservation. Additionally, you will get a bill credit equal to 25% of the amount you paid for in-flight purchases of Wi-Fi, food, and beverages while flying with AA. After spending $30,000 or more on your card within a cardmember year and then paying the annual fee to keep your card for another year, you will be eligible to receive an American Airlines companion certificate good for domestic travel on American Airlines. This certificate can be redeemed for free companion tickets on American Airlines. The price of a companion ticket is $99 in addition to any applicable taxes and fees.

Cardholders earn two miles for every dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, as well as two miles for every dollar spent at petrol stations, on telecommunications providers, cable and satellite providers, and car rental agencies. For all other purchases, you will earn one mile for every dollar spent. In addition, you will receive one Loyalty Point for every single dollar spent, which will speed up the process of achieving elite status with AAdvantage.

The Points Guy has researched to get this data on the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select card. The information about the card that can be seen on this page has not been vetted or supplied by the entity that is the issuer of the card.

Please refer to our comprehensive analysis of the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card for more information.

Card of Commerce from the United

The current introductory offer is as follows: Spend $5,000 on purchases during the first three months of account creation, and you will get 75,000 bonus miles to use on United Airlines. This incentive is worth $907.50 according to TPG.

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $99 every year after that.

Why we enjoy it: Priority boarding on United flights, two United Club one-time passes each year, a free first checked bag (for the cardholder and a companion on the same reservation, as long as the ticket was purchased using this card), and a discount of 25% on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases are all perks that come with the United Business card. Cardholders who have both a personal and small business United credit card are eligible to get 5,000 extra miles on each account anniversary. This benefit is only available to cardholders who have both types of United credit cards. Cardholders qualify for a $100 United flight credit if they make seven separate purchases of at least $100 (each) in flight tickets during the membership year on their United credit card. Additionally, the availability of saver awards for mileage redemptions with United has been expanded for cardholders.

Cardholders of the United Business card can earn two miles for every dollar spent on purchases made with United Airlines, two miles for every dollar spent dining (including eligible delivery services), two miles for every dollar spent at gas stations, two miles for every dollar spent at office supply stores, and one mile for every dollar spent on other purchases.

Please refer to our comprehensive evaluation of the United Business Card for more information.

The official website for the application for the United Business Card

Bottom line

When a credit provider allows you to test out their goods before making a purchase, it is always a pleasant experience. These are the finest credit cards available that will not charge you an annual fee for the first year you have the card. If you take the time to go through all of the information, you could find anything that piques your curiosity among them. You are fortunate in that you have one year to determine how you feel about these cards before being required to pay the yearly charge for using them.

Reporting assistance was provided by Jason Steele.

Please click here to see the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card's interest rates and fees.
To see the costs associated with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, please click here.
Please click here to see the Amex Business Green Card's applicable rates and fees.
Click this link to see the rates and fees associated with the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex card.