Your cookie preferences

We use cookies and similar technologies. You can use the settings below to accept all cookies (which we recommend to give you the best experience) or to enable specific categories of cookies as explained below. Find out more by reading our Cookie Policy.

Select cookie preferences

Skip to main content
Utrack

Popular Search Terms

Compare no annual fee credit cards

Apply for a credit card with no annual fee

Balance transfer and reward credit cards, with no fees

Find your ideal credit card in seconds

  • Check your eligibility without impacting your credit score

  • Explore your options from top credit card providers

  • Choose the right card for your needs

Find your ideal credit card in seconds

  • Check your eligibility without impacting your credit score

  • Explore your options from top credit card providers

  • Choose the right card for your needs

No annual fee credit cards hero image

Find the best credit cards from trusted providers

Our experts browse hundreds of products to find the best deals

Barclaycard logo
Santander logo
Tesco logo
British Airways logo
M&S Logo
Lloyds logo

Uswitch Limited is a credit broker, not a lender, for consumer credit.

Our services are provided at no cost to you. We may receive a commission from the companies we refer you to, but this does not affect what you will pay for the product you choose.

Fact checker
Last updated
August 19th, 2025
A woman is holding a credit card and paying on a contactless machine

What is a no annual fee credit card?

Lots of credit cards now charge an annual fee or a balance transfer fee, but it is still possible to find no fee credit cards.

Credit cards with no fees are common in many cases. For example, 0% purchase cards almost never charge a fee for owning them or using them - but there are two big exceptions.

If you're looking for a card with added perks - for example a rewards card, air miles card, or a travel credit card – you might well find an annual fee attached to it.

Secondly, if you're looking to make a balance transfer or money transfer, you'll likely find cards that charge a fee for doing this.

The good news is that there are fee-free reward cards available if you know where to look, while 0% balance transfer cards with no fee are also available.

These generally offer shorter 0% periods or slightly less generous rewards than their fee-charging versions - but if you're transferring a smaller balance or only using the card occasionally, they might be better value.

How do no annual fee credit cards work?

A no annual fee credit card is simple and cost-effective. There’s no upfront charge when you apply, and as long as you pay off your balance in full each month, you won’t incur interest charges.

These cards are great if you want a low-cost, straightforward option for everyday purchases or as a backup for emergencies. They keep things simple and affordable.

However, while there's no annual fee, other charges may apply. You could face fees if you exceed your credit limit, make late payments, or carry a balance. 

Additionally, withdrawing cash or making "cash-like" transactions, such as buying shares, often comes with fees, and using the card abroad may also incur additional charges.

Overall, no annual fee credit cards can be a smart choice for managing costs, as long as you're mindful of the other fees and interest rates.

Our expert says

No-annual fee doesn't mean the card is entirely free to use - so make sure you keep up with payments

Pros and cons of no annual fee credit cards

Pros

Simple and easy to use and there are no ongoing costs if you pay the balance off in full every month.
You don’t need to work out whether rewards or perks outweigh the cost of a fee.

Cons

Rewards packages may not be as appealing as a card that charges a fee.
Cards with no fee can have higher interest rates, costing you more if you do not clear your balance in full each month.

Is a credit card with no annual fees right for me?

A zero fee credit card would best suit someone who wants a simple credit card, would like to keep their costs down, or who uses their credit card only occasionally.

A no annual fee credit card might not suit someone who often has a high amount of outstanding debt on their card. That's because no annual fee credit cards often charge higher interest rates.

Unlock the best credit card deals for you

See which credit cards you're eligible for in just a few clicks

The main types of no annual fee credit cards

No fee balance transfer cards

Many 0% balance transfer credit cards charge a fee of around 3% when you transfer a balance. However, some credit cards allow you to transfer your balance from your current credit card to another without paying a fee.

As long as you keep on top of your repayments, you’ll be able clear your debt without the hefty interest you might have been paying before.

Rewards credit cards with no annual fee

Typically, a no-annual fee card is a simple no-nonsense credit card that does exactly what it says on the tin.

However, there are better credit card rewards attached to cards that do charge an annual fee - this is the trade-off of having a cheaper card. 

But that doesn't mean you have to pay to own a rewards card - many supermarket no annual fee credit cards still offer retail point schemes that can help you save on your grocery shopping, for example.

The main types of no annual fee credit cards

No fee balance transfer cards

Many 0% balance transfer credit cards charge a fee of around 3% when you transfer a balance. However, some credit cards allow you to transfer your balance from your current credit card to another without paying a fee.

As long as you keep on top of your repayments, you’ll be able clear your debt without the hefty interest you might have been paying before.

Rewards credit cards with no annual fee

Typically, a no-annual fee card is a simple no-nonsense credit card that does exactly what it says on the tin.

However, there are better credit card rewards attached to cards that do charge an annual fee - this is the trade-off of having a cheaper card. 

But that doesn't mean you have to pay to own a rewards card - many supermarket no annual fee credit cards still offer retail point schemes that can help you save on your grocery shopping, for example.

Will I get the best interest rates with a no annual fee credit card?

Possibly not. Sometimes, credit card providers charge a higher rate of interest on no annual fee credit cards, so you’ll need to compare them carefully. 

What’s more, when it comes to rewards cards, you're likely to see better offers if you pay a fee. 

Similarly, with balance transfer cards, you're likely to see longer 0% interest periods when you pay a fee. 

With or without an annual fee, getting the best interest rates depends on your credit score.

A credit card for those with bad credit can charge ongoing interest as high as 35%, whereas with good credit, interest rates are typically around 24%.

FAQs

What is the true cost of the balance transfer fee?

Most credit card providers charge a balance transfer fee of around 3% when you move your debt from one card to another. This varies between cards and providers.

As the fee is worked out as a percentage, the cost of the transfer fee will rise with the amount you transfer.

What is APR?

APR stands for "annual percentage rate" - it's the interest rate charged on money borrowed on your credit card. 

It reflects the costs you'll pay over the course of a year and includes any standard fees associated with the card. 

In most cases, you can avoid paying interest by paying off your credit card balance in full by the due date of every billing cycle.

The exact APR you'll get will also depend on your individual circumstances, so it's worth checking this before applying.

Is interest free credit really interest free?

Yes, but that doesn't mean you'll pay nothing to borrow.

First, there may be a fee attached to a balance transfer or money transfer credit card.

Secondly, if you don't clear your debt within the 0% period you'll be charged interest on any money remaining on the account at the end of it.

Do balance transfers hurt your credit score?

No. The act of transferring a balance to a new credit card doesn’t damage your credit score.

However, there are two things that might negatively affect your credit worthiness if you're not careful.

Firstly, applying for a new credit card is always recorded on your credit history. This means that if you have an application rejected, or there are multiple applications over a short period of time, other lenders might be nervous.

However, card finder and eligibility checker tools don’t show up on your credit score, so it makes sense to use one to ensure you only apply for cards you’ll qualify for.

Secondly, lenders look at something called your "total available credit" before making a decision. This is worked out by adding up all your credit card and overdraft limits.

A new card adds to this total, but unless you've already got a large number of cards with high credit limits - for example equal to your annual salary – it’s unlikely to be a problem.

Credit card guides

Find out more about how credit cards work with our in-depth guides
How many credit cards can you have?
How many credit cards can you have?
How to use a credit card
How to use a credit card
What are the differences between credit and debit card?
What are the differences between credit and debit card?

About the author

Olly McConnell
Olly joined the team in 2022 and used his SEO expertise to make sure more consumers found the right financial products. Now, he is a product marketing manager and Olly works alongside commercial and marketing teams to grow our product offering within financial services.

Customer Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5
by 30,582 people