Looking for the best credit card to earn miles without paying an annual fee? You’re not alone. With travel booming again in 2025 and airfare costs soaring, savvy travelers are on the hunt for no annual fee miles credit cards that offer maximum value and flexibility.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer, a casual vacationer, or a digital nomad, using the right credit card for frequent flyers can turn everyday spending into free flights, airport lounge access, and even travel insurance perks—without a yearly fee eating into your savings.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best credit cards for travel points with no annual fees, how they compare, what to look for, and how to use them strategically to fly farther for less in 2025.
✈️ Why Choose a No Annual Fee Travel Credit Card?
Many travelers assume that only premium cards with hefty fees offer high-value travel rewards. Not true. Some of the best credit cards to earn miles come with no annual fee yet still offer generous miles, bonus categories, and even partner airline perks.
Benefits of No Annual Fee Miles Credit Cards:
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No out-of-pocket cost to keep the card
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Low-risk way to build rewards over time
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Access to mileage rewards and bonus point categories
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Often include travel benefits like trip insurance or miles transfer
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Great for those who travel occasionally but want flexibility
🥇 Top Picks: Best Credit Card to Earn Miles with No Annual Fee in 2025
Let’s dive into the best-performing cards this year that give you travel rewards, flexibility, and no annual charges.
1. Discover it® Miles
Why it’s great: Flat-rate miles earning, no blackout dates, and Discover matches all miles at the end of your first year.
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Miles Earn Rate: Unlimited 1.5x miles on all purchases
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Annual Fee: $0
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Sign-Up Bonus: Discover will match all the miles you earn at the end of your first year
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Redemption: Use for travel, gift cards, statement credit
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Ideal For: First-time travel cardholders who want simple earning and easy reward redemption
2. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Why it’s great: High flat-rate miles earning and travel flexibility with no foreign transaction fees.
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Miles Earn Rate: 1.5 points per $1 spent on everything
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Annual Fee: $0
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Welcome Offer: 25,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 90 days
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Bonus Categories: None (flat-rate)
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Other Perks: Travel insurance coverage and international travel support
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Ideal For: People who want miles with no minimum spending requirement
3. United Gateway℠ Card
Why it’s great: Entry-level card into the United Airlines ecosystem, perfect for frequent flyers with United.
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Miles Earn Rate: 2x miles on United purchases, gas, local transit
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Annual Fee: $0
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Sign-Up Bonus: 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in 3 months
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Airline Partners: United MileagePlus and Star Alliance
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Flight Booking Perks: Priority boarding, no blackout dates
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Ideal For: Travelers loyal to United Airlines looking to build miles gradually
4. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Why it’s great: A solid pick for Delta loyalists seeking airline miles and international travel benefits.
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Miles Earn Rate: 2x on Delta purchases; 1x on all other eligible purchases
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Annual Fee: $0
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Sign-Up Bonus: 10,000 SkyMiles after spending $500 in first 3 months
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Miles Transfer: Can use with SkyTeam partners
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Travel Perks: 20% back on in-flight purchases
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Ideal For: Travelers who frequently fly Delta and want to dip into the best mileage rewards
5. JetBlue Card
Why it’s great: One of the highest miles earning credit cards for JetBlue flyers.
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Miles Earn Rate: 3x on JetBlue, 2x on groceries/dining, 1x on all else
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Annual Fee: $0
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Bonus Offer: 10,000 bonus points after $1,000 spend in 90 days
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Airline Partners: JetBlue & international partners
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Other Benefits: 50% in-flight savings, no blackout dates
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Ideal For: Budget travelers and those who fly JetBlue often
✈️ How to Choose the Best Credit Card to Earn Miles (No Fee)
Before picking the card with the biggest bonus or highest earn rate, consider these factors:
🧳 1. Travel Habits
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Do you fly domestic or international?
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Are you loyal to an airline or fly based on price?
💳 2. Miles Flexibility
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Can miles be transferred to airline partners?
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Are rewards usable for flight booking, hotels, or car rentals?
💼 3. Minimum Spending Requirement
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Can you meet the threshold to unlock the bonus miles?
🛡️ 4. Added Travel Perks
Even no-annual-fee cards may offer extras like:
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Lounge access
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Trip delay or cancellation insurance
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Foreign transaction fee waivers
📊 5. Bonus Point Categories
If you spend heavily in dining, groceries, or gas, find a card that rewards those categories.
💡 Real-Life Example: How Miles Add Up
Scenario: Priya, a freelance designer in San Diego, uses her no annual fee travel card for daily expenses—groceries, gas, and occasional client lunches.
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Monthly spend: $1,500
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Miles earned: 1.5x = 2,250 miles/month
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Yearly total: ~27,000 miles
Result: That’s enough for a round-trip domestic flight or a one-way international travel ticket using partner airlines—without paying a single rupee in fees.
🚀 Pro Tips to Maximize Your Miles
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Always pay in full to avoid interest charges.
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Use for large bills (utilities, phone, subscriptions) to rack up miles.
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Leverage airline portals for bonus miles on travel purchases.
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Combine with airline loyalty programs for faster elite status.
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Track bonus point categories and spending limits monthly.
❓FAQs: Best Credit Card to Earn Miles No Annual Fee
1. Can I get travel insurance with a no annual fee card?
Yes, some cards like the Bank of America Travel Rewards include trip cancellation and rental car coverage, even without an annual fee.
2. Which card is best for international travel without foreign transaction fees?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex and BoA Travel Rewards card both waive foreign transaction fees—great for international travel.
3. Are airline miles transferable between partners?
Only some cards support miles transfer. Delta and United cards allow redemption across airline partners through SkyTeam or Star Alliance.
4. How long do I have to meet the minimum spending requirement?
Typically, the minimum spending requirement must be met within 90 days of account opening to earn the bonus miles.
5. Can I get lounge access with a no annual fee card?
Most cards with no annual fee don’t include lounge access, but some offer discounted rates or access through airline loyalty programs.
6. What’s the best card to accumulate travel miles quickly?
The JetBlue Card (3x on JetBlue purchases) and Discover it Miles (first-year miles match) offer high miles earning potential.
7. Can I redeem miles for hotels and cars too?
Yes. Most cards let you redeem for flight booking, hotels, rental cars, and more. Just check the redemption value to maximize savings.
✈️ Final Takeaway: Travel Smart, Earn More
In 2025, you don’t need a premium card with a $500 annual fee to unlock the world. With the best credit card to earn miles and no annual fee, you can travel smarter, accumulate high-value points, and enjoy the journey without financial friction.
Whether it’s your first trip abroad or your fifth vacation this year, pick a travel credit card with bonus miles that matches your goals—and watch your everyday spending turn into unforgettable journeys.
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