Applying for a premium bank card is a crucial monetary choice, nevertheless it doesn’t must be expensive. Some of the prime journey rewards bank cards at the moment supply waived annual charges alongside beneficiant new account bonuses within the first yr.
Today we check out playing cards you possibly can check drive throughout the first yr earlier than figuring out in the event that they deserve a long-term spot in your pockets.
Why apply for a card with a waived annual charge?
The marketplace for journey rewards playing cards is nearly unbelievably aggressive, with new playing cards and improved affords showing on these pages nearly each day. But on the identical time, the enterprise mannequin for premium rewards playing cards is to cost cardholders a considerable annual charge to recoup a number of the prices of the rewards and advantages provided.
Unfortunately, you don’t at all times know precisely how a lot worth you’ll have the ability to notice from every supply. At least not till you’ve tried it. Over the final 30 years, I’ve held dozens of rewards playing cards. Some I obtained primarily for the welcome bonus however ended up preserving as a result of continued worth of the rewards and advantages provided. But with different playing cards, I optimistically opened an account, assuming that it could ship actual long-term worth, solely to be disillusioned.
But for those who apply for a card with out an annual charge, you have got the primary yr to take it for a check drive and see what it may possibly do for you with none monetary dedication. Does the rewards program ship on its guarantees? Are the advantages simple to make use of? Is the customer support acceptable? These are questions that you simply may not have the ability to reply till you’ve spent a yr utilizing a card.
And for those who’re on the fence relating to the worth of the cardboard’s annual charge, having it waived the primary yr can successfully reduce in half the typical charge you pay throughout your account’s first two years.
Related: Guide to bank card annual charges
Top private journey rewards playing cards with waived first-year annual charges
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Current welcome supply: Earn $250 again as a press release credit score after utilizing your card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first six months of cardmembership.
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Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $95 (see charges and costs).
Why we prefer it: Blue Cash Preferred cardmembers can earn 6% again on the primary $6,000 of purchases at U.S. supermarkets annually, 6% again on U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% again on transit (together with taxis, ride-hailing apps, tolls, parking and extra), 3% again at U.S. fuel stations and 1% again on different purchases. Cashback is earned as Reward Dollars that you could redeem as a press release credit score.
You can obtain $7 per thirty days as a press release credit score towards your Disney Bundle subscription and $10 per thirty days in credit towards your Equinox+ membership. Enrollment is required prematurely for these advantages.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card.
Official utility hyperlink: Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Current welcome supply: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after utilizing your card to make $2,500 in purchases within the first three months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $885.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $99.
Why we prefer it: As a cardholder, you may obtain a free first checked bag for you and as much as 4 companions in your identical reservation and might obtain a $125 American Airlines flight voucher after spending $20,000 or extra in your card throughout your cardmember yr after which paying the annual charge to maintain the cardboard open for one more yr. You’ll additionally get a 25% financial savings on inflight purchases when paying together with your card.
With the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card, you may earn 2 miles per greenback on American Airlines purchases, 2 miles per greenback at fuel stations and eating places and 1 mile per greenback on different purchases. You’ll additionally obtain precedence boarding and might earn 1 Loyalty Point towards AAdvantage elite standing for every greenback spent on the cardboard.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card.
Official utility hyperlink: Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Current welcome supply: Earn 40,000 bonus SkyMiles after making $2,000 of purchases in your card within the first six months of cardmembership. TPG values this bonus at $564.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $99 (see charges and costs).
Why we prefer it: This is the mid-tier choice amongst Delta’s bank cards. You’ll get pleasure from perks like precedence boarding and a free first checked bag for you and as much as eight companions in your identical reservation. If you make $10,000 or extra in purchases utilizing your card in a calendar yr, you may additionally obtain a $100 Delta flight credit score towards future journey. Cardholders additionally obtain a 20% low cost (as a press release credit score) for inflight purchases of meals, drinks and headsets on Delta flights when paying with this card.
With the Delta Gold card, you possibly can earn 2 miles per greenback on Delta purchases, 2 miles per greenback on eating at eating places worldwide and on takeout and supply providers within the U.S., 2 miles per greenback at U.S. supermarkets and 1 mile per greenback on different purchases.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the Amex Delta Gold card.
Official utility hyperlink: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard®
Current welcome supply: Earn 60,000 bonus factors and a $100 companion flight voucher after making $1,000 of purchases in your card within the first 90 days from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $760.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $79.
Why we prefer it: Don’t depend this card out till you’ve realized the small print of the revamped Free Spirit program. In addition to the $100 companion flight voucher within the welcome supply, you may obtain a $100 companion flight voucher after every account anniversary so long as you’ve got made $5,000 or extra in purchases in your card throughout the earlier yr. Additionally, you are exempt from the Free Spirit factors expiration coverage so long as you are a cardholder.
Other cardholder advantages embrace Zone 2 shortcut boarding on all flights and a 25% rebate on inflight meals and beverage purchases while you pay together with your card. With the Free Spirit Travel More card, you may earn 3 factors per greenback on Spirit Airlines purchases, 2 factors per greenback on eating and grocery retailer purchases and 1 level per greenback on different purchases.
The data for the Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the Free Spirit Travel More card.
United Explorer Card
Current welcome supply: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after making $3,000 of purchases in your card within the first three months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $726.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $95.
Why we prefer it: You’ll obtain precedence boarding, a free first checked bag for you and a companion on the identical reservation (so long as you paid for the flights with this card), 25% again on inflight and United Club premium drink purchases, and two United Club one-time passes annually. Also, this card affords a uncommon profit for playing cards with out an annual charge within the first yr: as much as $100 reimbursement to your utility charge to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus.
You’ll earn 2 miles per greenback on United Airlines purchases, 2 miles per greenback on eating (together with eligible supply providers), 2 miles per greenback on lodge reservations booked instantly with the lodge and 1 mile per greenback on different purchases. You’ll additionally earn 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) towards United elite standing for every $12,000 of purchases in your card. You can earn a most of 1,000 PQPs this manner in a calendar yr, and these will be utilized towards your United Airlines standing as much as the Premier 1K stage. Another key profit is entry to extra United award flight availability.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the United Explorer Card.
Official utility hyperlink: United Explorer Card
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Current welcome supply: Earn 50,000 bonus factors after making $2,000 of purchases in your card within the first 120 days from account opening. These factors will be redeemed at 1 cent apiece, making this bonus value $500.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $95.
Why we prefer it: There are extra perks than you’d anticipate on this card. You’ll obtain a $30 assertion credit score after making streaming purchases for 11 months, as much as $600 of reimbursement through cellphone safety for those who pay your month-to-month wi-fi invoice with this card and Visa Signature advantages like auto rental collision harm waiver and roadside dispatch. You’ll additionally obtain as much as $100 in assertion credit to reimburse your utility charge for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect cardholders earn 5 factors per greenback on pay as you go accommodations and automotive leases booked within the Altitude Rewards journey portal, 4 factors per greenback on journey, 4 factors per greenback at fuel stations and EV charging stations, 2 factors per greenback at grocery shops and grocery supply providers, 2 factors per greenback on eating and streaming providers and 1 level per greenback on different purchases.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card.
Top small-business journey rewards playing cards with waived first-year annual charges
Business Green Rewards Card from American Express
Current welcome supply: Earn 25,000 bonus Membership Rewards factors after spending $3,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of cardmembership. TPG values this bonus at $500.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $95 (see charges and costs).
Why we prefer it: With the Business Green card, you may acquire entry to essential advantages like Amex Offers and earn helpful Membership Rewards factors on each buy. The card has no preset spending restrict — which means how a lot you possibly can spend on the cardboard evolves together with your spending habits, cost historical past and different components — and the power to enroll in Pay Over Time. You could even obtain a focused supply of bonus factors for enrolling on this characteristic, even for those who by no means use it to hold a stability in your card.
Cardmembers earn 2 factors per greenback on flights and pay as you go accommodations booked on-line with Amex Travel and 1 level per greenback on different purchases. These quantity to a 4% and a pair of% return on spending, respectively, based mostly on our newest valuations.
The data for the Business Green Rewards Card from American Express has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the Amex Business Green Card.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Current welcome supply: Earn 50,000 bonus Delta SkyMiles after spending $2,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of cardmembership. TPG values this bonus at $705.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $99 (see charges and costs).
Why we prefer it: Without the necessity to earn elite standing with Delta, you possibly can get pleasure from a lot of its advantages by holding the Delta Business card. You’ll obtain a free first checked bag for you and as much as eight folks in your identical reservation, precedence boarding on Delta flights and a 20% financial savings on inflight purchases (given as a press release credit score). Cardmembers can also earn a $100 Delta flight voucher after spending $10,000 on purchases in a calendar yr.
Cardmembers earn 2 miles per greenback on Delta Air Lines purchases and a pair of miles per greenback on U.S. purchases at eating places, transport suppliers and promoting with choose media platforms. All different purchases earn 1 mile per greenback.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card.
Official utility hyperlink: Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Current welcome supply: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $925.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $95.
Why we prefer it: Some folks like simplicity, and that is what the Spark Miles for Business card affords. You can earn 5 miles per greenback on accommodations and rental automobiles booked by Capital One Travel and earn a vast 2 miles per greenback on all different purchases. Capital One miles have elevated in worth over the previous few years, based mostly on our valuations, by gaining new switch companions.
Cardholders can also obtain as much as $100 in assertion credit to reimburse the applying charge for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and might use digital card numbers for additional safety when making purchases on-line.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the Capital One Spark Miles for Business.
Official utility hyperlink: Capital One Spark Miles for Business
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Current welcome supply: Earn 65,000 bonus AAdvantage miles after spending $4,000 on purchases throughout the first 4 months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $1,150.50.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $99.
Why we prefer it: Without needing to earn American Airlines elite standing, you possibly can nonetheless get pleasure from perks like precedence boarding and a free first checked bag (for you and as much as 4 folks on the identical reservation) with the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card. You’ll additionally obtain a 25% financial savings (through assertion credit score) for inflight purchases of Wi-Fi, meals and drinks on AA flights. You can also earn an American Airlines companion certificates for home journey on American Airlines after spending $30,000 or extra in your card inside a cardmember yr after which paying the annual charge to maintain your card for one more yr. The value of the companion ticket is $99 plus taxes and costs.
Cardholders earn 2 miles per greenback on American Airlines purchases and a pair of miles per greenback on cable and satellite tv for pc suppliers, telecommunications suppliers, fuel stations and automotive leases. You’ll earn 1 mile per greenback on different purchases. Additionally, you may earn 1 Loyalty Point per greenback on all purchases, serving to you work towards AAdvantage elite standing.
The data for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card.
United Business Card
Current welcome supply: Earn 75,000 bonus United Airlines miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $907.50.
Annual charge: $0 introductory annual charge, then $99.
Why we prefer it: The United Business card affords two United Club one-time passes annually, a free first checked bag (for the cardholder and a companion on the identical reservation, so long as the ticket was bought utilizing this card), precedence boarding on United flights and 25% on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases. Cardholders additionally obtain 5,000 bonus United miles on every account anniversary if they’ve each a private and small enterprise United bank card. After making seven flight purchases of $100 or extra (every) from United throughout a cardmember yr, cardholders obtain a $100 United flight credit score. Cardholders even have increased saver award availability for mileage redemptions with United.
United Business cardholders earn 2 miles per greenback on purchases with United Airlines, 2 miles per greenback on eating (together with eligible supply providers) and fuel stations, 2 miles per greenback at workplace provide shops and native transit and 1 mile per greenback on different purchases.
For extra particulars, see our full evaluation of the United Business Card.
Official utility hyperlink: United Business Card
Bottom line
It’s at all times good when a credit score issuer lets you attempt their product before you purchase it. These are one of the best bank cards with annual charges which can be waived throughout the first yr. After studying by the small print, you could resolve that you simply’re eager about considered one of them. Luckily, you’ve got obtained a yr to resolve how you are feeling about these playing cards earlier than needing to pay an annual charge.
Additional reporting by Jason Steele.
For charges and costs of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Business Green card, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Amex card, click on right here.