Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards [August 2024]

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Name	Finder Score	Annual fee	Purchase rate p.a.	Balance transfer rate p.a.
Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer Exclusive Kogan Rewards Program	Finder score 9.9	Annual fee $0	Purchase rate p.a. 9.99% for 18 months, then 21.99%	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 18 months with 1% balance transfer fee, then 22.74%	Go to site More Info Compare	Save with 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers (with a 1% BT fee) and 9.99% p.a. on purchases, both for 18 months, plus, an ongoing $0 annual fee.
American Express Low Rate Credit Card Finder Award	Finder score 9.3	Annual fee $0	Purchase rate p.a. 10.99%	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Go to site More Info Compare	Offers a low ongoing interest rate of 10.99% p.a. and a $0 annual fee. Plus, complimentary purchase cover.
NAB Low Rate Credit Card	Finder score 7.4	Annual fee $0 first year ($59 after)	Purchase rate p.a. 13.49%	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 28 months with 2% balance transfer fee, then 21.74%	Go to site More Info Compare	Get a 0% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for the first 28 months (with a 2% BT fee). Plus, save with a $0 first-year annual fee.
Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard Flybuys	Finder score 8.8	Annual fee $0	Purchase rate p.a. 20.74%	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 9 months with 1.5% balance transfer fee, then 20.74%	Go to site More Info Compare	Save with an ongoing $0 annual fee and 0% interest on balance transfers for the first 9 months (with a one-time 1.5% BT fee).
Qantas American Express Discovery Card Qantas Frequent Flyer	Finder score 8.3	Annual fee $0	Purchase rate p.a. 23.99%	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Go to site More Info Compare	Earn uncapped Qantas Points per $1 spent, plus a $0 annual fee.
ANZ Platinum Credit Card	Finder score 6.4	Annual fee $0 first year ($87 after)	Purchase rate p.a. 20.99%	Balance transfer rate p.a. 21.99%	Go to site More Info Compare	Get $300 back on your card when you spend $1,500 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months and a $0 first-year annual fee. Plus, complimentary overseas travel insurance.
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer Finder Award Velocity Frequent Flyer	Finder score 6.3	Annual fee $0 first year ($149 after)	Purchase rate p.a. 20.74%	Balance transfer rate p.a. 0% for 24 months with 0% balance transfer fee, then 20.99%	Go to site More Info Compare	Get 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 24 months (with no BT fee) and a $0 annual fee in the first year.
American Express Velocity Escape Card Velocity Frequent Flyer	Finder score 8.8	Annual fee $0	Purchase rate p.a. 23.99%	Balance transfer rate p.a. N/A	Go to site More Info Compare	Save with a $0 annual fee and earn 0.75 Velocity Points per $1 on everyday purchases.

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Finder's best no annual fee credit card offers for August

Here are some of the top scoring no annual fee credit cards on the market:

The Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer has a Finder Score of 9.9.
The HSBC Premier World MasterCard - Qantas Frequent Flyer has a Finder Score of 9.47.
The Coastline Visa Credit Card has a Finder Score of 9.31.
The Heritage Bank Gold Low Rate Credit Card has a Finder Score of 9.28.
The American Express Low Rate Credit Card has a Finder Score of 9.27.

Updated August 2024 by Finder's money editor, Richard Whitten.

The lowdown on Finder Score

To qualify for this category, credit cards must:

Charge no annual fee for at least 12 months.

Every month, we carefully analyse over 250 credit card products and assess the most important features and benefits of each card.

We assign scores out of 10 for each feature, and adjust the scores depending on what category we're looking at.

Credit card scores are category-specific (e.g. No annual fee, Rewards), meaning the same card will receive a different score within each category.

Our Finder Score methodology is designed by our editorial and insights team. Products are reviewed objectively and commercial partners carry no weight. There is no best for all, and we encourage you to consider your own financial needs when making a decision.

Annual fee credit cards - score weightings

Feature	Definition	Assessment	Weight
Annual Fee	Ongoing fees per year	Lower fees get higher scores, with $0 getting the highest score	30%
First-Year Fee	Introductory fee for the first year	Lower fees get higher scores, with $0 getting the highest score	20%
Interest-Free Days	The number of interest-free days	Higher number of interest-free days score more points, up to 55 days	10%
Value of points earned per month	Points earned for every dollar spent on eligible purchases	Points awarded per dollar	20%
Purchase Rate	Interest rate on new purchases	Lower rates receive higher scores	20%

Finder Score by the numbers

9+ Excellent - These cards offer the lowest ongoing purchase rates, high number of interest free days, and may earn rewards points - all for no annual fee.
7+ Great - Reasonable ongoing purchase rates and interest free days.
5+ Satisfactory - These cards offer no fees, but may have higher interest rates.
Less than 5 – Basic - These are basic cards with no annual fee.

Best no annual fee cards: Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer

Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer

0% Balance Transfer & 9.99% Purchase Rate Offers
$0 Annual fee
21.99% Purchase rate

Go to site

Pros & cons

No annual fee
0% p.a. for 18 months on balance transfers
Low 9.99% p.a. purchase rate for 18 months
Uncapped reward points
Complimentary Kogan First membership

Balance transfer offer has a 1% BT fee
A high 22.74% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers after the introductory period
A 21.99% p.a. interest rate on purchases applies at the end of the introductory period
No interest-free days if you have a balance transfer

Why we like it

The Kogan Money Card – Exclusive Offer is a genuine $0 annual fee card. Not just for the first year. You can earn rewards when you shop at Kogan and there's a decent balance transfer offer too.

This card has a Finder Score of 9.9 in the no annual fee category.

Best no annual fee cards: HSBC Premier World MasterCard - Qantas Frequent Flyer

HSBC Premier World MasterCard - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Up to 1.5 Qantas Points per $1
$0 Annual fee
19.99% Purchase rate

Read review

Pros & cons

Up to 1.5 Qantas Points per $1 on eligible spending
$0 annual fee
Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance
Airport lounge access through Mastercard Airport Experiences/LoungeKey

No introductory bonus points offer
3% foreign transaction fee

Why we like it

The HSBC Premier World Mastercard lets you earn Qantas Points on your spending at a high rate. And it has no annual fee at all, plus perks like complimentary travel insurance.

This card has a Finder Score of 9.47 in the no annual fee category.

Best no annual fee cards: American Express Low Rate Credit Card

American Express Low Rate Credit Card

Low Rate & No Annual Fee
$0 Annual fee
10.99% Purchase rate

Go to site

Pros & cons

Low 10.99% p.a. interest rate for purchases
Ongoing $0 annual fee
Up to 4 additional cardholders
Complimentary card purchase cover and card refund cover

$30 late payment fee if you miss your minimum repayment
3% foreign currency conversion fee
No rewards program

Why we like it

There is no annual fee for this card at all.

The cards also has a low purchase rate and comes with complimentary card purchase cover.

How does a credit card with no annual fee work?

A no annual fee credit card allows you to shop and spend, without having to pay a yearly fee for the account. This can save you from $25 to as much as $1,450 for credit cards with an annual fee.

Just like other cards, interest and other charges may apply. But if you pay off the balance in full each month – and can get interest-free days on purchases – it’s the closest you can get to free credit.

Finder's database contains every credit card we could find on the market, including some that offer balance transfers, rewards and other benefits. Right now, there are 44 credit cards on the market that charge no annual fee, ever.

Pros and cons of $0 annual fee credit cards

Pros

Save money on credit card fees. The most obvious perk of these cards is that you won't pay an annual fee. This could save you tens, hundreds or thousands of dollars over the life of the card.
Practical and cost-effective. A no annual fee credit card can be ideal for emergencies and when extra credit is required. This means you can leave it in your wallet without worrying about it costing you when you're not using it.
Promotional offers and perks. Depending on the card you choose, you can get big bonus points offers, 0% balance transfers and other perks as well as a $0 annual fee for the first year or ongoing.

Cons

Higher interest rates. These cards typically charge higher ongoing interest rates on purchases than some other cards. This could add to your costs if you regularly carry a balance from month to month.
Fewer extra features. While some no annual fee cards do come with rewards and other benefits, they typically boast fewer features than cards with a higher annual fee.
Temporary $0 annual fee. Unfortunately, not all of these cards offer a $0 annual fee for the life of the card. If your card only waives the annual fee for the first year, make sure you know the standard annual fee and when it will apply.

A $0 annual fee credit card saves you money up front, but make sure you get the most from it. Always pay it off every month in full - once you're paying interest, the card isn't free. And look for other features as well - if you can earn frequent flyer points, you can save real money on travel just by using your card for everyday purchases.

Angus Kidman
Finder’s editor-at-large

Types of no annual fee credit cards

Some no annual fee credit cards offer the basics, while others have more features and benefits. This means you can compare credit cards that combine a $0 annual fee with other features, including introductory 0% interest rate offers, frequent flyer points, reward points and complimentary extras. Here are some examples.

Feature	Card	Current Offer	Annual Fee & Purchase Rate
Balance Transfer	ANZ Low Rate	Get a 0% p.a. interest rate for the first 28 months on balance transfers with a 3% balance transfer fee.	$0 annual fee in the first year ($58 after) 13.74% p.a.
Rewards	Coles No Annual Fee Mastercard	Offers the equivalent of 0.5 Flybuys points per $1 you spend on eligible purchases.	$0 20.74% p.a.
Frequent Flyer	Qantas American Express Discovery	Earns 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, 0.5 point / $1 with government bodies in Australia and an additional 1.75 Qantas Point per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia, uncapped.	$0 23.99% p.a.
Travel	Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card	Offers 0% foreign transaction fees overseas and online with international merchants. Plus, complimentary overseas travel insurance.	$0 19.99% p.a.

How to find the right no annual fee credit card

Ask yourself these questions to help compare your options:

- - How often do you use your credit card? Finder research shows 41% of Australians got their most recent credit card for emergencies. If you rarely use a credit card but want one for unplanned expenses or emergencies, getting one with no annual fee helps you save on costs when you're not using it.
  - Do you carry a balance? Some no annual fee credit cards have high interest rates that are better suited to cardholders who pay their balance in full each statement period. If you regularly carry a balance, you might want to consider a low interest credit card instead.
  - Do you have existing debt? You could consider a balance transfer credit card to save money on interest charges for an introductory period. Or, focus on paying off your current debts before you get a new credit card.
  - Will you use the credit card after a $0 annual fee promotion ends? If it doesn't have a competitive interest rate or enough extra features to outweigh the ongoing cost, you might want to cancel the card before the annual fee is charged.
  - What other credit card fees and charges will you pay? As well as interest rates, make sure you check for other credit card fees that could apply, including foreign transaction fees, late payment fees and cash advance charges.

Interest-free spending hack

Most credit cards offer a number of interest-free days (such as up to 55) on purchases when you pay your account balance in full by the due date on your statement. So if you pay your account in full, make use of interest-free days and don't have an annual fee, your credit card could cost you nothing.

Frequently asked questions

If you get a credit card that offers no annual fee in the first year, you can cancel it before the annual fee is charged in the second year. Just check your account details online or contact your credit card provider to find out exactly when the annual fee would be charged – and make sure you have paid off the balance – so you can cancel the account before that date.
This depends on the credit card provider. For example, some providers may waive your credit card annual fee when you also take out a home loan package with them. Others may waive or refund your annual fee if you meet specific conditions, such as spending a set amount each year or being a student. You can check the terms and conditions or ask the credit card company to see if an ongoing waiver is possible, or compare cards with ongoing $0 annual fees instead.
If you always pay off your balance in full and can make use of interest-free days on purchases, then a no annual fee card can be very affordable. But if you carry a balance that attracts a high interest rate, the interest charges could make your credit card an expensive option. In this case, you might want to compare credit cards and look at the potential savings you'd get from a card with a low interest rate (even if it has an annual fee).There is no such thing as a "free credit card" because there is always the potential cost of interest if you carry a balance. There are also other credit card fees that may apply for certain transactions (such as cash advances or purchases made in a foreign currency). But in most cases, if you have a $0 annual fee card and pay off your account balance in full by the due date on each statement, you won't be charged interest and can use the card at no cost.
Yes, there are a few no annual fee, low rate credit cards on the market. You can use the filters on Finder's comparison table to narrow down your search based on rates, fees and other features you want. But keep in mind that $0 annual fees and low rates are generally offered on separate cards – except when one of the features is promotional. For example, a $0 annual fee card may offer an introductory low or 0% interest rate before reverting to a higher standard rate, while a low rate credit card could offer a waived annual fee in the first year.

2024 Finder Award winner and finalists

Find out which brand took first place at the 2024 Finder Awards for no annual fee credit cards.

The American Express Low Rate Credit Card won the 2024 Finder Award for Best No Annual Fee Credit Card. It scored highly for its $0 annual fee, low interest rate for purchases and interest-free days. It also offers $0 additional cardholder fees and has won the Finder Award for this category every year since 2020.

The Heritage Bank Gold Low Rate Credit Card scored highly for its $0 annual fee and low 11.8% interest rate. Unlike the other finalists in this category, it does not offer interest-free days. It was also a finalist in this category in 2023. But unlike the other finalists, it does not offer interest-free days.

The Hume Value Visa offers a $0 annual fee, a low 11.95% interest rate for purchases and up to 55 days interest-free, which saw it score well across the criteria considered for this category.

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Every year the Finder Credit Card Awards honor Australia's best credit cards, with expert analysis of rates, fees and offers based on 12 months' worth of data. Offers change regularly, so these cards may not currently have the most competitive deals but you can use them as a benchmark.

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by

Richard Whitten

Editor

Richard Whitten is a money editor at Finder, and has been covering home loans, property and personal finance for 6+ years. He has written for Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Homely; and has appeared on various radio shows nationwide. He holds a Certificate IV in mortgage broking and finance (RG 206), a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification and a Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products (RG 146) certification. See full bio

Richard's expertise

Richard has written 538 Finder guides across topics including:

Home loans
Property
Personal finance
Money-saving tips

More resources on Finder

More guides on Finder

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Make the most of credit cards offering $0 annual fee in the first year and learn about other ways to save on this yearly cost with this guide to annual fees.
Credit cards with additional cardholders
Share your credit card with a partner or family member but watch for extra costs. Compare cards and learn more about credit cards that offer free additional cardholders.
Compare No Annual Fee Credit Cards With Rewards
Compare no annual fee rewards credit cards and earn points on all eligible purchases without paying a yearly fee.
No Frills Credit Cards
Save with low annual fees, competitive interest rates and modest credit limits with a no frills credit card.

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128 Responses

NanetteNovember 2, 2016

Hi I am wanting a credit card that will give me maximum Qantas frequent flyer points on sign up and no annual fee in the first year…any suggestions??

Finder

DeeNovember 2, 2016Finder

Hi Nanette,

Thanks for your question.

Please check the Qantas frequent flyer credit cards featured on our website to compare credit cards that offer bonus Qantas points. You can also check the annual fee for each card on the same page.

Cheers,
Anndy

AzamOctober 20, 2016

Hi:

I just want to know which VISA credit card will give me an identity with no annual fee. like with which card I can get subscription in iTunes or youtube???

Thanks

Finder

DeeOctober 28, 2016Finder

Hi Azam,

Thanks for your question.

If you are looking to apply for a Visa credit card with no annual fee, you can check the list of Visa credit cards featured on our website. Among those listed with no annual fee are Virgin Credit Card and Citi Simplicity Card.

Cheers,
Anndy

BrendanSeptember 10, 2015

Hi there
I currently have a personal loan with another bank.
Im interested in finding out my options if i switched over the balance to a personal loan or credit card with you.
The things that interest me are:
Low interest rate for the first year or 2
Low or no annual fee
An offer to be rewarded with frequent flyer points or something similar

cheers

Finder

JonathanSeptember 10, 2015Finder

Hi Brendan,

Thanks for your inquiry.

There are a few credit card providers that allow transferring a personal loan balance to a credit card. The comparison table provided will allow you to compare credit cards based on interest rates, annual fees and frequent flyer points earnings. You can press the “Go to Site” button of your preferred credit card to proceed with your application. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions. A gentle reminder, please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you apply.

Cheers,

Jonathan

CharmaineOctober 29, 2015

What is the best card

JoyceSeptember 14, 2016

How come one card has an interest rate of 9.9 and others are from 15 and up. We are looking to change our credit card and as we travel a lot we want a card that is able to be used anywhere in the world.

Finder

JonathanSeptember 22, 2016Finder

Hi Joyce,

Thanks for your inquiry!

Credit providers provide varying interest rates. You may like to compare travel credit cards which provide worldwide access and 0% foreign currency conversion fees.

Cheers,

Jonathan

Finder

SharonOctober 29, 2015Finder

Hi Charmaine,

Thank you for your question.

As a financial comparison service, however, we’re unable to recommend any specific product, service or strategy to our users as the ‘best’ option will always depend on the individual’s financial situation and needs.

I would recommend you compare different credit cards based on the offer provided and fees involved in conjunction with your financial situations and eligibility requirements.

I hope this has helped.

Sharon

SujitSeptember 5, 2015

i need the top rated service indian credit cards without annual fees

Finder

JonathanSeptember 6, 2015Finder

Hi Sujit, thanks for your inquiry!

Unfortunately at this point of time our comparison of credit cards is only comprehensive across Australia and includes the USA.

Cheers,

Jonathan

ILISAPECIAugust 18, 2015

how to apply

Finder

JonathanAugust 18, 2015Finder

Hi Ilisapeci, thanks for your inquiry!

When you have found a card that you would like to apply for just press the ‘Go to Site’ button and you will be redirected to a secure web-form from the respective bank.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Jonathan

Compare no annual fee credit cards – perks without the pain