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10 Best Credit Cards With Annual Fees Under $100 [2024]

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We’ve all seen annual fees for certain credit cards slowly creep up over the years. If you’re looking to make a change to your portfolio, one of the biggest aspects of a credit card you should consider is the annual fee.

Whether you’re considering upgrading from a no-frills credit card without an annual fee or downgrading from an ultra-premium credit card you can’t justify the high annual fee for, there’s plenty of reasons why you would want to stick to a card with an annual fee of around $100.

That’s because banks and credit card issuers have invested billions of dollars to innovate in this space, as the “premium credit card” customer segment with annual fees of under $100 tends to have the most headspace for growth.

So in this guide, we’ll show you the best credit cards with annual fees under $100, whether you’re looking for maximum transferable rewards points, cash-back, or travel perks!

What To Look for in a Credit Card With an Annual Fee Under $100

When you look at a credit card with an annual fee, the most common range of annual fees is within the ballpark of $95 to $99.

And it’s generally pretty well-known that this is the largest segment in the context of credit card rewards enthusiasts.

So while those ultra-premium cards with massive annual fees (and similarly massive benefits) are frequently written about in blogs and articles, the reality is that premium credit cards are more applicable than ultra-premium cards.

When looking for a credit card with an annual fee under $100, you’ll want to make sure that the value you’re getting from the rewards and benefits exceeds the cost of the annual fee.

In this next section, we’ll walk you through our favorite personal cards with an annual fee under $100.

Best Personal Cards

Card Summary

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Card

Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee

Benefits

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
  • Earn 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $95
  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
  • 10% annual bonus points
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
  • Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
  • Annual fee of $95
  • 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
  • 3x points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
  • LIMITED TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $95 (rates & fees)
  • 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles on all other purchases
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
  • Annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates & fees)
  • 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets and on select streaming services
  • 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

GREAT STARTER CARD
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
21.49%-28.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros
  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
Cons
  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Our top pick of the best personal credit card with an annual fee under $100 is the legendary Chase Sapphire Preferred card. Also known in the points realm as the best beginner rewards credit card, you’ll find some tremendous value in the perks offered here.

Then, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns according to the following structure:

  • 5x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
  • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel
  • 5x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3x points on dining
  • 2x points on all other travel purchases
  • 1x Ultimate Rewards points everywhere else

According to our valuation of 2 cents per point, your Chase Sapphire Preferred card could net you a return on spend of 10%, 4%, or 2%, depending on what type of purchases you’re making.

One of the biggest perks is the ability to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for 25% more value (1.25 cents per point) on travel booked via the Chase travel portal.

To round out the benefits, you’ll have best-in-class travel insurance and protections, including primary rental car coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, lost/delayed baggage insurance, travel accident insurance, as well as essential shopping safeguards like purchase protection, extended warranty, and zero fraud liability.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

The points that you earn on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card are called Ultimate Rewards points; since these are some of the most valuable points in the world, it’s in your best interest to learn how to redeem them for maximum value.

Once you’ve stockpiled enough points, you can then use them for cash-back, travel booked through the Chase travel portal, gift cards, charity, merchandise, and most importantly, premium cabin flights booked through the Chase transfer partners.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
70,000 points
$1,120
$95
21.24%- 29.24% Variable APR

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros
  • 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
  • 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
  • $100 annual hotel benefit
Cons
    • $95 annual fee
  • Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
  • Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
  • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 21.24%- 29.24% Variable APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Citi Strata Premier card offers the absolute best earning categories for a mid-tier points credit card. Why?

You can earn 3x ThankYou Rewards Points per $1 spent in many different categories, including air travel, hotels, dining, supermarkets, and gas. You’ll earn 1x ThankYou Rewards Points per $1 spent everywhere else.

We have a huge appreciation for this for a couple of reasons:

  1. Earning 3x transferable rewards points on a credit card with an annual fee under $100 is rare
  2. The sheer variety of bonus categories makes this one of the most attractive cards to keep in your wallet forever

A few other perks include a $100 annual hotel savings benefit, which gets you $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, when your booking is made via thankyou.com or 800-THANKYOU (once per calendar year).

Cardholders will get benefits like Citi Concierge, Citi Entertainment, and standard World Elite Mastercard benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and zero fraud liability protection. There are also no foreign transaction fees.

Why We Like Earning Citi ThankYou Rewards Points

Citi ThankYou Rewards points are among the world’s most valuable types of points — it’s also one of the major transferable rewards points, which means that these points can be transferred to airline partners for award travel.

By doing so, you can unlock some aspirational first and business class travel!

Other ways to redeem points include travel booked with the Citi ThankYou Travel Portal, gift cards, statement credits, charity, and Sears Shop Your Way.

Hot Tip: See how these 2 cards stack up on our analysis of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card vs. the Citi Strata Premier card.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

LIMITED TIME OFFER
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.
$250 Capital One Travel Credit + 75,000 miles
$1,600
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros
  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Cons
  • Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

The Capital One Venture card is Capital One’s flagship rewards credit card, offering fantastic rewards with the possibility of redeeming them for more complex uses or sticking to the basics.

It also boasts an unlimited 2x Capital One miles on all purchases without any caps. That means this credit card allows you to earn rewards headache-free on all purchases without worrying about what types of purchases you make!

In addition, you’ll be able to make use of the $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, which is very rare among credit cards with sub-$100 annual fees. Similarly, you’ll get travel protections such as secondary rental car coverage, lost baggage insurance, and roadside dispatch.

Lastly, you can utilize the purchase security, extended warranty protection, zero fraud liability, and, of course, access to the transferable rewards program known as Capital One Miles.

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

Although Capital One miles aren’t quite as valuable as Amex or Chase points, they’re still one of the handful of flexible rewards systems out there, and they’re worth around 1.4 cents each, which makes a 2x earning structure equal to a 2.8% return on spend!

But it’s super-easy to get even better value by transferring Capital One miles to travel partners to book luxury flights like Lufthansa first class and American Airlines business class.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

HIGHEST CASH BACK
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.

With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!

Pros
  • 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
  • 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
Cons
    • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%.
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
  • 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
  • $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Rewards Center

Redeem cash-back through your American Express account

One of our favorite cash-back credit cards happens to be a card with an annual fee under $100.

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card has a ton of benefits and perks going for it. If you’d generally describe yourself as someone pursuing cash-back, who doesn’t eat out much, and who spends a good chunk of money on at-home monthly subscriptions, this card could be an awesome fit for you.

You’ll earn up to 6% following this structure:

  • 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases; then 1%
  • 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • 3% cash-back on transit (including taxes, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more)
  • 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

Also, be sure to make use of the return protection, fraud protection, and secondary rental car coverage!

Best Business Credit Cards

Card Summary

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Card

Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee

Benefits

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
  • LIMITED TIME OFFER: Earn 120,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $95
  • 3x points on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
  • Cell phone protection
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
  • Earn $750 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
  • Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.
  • Annual fee of $0
  • 5% cash-back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
  • 2% cash-back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)
  • 2x points on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
  • Earn 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
  • 2x miles on every purchase
United℠ Business Card
  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee of $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
  • 2x miles on United purchases, at restaurants including eligible delivery services, gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting
  • United benefits, including first free checked bag, 2 United Club passes, priority boarding, and more

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

LIMITED TIME OFFER
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
Earn 120k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,200 cash back or $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
120,000 Points
$2,400
$95
21.24%-26.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

Pros
  • 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
  • Cell phone protection
  • Purchase protection
Cons
    • No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
  • Earn 120k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,200 cash back or $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
  • Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Our top-notch business credit card with an annual fee under $100 is the Ink Business Preferred card. Often referred to as the king of business credit cards, this incredible product is a keeper for numerous reasons.

This card makes earning points easy with 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined purchases across select business categories each anniversary year. After the $150,000 is maxed out, you’ll revert to 1x points per $1 spent.

These business categories are:

  • Advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines
  • Internet, cable, and phone services
  • Shipping purchases
  • Travel

So if you max out the 3x points on $150,000 in yearly spending, you’ll end up with 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points worth around $9,000, according to our valuations.

And for a limited time through March 31, 2025, you can earn 5x points per $1 spent on Lyft.

And while you’ll want to redeem your points with transfer partners most of the time, you can also use Ultimate Rewards points for 1.25 cents apiece for travel booked through the Chase travel portal.

You’ll also enjoy extra benefits like cell phone protection insurance, travel insurance (including primary rental car coverage), purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, no foreign transaction fees, and free employee cards.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$750
$750
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.

If so, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.

Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter

Pros
  • 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Cons
    • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
  • No Annual Fee
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Rewards Center

The earning structure is simple: get 1.5% cash-back on all business purchases with no caps. And if you convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll double your return on spend to 3%, thanks to a valuation of 2 cents per point.

That’s because your 1.5% cash-back is now equivalent to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points with a credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Plus, the Ink Business Unlimited card currently offers a 0% introductory APR promotion, as well as primary rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability fraud coverage, and free employee cards.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

UP TO $750 BACK
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
Up to $750
Up to $750
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.

When you factor in that the card has no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.

Pros
  • Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
  • 10% Business Relationship Bonus if you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
Cons
  • Spending caps in bonus categories
  • Low points earning outside of bonus categories
  • Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
  • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ink Business Cash is an impressive business credit card with relevant spending categories for most businesses. If you’re willing to pay attention to bonus categories in return for a higher earning structure, this might be the card for you.

In contrast with the other 2 Ink cards, however, you can earn up to 5% cash-back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year for internet, cable, and phone services and at office supply stores.

Additionally, you’ll earn up to 2% cash-back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year at gas stations and restaurants. After that, and on all other purchases, you’ll earn 1% cash-back.

With an Ultimate Rewards credit card, though, you can even convert your 5%, 2%, and 1% cash-back to 5x, 2x, and 1x Ultimate Rewards points, for a return on spend of up to 10%!

Other impressive benefits include primary rental car insurance, travel insurance, purchase protection, and free employee cards.

The Ink Business Cash card doesn’t have an annual fee.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
15,000 points
$330
No annual fee
18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-840)

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

Pros
  • 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
  • No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
  • No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
  • No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
  • Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
  • You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
  • *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is one of the best everyday carry cards in Amex’s portfolio because if you hold this credit card, you will earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000 in purchases per year, 1x points thereafter).

Without any bonus categories, this card offers seamless flexible rewards. It’s also one of the rare $0 annual fee cards that allow you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners! Do be sure to utilize access to Amex Offers, secondary car rental insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and even a feature called expanded buying power that allows you to spend past your normal credit limit. Plus, employee cards don’t come with additional fees (see rates & fees).

The only drawback is that your earnings get cut in half after hitting the $50,000 in spending every calendar year.

Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

According to our valuations, Amex Membership Rewards points are the most valuable points available, which is why Amex is a leader in the world of rewards.

Sure, you can redeem your points for cash-back, gift cards, AmexTravel.com bookings, statement credits, and merchandise, but the real appeal of Amex points is that you can use the American Express transfer partners for some phenomenal first and business class flights.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Capital One Spark Miles for Business
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
50,000 miles
$900
$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
26.24% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.

 

Pros
  • Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
  • 5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
Cons
    • Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
  • Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
  • Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
  • Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
  • Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 26.24% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

The Capital One Spark Miles card is Capital One’s flagship business credit card. You’ll earn an uncapped 2x Capital One miles on every purchase — no bonus categories required. You can also earn 5x Capital One miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel.

In addition, this is one of the few cards the offers its members a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit! Plus, enjoy roadside assistance, extended warranty, purchase protection, zero fraud liability on unauthorized charges, and free employee cards. Plus, this card has no foreign transaction fees.

United℠ Business Card

United℠ Business Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A business card from Chase for United loyalists with benefits such as free checked bags and discounts on inflight purchases.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
A business card from Chase for United loyalists with benefits such as free checked bags and discounts on inflight purchases.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles
$900
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-850)

The United Business card is a compelling option for traveling business owners that are also frequent United flyers. Not only will the card help you earn more United miles, but it also offers great perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, a discount on inflight purchases, and much more.

Pros
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
  • 2x miles per $1 on United purchases
  • 2x miles per $1 on dining
Cons
  • Doesn’t earn transferable rewards
  • Other United cards are more rewarding for United purchases
  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
  • Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
  • Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
  • Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club(SM) one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
  • $100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The United Business card offers an impressive suite of United-centric travel benefits with a shockingly low price tag!

With this product, you’ll earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, at restaurants including eligible delivery services, gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting. On all other purchases, you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent.

This card comes with a first free checked bag, 2 United Club 1-time passes per cardmember year, priority boarding privileges, and more.

Interestingly, if you have both the United Business card and a personal United credit card, you’ll also receive a 5,000-mile “better together” anniversary bonus!

Included travel coverages include primary rental car coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay coverage, and more.

Plus, shop at ease with purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and free employee cards.

Why We Like Earning United MileagePlus Miles

The United Business card allows you to earn United miles directly, and if you’re looking for a frequent flyer program that offers easy redemptions, does not pass on fuel surcharges, and is approachable, United MileagePlus is a great fit.

In general, you’ll probably end up redeeming more miles, but you’ll likely save a lot of time when trying to figure out how to use them. We value United miles at approximately 1.6 cents each, which makes your return on spending up to 3.2%.

Final Thoughts

Just because your credit card has an annual fee of less than $100 doesn’t necessarily mean that the rewards you earn and the benefits you enjoy will be substantially less than that of an ultra-premium card.

In this guide, we’ve shown you the best credit cards that offer massive rewards without a corresponding gigantic price tag.

In addition, by signing up for some of these credit cards, you’ll get nifty perks like primary rental car insurance, hotel elite status, generous bonus categories, and much more.


For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

The information regarding the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best annual fee credit card?

The best annual fee credit cards under $100 are the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, followed by the Citi Strata Premier card, the Capital One Venture card (rates & fees), and the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card.

The best annual fee business credit cards under $100 are the Ink Business Preferred card, the Ink Business Unlimited card, the Ink Business Cash card, the Amex Blue Business Plus card, the Capital One Spark Miles card, and the United Business card.

Is it good to get credit cards with an annual fee?

In almost all situations, yes. Paying a small annual fee like $100 is absolutely worth it because you’ll get much more back in rewards, as long as you are making regular purchases on the card and are using the card’s other benefits.

Do you have to pay the annual fee on credit card if you don't use it?

Yes, you do. You have to pay for all annual fees as long as the card is open.

How can I avoid paying my credit card annual fee?

The best way to avoid paying a credit card’s annual fee is to close it altogether or downgrade it to a card with no annual fee. For example, if you have a Capital One Venture card with a $95 annual fee and don’t use the card, you can downgrade it to the Capital One VentureOne card, which has no annual fee but fewer benefits.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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