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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Stella is a full-time writer with expertise in credit cards, points and miles, and all things travel. She is a journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and previously worked as a copywriter at JetBlue Airways and as a credit cards writer at LendingTree.
February 22, 2025 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Quick summary
Several travel rewards cards are available that let you earn frequent flyer miles without a fee, appealing to both beginners and experienced travelers seeking to boost their balances.
Options are tailored to specific airlines, with each card offering unique benefits such as inflight purchase discounts, travel protections or flexible redemption options.
Some cards allow for points pooling with friends or family, while others provide broad category earning or the ability to transfer miles to multiple travel partners.
Choosing the right card depends on your preferred airline, travel habits and whether you value flexibility or airline-specific perks.
What to consider
Foreign transaction fees may apply to some cards, making them less ideal for international use.
Certain cards offer additional perks like inflight purchase discounts, travel protections or the ability to add authorized users without extra cost.
Point and mile values vary by loyalty program, with recent TPG valuations ranging from 1.2 to 1.85 cents each as of February 2025 and October 2026.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of each no-fee airline card's benefits, earning structures and the best fit for different travel styles.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Starter travel rewards cards come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re looking for a way to earn frequent flyer miles with your favorite airline, numerous options are available.
No-annual-fee airline credit cards are also fantastic options for experienced award travelers who already own multiple cards in their wallets. These cards can help you top off your mileage balance for your next trip without breaking the bank.
The best choice for you will depend on your favorite airline, but we like the United Gateway℠ Card out of the bunch for its inclusive earning rates and welcome offer.
The information for the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp and JetBlue cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparing the best no-annual-fee airline credit cards
Card
Rewards rate
Welcome offer
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp
2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores (including grocery delivery services)
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
Earn 15,000 AAdvantage miles after you spend $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
2 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and dining at restaurants worldwide
1 mile per dollar on other purchases
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening
JetBlue Card
3 miles per dollar on JetBlue purchases
2 miles per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
Earn 10,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
United Gateway Card
2 miles per dollar on United purchases, gas stations and local transit and commuting
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
Earn up to 50,000 bonus miles: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases
Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening.
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp
Welcome offer: Earn 15,000 AAdvantage miles after you spend $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. TPG's February 2025 valuations peg AAdvantage miles at 1.65 cents a piece, making this welcome bonus worth $248.
THE POINTS GUY
The AA Mileup earns 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores (including delivery) and 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases.
Besides the ability to earn bonus miles, the only additional benefit you’ll get with this card is a 25% discount on inflight purchases. If you want to add an authorized user to this card, you can do so without tacking on an additional fee. Keep in mind that this card does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, so you’ll want to avoid using it abroad.
In 2022, American Airlines revamped its loyalty program by replacing all earning metrics with Loyalty Points. You earn Loyalty Points when you spend on a cobranded credit card, so spending $1,000 on a cobranded credit card would earn 1,000 Loyalty Points.
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening. TPG's February 2025 valuations peg Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents a piece, making this welcome bonus worth $120.
THE POINTS GUY
The Delta Blue Amex is the best way to earn SkyMiles without incurring an annual fee (see ). You'll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases and dining at restaurants worldwide and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
You’ll also enjoy benefits such as 20% savings on inflight purchases (in the form of a statement credit), no foreign transaction fees (see ) and a number of shopping and travel protections.
This card also offers a unique incentive when you pay for flights using your SkyMiles, giving you a $50 discount off the flight cost for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Delta’s Pay with Miles feature.
Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. TPG's February 2025 valuations peg JetBlue Miles at 1.35 cents a piece, making this welcome bonus worth $135.
THE POINTS GUY
The JetBlue Card’s earning rate is better than most cards on this list, as you’ll not only earn 3 points per dollar spent on JetBlue purchases but you'll also earn 2 points per dollar spent on both restaurants and groceries and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Additionally, while not necessarily unique to the card, JetBlue allows for points pooling, which means you can combine your reward balances with up to seven friends and family members. If you and several friends and family open this no-annual-fee card, you can collect a decent amount of TrueBlue points.
Welcome offer: Earn up to 50,000 bonus miles: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user in the first three months from account opening. TPG's October 2026 valuations peg United Miles at 1.2 cents a piece, making this welcome bonus worth up to $600 (including the points from adding an authorized user).
THE POINTS GUY
The United Gateway offers double miles on an impressive number of categories beyond United purchases, catering to those constantly on the go. You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, gas stations and local transit and commuting and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
As a United cardholder, you’ll have access to United-exclusive events through the airline and Chase, as well as the ability to book hotels through Chase’s the Edit, which provides cardholders elitelike perks.
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening. TPG's February 2025 valuations peg Capital One Miles at 1.85 cents a piece, making this welcome bonus worth $370.
THE POINTS GUY
The VentureOne earns an unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Additionally, it earns 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This may be compelling for beginners who don’t want to keep track of bonus categories. In that case, you may want to opt for this travel card instead of an airline card to gain the most reward flexibility.
Nothing feels better than redeeming your airline miles for a flight at no additional cost, and this is entirely possible by applying for any of the no-annual-fee cards on this list. These airline cards are all excellent introductions into the world of points and miles, as you’ll only have to worry about redeeming through a loyalty program you’re already comfortable with.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, click .
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.
