No Annual Fee Credit Cards

Found a card you like? You can click through to the provider’s online application form and apply directly.

You’ll need to provide some details like identification, bank statements, and payslips, and meet certain eligibility criteria such as age and proof of residency. It's pretty straightforward at the end of the day.

No annual fee cards are simple credit cards that help keep credit costs low. They’re a good choice if:

• You want to save money. By not paying an annual fee, you're cutting out one of the regular costs of a credit card. Super handy if you're also not paying interest on an outstanding balance.
• You want to keep it simple. No annual fee cards tend to skimp on the extras, which suits those looking for a no fuss card or building your credit score.
• You don’t use your card that often. If you're not tapping regularly, a no annual fee card means you're not paying just to keep it in your wallet.
• You need an emergency credit card. A no annual fee card is there for those "just in case" moments. No unexpected costs and when you don’t need it, you’re not paying for it.

While some cards charge no annual fee for the life of the card, but others only waive the fee for a limited time or if you meet certain conditions.

Here are the two main types to keep an eye out for:

• No Annual Fee Introductory Offer: You won’t pay an annual fee for the first year (or however long the promo runs). After that, the standard fee kicks in. That is, unless you cancel beforehand.
• No Annual Fee After Meeting A Minimum Spend: Spend a set amount each year and the annual fee stays at $0. Fall short, and you’ll likely be charged the regular fee.

Yes! Just because there’s no annual fee doesn’t mean there’s no fun. Plenty of no annual fee cards still come with juicy bonuses. Think rewards points, cashback and gift cards. For example, you might snag 30,000 bonus points if you are approved and spend $2,000 on your card in the first 3 months.

You’ll also find balance transfers deals, low rates and free additional cardholders. You can see the key offers in our comparison guide, right next to each card.

No annual fee or rewards credit card? It really depends on how you spend and what you want in return. Comparing a no annual fee card to the benefits of a rewards card is a totally personal decision.

If you’re all about keeping costs down, a no annual fee card is a solid pick. But if you spend enough to earn serious points, a rewards card might be worth the annual fee.

Generally, the higher the annual fee, the better the perks. So it’s all about weighing up the fee against the value you’ll get back. Not sure? Compare rewards cards and crunch the numbers to see what fits best.

Plenty of no annual fee cards offer zero fees for a balance transfer, and an introductory 0% rate. Be aware that it’s common for balance transfers to have a high purchase rate or the cash advance rate applied after the waived period. If you can set up a plan to pay off your debt within the 0% timeframe, you’ll have paid no interest and no fees for the privilege of being debt-free.

Compare the options on the best Qantas and Frequent Flyer comparison guide and select the arrow to sort by annual fees. You’ll find most cards with great frequent flyer incentives also charge higher annual fees, but providers regularly offer bonuses or 12-month no annual fee offers.

Also look for:

Bonus points offers: some cards offer big sign-up bonus points, although the annual fee waiver is most likely to be for the first 12 months, and can be quite high thereafter.

Points per dollar: a no or low annual fee card with frequent flyer points may have a lower earn rate, such as 0.75 points per dollar rather than 1 or 2.

Other benefits: many credit cards offer other bonuses like discounts on merchandise and entertainment, free travel insurance and perks on holidays and car hire. Sometimes the perks can outweigh the annual fee, so make sure you’re choosing a card that benefits your lifestyle.

No annual fee cards still attract the same penalties and fees as other credit cards, including:

Cash advance fees: you should always avoid withdrawing cash from your credit card because it attracts interest immediately, which will hurt your wallet more with the higher purchase rates attached to most no annual fee cards. Some cards charge up to 30% interest on cash advances, so it’s best to avoid the practice altogether.

Late payment penalties: if you’re late on your minimum payments, you’ll be charged a late fee as per standard credit card custom. You can avoid this by setting up automatic payments from your bank account. Many providers give you the option to autopay the full amount each month so you never have to pay interest.

Currency conversion fees: when you buy from an overseas merchant or you’re travelling internationally, your spending may include a foreign exchange fee, usually a percentage of the purchase amount. Some providers waive this fee, so check the card’s terms and conditions if you’re a frequent global spender.