Best No Annual Fee

The no-annual-fee Hilton Honors card is the entry point to Hilton's co-brand lineup, designed for occasional guests. With no fee to recoup, everything is upside: complimentary Silver status, solid bonus earning on Hilton stays plus everyday dining, groceries, and gas, and no foreign transaction fees. The benefit set is intentionally thin — no free night or recurring credits — so it's a low-risk keep-forever anchor to the Hilton program. Frequent guests will outgrow it and do better with the Surpass or Aspire.

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express is a no-annual-fee business card that earns flat-rate Membership Rewards points on everyday spending up to an annual cap, plus an intro APR period on purchases. It's one of the simplest ways to earn flexible, transferable points with no fee. The main limits are the annual cap on the elevated rate and a foreign transaction fee. It makes an excellent no-fee core card for general domestic spending.

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is a no-annual-fee business card that earns flat-rate cash back on everyday spending up to an annual cap, applied automatically as a statement credit, plus an intro APR period on purchases. It's the simple, cash-back counterpart to Amex's flat-rate points card — nothing to track or redeem. The main limits are the annual cap and a foreign transaction fee. It's a dependable no-fee core card; those wanting transferable points should look elsewhere.

The Delta SkyMiles Blue is the no-annual-fee entry into Delta's co-brand family, designed for light flyers who want to earn SkyMiles without a yearly fee. It's lean by design — the main perk is a discount on in-flight Delta purchases — with no free checked bags, priority boarding, companion certificate, or lounge access. With no fee and miles that don't expire, it's a low-commitment holding card. Anyone who checks bags or flies Delta regularly will usually come out ahead with the Gold.