No-annual-fee card: flexible, transparent, and it gives you real money back.

If you value flexibility, transparency, and want to earn cashback on everyday purchases without paying an annual fee, a good cashback card with no annual fee is one of the best choices.

Key advantages of a card with no annual fee and strong cashback.

Among the benefits that typically comprise this type of product, the following stand out:

Up to 3% cashback in a main category.
You choose where you want to earn more: travel, online shopping, gasoline, restaurants, pharmacies, construction materials, or another category defined by the issuer.
2% in supermarkets and wholesale clubs
Ideal for carrying the weight of everyday purchases: groceries, household items, monthly restocking.
1% on all other purchases
Even outside the main categories, every expense continues to generate a return.
Welcome bonus for new customers
Often, there's a cashback bonus if you reach a minimum spending amount in the first few months (for example, $200 after $1,000 in purchases within 90 days).
Special offers in the first year.
In some cases, the cashback percentage in the main category is multiplied in the first year, respecting a quarterly spending limit.
Bank loyalty program
Those who have an account and maintain a balance or investments with the issuer can receive additional bonuses on top of all cashback, increasing the return by 25% to 75%, depending on the level.
No annual fee
You receive all of this without paying an annual fee, which makes the earnings "cleaner" and easier to measure.
Reduced introductory APR or 0% for a period
Valid for purchases or balance transfers, depending on the issuer's offer.

With this combination, the card becomes a powerful tool for transforming recurring expenses into real savings, without fixed costs.

How it works in practice

The concept is simple: the card was designed so you can earn more where you actually spend, without being stuck in a single category all year round.

In general, the logic works like this:

You choose a main category.
For example: travel, gasoline, restaurants, online shopping, pharmacy, or another option offered by the bank.
Receives a higher percentage in this category.
Up to 3% in cashback in your chosen category.
Earn 2% at supermarkets and wholesale stores.
Grocery purchases, large retail chains, and wholesale clubs fall into this category, up to a quarterly limit when combined with the 3% category.
Receive 1% everywhere else.
Anything outside of these categories still generates a return.
It respects a quarterly limit for the 3% and 2% ranges.
Up to a certain purchase amount per quarter, you receive the higher percentages. Above that limit, anything exceeding that amount will be subject to 1% commissions.
Adjust the category throughout the year.
With many issuers, you can change your main monthly or periodic category, adapting it to your life stage (for example, more travel in the summer, more online shopping at the end of the year).

This design ensures that the card adapts to your spending habits, rather than forcing you to conform to a fixed structure.

Example of how much this can yield.

Imagine a monthly budget of $1,200:

$500 in the main category (e.g., travel or gasoline)
$300 in supermarket and wholesale
$400 in other general purchases

Considering:

3% cashback in main category
2% in supermarket/wholesale
1% in the remainder

You would have something like:

$15 cashback in the 3% category.
6 dollars in the 2% category
$4 on other purchases

Approximate total: $25 per month, or $300 per year.
If you add any welcome bonus, that amount increases even more in the first year.

All this without an annual fee, meaning the return isn't "eaten up" by a fixed fee.

How to apply for the card

Typically, the application process is simple and digital:

Start the online application.
Access the official page of the issuing bank and click on “Apply now"Have your personal information, income details, and, if you are already a customer, your account information ready."
Check your credit profile.
These cards are typically intended for people with good to excellent credit scores (e.g., above 670). The issuer may conduct a soft initial review before a full hard check during final approval.
Receive the decision
In many cases, you receive a response within minutes. If additional documents are needed, they can be submitted via the portal or app.
Activate and configure the card.
Once approved, the card arrives in a few days. You activate it via the app and set up your main cashback category, as well as configure alerts and automatic debit, if desired.

How to maximize cashback throughout the year.

To take full advantage of a no-annual-fee credit card with a flexible structure, it's worth following a few strategies:

Adjust the main category according to the time of year.
Traveling on vacation? Focus on "travel." Lots of delivery and restaurants? Focus on "dining." More online shopping during promotional periods? Adjust to "online shopping."
Always browse the market using this option.
Grocery and wholesale purchases earn 2% on many models. This adds up quickly towards your annual cashback.
Focus recurring payments
Streaming accounts, insurance, subscriptions, and other predictable expenses can be placed on the card to generate a steady return.
Always pay your bill on time and, preferably, the full amount.
This way you avoid interest and keep the cashback as net income, not as compensation for expensive debt.
Reinvest the cashback
Use the credits to reduce your bill, boost your savings, or even help finance a trip.

If you are also a bank customer (checking account, savings account, investments), consider whether you can join a loyalty program to receive extra bonuses on top of all your cashback.

Fees and conditions: what to look out for

Even though it's a card with no annual fee, it's important to pay attention to a few things:

No annual fee
There is no annual fee to maintain the card.
Introductory APR
Many offers include a promotional period with reduced interest rates or 0% on purchases or transfers. After this period, standard rates apply.
Fees on international purchases
Some cards charge around 3% for transactions abroad. This can be relevant if you travel frequently.
Late payment fee
Late payments can incur a fixed fee. Ideally, activate alerts and, if possible, set up automatic debit to avoid this problem.

Checking these details on the official page before applying avoids surprises.

Security, control and service

Cards of this type usually come with a set of security and management features:

Protection against unauthorized transactions;
Real-time alerts via SMS or push notifications;
Budgeting tools within the app, with expense categorization;
Option to block/unblock the card via the app;
24-hour service via digital channels and telephone.

These features help you stay in control of your finances and react quickly to any unusual activity.

Why a no-annual-fee, flexible credit card is worth it.

This type of card is especially interesting for those who:

You want to avoid paying annual fees, but you're still looking for good benefits;
It has significant expenses in categories such as travel, gasoline, restaurants, or online shopping;
does regular grocery and wholesale shopping;
It values having control over where it earns the most cashback;
prefers clear and transparent rules regarding fees and conditions.

With a combination of flexibility, strong rewards, and zero annual fees, you can transform a large portion of your daily expenses into real savings, without starting the year owing a fixed fee to the issuer.

Conclusion: a whole year of cashback, with no annual fee.

A good credit card with no annual fee, flexible and transparent cashback, is more than just a payment method. It's a way to:

cut fixed costs,
strengthen your credit history,
and, at the same time, transform unavoidable expenses into returns.

By tailoring your primary credit card category to your current situation, using it diligently, and paying your bill on time, you transform each month into an opportunity to save more—without paying anything extra just to have the card.

Go to the bank's website

Arthur November 13, 2025

Finances