Best Travel Card with NO ANNUAL FEE

[swankytiger]

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@Patient957 wrote:

The Bilt card has to be thrown into the mix.  It has no FTF, access to very good transfer partners and comes with *primary* rental car coverage. 

The big caveat of course is that it's discontinued in its current form and getting "refreshed" (i.e. nerfed) this month.  But if they keep the no FTF, transfer partners and primary coverage on the No-AF version, then it remains a top no AF travel card.  Doubt they will, but we'll see.

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I would wait and see how much they kneecap the no af version.

[flash123]

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@FicoMike0 wrote:

I can confirm that connect has no af, no ftf  and pays $100 for global entry. I got the card in early 24 when it had an af, waived first year and scheduled to be dropped in late 24. At the time, they offered a $500 sub, I couldn't resist. This was right after they paid a $500 sub for checking.

The penfed pathfinder looks good, the b@$tards turned me down with a 850 fico.

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I do not know what are the algorithms for  approval but my assumption may be credit union deposit relationship and possible not too many new cards in last year or 2 years. Usually, with credit unions (CU), I  open checking or savings account if they have a SUB and wait some number of months before applying for their VISA Signature or Mastercard World cards since CU have higher standard for approval than their regular cards portfolio.

If my concern wasn't for priority boarding for carry on space and free 1st checked bag, I would not get airline cards and stick with low to no AF travel cards that include "airline incidental fees" credit since I have to do "seat upgrade" each time.

The Penfed Pathfinder and BoA PR at $95 AF are/will be my some prepaid funding for seat upgrade, checked lugguage and lounge access (see United Clubs and Chase lounges access once a year) fees cards. I give away TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits to others.

[Live4Fishing]

Wanted to say thanks to everyone who chimed in.  I'm happy to report that I got approved for the US Bank Altitude Connect with CL of $15K.  This card looks like a perfect match for an infrequent traveler like myself who want a no AF card.  This complements my Chase Sapphire Preferred card nicely.    Best perks of this travel card considering it's a no AF card are:

• Priority Pass Select 4 times per year (this is
• Covers TSA Precheck / Global entry once every 5 years
• No FTF 
• Introductory APR Offer: A 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles is available
• 4x points on general travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations (on the first $1,000 spent quarterly).
• 2x points on dining, streaming services, and at grocery stores.
• 1x points on everything else
• NO AF
• Travel Protections: Provides benefits like trip cancellation/interruption and trip delay reimbursement.
• Cell Phone Protection: Receive up to $600 in reimbursement for stolen or damaged mobile phones

I'm still looking at the redemption options... but a Amazon giftcards will do nicely since I'm a Prime member.   Any suggestions on the best way to redeem your points ??   

[FicoMike0]

As far as redemption options, you can use the points as cash for Amazon purchases. I think you can still deposit directly into your smarty checking too.

[ptatohed]

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@FicoMike0 wrote:

As far as redemption options, you can use the points as cash for Amazon purchases. I think you can still deposit directly into your smarty checking too.

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Never use your CB to make new purchases.  Because then you are not earning 2 - 5% on those new purchases.  

[redpat]

There really is no such card.  Either your in on travel rewards or not.  That card will end up in your sock drawer.

IMO, it's CB or travel, I wouldn't do both.

[Live4Fishing]

That's nonsense to imply you can't or shouldn't do both travel and CB.  You don't have to be full-on Travel Team to take advantage of some of the good perks for mid-tier travel cards (or even the no AF travel cards..  Two of the biggest reasons I got the US Bank Altitude Connect card is getting the Priority Pass Select and TSA Precheck credits with NO AF.  Why pay $650 or $550 AF for the premium travel cards if I don't need them ?   It's a no-brainer...  (if those perks get nerfed then I can re-evaluate if I want to keep this card).   I love the good CB cards also and do quite well with the redeptions I get.  

[odd_dog]

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@Live4Fishing wrote:

Wanted to say thanks to everyone who chimed in.  I'm happy to report that I got approved for the US Bank Altitude Connect with CL of $15K.  This card looks like a perfect match for an infrequent traveler like myself who want a no AF card.  This complements my Chase Sapphire Preferred card nicely.    Best perks of this travel card considering it's a no AF card are:

• Priority Pass Select 4 times per year (this is
• Covers TSA Precheck / Global entry once every 5 years
• No FTF 
• Introductory APR Offer: A 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles is available
• 4x points on general travel, gas stations, and EV charging stations (on the first $1,000 spent quarterly).
• 2x points on dining, streaming services, and at grocery stores.
• 1x points on everything else
• NO AF
• Travel Protections: Provides benefits like trip cancellation/interruption and trip delay reimbursement.
• Cell Phone Protection: Receive up to $600 in reimbursement for stolen or damaged mobile phones

I'm still looking at the redemption options... but a Amazon giftcards will do nicely since I'm a Prime member.   Any suggestions on the best way to redeem your points ??   

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CONGRATS on the new card!! Sorry I missed the whole AF no AF conversation....but hey you figured it out.....I am about 4 months away from a free checking account with US bank so my "rewards" are sitting waiting for me to open a checking and moving the rewards to cash...Amazon works but I think you can use real time rewards with the Connect to pay for travel purchases when you make them....

Enjoy the card and it's many perks!!

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[bs1234]

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@Live4Fishing wrote:

That's nonsense to imply you can't or shouldn't do both travel and CB.  You need to think outside the box a little more IMO.   You don't have to be full-on Travel Team to take advantage of some of the good perks for mid-tier travel cards (or even the no AF travel cards..  Two of the biggest reasons I got the US Bank Altitude Connect card is getting the Priority Pass Select and TSA Precheck credits with NO AF.  Why pay $650 or $550 AF for the premium travel cards if I don't need them ?   It's a no-brainer...  (if those perks get nerfed then I can re-evaluate if I want to keep this card).   I love the good CB cards also and do quite well with the redeptions I get.  

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I think that's true for most, but @redpat view makes sense from someone hardcore into travel.   If (making up figures) I get an average of 3cpp on redemption, and 2 points per $, I'm getting 6% so why would I want to dilute that getting a lower earn on some cashback? This view requires skill/time/availability for good redemptions and somewhat frequent travel to use the rewards.   For everyone else, some use of cashback may make sense.

[JamesS84]

What do people think of Discover it Miles? That’s the best no fee option on Wallet Hub’s list - just came across it on Goog. They also have Regions Prestige for road trips. Does anyone have experience with these cards?