Credit cards are handy tools for you in particular situations. You can even enjoy a generous amount of rewards that might benefit you if you are wise enough to pick the right one that fits your spending needs. And while some CCs require specific payments before you’re able to enjoy their benefits, there are free credit cards where you don’t have to pay for annual fees. They are great for those folks planning to use their card occasionally but still want to enjoy a considerable number of rewards. Some benefits include free foreign transaction fees, 0% introductory interest rates, and $0 balance transfer fees.
To get the best free credit cards for December 2021, have a look at this helpful roundup our financial experts have prepared for you:
1 Chase Freedom Flex
Intro Bonus: $200
Regular APR: 14.99% to 24.74% (Variable)
Credit Score: 700 to 749 (Good to Excellent)
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- There is a 0% intro APR for 15 months right after opening the account. It is applicable for balance transfers and purchases.
- You have a 5% reward from your combined $1,500 maximum quarterly spending on rotating categories.
- It offers 5% cashback for your $12,000 grocery store purchases during its first year.
- Besides the purchase protection against theft and damages, the card also comes with extended warranties on specific purchases with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Best Free Credit Card for Everyone:
The Chase Freedom Flex can be the best free credit card for anyone for many reasons. One of those is the fact that it offers enticing rewards without any annual fee, plus the $200 bonus you’ll get after the $500 purchases within the first three months of opening the account.
This Chase credit card also offers 5% cashback on up to $12,000 grocery store purchases in the first year, albeit it doesn’t apply to Walmart or Target purchases. Moreover, you can benefit from the 5% cashback by spending up to $1,500 in the quarterly bonus categories, which would give you a total of $75 per quarter. Other cashback includes 5% on travel purchases using Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5% cashback on Lyft purchases through March 2022, 3% on drugstore purchases, 3% on resto dinings and takeout/delivery, and 1% on all other purchases.
Above all, there is a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months of opening the account! It covers both the purchases and balance transfers, and after the indicated period, a variable APR of 14.99 – 24.74% will start.
On the other hand, despite being tagged as a cashback card, it can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points. That said, it also allows you to cash in points for gift cards, travel, merchandise, and experiences.
As a cherry on top, Chase Freedom Flex boasts purchase protection in case of theft and damages. It also offers extended warranties on specific purchases with a manufacturer’s warranty. With all of these advantages, this free credit card will undoubtedly cover the needs of most individuals.
2 Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Intro Bonus: $200
Regular APR: 14.99% to 24.99% (Variable)
Credit Score: 670 to 850 (Good to Excellent)
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- The cash rewards do not expire as long as the account remains open.
- It offers 2% rewards without any category limitations.
- The card provides Visa Signature privileges.
- It can double as phone protection.
- There is an intro APR for both balance transfers and purchases.
Best Free Flat-rate Credit Card Offering Impressive Benefits:
The Wells Fargo Active is one of the most uncomplicated yet best free credit cards out there. Although its cashback reward only offers a maximum of 2%, the fact that it is unlimited and applies to all your purchases makes it straightforward to use. There is no need for you to keep track of limited spend categories or bonus rewards.
It comes with a $200 cash rewards bonus after your combined $1,000 purchases within the first three months. There is also a 0% intro APR for 15 months, starting from account opening. It is applicable for the qualifying balance transfers and purchases and will then resume to a variable APR of 14.99% to 24.99% after the said number of months. On the other hand, compared to other cards, it has a more extended 120-day period where your balance transfer can qualify for a 3% fee (or $5 minimum), then a fee of up to 5% (or $5 minimum).
Besides the $0 annual fee, it offers charming benefits of 24/7 365 phone support through Visa Concierge and other deluxe hotel property perks through Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection. However, if you plan to use it abroad, it might be a bit limiting since it has a 3% foreign transaction fee.
On the other hand, you can gain $600 phone protection against damage and theft by using it to pay your monthly cellphone bill. We also love the versatility of Wells Fargo Active Cash when it comes to redeeming your awards. It allows cash rewards withdrawal at an ATM or the reward deposit in a checking account. Yet, keep in mind that such an ultimate perk only applies to Wells Fargo customers.
3 Chase Freedom Unlimited
Intro Bonus: $200
Regular APR: 14.99% to 24.74% (Variable)
Credit Score: 670 to 850 (Good to Excellent)
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- There are no rotating categories to maintain.
- You can earn at least a 1.5% reward on any purchase.
- The card also offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
- It’s as flexible as Chase Freedom Flex by allowing you to redeem Ultimate Rewards points for travel on the Chase portal or transfer points to Chase’s travel partners.
Best Free Credit Card for Simple Rewards:
Although Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited might look identical, the two differ in specific points. While the former is suitable for people who love to maximize their rewards by maxing out the rotating categories, Chase Freedom Unlimited is ideal for folks who want a more straightforward reward structure.
Just like Freedom Flex, it still comes with the same sign-up bonus of $200 by spending $500 in its first three months and 5% cashback on grocery store purchases (except Target or Walmart purchases) on up to $12,000 spent in its first year. There is also a 0% intro APR upon the account opening that you can enjoy for up to 15 months, both for purchases and balance transfers. Yet, be informed that for the latter, there is an introductory balance transfer of 3 percent or $5, whichever is greater in the first 60 days. After the said period, the fee increases to 5% ($5 minimum). The same thing applies to the Chase Freedom Flex.
On the other hand, while you can only earn 1% back on the purchases outside of the bonus category of Chase Freedom Flex, Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a higher 1.5% back on general purchases. It also comes with the same 5% cashback on travel purchased via Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5% cashback on Lyft purchases through March 2022, 3% cashback on drugstore products, and 3% cashback on dining. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can even boost your cashback value by pairing them to the said cards and redeeming travel rewards. As a plus, it even comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance (like Chase Freedom Flex), making it ideal for some travelers. Nonetheless, users must be aware of its 3% foreign transaction fee, just like the said card.
4 Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Intro Bonus: $150 Amazon Gift Card
Regular APR: 14.24% to 22.24% (Variable)
Credit Score: 700 to 749 (Good to Excellent)
Annual Fee: $0 for Prime Members
Highlights:
- The gift card arrives upon the approval of the card.
- It is the best free credit card for Amazon Prime shoppers.
- The 5% reward also applies to your purchases from Whole Foods Market.
- You can use Amazon Rewards for all or just parts of your purchases.
- It also comes with Visa Signature benefits.
Best Free Credit Card for Amazon Prime Members:
For members of Prime, this Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card can be the ultimate shopping credit card because of its $0 annual fee. And although its introduction bonus (gift card) isn’t as enticing as the other options available in some cards like the Chase Freedom cards, you’ll love that you don’t need to spend on anything to get it. It comes just after the approval of the card!
Moreover, besides Amazon, this credit card’s unlimited 5% cashback reward applies to Whole Foods Market. Its versatility makes it a practical choice for families who often purchase their groceries to the latter store that offers delivery in many leading markets. There is also 2% cashback to enjoy at restaurants, drugstores, and gas stations and 1% on all other purchases.
This Prime member free card also doesn’t have any minimum redemption requirement for lots of the rewards it offers, which gives you the freedom to use it on cashback, travel, or gift cards. It also provides other advantages such as purchase protection, extended warranties, lost and delayed baggage reimbursement, travel and emergency assistance, and more. Those things make it an attractive option for travelers. Yet, it offers a sweeter icing on top: it has zero foreign transaction fees!
On the other side of the coin, while its offers are pretty great for Prime shoppers, keep in mind that the 5% reward is only applicable for US Amazon sites. Also, it offers no intro APR. It means you’ll dive right away with its regular APR, which can be pretty high depending on your creditworthiness. Also, there is a higher balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
5 United Gateway Card
Intro Bonus: 20,000 miles
Regular APR: 16.49% to 23.49% (Variable)
Credit Score: 700 to 749 (Good to Excellent)
Annual Fee: $0
Highlights:
- It provides 2 miles for purchases with United, on local transits, and at gas stations.
- There is no foreign transaction fee.
- The card offers 20,000 miles as a welcome bonus.
- You can get up to 25% back whenever you use the card on United inflight purchases.
Best Free Airline Card:
United Gateway Card is perfect for fliers of United. The entry-level credit card provides United Airlines MileagePlus mile rewards. With this, users can earn 20,000 bonus miles as an intro bonus after spending $1,000 within the first three months of opening the account. And besides getting 2 miles for each of your United purchases, you can also earn 2 miles on local transits and gas stations and 1 mile on all other purchases. You can also get up to 25% back when you use the card for food and beverages and Wi-Fi while onboard United-operated flights.
You can use the card’s MileagePlus miles for car rentals, air travel, merchandise, gift cards, cruises, hotel stays, and experiences. The miles are also applicable for many Star Alliance partners and non-partners, making the United Gateway Card decently flexible.
Travelers will also appreciate the card’s $0 foreign transaction fee and Visa Signature feature, allowing users to obtain complimentary Visa Concierge Service, 120-day purchase protection, trip cancellation, rental car insurance, and extended warranty benefits. However, unlike most airline credit cards, keep in mind that it does not come with a free checked bag or priority boarding benefits.
