Best No-Annual-Fee Car Rentals Credit Cards
$0 annual fee cards ranked by earn rate on car rentals spending.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Ranked by earn rate and redemption value, statement credits minus annual fees (weighted against a typical $30,000/year in total card spend), shopping portal bonuses when we recognize the merchant, matched benefits and promotional earn boosts. The ¢ per dollar column is the reward rate at Car Rentals. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.
Top Pick
Citi Strata Credit Card
Citi
5x ThankYou Points on Car Rentals booked through the required portal
5x × 1.7¢/pt = 8.5¢ per dollar
- +5x on Car Rentals booked through the required portal — points worth 1.7¢ each
- +20,000 points bonus (~$340 value)
- +No annual fee
MASTERCARDCore Rate
8.5¢
per dollar on car rentals
No annual fee
Welcome: 20,000 points
Runner-Up
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Capital One
5x Capital One Miles on Car Rentals booked through the required portal
5x × 1.3¢/pt = 6.5¢ per dollar
Up to 6.8¢/$ via British Airways Club
- +5x on Car Rentals booked through the required portal — points worth 1.3¢ each
- +20,000 miles bonus (~$260 value)
- +Up to 1.4¢/pt via British Airways Club
MASTERCARDCore Rate
6.5¢
per dollar on car rentals
No annual fee
Welcome: 20,000 miles
Also Great
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase
5% cash back on Car Rentals booked through the required portal
- +5% cash back on Car Rentals booked through the required portal
- +Travel and Emergency Assistance Services — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
- +Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Secondary coverage for theft and collision damage on rentals when you pay with this card and decline the rental company's insurance.
VISACore Rate
5.0¢
per dollar on car rentals
No annual fee
Welcome: $200 cash back
Compare the Top Picks
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Applicable Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Strata Credit CardCiti | 5x ThankYou Points Car Rentals | 8.5¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 5x Capital One Miles Car Rentals | 6.5¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| Chase Freedom UnlimitedChase | 5% cash back Car Rentals | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | visa |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature CardU.S. Bank | 5x U.S. Bank Altitude Rewards Car Rentals | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | visa |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit CardCapital One | 5% cash back Car Rentals | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| Chase Freedom FlexChase | 5% cash back Car Rentals | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| Citi Double Cash CardCiti | 5% cash back Car Rentals | 5.0¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| U.S. Bank Shield Visa CardU.S. Bank | 4% cash back Car Rentals | 4.0¢/$ | $0 | visa |
| The AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard®Barclays | 3% cash back Car Rentals | 3.0¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
| Bilt Blue CardCardless | 1x Bilt Rewards All Other | 2.0¢/$ | $0 | mastercard |
More Options
#4U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature CardNo fee
5.0¢/$
#5Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit CardNo fee
5.0¢/$
#6Chase Freedom FlexNo fee
5.0¢/$
#7Citi Double Cash CardNo fee
5.0¢/$
#8U.S. Bank Shield Visa CardNo fee
4.0¢/$
#9The AARP® Travel Rewards Mastercard®No fee
3.0¢/$
#10Bilt Blue CardNo fee
2.0¢/$
Want to customize by spend amount, programs, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →Guides for this category
- Points & MilesPoints vs. cash back: 3 numbers that decide which card earns moreCash back is worth its face value; points are worth what you redeem them for. Compare earn rate, point value, and annual fee to see which pays you more.
- Card StrategyHow to build a two-card wallet without double-counting rewardsA second card needs a job. Assign each purchase to one card, count each dollar once, and compare the pair with the best single card after fees.
- Card StrategyHow to build a simple rewards wallet you will actually maintainA rewards wallet you can explain in two sentences: one default card, at most one clear exception, dependable autopay, and a review after ninety days.