$450 a year for a credit card and it’s sign up bonus is a tough consideration for some. $95 a year, even for a large stack of miles still stifles people. A big fat zero, for a handsome stack of miles, travel benefits and the ability to earn for every purchase should be a no brainer however. Quite a few of the best credit cards out there waive the annual fee for the first year, so we’ve chosen a few of the very best in the US and UK….
Amex Premier Rewards Gold (US + UK)
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, $195/£145 thereafter.
Sign Up Bonus: 20,000 points for £2k (UK), up to 50,000 points for $2k (US) in first 3 months.
Top Benefits: 3x points on airfare (US), 2 lounge passes (UK), travel delay protection (UK).
Chase Sapphire Preferred (US)
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, $95 thereafter.
Sign Up Bonus: 50,000 points after spending $4k in 3 months.
Top Benefits: Primary rental car insurance, trip delay coverage, 2x points on travel and dining.
BarclayCard Arrival Plus (US)
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year. $89 thereafter.
Sign Up Bonus: 50,000 cash back points worth $500 after spending $3k in 3 months.
Top Benefits: 2x points on all purchases, 5% back when you redeem your points.
Starwood Preferred Guest Amex (US) (UK*)
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, $95 thereafter (US). *UK fee not waived, but worth it.
Sign Up Bonus: 25,000 points after spending $3k in first 3 months + 10,000 after $2k more.
Top Benefits: Most valuable points which convert to airline miles, 5x points at Starwood.
Hilton HONORS Visa (UK)
Annual Fee: $0 annually. No annual fee.
Sign Up Bonus: 1 free weekend night at ANY Hilton property worldwide after £750 in 90 days.
Top Benefits: Hilton Gold after £10k in spending. 3 Hilton points per dollar at Hilton.
