Best No Annual Fee Card for Southwest Airlines

Chase · No annual fee

One of the best no-annual-fee cards available, combining 5% rotating bonus categories with a permanent 3% on dining and drugstores. When paired with a Chase Sapphire card, cash back converts to transferable Ultimate Rewards points worth 1.25–1.5 cents each — dramatically increasing value. Cell phone protection is a bonus you won't find on most free cards.

Chase · No annual fee

Earn 5% on Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstores, and an unlimited 1.5% on all other purchases with no annual fee. When paired with a Sapphire card, points become fully transferable to 14 airline and hotel partners — making this one of the best zero-fee companion cards in the market.

Brex · No annual fee

A charge card designed for startups and tech companies. Incredible bonus categories (8x rideshare, 5x travel, 4x dining) and built-in expense management. No personal guarantee and no annual fee, but you must pay the balance in full each month.

Citi · No annual fee

If you already have a Costco membership, this card is essentially free and earns some of the best rates available — 4% on gas, 3% on travel and dining, 2% at Costco. Heavy drivers can earn hundreds per year on gas alone. Rewards paid annually in February, usable at Costco or redeemable for cash.

Wells Fargo · No annual fee

Wells Fargo's flagship no-annual-fee rewards card covers six popular bonus categories at 3x. Dining, travel, gas, transit, streaming, and phone plans all earn triple points. Add cell phone protection and no foreign transaction fees and you have a strong everyday card.

Bank of America · No annual fee

Choose your own 3% cash back category — gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement — and earn 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to 2,500 dollars combined per quarter). Bank of America Preferred Rewards members earn up to 75% more cash back, making this a powerhouse for existing BoA customers.

Bank of America · No annual fee

A flexible no-annual-fee business card that lets you choose where to earn 3% — gas, travel, office supplies, business consulting, and more. Bank of America Preferred Rewards for Business members can boost the 3% rate up to 5.25%, making it extremely competitive.

HSBC · No annual fee

A solid no-annual-fee travel card for HSBC Premier banking customers. 3x on travel and dining with no foreign transaction fees makes it ideal for international travelers who bank with HSBC. Requires a Premier banking relationship.