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No Fee Credit Cards for march 2024

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Apply for a no fee credit card. On 18.03.2024 you have access to 14 credit cards. Increase your chances of getting money — fill out a multi-application with a free credit rating check.
Offers: 14
Updated
01.12.2022
13:38
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Rating by Finanso®
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The rating by Finanso® is determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula includes a financial product type as well as tariffs, fees, rewards and other options.

Recommended FinScore™
0
300
650
1000
Rate
i

Effective interest rate on the product

19.99% - 22.99%
Rating by Finanso®
i

The rating by Finanso® is determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula includes a financial product type as well as tariffs, fees, rewards and other options.

Recommended FinScore™
0
300
650
1000
Rate
i

Effective interest rate on the product

21.99% - 22.99%
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Rating by Finanso®
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The rating by Finanso® is determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula includes a financial product type as well as tariffs, fees, rewards and other options.

Recommended FinScore™
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300
650
1000
Rate
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Effective interest rate on the product

19.95% - 24.95%
Rating by Finanso®
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The rating by Finanso® is determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula includes a financial product type as well as tariffs, fees, rewards and other options.

Recommended FinScore™
0
300
650
1000
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i

Effective interest rate on the product

1.95% - 19.95%
Rating by Finanso®
i

The rating by Finanso® is determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula includes a financial product type as well as tariffs, fees, rewards and other options.

Recommended FinScore™
0
300
650
1000
Rate
i

Effective interest rate on the product

21.99% - 22.99%
Rating by Finanso®
i

The rating by Finanso® is determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula includes a financial product type as well as tariffs, fees, rewards and other options.

Recommended FinScore™
0
300
650
1000
Rate
i

Effective interest rate on the product

19.99% - 22.99%
Rating by Finanso®
i

The rating by Finanso® is determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula includes a financial product type as well as tariffs, fees, rewards and other options.

Recommended FinScore™
0
300
650
1000
Rate
i

Effective interest rate on the product

19.99% - 22.99%
Rating by Finanso®
i

The rating by Finanso® is determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula includes a financial product type as well as tariffs, fees, rewards and other options.

Recommended FinScore™
0
300
650
1000
Rate
i

Effective interest rate on the product

19.99% - 22.99%
Rating by Finanso®
i

The rating by Finanso® is determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula includes a financial product type as well as tariffs, fees, rewards and other options.

Recommended FinScore™
0
300
650
1000
Rate
i

Effective interest rate on the product

12.99%
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Royal Bank of Canada
4.4
RBC provided me with a loan at a very low interest rate, helping me save on loan payments.
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MDG
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Removed money from my bank account, to apparently verify my bank account. Then denied my application because I live in a unorganized township that does not have a physical address...
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Money Mart
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Bad customer service they can never fix your problems...
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GoDay
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the application is easy and takes less then 5 mins to fill out. but the funding time is quite long. if looking for instant funding then its not here...
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No Fee Credit Cards for march 2024

Modern financial systems offer many options and advantages, allowing people all over the world to improve their lives right now and invest in the future. Credit cards are one of the mechanisms to widen opportunities and raise the quality of life. Banks nowadays offer numerous credit card products, and no-fee credit cards are pretty popular.

What is a no fee credit card?

A credit card is an excellent tool to pay for everyday purchases and travels or cover any other activities with the help of short-term consumer bank credit. But typically, banks imply annual or monthly service charges for the cards to be used, the so-called credit card's yearly fee for services. The annual fee may differ from bank to bank and depend on other accompanying services and opportunities the credit card provider grants.

But some cards do not require annual fees or other service payments. This type of credit card is now rather popular and offered by many banks all over Canada. Such payment instruments can be profitable and convenient for many people. For example,

  • those who prefer to spend less on the annual fee on their credit card,

  • those who just wish to have a backup credit card with a rewards program earning membership rewards points.

Ordinary perks

A J.D. Power’s Canada Credit Card Satisfaction study revealed that 22% of credit card holders switched to no fee cards in 2021. This noteworthy observation may indicate that people are thinking about reducing unnecessary expenses or sustainable consumption or just want to save money. On the other hand, it may also demonstrate that people have become less wealthy than before. Anyhow, this card without an annual fee has become more popular, and banks are ready to present this attractive way of payment to their customers with maximum variations.

The point of a no fee credit card is that this is a method to save money on service payments while receiving the consumer's short-term credit for everyday purchases. In addition, it allows for managing personal income better without limitations on the amount of your own money that you have right now.

A credit card without an annual fee has a lot of different perks, as well as other credit cards. For example, cash back and rewards programs, grace periods, bonuses, partner offers, etc. Cash back programs may be rather interesting and suggest various options and rewards offers, including even rewards for your standard utility bill payments.

Among other benefits, a credit card without an annual fee may offer common carrier accident insurance coverage, different kinds of protections, and warranties. Moreover, depending on the agreement with the bank and the type of card you select, you may send money abroad at quite an attractive tariff and get some other privileges.

Credit cards without an annual fee are issued by many banks operating with such payment service providers as American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and other international payment systems.

Ordinary obligations

A credit card, in many cases, is a convenient instrument bringing advantages and perks. But, as any credit should be paid off, a credit card assumes that recurring bill payments for the credit received and spent should be made. By far, it is in the customer's interest to cover the credit amount in time. Failure to do so may initiate additional fees, penalties, and possible bad records to credit history.

Besides accurate credit payments, a customer is expected to keep a card without an annual fee in good order and operate it safely. All actions applied to protect general credit cards, like

  • safekeeping of the card and pin code,

  • immediate bank informing in case of card loss or suspicion of fraud use,

  • avoiding unclear phone conversations with potential scammers,

General

When selecting the card, remember that although no fee credit cards are pretty good for many purposes and may grant new options mostly free of charge, they, in common, offer fewer benefits than annual fee cards.

It does not mandatorily mean that fee credit cards are better. It just means that the choice of cards nowadays is quite extensive and can cover your needs. Therefore, you may select the service suitable for your lifestyle most of all and enjoy your every purchase or utility bill payment.

No fee credit card features

The main feature of a no fee credit card is free-of-charge card service. The card maintenance service is offered for the client just free of charge. Meanwhile, a credit card without an annual fee may have one or all features allowing a cardholder to earn, save, and protect the money on the account, either credited or belonging to the account owner. Along with that, a no-fee credit card may still offer such services as:

  • rewards program (cash back, collected points and discounts, welcome bonuses, travel pecks)

  • low-interest rates

  • fraud protection

  • purchase protection

  • extended warranty

Rewards programs

Сash back

Cash back allows saving some money paid for eligible purchases stipulated by the program terms and conditions. There are a lot of cash back plans financial institutions offer for their clients. Among them, there may be such everyday expenditures as grocery purchases, household utility purchases, and many others, including various services. Meanwhile, some services like utility bill payments are not mandatorily considered eligible purchases and may be excluded from your list of expenses subject to cash back premium. Therefore, to avoid a mistake, it is recommended to verify the cash back categories carefully.

By far, cash back plans and programs allow you to earn cash, get rewards, or make other purchases either free of charge or with a discount. Cash back plans generally have either a flat-rate or rotating rewards structure.

Flat-rate cash back

With a flat-rate cash back credit card, every purchase earns the same amount of cash back. A customer enjoys a simple approach to cash back with this credit card cash back program, receiving the same percent irrespective of what was bought. Many prefer this approach as it is the simplest one and does not press to calculate and compare benefits which may be received in different spots offering more or less the same goods and services.

Rotating rewards program

Credit cards with rotating rewards programs assume that the amount of the cash back earned may differ depending on the category of goods and services defined by the terms and conditions of the credit card. As a rule, rotating rewards programs combine goods and services by categories, for example, cafes and restaurants, grocery purchases, health and wellbeing, fuel and car services, etc., and accrue a higher percentage for definite categories for some period than change the category. Having this card, you may analyze your month or quarter expenses, select the proper category or other eligible purchases for the agreed period and get all the benefits from the most significant percentage of cash back.

Redeeming points

There are several ways to redeem cash back income and other rewards from the cash back program. For example, the funds may be credited to the credit card account once a month as a statement credit, transferred as a direct deposit to another linked bank account, or just paid out via check or transmissions to the client's related account in online payment systems like PayPal. Generally, the ways to redeem cash back are preset in the credit card terms and conditions; it may be a choice of options the client may select or just one method convenient for the card issuer.

Collected points and discounts

Several credit cards without an annual fee may be oriented to clients' loyaltу for a definite brand or a group of brands. These brands may collaborate with banks and financial institutions issuing credit cards and introduce the card offering to collect points for the money spent or purchases made or get a discount. These programs are very close to the standard loyalty offers of the brands. Besides collecting points or discounts for a brand, such cards may combine suggestions of shops, shopping centers, or chain stores, stimulating customers to buy there.

Redeeming in these programs is done via a discount for purchase.

Welcome bonus

A welcome bonus is a pleasant present in points, money, or other profits the client may get when entering the program, receiving the credit card, or paying off the first purchase with the credit card. Generally, a welcome bonus is granted only once. However, the size of welcome bonuses can differ. Depending on a bonus, it may be added to the account, provided as a discount, or collected as points for further spending.

Travel perks

A no fee credit card may give substantial bonus rewards within the travel devoted programs. Such options are very popular. Many banks collaborate with airlines, booking services, hotels, guides and travel agencies, and even cafes and restaurants. The tourist industry is a crucial trend for many countries and regions, and provinces in the same country. Thus, the companies operating in the hospitality section, especially big ones, favor cooperating with the banks providing various bonus rewards or points for those who have selected travel programs.

Air companies

Most air companies worldwide are members of one alliance allowing their passengers to earn Aeroplan points on every flight and/or every purchase; the number of points or miles is calculated corresponding to the sum of money paid. The points or miles may be saved and used for any free flight of the air companies which are in alliance. Redeeming points to upgrade the service class in the aircraft or shop duty-free is also possible.

Banks are also part of these extensive collaborations and offer their clients to earn points or miles not only by air ticket purchase but also by using other services or making everyday purchases.

Hotels

Big brand hotel groups having hotels worldwide also collaborate with banks, air companies, and other touristic infrastructure, allowing the travelers to benefit while using hotel services, earning and redeeming travel points.

Taxi and other services

Taxi, car-sharing, travel agencies, private guides, cafes, and restaurants are also included in rewards programs relating to tourist services.

General

A traveler with a credit card with Aeroplan points may be granted air miles cash and bonuses, points, or discounts for restaurants and hotel reservations. Among these programs, a cardholder may also have a discount for taxi services, a reduced price list for travel agencies' excursion suggestions, and many other pecks allowing you to save money.

So, being a cardholder with travel perks, everyone may earn hotel, restaurant, excursion, and Aeroplan points for buying goods or other services and spend them later for travel purposes. It is also a possibility to get a free flight sometime.

Low-interest rates

Another exciting feature of no fee credit cards is a low-interest charge for some eligible purchases. The bank may determine several categories of goods and services, like cash back programs, that would get a low-interest rate in case of credit card purchases. That means, upon the end of the grace period, you may cover the amount of an eligible purchase at comparatively low interest.

Fraud protection

According to the Bank Act of Canada, the maximum liability for unauthorized use of a credit card issued by federally regulated financial institutions is $50. This means that if a customer is considered liable for a suspicious or fraudulent transaction, he/she will pay not more than $50. By far, international payment system like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, although not liable for fraudulent transactions, practice their zero liability policies and offer additional fraud protection.

A no annual fee credit card typically has fraud protection. Depending on the credit card issuer, the fraud protection conditions may be more favorable for the cards with an annual fee. But, in any case, a credit card, irrespective of the annual fee, is under fraud protection.

Purchase protection

Credit card purchase protection applies to items bought by credit card transactions within a specific period. This kind of protection is a standard credit card benefit that allows consumers to file a claim with the issuer to get a replacement, repair, or reimbursement for any eligible stolen or damaged buys. This benefit is provided by payment systems and applies to a no annual fee credit card.

Payment systems provide purchase protection conditions, which may differ depending on their terms. The card issuing bank may add its settings that do not downgrade the terms and conditions offered by the payment systems. No fee card protection is also within this guaranteed minimum.

The purchase protection covers all categories of goods and services. And, by paying for a smartphone with one of your credit cards, you automatically get mobile device insurance without any additional charge. And you can afford it even with your no fee card or annual fee card.

Extended warranty

A credit card extended warranty is also a feature provided to Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cardholders. It allows prolonging the manufacturer's guarantee to eligible purchases. The terms and conditions for a no annual fee credit card may depend on the bank, but in no case will they be worse than the one offered by the payment systems themselves.

How do no annual fee credit cards work?

A no fee credit card operates the same way as any other standard card. The consumer covers expenses for services like taxi, delivery, tutoring, etc., or goods like household utility purchases, grocery or drug store purchases, including online shopping by credit card. The amount spent is withdrawn from the card. By the end of the billing cycle, the bank provides a statement requesting to cover the expenses made. The customer pays off the credit, and the account is refilled again.

Credit card limits

The issuing bank provides the funds borrowed for purchases. As a rule, these funds are limited. The size of the limit the bank decides by itself. The credit limit may be increased depending on the customer's credit history, monthly income, spending habits, and repayment accuracy. Credit cards with no annual fees may offer more strict requirements for balance limits.

Recurring bill payments

Once a month, the bank issues a statement with all expenses the customer has made during a reporting period. This credit statement indicates all buys done, including cash back eligible purchases and other purchases and services. The bill must be covered either fully or partially at an amount not less than the minimum amount the bank requires.

Recurring bill payments are mandatory for those who use credit cards with an annual fee or without it. In case of no payment, undesirable consequences like expensive credits, fees and penalties, bad reports, etc. Sometimes, banks cooperate with third parties and may sell the debts to them.

Grace period and no fee credits

The use of credit cards assumes the bank offers the so-called interest-free grace period. This is a time you have before your bill becomes due. Usually, the bank statement indicates the total credit balance and minimum payment amount, which should be transmitted to bank accounts associated with credit cards in use, and the date the bill must be covered.

The bank credit card statements must be covered within an agreed grace period. As soon as the total amount or minimum payment is credited back to the bank accounts, the customer's credit funds are refilled and may be used again. All balance transfers should be done within the period indicated in the monthly statement credit.

If all the payments are made in time, the credit is free of interest charges. However, limiting fees or other annual interest rates may be stipulated in the credit card agreement. So, studying the agreement carefully or with the help of a consultant you trust is recommended.

Online banking

Online banking is a part of bank services for a credit card account, irrespective of whether it is an annual fee card or not. It is convenient to verify the current status of the credit line and make all payments online.

Cash advances

Cash withdrawals may be complicated with any credit card. Usually, you may withdraw cash advances from a credit card account. But, as a credit card is designed for cashless payments, cash advances may not be the best way to get some cash. And although you may get it, the question is how much it will cost.

No fee cash advances are generally unavailable irrespective of the card type. However, the annual percentage rate for cash advances may be very high. And even though the question of how much cash advances you may get from your credit cards depends on the terms and conditions the bank offer for you. No fee cash is something that you can hardly get with credit cards.

How to choose a no fee credit card in Canada

When selecting and comparing credit cards, be precise and accurate with your lifestyle and consumer habits. On-the-fly decisions, even looking good right now, do not always cover what you really need.

Canadian banks offer many cards with no annual fees, but at the same time, with cashback, loyalty programs, and other attractive features. To understand what is more suitable for you, it is recommended to verify the following:

  • your spending habits and lifestyle

  • your monthly income

  • your mandatory recurring payments

A card with mixed cash back can help you to earn cash and get a nice mood saving money with just nothing special but general shopping.

Meanwhile, your monthly income and mandatory bills are essential criteria to pay attention to. Irrespective of the positive sides, it is still a credit card requiring all the principal to be paid monthly. Breaking this rule will demonstrate how much the credit may cost.

Also, do not forget that some cards may have qualification criteria that should be met; check them in advance.

How to apply for a no fee credit card in Canada

Successfully applying for a credit card is not a big business if you have a nice Canadian credit file. Meanwhile, by properly managing your no fee credit card, you will enhance your credit history and upgrade your credit scores by living a normal life, buying general goods, and paying for ordinary services.

If you are already a bank client and wish to get a no-fee card, an online application is the most convenient way. Just fill in the proper request form via an online banking personal account and send it. The bank will consider your request and personal data, decide on a credit card and its conditions, including the available credit limit, and inform you about it.

If you are not a bank client, you would likely have to visit a bank office to identify yourself, apply, and sign a proper agreement with the bank. Typically, banks are client-oriented, and staff in the office will help with an application.

Where to get a no fee credit card in Canada

In Canada, all the banks are divided into three categories called Schedules. Schedule I banks are domestic, Schedule II, foreign bank subsidiaries, and Schedule III branches of foreign banks and institutions. Although all the banks follow the regulations of the Bank Act, some restrictions are applied to Schedule III banks.

Most banks issue no-fee cards.

Several reviews of no-fee cards for 2022 qualify such cards as the best ones:

  • Tangerine World MasterCard with its special offers to transfer balances, mobile device protection, welcome offers and bonus, MasterCard identity check, and cash back rewards categories.

  • MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus MasterCard offering points for every spent dollar, annual birthday bonuses, mobile device insurance, travel accident coverage, and discounts at Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car locations.

  • Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card with low personal income criteria and nice cash back options.

  • BMO Cash Back Credit Card with nice cash back percentage as a welcome offer and further downgraded cash advance percentage for Quebec residents.

  • Scotiabank American Express Card with low minimum spending requirements and personal incomes travel rewards and cash back, welcome bonuses, and a long list of earning categories of spending.

  • CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card offering an excellent welcome bonus at the first purchase, allowing you to collect Aeroplan points with no spending requirements and preferred pricing benefits in Air Canada for cardholders. Moreover, the Aeroplan points will never expire unless the card is active.

  • Triangle World Elite MasterCard is a good no-fee card for those who shop a lot in Canadian Tire or its affiliated stores; the card also offers access to various insurance plans.

  • Amazon.ca Rewards MasterCard is suitable for Amazon shoppers giving cash back on all eligible purchases at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods purchases and allowing benefits for Amazon Prime Members on eligible foreign currency transactions.

  • RBC Business Cash Back MasterCard is fine for business owners allowing them to get some cash back from purchases to reinvent to business.

Besides various credit cards, banks and other financial institutions offer attractive savings accounts and programs. There are some of them:

  • Tangerine savings account granting savings growing at no charge and requirements for minimum balance;

  • CIBC global money transfer service offers many ways to send money abroad via Visa, UnionPay, or bank account at zero transfer fee;

Being a customer, you are recommended to responsibly address the selection of the most suitable credit card. The are a lot of valuable suggestions to select from. Sometimes cards with annual fees are worth and even better than those without fees, but not always.

Requirements

Banks may have different eligibility requirements for no annual fee cards. In general, the requirements may be:

  • residence status

  • age

  • income

  • Canadian credit file

  • credit score

  • minimum spending limitations

Thus, to get a no annual fee credit card, you should be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory you live in. You may also require a definite income for yourself and your household. You will also need a Canadian credit file with good credit scores for some credit cards. Also, several types of cards without annual fees may have minimum spending limits. The requirements for Quebec residents may differ due to the peculiarities of regulations in this region.

Verify the bank's requirements when selecting a no annual fee credit card.

Pros and cons

There are pros and cons to using a no fee card. Sometimes cards with an annual fee offer cash back options and a welcome bonus that may give you much more than you receive with the card without the annual fee. At the same time, no annual fee credit cards may still be better for you depending on your spending habits.

Pros

  • No annual fee is to be paid every accounting period.

  • Cards with no fee grace periods may become low-cost and low-maintenance payday loan.

  • Rewards programs may cover many services, goods, and other purchases, and it is the right way to save money or keep points to get free-of-charge services.

  • Properly selected and duly managed no annual fee credit card is a possibility to build a good credit history just by doing everyday shopping.

  • Cash back programs with no annual fee credit cards can be very profitable.

  • Some no annual fee credit cards provide a lot of pecks like mobile device insurance, common carrier accident insurance, discounts for car renting with Budget Rent and other similar companies, low-cost balance transfers, etc.

Cons

  • No annual fee credit cards have limited benefits compared to cards with a yearly fee.

  • Credit cards with no annual fee usually offer high-interest rates for purchases and cash advances. Moreover, in case of improper card maintenance, the interest rate may become very high due to penalties and rule breaching.

  • The cards with no annual fee may offer smaller bonus rewards compared to the same cards with a yearly fee.

  • Cash back programs offered within no annual fee cards may be more modest than the ones of other cards, and cash back options may be restricted up to three categories or so.

  • Cards without annual fee cards may have a long list of penalties, tariffs, and similar limitations.

Along with cards without an annual fee, like Tangerine World MasterCard, MBNA Rewards Platinum, and nice cash back programs, banks, and financial institutions provides other services like Tangerine savings account, CIBC global money transfer, and others.

The variety of cards is quite vast now, and it is not an easy task to select the one you need precisely.

FAQ

Do all credit cards have annual fees?

No. There is a wide variety of no annual fee credit cards. Also, most banks in Canada issue credit cards without a yearly fee for maintenance services. Depending on your purpose and lifestyle, the credit card may provide several convenient options to get the best out of your everyday purchases or your love to travel.

Which Canadian banks issue no fee credit cards?

No fee credit cards are available in all banks of Canada; they may belong to Visa or MasterCard international payment service providers. Some banks, for example, AMEX Bank of Canada, issue only American Express cards. The Big Six - the six largest banks in Canada - National Bank of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia, also known as Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce provide several no annual fee credit cards. You may choose the one suit your needs in the most appropriate way. Among them, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's set of no annual fee credit cards is the most impressive, offering around ten different types. They include an attractive set of cards for students, purchase protection and accident insurance coverage, low interest, and cash back no-fee credit cards.

Some smaller banks in the Schedule I group, like Laurentian Bank of Canada, offer conditional no fee credit cards - the card is free of service charge subject to some definite amount of monthly purchases or any other condition.

Banks belonging to Schedule II and III groups also provide a variety of credit cards with or without an annual fee that may require your attention.

Can I remove my credit card annual fee?

If your credit card has an annual service charge following the terms and conditions of the agreement you have signed with the bank, you generally cannot remove the yearly fee. Instead, you have to pay the cost according to the tariff.

But you can search the bank's credit cards and select another fee-free one. You will have to inform the bank that you wish to close one card and open another that does not require an annual fee.