BonusCeilingBest credit card bonuses with no annual fee the first year (October 2026)
Cards whose annual fee is $0 for the first year and then charged from year two (the fee shown is from the issuer page), sorted by how close today's offer is to that card's all-time high. Cards with no annual fee at all are on the no-annual-fee list. As of 2026-10-19, 4 cards qualify, led by Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select, Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, United Explorer Card. 1 of them is at its all-time high. Amex offers are listed as 'as high as' and may vary by applicant.
By Tyler Kelly · Updated
| Card | Current public offer | All-time high | Annual fee | vs. record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CitiCiti / AAdvantage Platinum Select | 80,000 miles after $3,500 spend in 4 months | 80,000 miles (Sep 2025-Aug 2026; again Oct 2026); no higher offer appears in Doctor of Credit's log | $0 first year, then $99 | AT RECORD |
| American ExpressDelta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | As high as 80,000 miles + $250 statement credit after $3,000 spend in 6 months (offer varies; credit part ends Nov 4, 2026) | 90,000 miles (Mar 2021; Jul-Aug 2021 with a $200 credit; Jan-Apr and Jun-Jul 2026 as 70,000 + 20,000 after $5,000 total) per Doctor of Credit; today's offer adds a $250 credit | $0 first year, then $150 | 89% of record |
| ChaseUnited Explorer Card | 70,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months + 10,000 for adding an authorized user | 80,000 miles after $3,000 in 3 months (spring 2025; up to 90,000 with an authorized user and a United agent code) per AwardWallet and Doctor of Credit | $0 first year, then $150 | 88% of record |
| American ExpressBlue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | $300 cash back after $3,000 spend in 6 months | $400 after $3,000 in 6 months (Jun 2022-Mar 2023) per Doctor of Credit | $0 first year, then $95 | 75% of record |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best first-year-free credit card bonus right now?
Measured against each card's own record, 1 of the 4 first-year-free cards we track is at its all-time high as of October 19, 2026: Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select (80,000 miles after $3,500 spend in 4 months). The best one for you depends on which rewards you'll use and whether your normal spending covers the minimum spend.
Which first-year-free card bonuses have been higher before?
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express: today's offer is 75% of the record ($400 after $3,000 in 6 months (Jun 2022-Mar 2023) per Doctor of Credit); United Explorer Card: today's offer is 88% of the record (80,000 miles after $3,000 in 3 months (spring 2025; up to 90,000 with an authorized user and a United agent code) per AwardWallet and Doctor of Credit); Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card: today's offer is 89% of the record (90,000 miles (Mar 2021; Jul-Aug 2021 with a $200 credit; Jan-Apr and Jun-Jul 2026 as 70,000 + 20,000 after $5,000 total) per Doctor of Credit; today's offer adds a $250 credit).
Will I get the full Amex 'as high as' offer?
Not necessarily. Amex shows the maximum possible offer; after you apply it shows your actual offer before you accept the card, and it can be lower.
How is this list ranked?
By today's public offer as a share of the highest public offer we've tracked for the same card, using cited offer histories. Cards whose history we couldn't verify are listed last; we don't guess.
What happens after the first year?
The annual fee starts in year two at the amount shown in the table (from each issuer page). If the card isn't worth that fee to you, you can decide before the fee posts; check the issuer's terms for how and when it is charged.
See also: best no-annual-fee credit card bonuses · issuer rules · how long to wait between bonuses · eligibility checker · all bonuses
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