The best credit cards with no late fees of June 2021

The best credit cards with no late fees for the first late payment (or ever)

While there are plenty of credit cards that don't charge an annual fee, there are still ongoing costs to watch out for. For starters, you'll pay credit card interest whenever you carry a balance from month to month, and you'll likely encounter other fees like over-the-limit fees and late fees.

Average credit card late fees are $35 to $40, and can vary from card to card. And remember that, on top of late fees, you may also be assessed a penalty APR when you pay your bill late. This APR is typically higher than the interest rate you're currently paying, and card issuers have the right to charge it any time you pay your bill past your due date.

Read more: Credit card terms and conditions can be hard to navigate — here are 5 things to look out for when you apply

But some credit cards don't charge any late fees for your first late payment, or, in some cases, any late fees at all. This benefit can be important if you're worried about falling behind on payments due to financial upheaval, or if you just want to make sure you have some wiggle room every once in a while.

If you're considering a new credit card and worried about paying late, consider these options that don't charge a late payment fee.

Best for cash back: Discover it® Cash Back

Late fee benefit: You won't pay a late fee on your first late payment, and paying late won't trigger a penalty APR. After that, the fee is up to $40.

Key features:

• Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in rotating quarterly bonus categories (then 1%) as well as 1% back on other purchases Discover It Cashback rotation
• Discover will match all the rewards you earn as a new cardholder at the end of your first year
• Redeem your rewards for cash back in any amount for statement credits, gift cards, and more

Best for: This card is ideal for anyone who wants to earn cash back rewards without an annual fee. Since your rewards never expire and you can redeem them in any increments you want, the Discover it® Cash Back is also a good option for anyone who wants flexibility.

Read more: Discover it Cash Back card review

Best for students: Discover it® Student Cash Back

Late fee benefit: You won't pay a late payment fee on your first late payment, and there's no penalty APR.

Key features:

• Earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in rotating quarterly bonus categories (then 1%) as well as 1% back on all other purchases Discover It Cashback rotation
• Discover will match all the rewards you earn as a new cardholder at the end of your first year
• Good Grades Reward: Earn a $20 statement credit each year you maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher (up to five years)

Best for: This student credit card lets young people build credit and earn rewards at the same time. It's best for those with limited credit histories who can't qualify for a traditional unsecured credit card quite yet.

Read more: Discover it Student Cash Back card review

Best if you don't want to track bonus categories: Discover it® Miles

Late fee benefit: This card won't charge a late fee for your first late payment, nor will it charge a penalty APR. After that, the fee is up to $40.

Key features:

• Earn 1.5 miles for each dollar you spend
• Discover will match all the rewards you earn as a new cardholder at the end of your first year
• Redeem your rewards to cover travel purchases made to your card, or for cash back or statement credits for other purchases

Best for: The Discover it® Miles lets you earn flexible miles you can redeem for any type of travel or for straight cash back, making this card a good option for frequent travelers who don't want to be tied down to just one hotel or airline loyalty program

Read more: Discover it Miles card review

Best if you're rebuilding or new to credit: Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

Late fee benefit: This card doesn't charge any late fees or hidden fees.

Key features:

• Earn 1% back on your purchases right away, then graduate to 1.25% back after six on-time payments and 1.5% back after you make 12 on-time payments with your credit card
• Receive a credit limit from $500 to $10,000
• No annual fee

Best for: The Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card was created to help people with limited credit build their credit history over time. With that in mind, this card is ideal for anyone who wants to build credit and earn rewards at the same time without any fees. 

Read more: The best starter credit cards

Best for debt consolidation: Citi Simplicity® Card

Late fee benefit: This card doesn't charge any late fees at all, and it doesn't have a penalty APR.

Key features:

• Secure 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 18 months, both followed by an APR of 14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)
• 3% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) applies when you transfer a balance
• No annual fee
• Choose your payment due date

Best for: The Citi Simplicity® Card doesn't offer any rewards — it's geared toward people who need to consolidate debt instead. You'll get one of the longest 0% APR offers on the market today, which can help you consolidate debt and pay it off faster.

Read more: A 5-minute conversation with my grandmother helped me get out of the post-divorce debt that plagued me for years

Best if you spend a lot at Apple: Apple Card

Late fee benefit: The Apple Card doesn't charge any penalty fees or late fees.

Key features:

• Earn 3% back on all purchases made with Apple and on purchases with select merchants made through Apple Pay, 2% back on all purchases made through Apple Pay, and 1% back on all other purchases
• No annual fee
• Special financing offers for Apple products, including iPhones

Best for: This card is a winner for anyone who purchases a lot of Apple products, or makes many of their purchases using Apple Pay.

Read more: How the new Apple Card compares to top rewards credit cards from Amex, Capital One, and more

Holly Johnson is a credit card expert, award-winning writer, and mother of two who is obsessed with frugality, budgeting, and travel.

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