Is a credit card with zero annual fees still worth it?

What is a credit card with zero annual fee And how does it work in practice?

It's simply a card that the bank or fintech company decides not to charge an annual fee for.

That's it. In return, they almost always compensate by cutting some premium benefit or betting on transaction volume and the revolving interest rate spread.

The process remains the same: credit analysis via CPF (Brazilian tax ID), initial limit defined by score and history, monthly billing through the app.

What has changed since 2018–2019, when Nubank and Inter popularized the model, is the sophistication.

Today, the best credit cards with zero annual fee They already offer occasional VIP lounge access, cashback that yields more than savings accounts, and even access to airport lounges — things that previously required a minimum income of R$ 15,000 or an annual fee of R$ 1,200.

There's something almost ironic about it: what started as a financial inclusion tool for those rejected by traditional banks has, in many cases, become the most profitable product for these institutions.

They profit from volume, from the float of money in circulation, and from the 400–500% annual spread they charge those who enter the revolving credit market.

Which models are truly worth buying in 2026?

Inter Black Win is still a favorite among those who want something "black" without paying anything.

It offers 1 point for every R$ 2 spent, direct conversion into cashback or investment, and limited access to LoungeKey VIP lounges.

The app is fast, the credit limit usually increases with good usage, and approval doesn't require a very high declared income.

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The detail that few people mention: the points program is generous precisely because Inter believes that most users will concentrate their spending there.

If you already have a bank account, the card becomes a natural extension of your checking account.

The Nomad Explorer Visa Infinite remains a strong option for those who travel at least twice a year.

Up to 3 points per dollar on international purchases, a much lower exchange rate spread than the 5-6% of other banks, and zero annual fee with no minimum spending requirement.

The downside is that you need to open and maintain a Nomad account — an extra step that discourages some people.

The XP Visa Infinite card with 1% investback directly to the brokerage firm remains a smart move for investors.

This isn't your average cashback: the money is returned as credit to your investment account, earning interest from day one.

For those who have at least R$ 5 thousand invested in XP, the annual fee disappears and the card becomes a bridge between consumption and wealth.

Nubank Ultraviolet (the version that waives annual fees with spending or investments) delivers 1% cashback, which yields 200% of the CDI rate.

It's simple, beautiful, and extremely reliable in its service. Many people underestimate the psychological value of having an app that doesn't let you down.

C6 Carbon still appears on the lists, but it requires more discipline: minimum monthly spending to waive the annual fee and a modest cashback of 0.5–2.5%.

It works well for those who already use C6 as their primary account.

Here's a straightforward table to compare what really matters:

Card	Main Reward	VIP access?	Best For	Main Weak Point
Inter Black Win	1 pt / R$ 2	Yes (limited)	Daily use + investments	Conservative initial limit
Nomad Explorer Visa Infinite	Up to 3 points / US$ on international flights.	Yes (limited)	International travel	Requires a Nomad account.
XP Visa Infinite	1% investback	Yes	Active investors	Dependence on the XP brokerage firm
Nubank Ultraviolet	1% cashback yielding 200% CDI	No	Simplicity + security	Fewer points on regular purchases
C6 Carbon	0.5–2.5% cashback	Yes (limited)	Heavy C6 users	Requires spending for exemption.

What advantages make sense for Daily Use?

The direct savings on the annual fee — which ranges from R$ 400 to R$ 1,500 for equivalent cards — is the most tangible gain.

In a country where accumulated inflation over 12 months still hovers around 4–5%, those R$ 500–800 saved annually make a real difference to the family budget.

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Many of these cards offer cashback or points that, when used wisely, can exceed the returns of a savings account.

The Nubank Ultravioleta cashback, yielding 200% of the CDI rate, for example, is a discreet way to make your money work for you while you spend it.

In addition, they help build credit scores without a fixed cost.

Those starting from scratch or trying to recover from a tarnished reputation find in these plastics a bridge to greater limits and better conditions in the future.

Where are the traps and when might it turn against you?

The biggest danger remains revolving credit. Effective rates above 400% per year turn a purchase of R$ 3,000 into unpayable debt in a few months.

Those who lack financial discipline end up paying much more than any annual fee would cost.

Premium benefits are always more restricted. Access to VIP lounges is limited to a few visits per year, travel insurance has low limits, and assistance is basic.

For those who travel frequently or spend over R$ 10,000/month, a black card with a multiplier of 2.5–3.5 points per real usually delivers a higher net return.

Choose one credit card with zero annual fee It's like choosing a well-equipped 1.0 flex-fuel car: economical in the city, reliable for everyday use, but noticeably weaker when you go on a long road trip or need extra power.

Why does it make sense to consider a Credit card with zero annual fee. Now?

The Brazilian market for no-annual-fee credit cards has exploded: by 2026 there will be more than 50 reputable options, according to updated rankings from Melhores Destinos and iDinheiro.

This forces banks to constantly improve rewards in order not to lose market share.

Here's a striking statistic: approximately 681,300 digital card users in Brazil say they would never pay an annual fee again after trying a free model (indirect survey via financial comparison apps in 2025–2026).

Realistic example: Carla, 34 years old, designer in Sorocaba, switched from an Itaú Personnalité (R$ 996/year) to a Nomad Explorer.

In 2025 she traveled abroad three times, accumulated enough points for a round-trip ticket to Lisbon, and still saved R$ 996 on her annual fee.

The low spread on the exchange rate covered almost all of the IOF difference.

Another case: Pedro, a 48-year-old teacher, adopted Nubank Ultraviolet.

With average monthly expenses of R$ 4,800, the cashback yielding 200% from the CDI generated approximately R$ 780 extra in 12 months — more than enough to cover the cost of an online course he wanted to take.

Wouldn't it be interesting to discover that the cheapest credit card in your pocket ends up being the one that yields the most value for many people?

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Short and direct answer
How can I get an approval? credit card with zero annual fee?	Send documents through the issuer's app. A credit score above 600-650 on Serasa greatly increases your chances.
Everything credit card with zero annual fee Does it offer cashback?	No. Some offer only points or no benefit at all. The best ones deliver an effective 0.5–1%.
Is it possible to use it extensively abroad without paying much IOF (tax on financial transactions)?	Yes, especially Nomad and Wise. Spread + IOF is well below the 11% of traditional banks.
What is the practical difference of a paid black card?	Higher points multiplier, more VIP access, more robust insurance, and 24/7 concierge.
Does responsible use improve my credit score even without an annual fee?	Yes. On-time payments and usage between 30-50% of the limit are the main positive drivers.

To delve deeper, it's worth checking out the Updated ranking of Best Destinationsdetailed analyses of iMoney and the projections for 2026 in First Class Passenger.

By: Andre Neri updated ago 3 months back