The best no-annual-fee credit cards that get transferable rewards

No annual fee cards aren’t known for their high-end features. They are usually geared towards those looking to transfer balances or build their credit.

Some no-annual-fee options can offer more than just a basic set of perks. Many cards issued by major issuers offer cardholders the option to transfer their rewards to partner airlines and hotels.

If you’ve been reading TPG for any length of time, you know that transferring your rewards to partners usually creates the most value. Doing so without paying an annual fee may appeal to points and miles newcomers or anyone exploring a new rewards ecosystem.

Let’s explore some of the best no-annual-fee cards that earn transferable rewards.

Best for renters

Paying rent with a credit card can help you earn rewards more quickly than many other expenses. I used Rent to help me get welcome bonuses with high spending requirements.

The downside to this: Generally, paying rent with a credit card will result in fees. This is where BeltMasterCard®* Comes into play. With this card, you’ll earn extra Bilt Points on your rent (up to 100,000 points per year) without incurring any annoying fees.

Information about the Bilt Mastercard was collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

*TPG’s Brian Kelly is an advisor and investor in Belt.

Just keep in mind that you’ll need to make at least five transactions per billing cycle to earn reward points. This means you can’t charge your rent to this card and forget about it.

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Bilt Points can be transferred to some high value partners. For example, it’s the only rewards currency that can be converted into Atmos Rewards, so Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines fans in particular will want to strongly consider the Bilt Mastercard.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Bilt Mastercard.

Best for AAdvantage American Airlines fans

for a long time, American Airlines AAdvantage is not affiliated with any issuer’s loyalty program. That changed when Citi and AAdvantage decided to deepen their partnership, adding the airline program to Citi’s long list of transportation partners.

If you’d like to convert your Citi ThankYou Rewards points to AAdvantage without the annual fee,… City Strata Card℠ (See rates and fees) It’s a great option.

Note that Strata cardholders can convert points to AAdvantage at a 1:0.7 ratio. To get a better 1:1 transfer ratio, you’ll need a card like City Strata Premier® Card (See rates and fees).

Despite this limitation, the Strata Card still offers some powerful perks. Cardholders can select a self-selected tier each quarter to earn 3 points per dollar spent. I’m considering this card in the future once my 5/24 is in better shape. I like the ability to adjust the bonus category to fit my spending habits, and this card also has an easily achievable welcome bonus.

To learn more, check out our full review of the City Strata Card.

Apply here: City Strata Card

Best for Chase customers

If you already have it Award-winning Chase Ultimate Rewards Card or are interested in applying for one, consider Chase Freedom Unlimited® (See rates and fees) or Chase Freedom Flex® (See rates and fees).

The main strength of these cards lies in their payout categories. Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, while Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (on the first $1,500 spent each quarter; activation required).

If you have an Ultimate Rewards earning card, e.g Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See rates and fees) You can combine the rewards you earn on your Freedom Cards with your account. Then, you can transfer them to Chase’s 13 partners.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited.

Apply here: Chase Freedom Flex
Apply here: Chasing unlimited freedom

Best for small businesses

Before you skip this because you don’t have a traditional job, wait. You don’t need a big brand or physical store Get approved for a small business card. You can rely on a basic side hustle, such as freelancing, walking dogs, or driving for Uber.

If you need a good business card that earns transferable rewards with no annual fee, consider this The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (See rates and fees).

This card is different from the others I’ve recommended so far in that it doesn’t have any additional classes.

Instead, cardmembers will earn 2 points per dollar spent (up to $50,000 in spending each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). Although this won’t give you as many points as using a card with additional denominations, it’s a great option for those who don’t want to keep track of their spending.

American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to 20 partners, which is approximately equal to the number of partners available with Bilt Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. I’ve been a member of the Membership Rewards ecosystem for a few years now, so I’m impressed with the flexibility and versatility of the program.

To learn more, check out our full review of Amex Blue Business Plus.

Apply here: Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express

Best for simplicity

The Blue Business Plus card may be the best business card on this list, however The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great alternative for those who want a consumer card instead.

He gets a flat rate on all purchases instead of dividing rewards into additional categories. Cardholders earn 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, and earning rewards is not limited to a maximum spending limit.

Capital One has more than 15 transfer partners, which puts it in the middle of the pack. I’m not a member of the Capital One ecosystem, but many TPGers enjoy earning Capital One miles and transferring them to partners like Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles.

To learn more, check out our full review of VentureOne Rewards.

Learn more: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Bottom line

All of these cards are available without an annual fee, and you can transfer their rewards to loyalty partners. The card that fits best in your wallet will depend on your spending habits and whether you’re open to having more than one card. Some of these cards work best when combined with cards that have annual fees, while others reach their full potential on their own.

Whether you’re new to points and miles or just looking for a way to boost your portfolio, consider one of these cards with no annual fee. You don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket every year to enjoy the benefits of transferable bonuses.

Related to: Earn rewards on your budget with no annual fee credit card strategies

For Amex Blue Business Plus rates and fees, click here.