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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
6 no-annual-fee credit cards that earn transferable rewards
Featured image by HINTERHAUS PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
October 31, 2025 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Several no-annual-fee cards allow cardholders to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners, offering more flexibility than typical entry-level options.
Some cards provide unique benefits, such as earning rewards on rent payments without extra charges or allowing users to select bonus categories each quarter.
Combining certain no-annual-fee cards with others in the same rewards ecosystem can unlock additional transfer options and maximize value.
These products appeal to both newcomers to points and miles and those seeking to avoid out-of-pocket costs while still accessing transferable rewards.
What to consider
Eligibility for business cards may extend to freelancers or side hustlers, not just traditional business owners.
Some cards require a minimum number of transactions per billing cycle to unlock bonus rewards, and transfer ratios to partners can vary by product.
Maximizing transfer value may require pairing a no-annual-fee card with another card in the same rewards program that has broader transfer privileges.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of each card's standout features, including which loyalty partners are available and how to optimize combinations for greater rewards flexibility.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Some no-annual-fee options can offer more than just a basic set of perks, though. Several cards from major issuers offer cardholders the choice to transfer their rewards to airline and hotel partners.
If you've been reading TPG for any length of time, you know that transferring your rewards to partners will usually net the most value. Doing that 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 rack up rewards more quickly than many other expenses. I've used my rent to help me earn welcome bonuses with high spending requirements.
The downside to this: Generally, paying rent with a credit card will incur a fee. That's where the Bilt Mastercard®* comes into play. With this card, you'll earn bonus Bilt Points on rent (up to 100,000 points per year) without incurring any annoying fees.
The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been 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 a Bilt adviser and investor.
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Just keep in mind that you'll need to make at least five transactions each billing cycle to earn bonus points. That means you can't just charge your rent to this card and forget about it.
Bilt points can be transferred to some high-value partners. For example, it's the only rewards currency that can be transferred to Atmos Rewards, so Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines fans especially will want to strongly consider the Bilt Mastercard.
Note that Strata Card holders can transfer points to AAdvantage at a 1:0.7 ratio. To get a better 1:1 transfer ratio, you'll need a card such as the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see ).
Despite that limitation, the Strata Card still offers some solid perks. Cardholders can choose a self-select category each quarter to earn 3 points per dollar spent in. I'm considering this card in the future once my 5/24 status is in a better spot. I like the ability to flex a bonus category around my spending habits, and this card also has an easily achievable welcome bonus.
The main strength of these cards is in their earning categories. The Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, while the Freedom Flex earns 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (on the first $1,500 in spending each quarter; activation required).
Before skipping this one because you don't have a traditional business, hold on. You don't need a large brand or physical store to get approved for a small-business card. A basic side hustle, like freelancing, dog walking or Uber driving, can count.
This card differs from the others I've recommended so far in that it doesn't have any bonus categories.
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Instead, cardmembers will earn 2 points per dollar spent (on up to $50,000 in spending each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). While that won't net you as many points as using a card with bonus categories, it's a great choice for those who don't want to bother tracking their spending.
American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to 20 partners, almost as many as those available with Bilt Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. I've been in the Membership Rewards ecosystem for a couple of years now, so I'm a fan of the program's flexibility and versatility.
The Blue Business Plus might be the top business card on this list, but the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great alternative for those wanting a consumer card instead.
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It earns a flat rate on all purchases instead of divvying up rewards into bonus categories. Cardholders earn 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases, and bonus-earning isn't restricted by a spending cap.
All of these cards are available for no annual fee, and you can transfer their rewards to loyalty partners. Which card fits your wallet best 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 power up your wallet, consider one of these no-annual-fee cards. You don't need to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket every year to enjoy the benefits of transferable rewards.
