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Premium credit cards tend to get most of the hype. In exchange for sky-high annual fees, you get a suite of benefits, ranging from exclusive lounge access to a coupon book full of statement credits that can take a lot of planning to maximize.
However, several no-annual-fee credit cards earn transferable point currencies. These cards enable you to access lucrative transfer partners without paying any additional money to keep the card in your wallet. While these cards are lighter on travel benefits, they are also much lighter on your budget.
These are the best no-annual-fee credit cards for earning transferable rewards. We've sorted them by bank, comparing and contrasting the benefits of each one.
Page Contents
Overview of No-Annual-Fee Cards With Transferable Rewards
For a quick overview, here are the 9 cards we’ll be covering in this post. The table below also shows which transferable currency each card earns and how many transfer partners each program offers.
| Card Name | Type of Rewards Earned | Number of Transfer Partners |
|---|---|---|
| The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees) | Amex Membership Rewards | 20 |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | Capital One miles | 22 |
| Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business | Capital One miles | 22 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card | Marriott Bonvoy points | 37 |
| Citi Strata℠ Card (Rates & Fees) | Citi ThankYou® Points | 21 |
| Citi Double Cash® Card (Rates & Fees) | Citi ThankYou® Points | 21 |
| Citi Custom Cash® Card | Citi ThankYou® Points | 21 |
| Wells Fargo Autograph® Card (Rates & Fees) | Wells Fargo Rewards | eight |
| The Bilt Mastercard® (Rates & Fees) (no longer open to new applicants) | Bilt Rewards | 22 |
Related: What Are the Best Flexible Rewards Points for Free Travel?
American Express
Transferring American Express Membership Rewards to airline transfer partners provides some of their best value. As of now, there is only one card available that earns these points without annual fees.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Key features of the Blue Business Plus (Rates & Fees) include:
- 2x Membership Rewards on the first $50,000 spent annually; 1x on purchases after that.
- Expanded buying power offers wiggle room beyond the set credit limit.
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.99% - 26.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You've got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
While Expanded Buying Power doesn't mean there's no credit limit, it does mean Amex gives individual consideration based on card use, payment and credit history, and other factors.
Related: Amex Blue Business Plus Full Review
Capital One
Capital One miles come in handy for airline and hotel partner transfers, including these North American sweet spots. The first card earns miles directly; the second earns cash back, though there's an option for turning these earnings into miles. The third is a business card, perfect for small businesses that want to earn miles without incurring an annual fee.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One VentureOne is the introductory card in the Venture Card family, but it still provides access to the same transfer partners as its more expensive siblings. You'll earn 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Earn $300 in travel bonuses with a limited-time $100 Capital One Travel credit, plus earn 20K bonus miles with $500 spend within 3 months from account opening - that's equal to $300 in travel
- 1.25 Miles on every purchase
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 18.99% - 28.99% variable APR after that
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 annual fee
- 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5 Miles per dollar on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
You don't need to hold a Capital One card with an annual fee to transfer miles from the Capital One VentureOne to all 22 airline and hotel partners. In addition, while not the best redemption value, you can use your miles as a credit against travel purchases made in the past 90 days.
Related: Capital One VentureOne Full Review
Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business
The Spark Miles Select is an excellent option for small businesses that don't want to pay an annual fee, earning a flat 1.5 miles per dollar spent. Plus, the welcome bonus of 50,000 Miles has a much lower spending threshold than many other business cards — you can earn it once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 50,000 Miles Miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening; worth $500 in travel if redeemed for a fixed-value, or potentially much more when transferred to airline partners
- 1.5 Miles per $1 on every purchase
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 annual fee
- 5X Miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 1.5 Miles per $1 on every purchase.
You'll have access to all of Capital One's transfer partners, and you'll enjoy a few travel benefits, like Hertz Five Star status and some travel protections. You can get free employee cards, and take advantage of several standard business benefits like year-end summaries, purchase records, and the ability to assign an account manager.
Related: Capital One Spark Miles Select for Business Full Review
Chase
Chase offers numerous credit cards, and Ultimate Rewards transfer partners can be incredibly valuable. However, Chase has one of the strictest credit card application rules in its 5/24 policy, so ensure you understand that before applying for either of these cards.
Chase issues several no-annual-fee Freedom- and Ink-branded cards, but none of these cards earn transferable points on their own. To access transfer partners, you'll need to pair those cards with an annual fee, and then you can combine your Chase rewards.
However, there is one Chase-issued no-annual-fee card that earns transferable points…
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Surprise! You can transfer Marriott points to nearly 40 different airline partners, with most at a 3:1 ratio, up to 240,000 points per day. Thus, the Bonvoy Bold is a no-annual-fee card with points transfers, also offering the following benefits:
- 5 annual Elite Night Credits qualifying cardholder and automatic Marriott Silver Elite status.
- 3X Bonvoy points per $1 spent at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
- 3X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 2X points on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains)
- 1X point on all other purchases
Visa Signature benefits also come with the card, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay coverage, and purchase protection.
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Full Review
Citi
Many Citi ThankYou® Rewards Points travel partners overlap with other banks, including Choice Privileges (Amex, Capital One, and Wells Fargo also transfer to Choice). However, Citi points transfer to Choice 1:2, making this a sweet spot for your Citi points.
As you consider the following cards, remember that you won't be approved for more than one Citi card in an eight-day period or more than two Citi cards in a 65-day period.
Citi Strata℠ Card
The Citi Strata Card (Rates & Fees) is the no-annual-fee card in the full Citi Strata lineup. It has a very impressive earning potential:
- 5X – Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ via cititravel.com
- 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
- 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Supermarkets
- 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on Select Transit purchases
- 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Gas and EV Charging Stations
- 2X – Earn 2 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Restaurants
- 1X – Earn 1 ThankYou® Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- For a limited time, earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months; after that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
- Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com; earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at Supermarkets, on Select Transit purchases, and at Gas & EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at Restaurants; earn 1 ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
- No Annual Fee
- 5X – Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ via cititravel.com
- 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
- 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Supermarkets
- 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on Select Transit purchases
- 3X – Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Gas and EV Charging Stations
- 2X – Earn 2 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Restaurants
- 1X – Earn 1 ThankYou® Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Although it's light on other benefits, the earning potential alone is enough to make you consider applying for the card. Note that although you can access Citi's transfer partners, your points will transfer at a lower ratio than with the Citi Strata Premier® Card (Rates & Fees) or Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (Rates & Fees).
For instance, you can transfer points from your Citi Strata Card to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 1:0.7 ratio. If you paired this card with the Citi Strata Premier, you could combine your rewards and transfer at a 1:1 ratio.
Related: Citi Strata℠ Card Full Review
Citi Double Cash® Card
The Citi Double Cash (Rates & Fees) is marketed as a cash back card, but your cash back is fulfilled as ThankYou Points. You can access the same transfer partners at the same ratio as the Citi Strata Card. As a cardholder, you'll earn:
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
If you're looking to pay down debt or finance a larger purchase, this card also comes with one of the best available introductory APR offers on balance transfers.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. - Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.74% - 27.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
This card gives you the best of both worlds — access to transfer partners while also being able to redeem for cash back if you choose.
Related: Citi Double Cash Card Full Review
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Just like with the Citi Double Cash, the Citi Custom Cash is marketed as earning cash back, but the rewards are actually provided as ThankYou Points. You'll have access to the same transfer partners at the same rate at the other no-annual-fee Citi cards on this list.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal.
- Earning rates adjust to your spending automatically.
- Sign-up bonus of $200 in cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening, issued as 20,000 ThankYou® Points
- 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category on up to $500 of purchses each billing cycle
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for--the top earning category adjusts automatically each month to the eligible category in which you spend the most.
- Excellent intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent
- 1% cash back thereafter, plus, you'll earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- Eligible spending categories are: Restaurants, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Select Travel, Select Transit, Select Streaming Services, Drugstores, Home Improvement Stores, Fitness Clubs and Live Entertainment.
- Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal.
Possible 5% cash back categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, and more. While this card is a World Elite Mastercard like the Freedom Flex, it doesn't offer the full range of benefits like cellphone insurance, Lyft, DoorDash, or Fandango perks. If you want to build a Citi quadfecta, the Citi Custom Cash is a great place to start.
Related: Citi Custom Cash Full Review
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo has transfer partners on its own card products, and it also issues The Bilt Mastercard® (Rates & Fees), which has its own distinct set of transfer partners. Both programs can deliver top value, but keep in mind that Wells Fargo won't approve you for more than one card every six months and restricts cardmembers to one welcome bonus every 15 months across its cards.
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Wells Fargo joined the club of banks offering rewards that can be transferred to partner loyalty programs in April 2024. Although the list of options isn't as large as some of the longer-established transferable currencies, the eight Wells Fargo transfer partners can deliver excellent value. Cardholders of the Wells Fargo Autograph(Rates & Fees) earn
- 3x on travel – including airfare, hotels, car rentals, timeshares, cruises, and more
- 3x on transit – including parking, tolls, subways, ride shares, railways, ferries, and more
- 3x on dining – including dining in, take-out, catering, delivery and more
- 3x at gas stations – including gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
- 3x on phone plans – including landline providers and cell phones
- 3x on streaming services
- 1x on other purchases
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
- Earn unlimited 3X points on the things that really add up - like restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases.
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable APR thereafter.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Redeem your rewards points for travel, gift cards, or statement credits. Or shop at millions of online stores and redeem your rewards when you check out with PayPal.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- 3x on travel – including airfare, hotels, car rentals, timeshares, cruises, and more
- 3x on transit – including parking, tolls, subways, ride shares, railways, ferries, and more
- 3x on dining – including dining in, take-out, catering, delivery and more
- 3x at gas stations – including gas stations and electric vehicle charging stations
- 3x on phone plans – including landline providers and cell phones
- 3x on streaming services
- 1x on other purchases
You'll also receive benefits like cellular telephone protection, a rental car collision damage waiver, and access to Autograph Exclusives. It also doesn't charge any foreign transaction fees, which is relatively uncommon for cards that don't charge an annual fee.
Related: Wells Fargo Autograph Full Review
The Bilt Mastercard®
Let's get cons of the Bilt Mastercard (Rates & Fees) out of the way: It didn't offer a welcome bonus, and you have to make five transactions on the card monthly to earn Bilt Points, and it's no longer open to new applicants as Bilt anticipates the launch of three new cards. Despite these drawbacks, what other card allows you to pay rent without transaction fees (up to 100,000 points in a calendar year)?
In other words, if you have it, keep it!
As a cardholder, you'll earn:
- 3x points on dining
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
- 1x points on other purchases
- *You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points—see Rewards & Benefits.
- 3x points on dining
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
- 1x points on other purchases
- *You must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points—see Rewards & Benefits.
Plus, on the first day of every month, earn even more points spending in various Rent Day categories (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points). On top of that, the Bilt Mastercard offers competitive travel and purchase protections. Bilt has a solid list of transfer partners, allowing you to unlock maximum value from your hard-earned rewards.
Related: Bilt Mastercard Full Review
Bottom Line
With this many choices, there's bound to be a no-annual-fee card earning transferable points that fits in your wallet. Several need to be paired with other cards from the same bank to unlock even more value for your points and miles, but some cards provide points transfers independently and don't require a companion.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Citi Double Cash® Card (Rates & Fees), Citi Strata℠ Card (Rates & Fees), The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), Citi Strata Premier® Card (Rates & Fees), and Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (Rates & Fees)
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