Best Credit Cards for Paying Rent With No Fee [2025 Guide]
Best Credit Cards for Paying Rent With No Fee [2025 Guide]
🏠 Tired of paying fees just to pay your rent with a credit card? In 2025, you don’t have to. A select few credit cards now allow rent payments without transaction fees, giving you a way to earn points or cash back on your biggest monthly expense. In this guide, we’ll explore the best no-fee rent payment credit cards available and how to use them smartly.
Why Use a Credit Card to Pay Rent?
- 💳 Earn points or cash back
- 📅 Improve your on-time payment history
- 📈 Boost your credit score over time
- 💰 Use sign-up bonuses to cover rent costs
- ⚙️ Automate payments through apps like Bilt or Plastiq
Top 5 Credit Cards That Let You Pay Rent Without Fees
1. Bilt Mastercard® – Designed for Rent Payments
The Bilt Mastercard is the go-to choice for renters. It’s the only major card that lets you pay rent through their platform without any processing fees—even if your landlord doesn’t accept credit cards directly.
- 🏡 No fee to pay rent via Bilt app
- 🎯 Earn 1x on rent, 2x on travel, 3x on dining
- 💳 No annual fee
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® – Flexible Rewards Strategy
Use this card with platforms like Plastiq to pay rent. Though Plastiq usually charges a fee, Chase cardholders can sometimes access fee-waiver promotions, making this card a solid workaround.
- 🛫 2x points on travel and dining
- 🔁 Transfer points to airline & hotel partners
- 🎁 Valuable sign-up bonus (often $750+ in value)
3. Citi® Double Cash Card – Best Flat Rate Cash Back
Earn 2% on everything: 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay it off. If you find a rent platform with a promo or discount, this is an excellent tool to squeeze out value from your rent.
- 💰 2% total cash back
- 💳 No annual fee
- 🧾 Great for consistent bill payments
4. Venmo Credit Card – Best for P2P Rent Transfers
If your landlord or roommates accept Venmo, this card is a winner. It offers up to 3% cash back in your top spending category each month—including eligible digital payments.
- 📱 3% cash back in top category
- 💳 No annual fee
- 🔄 Integrated with your Venmo wallet
5. American Express Blue Cash Preferred® – Offset Rent With High Rewards
Use this card to rack up huge rewards on groceries and streaming. Then use the cash back to offset any rent-related service fees if you can’t avoid them entirely.
- 🛒 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year)
- 🎬 6% back on select streaming
- 🚗 3% on transit & gas stations
How to Avoid Rent Payment Fees With Credit Cards
Not all landlords accept credit cards directly. However, apps like Bilt, Plastiq, Venmo, and even PayPal can help bridge the gap. Some offer fee-free rent payment promotions—especially for first-time users. Always read the fine print and consider pairing those services with reward-rich credit cards.
Tips to Maximize Your Rent Payments
- 🧠 Pay your balance in full to avoid interest
- 🎁 Use cards with intro bonuses or high cash back
- 💡 Automate payments through Bilt or Plastiq
- 💳 Don’t exceed 30% credit utilization
Also Read
📘 If you’re a freelancer or side hustler, don’t miss: Credit Cards For Freelancers — a handpicked list tailored for independent earners in 2025.
FAQs – Paying Rent With Credit Cards in 2025
Do all credit cards charge fees for rent payments?
No. Cards like the Bilt Mastercard waive rent payment fees entirely when used through their app. Others may work with third-party apps that offer periodic fee waivers.
Can paying rent with a credit card hurt my credit?
Not if you’re smart about it. Keeping your balance low and paying off each month can actually boost your score by improving your payment history and credit mix.
Are rewards worth the risk of using a card for rent?
If you avoid interest and fees, absolutely. You can earn hundreds of dollars in rewards annually just from paying rent.
Final Thoughts
Paying rent with a credit card used to mean wasting money on fees. But in 2025, smart options like the Bilt Mastercard and reward-focused strategies make it not only possible—but profitable. With the right combination of tools, you can pay rent, earn rewards, and build credit—without any extra cost.