5 Rent-Friendly Credit Cards That Don’t Charge Extra Fees
🏡 Paying rent with a credit card can be a great way to earn points, improve cash flow, and even build credit—but those processing fees? Not so great. Fortunately, in 2025, several credit cards are designed to help you pay rent without extra fees. This guide highlights the best no-fee rent credit cards and how to use them smartly.
Why Use a Credit Card to Pay Rent?
- 💰 Earn points, miles, or cashback on your rent
- 📈 Build a strong payment history for your credit score
- 📆 Add flexibility to your monthly cash flow
- 🎁 Take advantage of sign-up bonuses and rewards
Top 5 Rent-Friendly Credit Cards With No Extra Fees (2025)
1. Bilt Mastercard® – The Only Card Built for Rent
Bilt Mastercard is currently the only credit card that allows you to pay rent without any fees—even if your landlord doesn’t accept cards. Through the Bilt app, payments are processed as rent checks or ACH, bypassing typical fees.
- 🏠 No fee to pay rent through Bilt
- 💳 1x on rent, 2x on travel, 3x on dining
- 🛡️ No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® – Great for Bonus Travel Rewards
While Chase doesn’t offer fee-free rent payments directly, you can use platforms like Plastiq to pay your landlord. Occasionally, Plastiq runs promotions that reduce or eliminate fees for Chase customers, making this a strong choice when leveraged correctly.
- ✈️ 2x points on travel and dining
- 🎁 Generous sign-up bonus
- 🔄 Point transfers to travel partners
3. Citi® Double Cash Card – Simple, Consistent Cash Back
The Citi Double Cash Card offers 2% back on everything—1% when you buy, and another 1% when you pay. Use it with any rent service offering reduced fees, and you could cancel out any costs with your rewards.
- 💵 2% total cash back (1% + 1%)
- 💳 No annual fee
- 🔄 Works well with promo-based rent platforms
4. Venmo Credit Card – Peer-to-Peer Rent Flexibility
Have a landlord or roommate that accepts Venmo? Then this card is a great fit. You’ll earn up to 3% cash back in your top spending category, plus the convenience of paying rent directly through your Venmo balance.
- 📱 Up to 3% cash back (automatically applied)
- 💳 Seamless Venmo integration
- 📊 Tracks spending across categories
5. American Express Blue Cash Preferred® – Offset Fees With Rewards
Although Amex isn’t ideal for rent directly, this card’s high cash back rates on groceries and streaming allow you to offset rent-related fees if using a service like Plastiq or RentTrack.
- 🛒 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets
- 🎬 6% on select streaming subscriptions
- 🚗 3% on transit and gas
Pro Tips for Paying Rent With a Credit Card in 2025
- 📲 Use rent-specific platforms like Bilt for no-fee transactions
- 🎯 Monitor your credit utilization (aim for < 30%)
- 🧠 Always pay your balance in full to avoid interest
- 🎁 Take advantage of promo codes or first-time fee waivers from platforms like Plastiq
Explore More
📘 Freelancers can also benefit from strategic credit card use. Check out our complete guide: Credit Cards For Freelancers for 2025 recommendations.
FAQs – Rent Payments With Credit Cards
Can I really pay rent with a credit card and avoid fees?
Yes—cards like Bilt Mastercard make this possible, and platforms like Venmo or Plastiq occasionally offer fee-free options.
Will using a credit card for rent hurt my credit?
Not if managed correctly. Paying on time and keeping balances low can improve your credit over time.
What’s the best way to avoid rent payment fees?
Use a rent-optimized card like Bilt or find limited-time promotions on platforms like Plastiq. You can also negotiate payment methods with your landlord.
Final Thoughts
Rent is likely your biggest monthly expense—so why not earn rewards on it? With these 5 rent-friendly credit cards, you can pay rent in 2025 without the burden of extra fees. Choose the right card, the right platform, and enjoy smarter money management every month.