Paying your monthly bills with a credit card can be not only convenient, but also lucrative, as you will likely be able to earn rewards such as miles, points, or cashback. In addition, there are some credit cards that offer great benefits such as mobile phone insurance, giving you extra protection when choosing to pay with plastic.
Consumers can also set up automatic payment for certain bills with a credit card so they don’t miss a due date. If you use a bonus card or cashback card and pay off the entire balance in full every month, the rewards you earn can be a huge bonus. For those already wondering which credit card is best for paying bills, check out our favorite options.
US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature: Best for Utilities and Mobile Operators
Why did we choose this: Offering one of the highest cashback rates among flexible bonus cards, the US Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature* Card gives cardholders the opportunity to earn 5% cashback on their first $2,000 on combined eligible purchases each quarter in two categories of their choice. Among the categories, you can choose utilities, mobile operators, streaming services, and more. Just pay your monthly bills with this card and get high cash payouts.
You can also earn 2% cashback on one daily category including petrol and electric vehicle charging stations, grocery stores or restaurants. On all other eligible purchases, you will receive 1% Cashback.
pros
- No annual fee
- $200 bonus if you apply online and spend $1,000 within 120 days.
- 5% cash back on prepaid flight, hotel and car reservations booked at the US Bank Rewards Travel Center.
- 0% APR on new purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles (14.24-24.24% vary thereafter)
Minuses
- Limited redemption options
- You can change two categories of 5% cashback only once a quarter
Who should apply: This card will appeal to families with large utility and mobile phone bills. This card will also be appreciated by those who drive electric vehicles and often charge at charging stations. Flexible bonus categories of the card are also suitable for anyone who spends money irregularly; for example, your utility bills may only be high during the winter months.
Who should miss: If your monthly spending is regularly focused on fixed categories, you will find that flexible categories are unnecessary. And if you don’t primarily redeem your cash rewards in the form of cash or statements, you’re probably not a good fit for this card.
Chase Freedom Flex: The Best Mobile Payment Solution
Why did we choose this: Although Chase Freedom Flex℠ does not earn a refund on mobile phone bills, it provides mobile phone protection if you pay your monthly bill with a card. Card mobile phone protection covers up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year against theft or damage to phones on your monthly mobile phone bill. You can file up to two claims within 12 months.
In terms of rewards, Chase Freedom Flex is a great cashback credit card. It gives you 5% cashback on rotating bonus categories (up to $1,500 per quarter) for categories you must redeem, 5% cashback on Lyft purchases (until March 2022), 5% cashback on rides booked through Chase , 3% cashback. back on purchases at a restaurant and a pharmacy and 1% on regular purchases.
pros
- $200 if you spend $500 in the first three months
- No annual fee
- Transferring Points to a Chase Travel Premium Card
- Flexible repayment options
Minuses
- $1,500 Category Rotation Spending Limit
- Categories must be activated before receiving 5% cashback.
Who should apply: If you like to connect cards to maximize travel points, Chase Freedom Flex won’t let you down.
Who should miss: If you think you’ll forget to activate categories quarterly, skip it. Anyone who prefers to be rewarded directly on their monthly bills instead of protection should also skip.
Citi Double Cash Card: Best for paying all monthly bills at the same time
Why did we choose this: Citi® Dual Cash Card offers an amazing cash back benefit by allowing cardholders to receive up to 2% cash on all purchases – 1% when you spend and another 1% when you pay for your purchases.
While this card’s cashback rate may not be as lucrative for certain bonus categories, cardholders who prefer to streamline payments with the same card can benefit from a consistent flat reward rate on every purchase. Paying all your monthly bills together is a smart way to save up cash to increase your monthly budget.
pros
- No annual fee
- No category restrictions
- Flexible repayment options
- Transfer cash back to Citi ThankYou points (from $1 to 100 ThankYou points)
Minuses
- No signup bonus
- Rewards expire if the card is inactive for more than 12 months
Who should applyA: Minimalists who like to put all their spending on one or two cards should apply.
Who should missA: If you’re into card optimization and looking to charge monthly fees and nothing else, returns of up to 2% may be too low for your efforts.
Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Best for Business Expenses
Why did we choose this: Credit Card Ink Business Cash® should be a calling card for business owners who want to earn more by paying business expenses. It offers 5% cashback at stationery stores, plus internet, cable, and phone service (for the first $25,000 on combined purchases per year). In addition, cardholders receive 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants (for the first $25,000 on combined purchases per year) and 1% on all other purchases.
To help business owners earn even more, all Ink products offer employee cards at no additional cost, so authorized users can earn from these purchases. This is an effective way for business owners to get more rewards for spending their employees.
pros
- No annual fee
- $750 if you spend $7500 in the first three months
- Transfer points to qualifying Ultimate Rewards cards
- 0% initial APR on new purchases for 12 months (from 13.24% to 19.24% thereafter)
Minuses
- $25,000 purchase limit for bonus categories
Who should applyA: Business owners with small office space should apply. In addition, this card may appeal to cardholders who travel for work.
Who should missA: Business owners who spend over $25,000 on bonus categories should skip. If you and your employees often travel around the country or dine with clients, you should look for a business credit card with a higher return in these categories.
Comparison of the best credit cards for paying bills
How do they choose a card with so many options at their disposal? Sometimes it helps to compare all the cards directly in the table:
| Map | Benefit for paying monthly bills | Bonus for registration | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Signature US Bank Cash+™ Card | 5% cashback on their first $2,000 of eligible purchases each quarter across two categories of your choice (including selection of utilities, mobile operators, streaming services, etc.) | $200 bonus if you apply online and spend $1,000 within 120 days. | $0 |
| Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Mobile phone protection when paying a monthly bill with a card | $200 if you spend $500 in the first 3 months | $0 |
| Citi® Dual Cash Card |
|
N/A | $0 |
| Credit Card Ink Business Cash® | 5% cashback on internet, cable, phone, and stationery stores (on purchases up to $25,000 per year) | $750 if you spend $7500 in the first 3 months | $0 |
How to choose the best credit card for paying bills
Before choosing one or two cards from this list, consider the following aspects when narrowing down your choices.
- What is your highest monthly bill? Of course, it would be ideal to be rewarded for all your monthly bills, but this is almost impossible to achieve. You should narrow down your highest monthly bills to one or two categories and choose a credit card that rewards in those categories.
- Is this an additional card? If you’re the type of person who likes to have multiple cards, each with a different purpose, applying for a credit card with specific categories, such as US Bank Cash + Visa Signature cards, will suit you. New cardholders who only need one card should opt for a more generic card such as Citi Double Cash or Chase Freedom Flex.
- Do you care about the spending ceiling? Big spenders who find spending limits a hindrance should, of course, choose cards with no limits. If you’re a frugal spender who finds it easy to keep your spending within your spending limit, a card like the US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card or the Ink Business Cash credit card is the way to go.
bottom line
Bills come like clockwork every month. Smart card holders can plan and earn money, points and other benefits by paying bills with rewarded credit cards.
Paying as many bills as you can with bonus cards can earn you rewards, but be sure to pay the balance in full so the high interest on these credit cards won’t negate your rewards. Researching, planning, and setting up online payment options can go a long way towards being rewarded just for paying your bills.
*All US Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card information was collected independently creditcards.com and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
Editorial disclaimer
The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective judgment of our contributors and is not based on advertising. It was not provided or ordered by credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to our partners’ products.