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Most people have bills and utilities to pay every month. While many people pay these bills directly from their checking accounts or with a debit card, you can also use credit cards.
One of the easiest ways to maximize your credit card rewards is to use cards for everyday spending to earn the most points or cash back in your most common categories. This includes your regular bills and utilities. Identifying where you’ll get the most rewards when you pay your monthly bills with a credit card is a great way to boost your earnings on the money you’re already spending.
5%5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose.
5%5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center.
2%2% cash back on one everyday category like Gas Stations and EV Charging Stations, or Grocery Stores (excludes discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs).
1%1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Bankrate’s view
This no-annual-fee card earns 5 percent cash back on purchases in two eligible categories of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined purchases per quarter, then 1 percent), including home utilities. You can use this card to pay for home utilities as well as TV, internet and streaming services, making it easy to rack up the cash back on bills that you need.
Pros
There are 12 categories to choose from for the 5 percent bonus each quarter, including many common bills and utilities.
The sign-up bonus can be easy to achieve.
Cons
The $2,000 cap on bonus spending may not be enough for people with higher expenses.
It doesn’t have many other notable perks or benefits that other cards have.
2%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.
5%Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Bankrate’s view
This card is great for earning on regular expenses that don’t fall into bonus rewards categories. It has no annual fee and earns 2 percent cash back on all purchases — 1 percent when you buy and 1 percent as you pay. You also won’t have to keep track of bonus categories or spending limits. Rewards can be redeemed for cash or basic Citi ThankYou points. With a solid sign-up bonus and one of the best intro APR offers available for balance transfers, this is one of the top flat-rate cash back cards to pay your bills.
Pros
This card is one of the best flat-rate cash back cards available, making this an excellent option for a standalone card for all your bills.
The intro APR offer is competitive for balance transfers.
Cons
Basic ThankYou points can’t be transferred to Citi’s travel partners.
It charges foreign transaction fees, so we don’t recommend using it abroad.
Card Details
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 18.24% – 28.24%, 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).
Apply with confidence
Hover to learn more.
By applying, you can see if you're approved before impacting your credit
6%Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%).
6%Earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3%Earn 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases.
1%Earn 1% cash back on other purchases.
Bankrate’s view
This is one of the best credit cards for groceries. You earn 6 percent cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1 percent) and select U.S. streaming services. To maximize this card, you’ll also get 3 percent cash back on transit and U.S. gas station purchases and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.
Pros
The card has excellent earning rates in numerous categories, making this a great choice for everyday purchases.
It has one of the best rates for groceries and streaming expenses.
Cons
The annual fee might be a deal-breaker for people.
The U.S. supermarkets category doesn’t include wholesale clubs, superstores or online grocery stores.
Card Details
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Low Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 20.24% – 29.24%.
Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at disneyplus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
This card is one of the best cash rewards credit cards available, earning 2 percent cash rewards on purchases. It’s a great choice to pay your cellphone bill since you’ll get cellphone protection, which covers you against damage or theft for up to $600 per claim (maximum of two claims per year), with a $25 deductible. This no-annual-fee card has a solid intro APR and a great cash rewards welcome offer, making it straightforward and easy to use for most people.
Pros
Earning unlimited 2 percent cash rewards on all purchases makes this card an easy choice for any purchase.
This card has no annual fee to eat into your rewards earnings.
Cons
It has no bonus categories to boost your earnings, meaning you can earn more with other cards in specific categories.
Unlike other issuers, this card doesn’t have another Wells Fargo card to pool rewards for additional redemption value.
Card Details
Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
$0 annual fee.
No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
1xEarn 1x points on other purchases, and rent (up to 100,000 points each calendar year). Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points.
Bankrate’s view
This card’s unique feature is earning 1X points for rent payments with no additional fees (up to 100,000 points per year). Any other method of paying rent with a credit card usually charges fees that erase any potential rewards. The first day of every month is Rent Day, which features promotions and double points earned on all purchases (up to 10,000 bonus points). Multiple redemption options include travel, fitness, future rent payments or a saving for a down payment on a home. With spending promotions and bonuses when transferring to travel partners, this card offers flexibility for outsized value redemptions.
Pros
Earning points on rent with no processing fees is a unique feature of this card.
The card has many promotions and bonuses to provide huge value for redemptions.
Cons
Renters with poor credit who would benefit from this card aren’t likely to qualify
There’s no welcome offer, which limits the card’s initial value compared to other cards.
Card Details
$0 Annual Fee
Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
Earns 3x points on dining, 2x on travel, and 1x on other purchases
Earn double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points)
Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
Earn up to 5x Bilt points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card
Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent payments, credit card statement credits, toward a down payment on a home, etc.
Other features and benefits include: Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Purchase Security, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection, Cellular Telephone Protection, and Trip Delay Reimbursement
Select “Apply now” to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
3%3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings
2%2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
1%Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Bankrate’s view
Having bad credit doesn’t always exclude you from earning rewards. This card’s 3 percent cash back categories include cable, internet, phone plans and streaming. Plus, it earns an extra 2 percent on grocery and wholesale club purchases — up to $2,500 in combined 2 and 3 percent category purchases, then 1 percent.
You’ll have to put down a $200 minimum security deposit, but if you only put your cable, internet, phone and streaming plans on this card and pay them off on-time, you can start to build your credit score.
Pros
It earns a high rate of cash back for a secured card with no annual fee.
Bank of America will periodically review your account to determine if you qualify to have your deposit refunded.
Cons
It doesn’t have a welcome offer, but this is typical of secured cards.
The bonus categories are capped to a combined $2,500 in purchases per quarter, which could be limiting, depending on your security deposit amount.
2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
Earn 2% and 3% on up to $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then 1%
$0
No credit history
How to choose the best cards for bills and utility payments
While you don’t have much control over your recurring bills and utilities, what you can control is how you choose to pay them. Some utility companies may charge convenience fees for paying with a credit card, but you may be able to offset it with credit card rewards. No one card will be the correct answer for all of your bills and utilities since they all offer different bonuses and incentives. Here are some things to consider when deciding which cards work best for you.
Choose cash back, points or miles
When choosing the best rewards card for you, decide if you want points, miles or cash back. For points and miles, calculate their worth using our points and miles valuation guide as they can vary among cards and issuers. While points and miles offer the potential for booking trips and vacations, they may lose value if you try to redeem them for cash back.
Cash back is more straightforward. You’ll earn a percentage of your spending back, usually between 1 percent and 5 percent, and can watch that cash back accumulate in your account, knowing it won’t change in value. You can usually redeem those cash back earnings as a statement credit or direct deposit, but you usually need a more complicated plan to redeem points and miles. If you’re just starting out with credit cards, cash back cards are likely your best option.
You’ll want to calculate the value of points or cash back earned, then subtract any convenience or processing fees. It’s worth it to pay bills and utilities with a credit card if it earns at least 3 percent cash back for that spending. For example, if your gas bill company applies a 2 percent processing fee for credit card charges and your card earns 5 percent back on utilities, you’ll earn a net 3 percent cash back.
Other fees and charges can quickly erase the value of your rewards, so consider annual fees, ongoing APRs and intro offers when making your decision.
Consider extra benefits and protections a card gives you when paying your bills and utilities, like cell phone protection and streaming credits. Paying these everyday expenses with a card that has elevated rewards and extra benefits is ideal.
A card offering a unique benefit is a great selling point. For instance, the Bilt Mastercard lets you earn 1X points when paying rent without additional fees. While that might not seem like a lot, most people can’t pay rent using credit cards, and those who can often pay processing fees.
Maximizing your cards for bills and utility payments
Getting the maximum return on your bills and utilities can feel like a puzzle. While you can choose a flat-rate card to keep everything simple, the potential for better value is finding the best return in each category. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Make your payments: Pay your credit card bill in full each month to avoid interest charges and penalty fees. These add up quickly and will easily wipe out the value of any rewards you earn.
Do the math: Calculate whether the rewards earned outweigh any fees. For example, you don’t want to earn only 1 percent on a transaction that charges a 3 percent fee. Make sure the math is in your favor before using a card to pay your bills and utilities.
Autopay: Set up features like autopay to ensure you don’t miss payments on your recurring bills so you can earn consistent rewards on your bills and utilities.
How Bankrate staff maximize their utility and bill payments
Bankrate staff insights
“I pay all the bills and utilities I can with my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — from cellphone and internet to electricity bills. This way, these inevitable expenses allow me to earn travel rewards at 2 miles per dollar. Not a bad deal, considering this spending category rarely earns any bonuses. Definitely check if there are any processing fees associated with using credit cards when you’re setting up the payment. If so, these fees might negate any rewards you earn from such transactions.”
Ana Staples, Bankrate principal credit cards writer
“I picked up the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature in November 2024 because it had a decent intro APR offer, which I used for my holiday spending. I was planning to get the card anyway because I wanted to offset some of my utilities and streaming subscriptions with its high cash back rate. While 5 percent back (up to $2,000 per quarter, then 1 percent) doesn’t really trim my bills down like I really want, I know I’m doing all I can to save more money on home essentials.”
Brendan Dyer, Bankrate credit cards writer
“If I’ve got to pay bills (which I do), then I at least want to get some cash back on these annoying monthly payments. I’ve used a number of different cash back cards for my bills and utilities over the years, but lately I’ve been using my Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card* pretty consistently. It’s not the most exciting cash back card, but its 2 percent flat cash back rate is solid and the rewards go straight to my Fidelity investment account. Bills don’t bring me joy, but investing for my future financial independence does — so my Fidelity card is perfect for these payments.”
John Puterbaugh, Bankrate editorial senior director
What’s next?
To understand what cards you qualify for, enter some basic information into CardMatch™, Bankrate’s prequalification tool. For more insight into what best fits your rewards needs, our Spender Type Tool can point you in the right direction.
Paying your regular bills and utilities can earn plenty of rewards if you’re using the right credit card. Finding the right combination for you can put significant rewards and savings back in your pocket. Just be sure to pay your balance off in full each month, because credit cards charge high interest rates, even to those with the best credit scores. If you can make your payments and the rewards outweigh the fees, you’ll surely come out ahead when paying your everyday recurring expenses.
*The information about the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card and Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
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APA:
Flanigan, R. (2025, March 26). Best credit cards for bills and utility payments. Bankrate. Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://venture-ascend.live/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-for-bill-and-utility-payments/
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Flanigan, Ryan. "Best credit cards for bills and utility payments." Bankrate. 26 March 2025, https://venture-ascend.live/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-for-bill-and-utility-payments/.
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Flanigan, Ryan. "Best credit cards for bills and utility payments." Bankrate. March 26, 2025. https://venture-ascend.live/credit-cards/rewards/best-credit-cards-for-bill-and-utility-payments/.
Ana Staples, Bankrate principal credit cards writer
Brendan Dyer, Bankrate credit cards writer
John Puterbaugh, Bankrate editorial senior director
