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Monthly bills can be a headache. Between outdated payment systems, bureaucratic policies, and inconsistent service, taking care of utilities and monthly bills is a project in and of itself. Wouldn’t it be great if you could just automate your utility payments and put them out of your mind?
Some utility companies are built on old systems, so it might not be possible to pay every bill with a card — but in this guide, we’ll show you the best credit cards for paying monthly bills and utilities (electric, gas, heating, water, and more) so you can at least earn lots of rewards for your trouble.
In all cases, you should try to set up autopay with your credit cards if your service providers allow it. Autopay ensures that you don’t miss payment dates and you don’t have to constantly manage your bills every month — juggling all these bills can be an enormous burden!
So if you have lots of monthly recurring bills such as internet, phone, utilities, and streaming, you could be earning thousands of extra points per month just by using the best credit cards.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to scan the credit card rewards landscape for the best options to pay for monthly bills and utilities. Then, we’ll show you the best personal credit cards, followed by the best business credit cards for these purposes.
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.
NEW OFFER: Earn $900 cash-back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
$0 annual fee
Best Business Card for Simple Cash Back
What To Look for in a Credit Card for Monthly Bills and Utilities
The best credit cards for monthly bills and utilities are the ones that reward you the most for these purchases. That might sound obvious, but since there are so many different types of monthly recurring bills out there, you need to figure out where your largest transactions are and focus your research there.
The specific cards we’ve highlighted accumulate lots of transferable points on major monthly payments such as your phone bill, internet bill, streaming subscriptions, and any utilities like water and electricity.
While there isn’t a single card that offers bonus points on every one of those categories above, there are some that offer bonuses on a few of these categories.
Ideally, you’ll want to earn at least 2 points for every dollar you’re spending, avoid huge annual fees, and get the best return on spending overall. Of course, there might be ancillary credit card perks that attract you to a specific credit card, such as travel insurance.
Without further ado, let’s get into our favorite personal credit cards for monthly bills and utilities.
The 5 Best Personal Cards for Monthly Bills and Utilities
1. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Highest Cash Back)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!
Pros
6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select streaming services
6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
1% cash-back on all other purchases
Cons
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. Enrollment required.
Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is our top pick for monthly bills and utilities. You can earn up to 6% cash-back on your purchases, which is about as high as it gets when it comes to cash-back rewards.
Specifically, you will earn:
6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more)
1% cash-back on other purchases
When you consider the fact that transit includes tolls, parking, and other forms of transportation, U.S. streaming subscriptions include Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, and more, and U.S. supermarkets include Trader Joe’s, Smart & Final, Whole Foods, Gelson’s, ALDI, and more, you can really start to understand the rewards you can rack up.
Without a doubt, the most impressive feature of this card is the generous bonus categories of up to 6% cash-back. To sweeten the deal further, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card also offers an awesome statement credit welcome bonus to kickstart your rewards.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card also comes with a $10 monthly Equinox credit, return protection, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and secondary rental car coverage.
2. U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card (Best Cash Back for Utility Bills)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card was made for those looking to maximize and rotate their cash-back rewards across a large range of regular expenses.
This card was made for those looking to maximize and rotate their cash-back rewards across a large range of regular expenses.
Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable).
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is a great card for those looking to maximize their cash-back rewards by earning up to 5% back from a variety of expense categories.
The cardholder gets to choose 2 categories every quarter. It’s also the best cash-back card to use for utility bills, a tricky expense to get solid rewards back for.
Pros
5% cash-back across a large range of expense categories (you choose 2 categories every quarter), including utility bills (a rare perk for a credit card), home utilities, cell phone providers, fast food, TV, internet and streaming services, gym/fitness centers, and more
5% cash-back on prepaid air, hotel, and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
2% cash-back on 1 everyday category, including grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations
1% cash-back on all other purchases
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles; after that, a variable APR currently19.49 – 29.49%
No annual fee
Cons
Your 5% cash-back rewards on the top 2 categories of your choosing are limited to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter
Cash-back for travel expenses must be made through the Rewards Center
$200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose
5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
2% cash back on one everyday category, like Gas Stations/EV Charging Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.74 – 29.74%
No Annual Fee
Terms and conditions apply.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable).
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars or 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency
The U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card is an excellent, no annual fee credit card that often flies under the radar. This credit card allows you to earn up to 5% cash-back on your spending.
First of all, this credit card usually offers a decent welcome bonus, though nothing to write home about. But the real appeal is the fact that you can earn:
5% cash-back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on 2 rotating categories you choose
2% cash-back on 1 everyday category such as gas stations, grocery stores, or restaurants
The bolded options above encompass most typical monthly bills and utilities, which means that earning 5% cash-back on these categories should be easy.
This credit card comes with benefits including no annual fee, a 0% intro APR benefit on balance transfers (not purchases or cash advances), and zero fraud liability.
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited® (Best for Dining & Drugstore Purchases)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.
Matched Cash Back
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.
When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.
Pros
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
5% back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% back on all other purchases
No annual fee
Earn big on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Everyday bonus on dining and drugstores
Straightforward cash-back on all other purchases
Ability to pool points
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Use your card for all your purchases and at the end of your first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned! There is no limit to how much you can earn. Every dollar in cash back rewards you earn is a dollar Chase will match.
Unlimited 1.5% cash back is just the beginning of what you can earn. You’ll enjoy 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24%.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Our favorite Chase personal credit card for paying monthly bills and utilities is the Freedom Unlimited card.
Because you can earn 5% cash-back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, 3% cash-back on dining, and 1.5% cash-back on all other purchases, you’ll start racking up rewards quickly.
The Freedom Unlimited card has no annual fee and offers a 0% introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers, which can help you defer the accrual of interest. Regular APR, as indicated in the above table, applies after the introductory period.
You earn 5%, 3%, or 1.5% cash-back on your purchases with the Freedom Unlimited card, but if you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card, you can convert that into 5x, 3x, or 1.5x points, respectively.
According to our points and miles valuations, you can earn a return on spend of at least 3% on your utilities and monthly bills with the Freedom Unlimited card.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cardis one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.
Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.
Pros
5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge or Plaza Premium Lounges each year
The Capital One Venture card is a hugely popular rewards credit card, perfect for those looking for a huge welcome bonus, simple rewards, and the ability to use transfer partners.
In many ways, this card offers the flexibility of using points for easy redemptions such as statement credits or more advanced techniques such as transfer partnerships.
After earning a hefty welcome bonus when you meet the minimum spending requirements, you can earn unlimited 2x Capital One miles on every purchase you make.
Indeed, this credit card offers 2x miles not just on utilities and monthly bill payments, but all of your purchases. This card also gets you up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.
You’ll enjoy benefits including rental car coverage, lost luggage coverage, travel accident insurance, roadside dispatch, and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).
The card also offers purchase security, extended warranty, zero fraud liability, a low annual fee of $95 (rates & fees), and access to the Capital One Miles program.
Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles
Earning Capital One miles is easy, thanks to the straightforward earning structure of the Capital One Venture card. You can rest assured that you’ll earn at least 2 Capital One miles for every dollar you spend using the Capital One Venture card.
Once you’ve earned the points, you should strongly consider transferring them to partners for terrific flight redemptions such as Qatar Airways Qsuites or ANA business class.
When you transfer your points, you’ll notice a typical transfer ratio of 1:1, though there are a few partners that fall under transfer ratios of 2:1.5 (EVA Air) or 2:1 (Accor Live Limitless).
Other ways to redeem Capital One miles include travel purchases, gift cards, experiences, and more.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
$0
19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
The Citi Double Cash® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!
This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.
Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.
Pros
Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
Flexible redemption options
No annual fee
Cons
No bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees
Lack of premium travel benefits
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.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, 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).
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
This credit card comes with no annual fee and earns 2% cash-back per dollar (1% at purchase and another 1% when you pay, earned as ThankYou Points). But 2 of the most impressive features of this credit card are that there are no caps on your rewards and you have access to ThankYou Rewards, a major transferable points currency.
But before we get into ThankYou Points, let’s talk about this credit card’s other features. Currently, the Double Cash card doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus, but you can access an introductory APR benefit when you sign up.
This credit card also has fraud protection, zero liability for unauthorized purchases, a late fee pass, access to Citi Private Pass, flexible pay dates, and World Elite Mastercard benefits.
Why We Like Earning Citi ThankYou Rewards Points
We mentioned above that your cash-back rewards are earned as Citi ThankYou Points, a major transferable points currency. This is a huge benefit, and the redemption possibilities are amplified if you have a premium ThankYou Rewards card such as the Citi Premier® Card or the Citi Prestige® Card.
By itself, the Double Cash card’s points are redeemable for statement credits, direct deposit, checks, gift cards, and as a transfer to Choice Privileges at a 1:1.5 ratio and Wyndham Rewards and JetBlue TrueBlue at a 1:0.8 ratio. But if you have a premium ThankYou Rewards card, your Double Cash card’s points can be transferred to Citi’s full range of partners for incredible redemptions such as Lufthansa first class and Singapore Airlines First Class Suites.
Indeed, by pairing your Double Cash card with a premium ThankYou Rewards card, you’ll increase the value by 60%, up to 1.6 cents per point, according to our valuations. That means your Double Cash card would earn you a return on spend of 3.2% for your monthly bills and utilities, among other purchases.
The 5 Best Business Cards for Monthly Bills and Utilities
If you’re running a business and are responsible for paying monthly bills and utilities, you’ll need to make sure that your business expenses are totally separate from your personal expenses.
There are some exceptional credit cards you should use for your business’s utilities and monthly bill payments. We’ll show you the best choices in the next section.
1. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (Best Overall Business Card)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash-back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
100,000 points
$2,000
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.
Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.
Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.
Pros
3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
Cell phone protection
Purchase protection
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Rental car insurance
Extended warranty coverage
Cons
No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
The Ink Business Preferred card is our top business credit card winner for monthly bills and utilities.
This credit card is well-known as the king of business credit cards largely because of its huge welcome bonus worth around $2,000, according to our valuations.
Also, the Ink Business Preferred card earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on up to $150,000 in combined purchases every year on internet, cable, and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites.
As you can tell, this bonus covers many types of relevant bills, including your phone and internet bill. And as a business, earning points on these categories can mean amassing thousands of points every month.
You’ll also earn 5x points per dollar on Lyft purchases through March 2025.
The card offers great cell phone protection insurance — up to $3,000 per year via 3 claims every rolling 12 months and $1,000 in coverage per claim with a $100 deductible per claim.
Additional benefits include purchase protection, extended warranty, primary rental car coverage, other travel insurance benefits, no foreign transaction fees, and a low annual fee of $95.
2. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (Best No Annual Fee Business Card for Points)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
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.
15,000 points
$330
No annual fee
18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.
Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.
Pros
2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
Charges foreign transaction fees
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, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® 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.
You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
*The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
The Amex Blue Business Plus card is one of the best business credit cards you can get without an annual fee, and it’s our second-best business credit card for monthly bills and utilities.
The biggest attraction of this card is the fact that you earn 2x Amex Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases, up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year. After that, you’ll revert back to the standard 1x points structure.
With a 0% introductory APR benefit (as shown in the table above, regular APR applies after the introductory period), you’ll save big on interest fees. Also, you’ll find common credit card perks including secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.
Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points
This credit card earns Amex Membership Rewards points, and being able to access the most valuable points currency without having to pay an annual fee is superb.
You can freely redeem your Amex points for cash-back, charity, gift cards, travel bookings through Amex Travel, and merchandise, but our favorite way to use Amex points is through the Amex transfer partners for amazing redemptions.
3. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (Best Business Card for Cash Back Categories)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
$900
$900
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.
When you factor in that the card has no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.
Pros
Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
Travel insurance and purchase protection
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Employee cards at no additional cost
No annual fee
Cons
Spending caps in bonus categories
Low points earning outside of bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
One of our favorite business credit cards, the Ink Business Cash card offers up to 5% cash-back with no annual fee — and it is one of the best business credit cards out there.
The Ink Business Cash card earns:
5% cash-back (on up to $25,000 in combined purchases) on office supply stores and cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
5% cash-back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)
2% cash-back (on up to $25,000 in combined purchases) on gas stations and restaurants
1% cash-back everywhere else
If you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points at a ratio of 1% cash-back to 1x Ultimate Rewards points.
That means your 5%, 2%, and 1% cash-back can be equivalent to 5x, 2x, and 1x Ultimate Rewards points!
This credit card also offers benefits such as free employee cards, primary rental car insurance, travel insurance, and purchase protection.
4. Capital One Spark Miles for Business (Best Business Card for Miles)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
50,000 miles
$900
$0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
26.24% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.
Pros
Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Access to Capital One transfer partners
No foreign transaction fees
Free employee cards
Extended warranty coverage
Cons
Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
The Capital One Spark Miles card is arguably Capital One’s flagship business credit card. Offering an unlimited 2x Capital One miles on every purchase and a great welcome bonus, this business credit card does straightforward rewards right.
You can earn 5x Capital One miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel, too.
This credit card has a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, employee cards for no additional fees, no foreign transaction fees, roadside assistance, purchase protection, extended warranty, zero fraud liability, and more.
5. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (Best Business Card for Simple Cash Back)
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$900
$900
$0
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.
If so, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.
Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Pros
1.5% cash-back on all purchases
No annual fee
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Employee cards at no additional cost
Earn flexible rewards
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The Ink Business Unlimited card is our final business credit card choice for paying bills, but you should take this option seriously because it packs a lot of value into a no-annual-fee credit card.
Much like the Freedom Unlimited card, the Ink Business Unlimited card earns 1.5% cash-back on all your purchases with no caps to earning.
The welcome bonus will get you on the right path to racking up rewards, and the 0% introductory APR allows you to avoid interest in the first year of card membership (regular APR applies after the introductory period).
This card has no annual fee for the primary and any employee cardmembers. The Ink Business Unlimited card offers impressive perks, including primary rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability fraud protection, and more.
But the best part is that if you have an Ultimate Rewards credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can convert your 1.5% cash-back to 1.5x Ultimate Rewards points, which is equal to a 3% return on spend, according to our valuations.
Final Thoughts
We’ve covered some broad credit card options for paying monthly bills and utilities, but you can rest assured that these are the absolute best choices you can pick from.
Whether you’re looking for the most cash-back or the best points-earning structures, there’s an excellent credit card for paying the bills that keep your household or business running.
All of these credit cards have low annual fees, but that doesn’t mean that you’re losing out on any rewards you could be accumulating.
We hope that you’ve found this comprehensive guide useful in helping you narrow down which credit card to use for utility and monthly bill payments.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
The information regarding the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information for the Citi Prestige® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points
Frequently Asked Questions
What bills can I pay with a credit card?
In many cases, you can pay for all your monthly bills and utilities using a credit card. Small service fees may apply if you’re using a credit card, but these are often worth the rewards you would earn.
In some cases, you can’t directly pay for bills using a credit card, which is when you should consider an option such as Plastiq!
Can you pay a water bill with credit card?
In most cases, you can. There are lots of water companies with varying policies, but if you look on their website or give them a call, you can find out if they accept credit card as payment.
If so, you can just change your payment method normally. If not, you may have to use a service such as Plastiq to send them a check and charge the amount to your credit card to earn points.
Should I pay all my bills with a credit card?
In general, you should. The obvious exception is if fees would wipe out the rewards you earn.
For example, if the cost of using a credit card would add another 5% to your bill and the rewards you would earn are only worth around 3%, you’d lose 2%. In that case, it’s probably not a good idea to pay your bills with a credit card.
Is it better to pay bills with credit or debit?
If there are no extra fees (or if the rewards are greater than the fees) and you can pay off your balances in full, you should try to pay bills with credit cards. You could be earning lots of bonus points on purchases you’re making anyway!
Which credit card is best for utility bills?
For personal credit cards, we like the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, the U.S. Bank Cash+ Signature card, the Capital One Venture card, the Double Cash card, and the Freedom Unlimited card.
For business credit cards, we like the Ink Business Preferred card, the Amex Blue Business Plus card, the Ink Business Cash card, the Capital One Spark Miles card, and the Ink Business Unlimited card.
Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
![The 10 Best Credit Cards for Paying Bills & Utilities [2023]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Stack-of-Credit-Cards-Upgraded-Points-LLC.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1420&height=650&fit=crop)
