In today’s fast-paced connected environment, mobile technology has become a necessity. Many businesses have even eliminated landlines altogether and transitioned to operating their businesses solely from a smartphone. Consumers have transitioned as well. In fact, the Pew Research Center has found that 97% of all Americans now own a cell phone.
There’s no doubt that cell phones rule our world — but wireless technology can be expensive. According to the research firm J.D. Power, the average unlimited data cell phone bill has reached $157 per month. That comes out to nearly $500 a month in a household with just 3 smartphones! And, if you own a business (even a small one), your cell phone bill may well exceed those average numbers each month.
So if you’re spending that much for your business’ cell phone service, did you know that you could leverage that expense to earn rewards for paying your cell phone bill, and in some instances receive cell phone insurance protection?
In this article, we’ll cover how to earn rewards when paying your cell phone bill, which business credit cards offer levels of cell phone protection, and how purchase protection and extended warranty coverage work for limited cell phone protection. Let’s take a look!
The Best Overall Business Credit Card for Paying Your Cell Phone Bill
Aside from being one of the best overall business credit cards, the Ink Business Preferred card shines as the go-to credit card for paying your monthly cell phone bill.
You’ll not only earn 3 valuable Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on your monthly wireless bill, but you’ll also receive ongoing cell phone insurance protection!
Just pay your monthly wireless bill with the card (you can set up automatic payments) and you’ll start earning Ultimate Rewards points, plus be eligible for protection.
You’ll receive up to $1000 in coverage if your phone is accidentally damaged, stolen, or if “involuntary and accidental parting” occurs. Your employees’ cell phones are also covered if the lines are listed on your monthly cell phone bill.
Here’s everything else you need to know about Chase cell phone protection:
- To be eligible, you must charge your monthly cell phone bill on your Ink Business Preferred card
- Coverage is supplemental to other insurance such as homeowners/renters policies or your wireless phone insurance program
- Up to $1000 coverage is provided per claim after a $100 deductible
- 3 claims are allowed within every 12-month period ($1,800 total)
- You will need to report the incident within 60 days from the date it occurred
You may qualify for additional cell phone repair or replacement coverage with the extended warranty protection or purchase protection that comes with the Ink Business Preferred card.
Here’s a summary of cell-phone related benefits of the Ink Business Preferred:
- 3x Earnings — Points are earned and then deposited into your Ultimate Rewards account after each statement closes.
- Chase Cell Phone Protection — Pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card and receive protection up to $1000.
- Purchase Protection — Pay for your phone in full, or in part, with your card (even if it’s a gift) and get 120 days of coverage for theft and damage from the date of purchase.
- Extended Warranty — This protection extends the length of the manufacturer’s warranty (of 3 years or less) by an additional year.
How To File a Claim for Chase Cell Phone Protection
Chase cell phone protection covers your phone if it is damaged, stolen, or if “involuntary and accidental parting” occurs.
You can initiate a claim by calling 888-320-9956 or by calling the number on the back of your credit card to be directed to the claims administrator.
Note that you must call within 60 days of the incident and submit a completed claim form with supporting documents within 90 days of the incident.
Supporting documentation that could be requested includes:
- A copy of your credit card statement reflecting that you were paying for the cell phone service during the time of the incident
- An itemized receipt if you purchased a replacement phone
- A copy of the police report if the phone was stolen (must report within 48 hours of the incident)
- Itemized estimate for repair of the cell phone if it was damaged
- Other requested documents related to substantiating the claim
If your claim is approved, you may receive the lesser of $600 (after a $100 deductible) or the cost of the replacement phone minus the $100 deductible.
Notable exclusions for Chase cell phone protection include:
- Cell phone accessories
- Phones purchased for resale
- Theft from checked baggage on a common carrier
- Mysterious disappearance
If you purchased your cell phone with your Ink Business Preferred card, you may have coverage for damage or theft under Chase’s purchase protection. Additionally, you may find the manufacturer’s warranty-related protection under the Chase extended warranty benefit.
For more information on cell phone protection, the extended warranty benefit, and purchase protection, access the Ink Business Preferred card’s benefits guide.
Bottom Line: Don’t select the Ink Business Preferred card just because of its unique cell phone benefits — it’s also a solid Ultimate Rewards-earning business card that earns 3 points per dollar on common business spending categories.
You may have coverage for a damaged phone for a limited period of time with purchase protection. Image Credit: yelantsevv via Adobe Stock
Best Business Credit Cards for Earning Rewards on Cell Phone Bills
If you’re just starting out in business, chances are you could use additional cash added to your bottom line.
These 2 cash-back credit cards not only offer you the opportunity to earn big rewards by paying your cell phone bill — they also do not charge an annual fee!
You’ll earn a generous 5% cash-back on your monthly cell phone bill with the Ink Business Cash card.
Internet, cable, phone services, and office supplies are all 5% bonus spending categories where you can earn cash-back on up to $25,000 in total purchases each year.
While the Ink Business Cash card does not come with cell phone protection coverage, it does offer extended warranty and purchase protection that may provide additional, yet limited, coverage.
Let’s summarize the relevant benefits of the Ink Business Cash card as they relate to your cell phone:
- 5% Cash-Back Earnings — Cash-back is earned in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash-back or transferred to premium Chase credit cards and redeemed for up to 50% more in value. Points could also then be transferred to airline and hotel partners for even greater potential value.
- Purchase Protection — If you purchased your cell phone (in full or in part) with the Ink Business Cash card, you may qualify for Chase purchase protection, which will cover your purchase for 120 days from the purchase date for damage and theft.
- Extended Warranty — Extended warranty coverage on the Ink Business Cash card will add an additional 1 year of warranty to the manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less.
- 0% APR on Purchases —Additionally, the Ink Business Cash card comes with an introductory 12-month 0% APR that would allow you to purchase your phone and pay for it over time with no interest charges. Regular APR, as indicated in the table above, applies after the introductory period lapses.
Bottom Line: For bonus cash-back upfront and ongoing earnings for business expenses, the Ink Business Cash card makes a fine choice for a small business card, both for purchasing your cell phone and paying your monthly cell phone bill.
The Amex Blue Business Cash card stands up to the competition with 2% cash-back on every eligible purchase you make, including common business expenses such as wireless phone services and office supplies, up to $50,000 per year (1% thereafter).
The card also comes with purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, an introductory 0% APR period on purchases (see table above for the regular APR after this introductory period), and periodic Amex Offers.
Here’s what you’ll get with the Amex Blue Business Cash card:
- 2% Cash-Back Earnings — Cash-back is automatically applied as a statement credit on subsequent monthly billing statements.
- Purchase Protection — Charge any portion of your new phone with your card and receive 90 days of protection against damage or theft for up to $1,000 per occurrence.
- Extended Warranty — Extended warranty coverage will provide an additional year of warranty for products purchased in full or in part with your Amex Blue Business Cash card when the manufacturer’s warranty is 5 years or less. Coverage provided matches that of the original warranty and is in excess of other insurance.
- Introductory 0% APR for Purchases — Need to purchase several cell phones for your employees? Utilize the 0% APR period for 12 months from the date of account opening to make your large purchase.
- Amex Offers — Amex Offers can be found on your online account home page. These offers often include statement credits or bonus Membership Rewards points earnings when spending at wireless providers such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and others. You can save hundreds of dollars on these targeted offers.
Bottom Line: The Amex Blue Business Cash card packs a lot of value. With 2% cash-back earnings on all your business expenses (up to $50,000) — including cell phone services and purchases — it’s also a good choice for paying your cell phone bill. Just remember that once you max out the $50,000, you’ll earn just 1%.
You can set up automatic payments to make sure your cell phone bill expenses are earning rewards every month. Image Credit: American Express
Additional Business Credit Cards for Paying Your Cell Phone Bill
When it comes to paying your cell phone bill with your credit card, you may have to make a decision as to whether you value earnings or cell phone protection as most cards don’t offer both.
Here are some additional cards that provide either protection or decent earnings on your cell phone expenses.
While the Amex Business Platinum card offers just 1x earnings for cell phone expenses, you will find valuable cell phone protection when your bill is paid each month with the card.
The Amex cell phone protection provides up to $800 in coverage per claim for damage or theft. There is a limit of 2 claims per 12-month period and a $50 deductible per claim. Leased, borrowed, rented, or prepaid phones are excluded.
Hot Tip: To learn more about Amex cell phone coverage, how it works, how to file a claim, and which cards offer it, check out our overview of this benefit.
Delta Air Lines-Branded Business Cards
With the same cell phone protection as the Amex Business Platinum card, these Delta Branded business cards could be appropriate choices if your business involves frequent travel on Delta Air Lines.
You will earn 1 mile per dollar spent on cell phone expenses with either Delta-branded business card.
Straightforward earnings of 1.5% cash-back on every purchase make the Ink Business Unlimited card another option for paying your business cell phone bill.
Add in the benefit of purchase protection, extended warranty, and 0% APR on purchases for 12 months (regular APR as indicated in the table above applies after the introductory period) — and you’ll see some familiar related benefits for cell phone users.
Additional value can be realized when transferring the Ultimate Rewards points earned on this card to Chase premium credit cards for up to 50% more value.
Hot Tip: If you decide you’d rather pay with a personal card, check out these personal credit cards for paying your cell phone bill.
Earning valuable Membership Rewards points when paying your cell phone bill is a positive, but this card will also earn 2x points on everyday business purchases, up to $50,000 per year. After that, you’ll receive 1x earnings.
In addition to earning 2x points per dollar spent, you’ll enjoy American Express purchase protection and extended warranty benefits.
Bottom Line: Very few cards offer both elevated earnings for cell phone expenses and cell phone protection.
Best Business Credit Cards for Paying Your Cell Phone Bill — Summary
As we’ve mentioned, some cards offer great earnings when paying your cell phone bill with your card while others provide cell phone protection. It’s rare to find a card that offers both.
Here’s how our featured cards stack up when it comes to paying your cell phone bill.
| Card |
Earnings on Cell Phone Services |
Cell Phone Protection |
| Amex Blue Business Cash card |
2% cash-back |
Extended warranty, purchase protection |
| Amex Blue Business Plus card |
2% cash-back |
Extended warranty, purchase protection |
| Amex Business Platinum card |
1 point per dollar spent |
- Up to $800 per claim, a limit of 2 claims per 12-month period, $50 deductible per claim
- Extended warranty, purchase protection
|
| Delta Platinum Business card
Delta Reserve Business card |
1 mile per dollar spent |
| Ink Business Cash card |
5x points per dollar spent |
Extended warranty, purchase protection |
| Ink Business Preferred card |
3x points per dollar spent |
- Up to $600 per claim, a limit of 3 claims per 12-month period, $100 deductible per claim
- Extended warranty, purchase protection
|
| Ink Business Unlimited card |
1.5% cash-back |
Extended warranty, purchase protection |
This is just a sampling of business credit cards that may be a consideration for paying your cell phone bill. If you want to learn more about maximizing rewards in other areas of your business spending, don’t miss our piece on how to maximize rewards from your business purchases.
Final Thoughts
It wouldn’t be prudent to select a business credit card based solely on cell phone benefits, but it does make sense to ensure you’re paying your cell phone bill with a card that earns rewards (and ideally offers some level of protection).
If cell phone services are a major expense to your business, the Ink Business Preferred card may be your best choice for both earning rewards and receiving ongoing protection for you and your employee’s phone service that’s paid for with the card.
For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
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