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The 6 Best Business Credit Cards for Paying Cell Phone Bills [2021]

Cell phone credit card
BY 
Christine Krzyszton
- UPDATED:
  1. Credit Cards  / 
  2. Business

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In today’s fast-paced connected environment, mobile technology has become a necessity. Some 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 95% of all Americans now own a cell phone.

There’s no doubt that cell phones rule our world — but the technology can be expensive.

According to another recent report, the research firm J.D. Power states that the average unlimited data cell phone bill has reached $157 per month.

More astonishing is that one-third of Americans live in a household with 3 or more smartphones! That comes out to nearly $500 a month per home.

That’s a lot of money being spent on cell phone service. And if you own a business (even a small one), your cell phone bill may even exceed those average numbers each month.

So if you’re spending that much for your cell phone service, are you leveraging that expense to earn rewards? And, are you paying extra for cell phone insurance protection?

Did you know that if you use the right business credit card, it’s possible to earn rewards for paying your cell phone bill and receive insurance protection?

It’s true. In this article, we’ll cover:

  • How to earn big rewards when paying your cell phone bill
  • Which business credit cards offer levels of cell phone protection
  • How purchase protection and extended warranty coverage work

Let’s take a look at the most rewarding options for using a business credit card to pay cell phone expenses and get additional cell phone protection.

Best Overall Business Credit Card for Paying Your Cell Phone Bill

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Aside from being one of the best overall business credit cards, the Ink Business Preferred shines as the go-to credit card for paying your monthly cell phone bill.

Credit CardKey Benefits & Info
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Apply Now
(at Chase's secure site)
  • Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • $2,000
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year
  • Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases—with no limit to the amount you can earn
  • 25% more value when redeeming points through Ultimate Rewards® travel
  • Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-850)
  • Annual Fee: $95

Must Reads: For more info on the Ink Business Preferred, see our guides on its benefits, 7 things to do as a new cardholder, and our full review. This is our favorite Chase business credit card.

You’ll not only earn 3 valuable Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on your monthly wireless bill, but you’ll also receive ongoing 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 and be eligible for protection.

You’ll receive up to $600 in coverage if your phone is accidentally damaged, stolen, or “involuntary and accidental parting” occurs.

Also, your employee’s cell phones are 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
  • Coverage is supplemental to other insurance such as homeowners/renters policies and your wireless phone insurance program.
  • Up to $600 coverage is provided per claim after a $100 deductible
  • 3 claims are allowed in 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 and purchase protection that comes with the Ink Business Preferred.

Here’s a summary of cell-phone related benefits of the Ink Business Preferred:

  • 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on your cell phone bill: 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 $600.
  • 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 “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.

Appropriate documents will include:

  • 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 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, you may have coverage for damage or theft under Chase 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, you can access the Ink Business Preferred’s benefits guide here.

Bottom Line: Don’t select the Ink Business Preferred 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. 

Broken phone
You may have coverage for a damaged phone for a limited period of time with purchase protection. Image courtesy of iCracked.com.

Best Business Credit Cards for Earning Rewards on Cell Phone Bills

If you’re just starting out in business, chances are you could use a little extra 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!

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

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 on up to $25,000 in total purchases each year.

While the Ink Cash Card does not come with cell phone protection coverage, it does offer extended warranty and purchase protection that may provide additional but limited coverage.

Let’s summarize the relevant benefits of the Ink Cash Card as they relate to your cell phone:

  • 5% cash-back on your monthly cell phone bill: 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 greater value (up to 50% more).
  • Purchase protection: If you purchased your cell phone (in full or in part) with the Ink 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 Cash Card will add an additional 1 year of warranty to the manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less.
  • 0% APR on purchases for 12 months: Additionally, the Ink Cash Card comes with an introductory 12-month 0% APR, which would allow you to purchase your phone and pay for it over time with no interest charges!

Bottom Line: For bonus cash-back upfront and ongoing earnings for business expenses, the Ink Cash Card makes a fine choice for a small business card, both for purchasing your cell phone and paying your monthly cell phone bill. 

Amex wireless bill
You can set up automatic payments to make sure your cell phone bill expenses are earning rewards every month. Image courtesy of American Express.

American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

The Blue Business Cash Card stands up to the competition with 2% cash-back on every purchase you make including common business expenses such as wireless phone services and office supplies. The card also comes with purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, an introductory 0% APR period on purchases (see table above), and periodic Amex offers.

Here’s what you’ll get with the Blue Business Cash Card:

  • 2% cash-back on your cell phone bill: 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 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 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: Need to purchase several cell phones for your employees? Utilize the 0% APR period for 12 months from date of account opening to make your large purchase. (See the table above for the regular APR after this introductory period.)
  • Amex Offers: “Amex Offers” can be found on your online account home page. These offers often include statement credits or bonus Membership Rewards 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 Blue Business Cash Card packs a lot of value for a no-annual-fee card. With 2% cash-back earnings on all your business expenses — including cell phone services and purchases — it’s also a good choice for paying your cell phone bill. 

Additional Business Credit Cards for Paying Your Cell Phone Bill

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The premium Amex Business Platinum card is worth considering for business owners that travel frequently and can utilize the many benefits that come with the card.

All wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers will earn 5x Membership Rewards points (up to 80,000 points) through June 30, 2021, for existing cardholders prior to November 1, 2020, or new cardholders for 3 months.

Cardmembers also earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on flights and prepaid hotels on Amex Travel, 1.5x points on purchases of $5,000 or more, and 1x points for every other dollar spent.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit 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 — 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.

The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Earning valuable Membership Rewards points when paying your cell phone bill is a positive, but every purchase you make with this card will also earn 2x points per dollar spent.

In addition to earning 2x points per dollar spent, you’ll enjoy American Express purchase protection and extended warranty benefits.

Bottom Line: You don’t have to pay a high annual fee to secure a business credit card that earns rewards for paying your cell phone bill. 

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).

Want to maximize your rewards in other areas of your business spend? Don’t miss our piece on How to Maximize Rewards from Your Business Purchases.

If cell phone services are a major expense to your business, the Ink Business Preferred will ensure you earn rewards and provide 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, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, please click here.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to register my phone for it to be covered?

No, you do not have to register your phone for it to be covered, but there are advantages. Chase recommends registering your phone and uploading documents such as purchase receipts to make the process easier if you have a claim.

If you do need to submit a claim for any cell phone related protection such as extended warranty, purchase protection, or Chase cell phone protection, you will be required to submit supporting documentation.

This documentation could include purchase receipts, existing insurance, repair receipts, or billing statements showing payment of the monthly cell phone bill.

Doesn't my homeowners or renters insurance cover my phone?

Yes, your homeowners or renters insurance policy may provide coverage for your phone. Unfortunately, coverage is limited to certain losses such as fire and theft.

Plus, nearly every homeowners/renters policy has a deductible. The typical deductible can be $500 or more, and that amount would need to be paid before coverage would kick in for a covered loss.

Which is the best credit card for paying my cell phone bill?

The best credit card for paying your cell phone bill will be the one that gives you rewards you can use and one with or without an annual fee (depending on your preference).

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a good choice because it earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points when paying your cell phone bill and delivers ongoing protection if your phone is damaged or stolen.

How does purchase protection work for cell phones?

Each credit card may have a slightly different form of purchase protection, but generally coverage for damage and theft is provided for an item you purchased in full or partially with your credit card.

Some credit cards even cover the item if you purchased it with points earned on that card.

The coverage can be offered for 90-120 days depending on the credit card and where you live.

There are several limitations and items not covered, so you will need to access the benefits guide you receive with your credit card to review the specific terms of the coverage.

How does the extended warranty work for cell phones?

Credit cards that come with extended warranty protection generally add a year to the manufacturer’s warranty for the item purchased.

Terms differ, but generally the manufacturer’s warranty must be 3 years or less (5 years or less on some cards).

The coverage for extended warranty matches that of the manufacturer’s warranty and is secondary to other insurance you might have.

Christine Krzyszton

About Christine Krzyszton

Christine, who lives in Northern Michigan, travels about 300,000 miles a year despite her remote location. Her expertise is traveling the world on a weekend with no pre-determined destination in mind, letting the cost of the airfare determine where she will go. She has over four million flown miles and elite status on all three major domestic carriers.
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