The 9 Best Credit Cards for Paying Bills & Utilities [2024]

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Table of Contents

• What To Look for in a Credit Card for Monthly Bills and Utilities
• Best Personal Cards
• Best Business Cards
• Final Thoughts

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The ratings for these cards have 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.

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 Between outdated payment systems, bureaucratic policies, and inconsistent service, taking care of utilities and monthly bills is a project in and of itself.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.

Let’s get started!

Card

Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

Best For

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months.

Best for Cash Back Overall

Earn $200 after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 120 days of account opening

Best Cash Back for Utility Bills

Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back.

Best for Dining and Drugstore Purchases

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

Best for Simple Miles Earnings

Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.

Best for 2% Cash Back

Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Best Overall Business Card

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.

Best No Annual Fee Business Card for Points

Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months.

Best Business Card for Cash Back Categories

Limited Time Offer! Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

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.

For example, big spenders on travel should likely focus on cards such as The Platinum Card ® from American Express, while big spenders on dining should focus on cards such as the American Express ® Gold Card.

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.

Best Personal Cards

Blue Cash Preferred ® Card from American Express (Highest Cash-Back)

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.

Learn More (at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

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 eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 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.

The Blue Cash Preferred ® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.

With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. 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!

• 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
• 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)
Card Highlights
• 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.
• 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 18.74% - 29.74%.
• 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 or at Amazon.com checkout.
• $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
• Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
• APR: 18.74%-29.74% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Rewards Center

Redeem cash-back through your American Express account

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%)
• 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 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 return protection, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and secondary rental car coverage.

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.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.

Annual Fee

0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, 19.49% - 29.74% (Variable).

Credit Recommended

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) Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons
• 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
• 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
Card Highlights
• $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 19.49 – 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, 19.49% - 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
• 1% cash-back on all other eligible purchases

The categories that are eligible to earn 5% cash-back are subject to change quarterly and can include:

• Cell phone providers
• Department stores
• Electronics stores
• Fast food
• Furniture stores
• Ground transportation
• Gyms/fitness centers
• Home utilities
• Movie theaters
• Select clothing stores
• Sporting goods stores
• TV, internet, and streaming services

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.

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!

Learn More (at Chase's secure site)

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Up to $300 cash back Annual Fee

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.

Credit Recommended

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) Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons
• 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 Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 3% foreign transaction fee
Card Highlights
• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• 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!
• 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 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, 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
Rewards Center

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 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.

Additional card benefits include purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, zero liability protection, fraud protection, secondary rental car coverage, and more.

But one of the biggest reasons why we love this card is that you can convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points with an Ultimate Rewards credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve ® , or Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

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.

Once you convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points at a 1% to 1x ratio, you can then transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to numerous Chase hotel and airline partners and use them for first and business class flights or luxury hotel stays.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (Best for Simple Miles Earnings)

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! Welcome Offer

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 UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) Credit Recommended

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) Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is 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 & Cons
• 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• $95 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Limited elite benefits
Card Highlights
• 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
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Financial Snapshot
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

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 $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

You’ll enjoy benefits including MasterRental Insurance, Lost or Damaged Luggage Reimbursement, Travel Assistance Services, Master RoadAssist, and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

The card also offers purchase assurance, a low annual fee of $95 , and access to the Capital One Miles program (rates & fees).

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.

Citi Double Cash ® Card (Best for 2% 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.

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!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

$200 cash back Annual Fee 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable Credit Recommended

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) Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons
• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No annual fee
• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees
Card Highlights
• Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This 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.
• 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).
• Citi Double Cash ® Card Travel Portal Limited Time Offer: Earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel SM portal on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou and saying “Travel.” Offer is valid through 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) 12/31/2024.
Financial Snapshot
• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
Rewards Center

Our next best personal credit card for monthly bills is the Double Cash card, one of the best no-annual-fee rewards credit cards.

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 Strata 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.

Best Business Cards

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.

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.

Learn More (at Chase's secure site)

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.

Welcome Offer

Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

90,000 Points UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 21.24%-26.24% Variable Credit Recommended

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) Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons
• 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
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
Card Highlights
• Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• 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 Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
• APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

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 31, 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.

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.

Learn More (at Amex's secure site)

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Welcome Offer

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 UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee No annual fee 17.99% - 25.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening Credit Recommended

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 (670-840) Why We Like This Card

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

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 & Cons
• 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
• 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
Card Highlights
• 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, 17.99% - 25.99%, 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: 17.99% - 25.99% 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.
Rewards Center

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.

This credit card uniquely accesses both Amex Offers and the award-winning Amex Membership Rewards program without paying an annual fee.

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 AmexTravel.com, and merchandise, but our favorite way to use Amex points is through the Amex transfer partners for amazing redemptions.

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.

Learn More (at Chase's secure site)

This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.

Welcome Offer

Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.

UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; 18.49% - 24.49% variable thereafter. Credit Recommended

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) Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons
• 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
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus if you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• Spending caps in bonus categories
• Low points earning outside of bonus categories
Card Highlights
• Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after 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
• 10% Business Relationship Bonus If you have the Ink Business Cash card plus a Chase Business Checking account on your first card anniversary
• 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
Rewards Center

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 31, 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.

Ink Business Unlimited ® Credit Card (Best Business Card for Simple Cash-Back)

LIMITED TIME OFFER!



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.

Learn More (at Chase's secure site)

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.

Welcome Offer

Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

UP's Bonus Valuation*: Annual Fee 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter Credit Recommended

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) Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons
• 1.5% cash-back on all purchases
• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
• 3% foreign transaction fee
Card Highlights
• 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
Rewards Center

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 benefits may be 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 regarding the Citi Double Cash ® 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.
The information regarding the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card was independently collected 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.

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About Stephen Au

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.

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