Bogdan Roberts, Credit Cards Moderator
@bogdan_roberts
The best credit card to pay bills with is a Visa or Mastercard with unlimited cash back rewards, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. Wells Fargo Active Cash has a $0 annual fee and offers 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Generally, the best credit cards for paying bills are those offering the most rewards. Since there are many types of monthly bills out there, make sure the rewards categories match up with your specific expenses before you apply for a card. You should check if the billers accept cards on your credit card’s network, too.
6 Best Credit Cards to Pay Bills With
Initial Bonus: $200 cash rewards after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
Ongoing Rewards: 2% cash rewards on purchases
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Initial Bonus: $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 6 months
Ongoing Rewards: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent per year), 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% back on other eligible purchases, received as rewards dollars (which can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout)
Annual Fee: $0 intro 1st yr, $95 after
Credit Score: Good
Initial Bonus: N/A
Ongoing Rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Initial Bonus: N/A
Ongoing Rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Initial Bonus: N/A
Ongoing Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases, credited when you pay your bill
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Fair
Initial Bonus: 30,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days
Ongoing Rewards: 2 points per $1 spent on all purchases
Annual Fee: $0
Credit Score: Good
Key Things to Know About Paying Bills with a Credit Card
- There may be a surcharge: Some merchants will apply a surcharge or convenience fee when you opt to pay with a card instead of using cash or check, for instance. Credit card payments can be expensive for merchants to process.
- Bills to consider paying with a credit card: The best bills to pay with a credit card are internet, phone, cable TV, and streaming service bills as these providers don’t normally charge a fee.
- Bills that have a fee for using a credit card: Bills that often have a convenience fee for using a credit card include utilities, taxes, rent, and tuition. In some cases, paying bills with a credit card requires the use of a third-party company, which may have an additional processing fee.
- Bills you can’t pay with a credit card: Bills you generally cannot pay directly with a credit card include mortgage, loan, and credit card bills. It’s possible to use a credit card indirectly in some cases, but it’s not a good idea due to the high fees and APRs that might apply.
While paying bills with a credit card is convenient and may offer potential benefits and perks, it may not always be a good idea. As mentioned above, there might be some additional costs that come along with it. So, make sure you do your research before using your card for this type of transaction.
2025's Best Credit Cards
Popular Credit Cards
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Low Intro APR & Bonus Rewards
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Everyday Cash Back
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Good Credit
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0% Intro APR
Ethan Foster, Member
@ethan_f_music
You could combine US Bank Cash+ with Wells Fargo Active Cash and get 2-5% back on all bills. I might try that!
Christopher Ross, Member
@c_ross_writer
US Bank Cash+ is good too - up to 5% back on utilities and phone bills.
Kathryn B. Hauer, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (TM)
@KathrynHauer
Hi! I really agree with the second part of Dmitriy's answer! With the cash back, rewards, no fee options in credit cards today, I think it makes sense to pay the monthly bills with cash back/reward credit cards. Two important points though - you need to commit to paying off the card IN FULL every month, and you don't want to use the credit card for places that charge a service fee for using credit. For example, in our town, property tax can be paid with a credit card, but a 2% service fee is charges. Also, a few companies don't allow credit cards, so you may have to connect a bank account to pay those bills.
One tip - consider a separate card for covering those monthly bills. I opened a credit card that I use ONLY for monthly bills. All ten monthly bills are on that card and I can see them and easily monitor them. For many years, I used one credit card for everything. Then a few years ago, I put the monthly bills on one separate card because over the years my credit cards have been compromised/stolen (even though they aren't lost by me!) and the credit card company issues me a new card. Then I have to go in and change the automatic payment card number at ten different places, which is a big hassle. And, if the theft/compromise occurs at the time a bill is trying to be paid, you could be charged a fee for non-payment. That happened to me once, and the utility company was unsympathetic in waiving the insufficient funds fee! You can imagine that this financial planner was MAD! I really try to keep up with money things and felt that it was really unfair that I was charged a fee for circumstances like that! I am not quite over it yet. :)
For your question about which card to use, make sure it has no annual fee and is generous with cash back and/or travel or other rewards. WalletHub has a great site you can check out to help you pick one.
Best wishes to you and thanks for writing!
Dmitriy Fomichenko, President, Sense Financial
@dfomichenko
You should be paying expenses like that with cash (debit card). However, if you have a credit card which could earn you some rewards then it might be good idea to use that card and to pay off that card every month.
People also ask
Is it better to pay monthly bills with a credit card?
Yes, it can be better to pay monthly bills with a credit card. Paying bills with your credit card can often work in your favor, especially if you’re using a rewards credit card. That’s because a rewards credit card can help you earn rewards even when paying bills. Of course, getting rewards is not the only reason why it’s better to pay monthly bills with a credit card.
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