Bills are an inevitable part of “adulting.” So we might as well do what we can to earn some rewards for paying them.
Utilizing credit cards for bill payments is a great way to do just that.
The best credit cards for paying your bills offer competitive rewards, good interest rates, and perks that are relevant to your lifestyle. The guide below covers the best cards for bill payments and other recurring expenses.
What’s Ahead:
- Overview of the best credit cards for bill payments
- Best for everyday use: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
- Best 0% introductory APR: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best for travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards
- Best for building credit: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
- Best for small businesses: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- What to look for in a credit card for bill payment
- How to save money on monthly bills and utilities
- Summary
Overview of the best credit cards for bill payments
There’s no single best credit card for bills — it depends on your lifestyle and how you use credit. Here’s an overview of some of the best options based on their unique benefits and perks.
Best for everyday use: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
In A Nutshell
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a flat-rate cash back rewards credit card that charges no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. With a solid earning rate of 1.5% cash back and plenty of ways to redeem, it’s a good option for those seeking simplicity and savings, rather than earning as much cash back as possible.
- Good/
- Excellent
What We Like:
- A one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in purchases within the first 3 months
- 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- A 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months – after which, the ongoing APR of 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable) applies
Best 0% introductory APR: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
In A Nutshell
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® opens up with a terrific 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! Tack on a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (standard 19.74% – 28.49% Variable APR) add to that a strong everyday rewards program and it’s a terrific option for anyone looking to save a ton of money on everyday purchases.
500-599
600-699
What We Like:
- Intro Offer: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; then a variable APR of 19.74% – 28.49% Variable
Best for travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
In A Nutshell
Capital One’s leading product is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and it shows. A one-time 75,000 mile bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months is flat out AWESOME, and 2X miles per dollar spent is about as good as it gets with a travel rewards credit card.
What We Like:
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 2X miles earned for $1 spent on all purchases
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Best for building credit: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
In A Nutshell
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is a secured credit card that doesn’t require a credit check to apply. Whether you have poor credit or no credit at all, OpenSky is an opportunity to improve your credit history.
What We Like:
- No credit check needed to get approved for this card.
- Choose your own security deposit between $200 – $3,000 and that becomes your credit line.
- On-time payments will be reported to all three credit bureaus, so you can start building credit responsibly.
- The annual fee is just $35, and OpenSky® does not charge any application, servicing, or processing fees.
Best for small businesses: Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
In A Nutshell
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is an excellent card for any small business. From a big up front bonus to an all-around excellent rewards program, cardholders can cash in on rewards without the worry of an annual fee.
What We Like:
- $750 cash back bonus after spending $6,000 in the first three months of card ownership
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent on office supplies, internet, cable and phone service purchases each account anniversary year
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 17.99% – 23.99% Variable.
Each of these cards — covered in more detail below — can help you earn rewards on your bills, are flexible in terms of when you need to repay your debts, and offer various perks.
Best for everyday use: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
Apply Now On the Secure Website
In A Nutshell
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great credit card for everyday expenses, including bills and utilities. It’s a simple card that earns a flat 1.5% back on all purchases, offers a sign-up bonus, and even has a 0% APR introductory offer for 15 months.
Credit Score Requirements
Very good to excellent
What I Like
- Simple cash back rewards.
- 1.5% back on all purchases.
- $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards credit card is valuable for many people. It has no annual fee, a competitive rewards rate (1.5% on all purchases), and a generous $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
I recommend the Quicksilver as your “daily driver” credit card. If you don’t want to bother with bonus categories or complicated travel rewards programs, this card is for you. It’s simple, with no frills and no hassle. And there’s no annual fee.
This is also a good card if you plan to carry a balance or you want to do a balance transfer. The card offers 0% APR on new purchases and transfers of existing credit card balances for 15 months. After the introductory period, the APR will return to 19.74% – 29.74% (Variable).
Best 0% introductory APR: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Apply Now On the Secure Website
In A Nutshell
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee credit card offering 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months and balance transfers. This makes it a good option if you have existing credit card debt or plan to carry a balance. Plus, it offers a solid rewards earning rate of 1.5% back on every purchase.
Credit Score Requirements
Good to excellent
What I Like
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months (and balance transfers)
- 1.5% back on all purchases (and even more on drugstores, dining out, and select travel).
- Unique sign-up bonus offers an extra 1.5% on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card is a great all-around credit card. It’s particularly handy during the first year because it offers 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months (and balance transfers). That means you can carry a balance (or transfer over a balance from another card) and pay no interest for those months! (APR is 19.74% – 28.49% Variable after introductory period ends).
It’s also a no-annual-fee credit card, which helps keep costs down. And for each purchase, you’ll earn 1.5% back. Then there are bonus categories: 3% back on drugstores and restaurants and 5% back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal.
And it’s even better during the first year: earn an additional 1.5% on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers other perks in addition to its great rewards. There’s purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, free credit score-monitoring tools, and even travel benefits, like trip cancellation coverage.
Best for travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards
Apply Now On the Secure Website
In A Nutshell
If you’re a frequent traveler, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is well worth the $95 annual fee. This card earns 2x miles on every purchase and comes with a substantial sign-up bonus.
Credit Score Requirements
Very good to excellent
What I Like
- Huge sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- 2 miles on all purchases and 5 on hotels/rental cars booked through Capital One.
- Travel perks like lounge access and no foreign transaction fee.
The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is excellent for traveling. It does have a $95 annual fee, but for anyone who travels frequently, the cost is well worth it.
First, this card has a massive sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
There are ongoing perks with this card, as well. For example, cardholders can get airline lounge access, a statement credit to help pay for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, and more. And there’s no foreign transaction fee, making the Venture one of the best credit cards for international travel.
The Venture card would be an excellent card to use for your next trip or your everyday expenses. Using it will help you earn consistent rewards that can reduce the cost of your next flight or hotel stay — and points are straightforward to redeem for just about any travel purchase.
Best for building credit: OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Apply Now On the Secure Website
In A Nutshell
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is perfect for folks who are just starting to build credit and want to improve their credit score. It’s easy to get approved for, even if you don’t have great credit (or have a minimal credit history).
Credit Score Requirements
Poor or better
What I Like
- Easy to get approved for (87% approval rate overall).
- Each payment is reported to the credit bureaus, which helps you build credit.
- Low fees and low minimum deposit ($200).
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is designed to help you build credit. It’s a secured credit card with a small cash deposit. When approved, you’ll have to make a small cash deposit into an account that stays locked. You’ll then be given a credit limit corresponding to the deposit amount.
Once the card is open, it works like a regular credit card. You can use it to pay bills or buy groceries — or anywhere else that Visa cards are accepted. This card also has a $35 annual fee.
The purpose of a secured card like this is to help you build a positive credit history. Each payment you make toward it will be reported to the credit bureaus and contribute to your credit score. As a bonus perk, if you use the card responsibly for six months, the card issuer will consider you for a credit line increase.
Best for small businesses: Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Apply Now On the Chase US Secure Website
In A Nutshell
The Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is great for small business owners. It earns 5% back on certain bills, like cell phone services, internet, and cable — which can add up fast. Plus, there’s a great sign-up bonus!
Credit Score Requirements
Good to excellent
What I Like
- 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
- Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for cash, gift cards, and more.
- $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.
The Chase Ink Business Cash® credit card is designed for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers. To get approved for it, you’ll need to have some sort of business — whether a full-blown business or more of a side hustle. If approved, this is one of the best credit cards for bill payment.
Why? Well, it earns 5% cash back per $1 spent on qualifying phone, internet, and cable bills, up to a maximum of $25,000 in spending per year. It also earns 5% cash back at office supply stores, 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $25,000 per year), and 1% cash back on everything else.
This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, a flexible rewards currency that can be used for travel, cash, gift cards, and more. In addition to its high earning rates, the card offers $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening.
What to look for in a credit card for bill payment
The best credit cards for paying bills offer good rewards, competitive interest rates, solid perks, and a versatile set of uses. Here’s what to pay attention to when selecting the right card for your needs:
Good rewards
It’s always nice to earn rewards on everyday spending, like bills. A good rewards credit card will earn either cash back or points/miles on each purchase you make. Usually, you can expect to earn around 1–2% back ($1 to $2 for each $100 you spend).
Competitive interest rates
You only pay interest if you don’t pay your credit card off in full each month. So, if you tend to carry a balance, selecting a card with a competitive annual percentage rate (APR) is wise. This can help minimize the cost of borrowing money using your credit card.
Useful credit card perks
Many cards offer perks that can be helpful for your everyday life, travel, and more. For instance, some offer extended warranty coverage on items you purchase or benefits like free rental car collision coverage when you travel. While these perks might not benefit you directly when you’re paying bills, they can still be useful.
Versatility
It’s also a good idea to choose a versatile credit card suitable for paying various expenses. Good features to look for might include good rewards (on all purchases), purchase protections, and perks that are relevant to your day-to-day life.
A low annual fee
Finally, you probably don’t want to pay a sky-high annual fee. Many of the best bill payment credit cards discussed above are no-annual-fee credit cards. Sometimes, it’s worth paying a fee — but only if the card’s perks outweigh its cost.
How to save money on monthly bills and utilities
We all have bills, and paying them is not much fun. However, there are a few things we can do to help.
Cancel unnecessary bills
First, look closely at what you’re paying for every month and whether you need those services. For example, maybe you have three streaming services and could cut back to two, or perhaps you’re paying for a gym membership at a facility you don’t often use. Or maybe you could switch from a cable plan with 100 channels to one with 60.
Earn credit card rewards
Paying your utilities and bills with a credit card can help you earn rewards. Earning rewards on monthly bills can add up. Consider this: if you have $500/month in bills that can be paid with a credit card and earn 2% back, that’s an extra $10 per month in rewards you can earn on autopilot.
Avoid credit card fees (and ask about discounts)
Keep in mind that some merchants may charge an extra fee for using a credit card. Others may offer a small discount if you pay by check or bank transfer. If either is the case, it’s probably most cost-effective to take advantage of the discount and not use a credit card for these payments.
Prepay in advance
In some cases, you can save money by prepaying certain expenses. For instance, your car insurance provider might offer a small discount if you prepay for six months at a time rather than paying month-to-month. Of course, it’s always worth asking the vendor if they offer any discounts.
Summary
The best credit card for bill payment will help you earn rewards on your everyday spending, give you flexibility in paying for your expenses and offer various other perks for your lifestyle and travel goals. The cards reviewed above are the best credit cards available today for your bill payment needs.
Didn’t quite find what you were looking for? Check out this list of the best credit cards for every purpose.
Original Link: https://www.moneyunder30.com/best-credit-card-for-bill-payment
