Writer: Brittney Mayer
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
Using credit cards to pay bills and utilities can feel risky, especially if they lead to extra debt. But when you use them wisely — and pay the balance in full each month — the best cards for bills and utilities can actually help you save through rewards.
In the last century, we’ve gone from the introduction of household electricity to lives that often wholly depend on it — a fact that is struck home every time we open a new utility bill.
While making that payment each month certainly beats the alternative (roughing it may make an exciting camping trip, but everyday life demands hot showers and air conditioning), it doesn’t take much of the sting out of the cost of daily living. Especially when you start adding other bills — like costly cable and internet services — onto the pile.
The good news is, there may be a credit card that can help. Pick the right rewards card, and you can earn something back on every payment, which can make that monthly hit a bit easier to handle.
Cash Back | Bonus Rewards | Business
Best Cash Back Cards for Bills & Utilities
One of the simplest way to earn rewards on your bills and utilities is with an all-purpose unlimited cash back rewards credit card. No categories to track, nothing to activate, just a flat earnings rate on every new purchase.
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Unlimited® was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® not only earns tiered cash back rewards on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases, but also unlimited cash back on every other purchase. To top it off, this card comes with an introductory 0% APR offer and a solid signup bonus. Plus, your cash back can be turned into Ultimate Rewards® points if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
If you’re over the 5/24 limit for a Chase card, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has the same credit card benefits trifecta as the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. You’ll get unlimited 1.5% cash back rewards on top of an intro-APR offer and an attainable signup bonus.
Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
While the Citi Double Cash® Card doesn’t have an intro-APR offer on purchases, it makes up for it with its cash back rewards structure. Earn unlimited cash back on each and every dollar spent, but it isn’t earned all at once. Instead, you’ll earn 1% when you make a purchase and an additional 1% when you pay it off.
Best Bonus Rewards Cards for Bills & Utilities
Depending on the amount you spend on bills and utilities each month, it may be worthwhile to seek out a card that will offer you bonus rewards specifically for utility purchases. Some of these cards offer as much as 5% rewards for qualifying bills and utilities, which can make a big difference when you’re staving off the summer heat.
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ operates on a rotating category system that offers new bonus categories each quarter. Although the Chase Freedom Flex℠ doesn’t offer bonus rewards for utilities year-round, you have a pretty good shot of earning that top rate on certain bills and utilities, like internet, cable, and phone services, at least one quarter a year.
5. U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
Cardholders of the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card can earn up to 5% cash back on utilities by selecting “Home Utilities” as a 5% cash back category. Furthermore, you can also earn up to 5% cash back on your cell phone bill by selecting “Cell Phones” as your second 5% cash back category.
- Earn 5% cash back in two categories of your choosing, plus 2% cash back in an additional category you select
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee
You’ll need to select/activate your bonus categories each quarter, with the option to choose new bonus categories every three months. Bonus category rewards are earned on the first $2,000 in combined eligible net purchases each quarter.
6. Voice Credit Card® from Huntington
With the Voice Credit Card® from Huntington, you can earn 3X points per $1 spent paying your bills by selecting “Utilities & Office Supply Stores” as your bonus rewards category. Points are worth 1¢ apiece, giving you an effective 3% back on utilities.
- Earn 3X points per $1 in a bonus category you select from 10 options that include Utilities & Office Supply Stores
- Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee
Your bonus category is selected each quarter and you can choose the same category or pick a new category if you have other big expenses coming up. Bonus rewards can be earned on up to $2,000 in qualifying category purchases each quarter.
Best Business Cards for Bills & Utilities
As much as we may grumble about household utility costs, keeping your business’s lights (and phones, and heat) on can take a big bite out of your overhead. The upside is that a solid rewards credit card can help ease some of that pressure.
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Ink Business Cash® Credit Card was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
In the modern digital era, keeping your business connected can make all the difference. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card can help you stay in touch by providing 5% cash back rewards on internet, cable, and phone services, as well as office supply stores, on up to $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year.
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
For the business owners who prefer points, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers 3X points per dollar on internet, cable, and phone services. Cardholders can also save on other key business bills, including shipping purchases, travel, and qualifying digital advertising. Category rewards are limited to the first $150,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year.
9. U.S. Bank Business Edge™ Select Rewards Card
The U.S. Bank Business Edge™ Select Rewards Card has broad bonus rewards categories that let you customize your rewards to save on the purchases you make most frequently.
- Earn 3X rewards points on a broad bonus category of your choice, including day-to-day expenses, automotive, and travel/entertainment
- Earn unlimited 1X point on all other purchases
- Pay no annual fee
In addition to customizable bonus rewards, this card offers unlimited 1X point per dollar on all other purchases. It also comes with an attainable signup bonus and an intro-APR offer for new purchases.
Earn a Little Extra on Life’s Necessities
Whether they land in your inbox or mailbox, utility bills are rarely fun to see. Still, most of us would rather cover the cost than sweat through summer without air conditioning.
With a well-chosen rewards credit card, you can earn cash back or points on every payment, taking a little of the sting out of keeping all those modern conveniences up and running.
Here’s something else to keep in mind: Some utility providers, especially electric and water companies, may not accept credit cards, and those that do may add a hefty fee. Check for any charges or payment limits before you pay so nothing catches you off guard.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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