You could be earning significant cashback when paying bills with your credit card. But not all bills are created equal.

What Bills Can You Pay With Your Credit Card?

Monthly bills seem to be growing every year. What used to be one cable package has turned into three streaming services, two phone bills, and internet all from different providers. That doesn’t take into account household utilities like water, heating, electricity, and more. But what if there was a way to be rewarded for paying your bills in a timely manner?

Some financial institutions offer reward cards that give you a percentage back with each purchase. The thrill of being rewarded by spending may have you asking yourself, "is it good to pay bills with credit cards?"

The short answer is, entertainment and nonessentials can usually be paid with a credit card with no fees. Services, utilities, and taxes can often be paid with a credit card but with a processing fee. Loan payments are usually check or bank withdrawal payments only.

Setting up Autopay for Cable, Phone, and Internet Bills

A majority of cable, phone, and internet providers will accept a credit card as payment. Setting up your bills for monthly autopay using your credit card to avoid any late fees. 

Can you Pay for Streaming Services with a Credit Card?

Yes. 95% of streaming services accept credit cards as payment. Even if you rarely use a streaming service, don't risk canceling it due to fear of missing out.  Paying for streaming services will get you cashback rewards.

Can You Pay Your Utility Bills with a Credit Card?

Whether or not your home utilities provider offers credit cards as a valid form of bill payment is a toss-up. Your best bet is to assume they accept credit cards, but with an additional convenience and processing fee.

Looking to Pay your Rent or Mortgage with your Credit Card?

While paying your rent or mortgage would be a surefire way to build your credit, you’ll have to turn to other bills to boost your score. It's highly unlikely your lender or landlord would accept credit cards as a form of payment.  If you are so inclined to pay off your rent or mortgage with a credit card, there are 3rd party solutions.

You can pay these companies the equivalent of your mortgage/rent plus a processing fee, and they will cut your mortgage lender/landlord a check. These processing fees could greatly inflate your bill, so check the percentage before paying for your home or apartment with a credit card.

Paying off your Car Loan with a Credit Card

Loans, like mortgages, are unlikely to be able to be paid with a credit card. If they can, they charge a significant processing fee. This fee will be much greater than any cashback you earn.

Doing Your Taxes with a Credit Card

If you’ve done your taxes (you should have at least once if you're reading this article), then you’re likely aware that you can pay some taxes with your credit card. But, once again, processing fees apply.

This is just a brief list of the common bills and services that we usually pay each year. If you are punctual in paying your monthly bills, and see the potential of growing your credit and your cashback, then consider a cashback credit card, like our Visa Signature Empower Card.