Intro Offer
$200 cash rewards Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
Rewards Rate
2% Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Rec. Credit
670 – 850 Good – Excellent Recommended Credit: Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a good runner up for rewards value on your utility payments. You earn 2% cash rewards on your transactions -- you don’t have to worry about categories. While there will be less opportunity to yield a net profit with this card than with the Venmo Credit Card due to the lower rewards rate, this card offers a consistent rate that will be able to put you in the green in the right scenarios.
This is also a good option if you need a little breathing room, thanks to its introductory APR offer. You can take advantage of 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening (20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR thereafter). This means that as long as you make all of your minimum payments on time during this promotion, you won’t incur interest charges. You won’t need as much cash upfront to pay your utility bills if you go this route, but you’ll want to make sure to pay off the balance before the end of the promotion to avoid racking up debt.
Your utility bills can also help you reach the spending threshold to earn the welcome offer. For more details, see our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
No annual fee
Introductory APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Up to $600 in cell phone damage or theft protection subject to a $25 deductible
No outstanding cardholder perks or statement credits
3% foreign currency conversion fee
Rewards must be redeemed in $20 or $25 increments for some redemption options
Rating Breakdown 4.4
Welcome Bonus 4.0
Rewards Program 5.0
Value for Money 5.0
Benefits 3.0
Fees and APR 4.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
Rewards Rates
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a good runner up for rewards value on your utility payments. You earn 2% cash rewards on your transactions -- you don’t have to worry about categories. While there will be less opportunity to yield a net profit with this card than with the Venmo Credit Card due to the lower rewards rate, this card offers a consistent rate that will be able to put you in the green in the right scenarios.
This is also a good option if you need a little breathing room, thanks to its introductory APR offer. You can take advantage of 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening (20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR thereafter). This means that as long as you make all of your minimum payments on time during this promotion, you won’t incur interest charges. You won’t need as much cash upfront to pay your utility bills if you go this route, but you’ll want to make sure to pay off the balance before the end of the promotion to avoid racking up debt.
Your utility bills can also help you reach the spending threshold to earn the welcome offer. For more details, see our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
No annual fee
Introductory APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Up to $600 in cell phone damage or theft protection subject to a $25 deductible
No outstanding cardholder perks or statement credits
3% foreign currency conversion fee
Rewards must be redeemed in $20 or $25 increments for some redemption options
Rating Breakdown 4.4
Welcome Bonus 4.0
Rewards Program 5.0
Value for Money 5.0
Benefits 3.0
Fees and APR 4.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
Rewards Rates
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
The highest cash-back rate card for utility payments
3.8/5
Rating Breakdown 3.8 Welcome Bonus 3.5 Rewards Program 4.0 Value for Money 4.0 Benefits 3.0 Fees and APR 4.0 How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
7.5/10
CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Intro Offer
$200 $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
Rewards Rate
1% – 5% 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose.; 5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on your choice on one everyday category, like Gas Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants; 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
Rec. Credit
670 – 850 Good – Excellent Recommended Credit: Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
APR
19.49% – 29.74% (Variable)
You can tailor the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card to match your spending, including when it comes to your utility bills.
Choose to earn 5% cash back (on up to $2,000 spent in combined eligible purchases each quarter, then 1%) for your utility bills, in addition to one other eligible 5% cash-back category. It also earns 2% cash back on one eligible “everyday” category of your choice. That’s a lot of earning potential for a credit card that doesn’t charge an annual fee.
With its quarterly spending limit, you’re able to earn a maximum of $100 each quarter in combined purchases at the 5% rate. Once you hit that mark, your rewards will fall to 1%. However, $100 is potentially more than enough to cover any convenience fees you’d incur by paying with your card. There’s also an easy-to-reach welcome offer that could potentially offset those fees for a whole year or more.
Rating Breakdown 3.8
Welcome Bonus 3.5
Rewards Program 4.0
Value for Money 4.0
Benefits 3.0
Fees and APR 4.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
Rewards Rates
5%
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose.
5%
5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
2%
2% cash back on your choice on one everyday category, like Gas Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
1%
1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
You can tailor the U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card to match your spending, including when it comes to your utility bills.
Choose to earn 5% cash back (on up to $2,000 spent in combined eligible purchases each quarter, then 1%) for your utility bills, in addition to one other eligible 5% cash-back category. It also earns 2% cash back on one eligible “everyday” category of your choice. That’s a lot of earning potential for a credit card that doesn’t charge an annual fee.
With its quarterly spending limit, you’re able to earn a maximum of $100 each quarter in combined purchases at the 5% rate. Once you hit that mark, your rewards will fall to 1%. However, $100 is potentially more than enough to cover any convenience fees you’d incur by paying with your card. There’s also an easy-to-reach welcome offer that could potentially offset those fees for a whole year or more.
Rating Breakdown 3.8
Welcome Bonus 3.5
Rewards Program 4.0
Value for Money 4.0
Benefits 3.0
Fees and APR 4.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
Rewards Rates
5%
5% cash back on your first $2,000 in eligible net purchases each quarter on the combined two categories you choose.
5%
5% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center
2%
2% cash back on your choice on one everyday category, like Gas Stations, Grocery Stores or Restaurants
1%
1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
Buy some time to pay off your utility bills
3.9/5
Rating Breakdown 3.9 Offer Length 5.0 BT Fee 4.0 Offer Terms 3.0 On-going Value 2.0 Fees and APR 3.0 How We Rate Balance Transfer / Intro APR Cards We rate credit cards using our balance transfer / Intro APR methodology for cards whose primary feature is a promotional period where new purchases or a transferred balance will accrue no or low interest for a period of time. We rank these credit cards based on the quality of their introductory offers, fees, lasting value and standard rates. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
7.8/10
CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Rewards Rate
N/A This card doesn’t offer cash back, miles, or points
Rec. Credit
670 – 850 Good – Excellent Recommended Credit: Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
APR
16.24% – 26.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
If you’re starting to fall behind on some of your bills, the BankAmericard® credit card* will afford you 18 billing cycles of 0% introductory APR on purchases and on any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (16.24% to 26.24% variable APR thereafter). As long as you make your minimum payments on time you won’t be charged interest for a year and a half. This can allow you some breathing room to shore up your finances while keeping the lights and other utilities on.
It’s important to be disciplined in this approach, as it can be easy to accrue credit card debt and fall behind. We recommend making sure you can pay off the full balance of your credit card before the introductory APR period ends to avoid this potential pitfall.
Rating Breakdown 3.9
Offer Length 5.0
BT Fee 4.0
Offer Terms 3.0
On-going Value 2.0
Fees and APR 3.0
How We Rate Balance Transfer / Intro APR Cards
We rate credit cards using our balance transfer / Intro APR methodology for cards whose primary feature is a promotional period where new purchases or a transferred balance will accrue no or low interest for a period of time. We rank these credit cards based on the quality of their introductory offers, fees, lasting value and standard rates. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
If you’re starting to fall behind on some of your bills, the BankAmericard® credit card* will afford you 18 billing cycles of 0% introductory APR on purchases and on any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (16.24% to 26.24% variable APR thereafter). As long as you make your minimum payments on time you won’t be charged interest for a year and a half. This can allow you some breathing room to shore up your finances while keeping the lights and other utilities on.
It’s important to be disciplined in this approach, as it can be easy to accrue credit card debt and fall behind. We recommend making sure you can pay off the full balance of your credit card before the introductory APR period ends to avoid this potential pitfall.
Rating Breakdown 3.9
Offer Length 5.0
BT Fee 4.0
Offer Terms 3.0
On-going Value 2.0
Fees and APR 3.0
How We Rate Balance Transfer / Intro APR Cards
We rate credit cards using our balance transfer / Intro APR methodology for cards whose primary feature is a promotional period where new purchases or a transferred balance will accrue no or low interest for a period of time. We rank these credit cards based on the quality of their introductory offers, fees, lasting value and standard rates. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
3.0/5
Rating Breakdown 3.0 Welcome Bonus 1.0 Rewards Program 4.0 Value for Money 4.0 Benefits 4.0 Fees and APR 3.0 How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
6.0/10
CNET rates credit cards by comparing their offers to those of their categorical competitors. Each card is individually evaluated through a formula which reflects the standards and expectations of the contemporary market. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Rewards Rate
1x points – 3x points 3x points on dining; 2x points on travel; 1x points on other purchases; Earn 1x points on rent without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points in a calendar year. When you use the card 5 times each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you’ll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.
Rec. Credit
670 – 850 Good – Excellent Recommended Credit: Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
Just like with most utility bills, paying rent with a credit card will typically result in an additional flat fee. But the Bilt Mastercard®, issued by Wells Fargo, earns you Bilt Points on rent when you pay via the Bilt Mastercard through the Bilt app. Doing so also eliminates transaction fees for paying your rent with a credit card. You earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent for up to 100,000 points per calendar year. So you can earn points on your rent all year as long as your monthly rent cost is less than $8,333.33. See Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits here.
You’ll have to pay attention to the fine print to earn these rewards on rent though: Each cardholder must complete at least five transactions on the Bilt Card in any given statement period to qualify to earn rewards, so it would be unwise to only use it to pay for rent.
Even if your rental isn’t a part of the Bilt Rewards Alliance, you can still use your Bilt Rewards card to pay your rent and earn points if your landlord accepts Venmo, PayPal, physical checks or an online payment portal. Be careful that the online payment portal doesn’t charge a fee for using a credit card that will exceed the rewards you’d earn for doing so.
Rating Breakdown 3.0
Welcome Bonus 1.0
Rewards Program 4.0
Value for Money 4.0
Benefits 4.0
Fees and APR 3.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
Rewards Rates
3x points
3x points on dining
2x points
2x points on travel
1x points
1x points on other purchases
1x points
Earn 1x points on rent without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points in a calendar year. When you use the card 5 times each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you’ll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.
Just like with most utility bills, paying rent with a credit card will typically result in an additional flat fee. But the Bilt Mastercard®, issued by Wells Fargo, earns you Bilt Points on rent when you pay via the Bilt Mastercard through the Bilt app. Doing so also eliminates transaction fees for paying your rent with a credit card. You earn 1 point per dollar spent on rent for up to 100,000 points per calendar year. So you can earn points on your rent all year as long as your monthly rent cost is less than $8,333.33. See Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits here.
You’ll have to pay attention to the fine print to earn these rewards on rent though: Each cardholder must complete at least five transactions on the Bilt Card in any given statement period to qualify to earn rewards, so it would be unwise to only use it to pay for rent.
Even if your rental isn’t a part of the Bilt Rewards Alliance, you can still use your Bilt Rewards card to pay your rent and earn points if your landlord accepts Venmo, PayPal, physical checks or an online payment portal. Be careful that the online payment portal doesn’t charge a fee for using a credit card that will exceed the rewards you’d earn for doing so.
Rating Breakdown 3.0
Welcome Bonus 1.0
Rewards Program 4.0
Value for Money 4.0
Benefits 4.0
Fees and APR 3.0
How We Rate Rewards / Travel Cards
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
Card Details
Rewards Rates
3x points
3x points on dining
2x points
2x points on travel
1x points
1x points on other purchases
1x points
Earn 1x points on rent without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points in a calendar year. When you use the card 5 times each statement period using your Bilt Mastercard, you’ll earn points on rent and qualifying net purchases.
Most utility providers will charge a fee for using a credit card to pay your utility bill. So, a good credit card will be rewarding enough to both cover the fee and make it worth your while to do so. Certain credit cards, like the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, even offer specific bonus categories for using your card to pay bills.
While it’s likely you’ll earn the majority of your monthly credit card rewards from other spending categories, the rewards earned by paying your utility bills pad the bottom line. For that reason, if you don’t plan on having one card dedicated to utilities, be sure its overall rewards structure still allows you to earn in the areas in which you spend most.
If you’re in a pinch, a credit card that offers an introductory 0% APR could also help spread out your bill payments beyond the standard 30 days. You’ll want an introductory 0% APR on new purchases rather than balance transfers. That way, you can carry your new utility payments longer without interest during the promotional period. Just make sure you’re able to pay off the bill before the promo offer ends.
Earn rewards for regular payments.
Get extra time to make a payment with an introductory purchase APR.
Automate your bill payments to lower the chance of missing one.
Build credit by paying your utility bill.
Using a credit card might result in an extra fee.
Putting off a payment could encourage a cycle of debt.
Depending on the size of your utility bills, payments could use up a considerable portion of your credit limit.
When it comes to choosing a good credit card to use for your bill payments, consider the card’s rewards rate and offer terms, like any spending limits or intro APR details.
Don’t choose a card to pay utility bills that doesn’t reward you enough to cover any convenience fees. For example, if your utility bill is $100 and your provider charges a 4% fee (i.e. $4) to pay via credit card, you’ll want to make sure the card you use offers at least the same or better in rewards (a card earning 5% would be great here). If not, then you could be losing money on the transaction.
“It’s quite common for fees to be added when paying [your utilities] via credit card,” Reese said. “If [there is a fee], be sure the value of the rewards you earn is greater than the cost of the fees.”
Additionally, you’ll want the rewards to complement the rest of your regular spending. If you have to overspend or buy things you normally wouldn’t to earn rewards, the card is probably not right for you.
Lastly, check if the card has any spending limits on its reward categories. Some credit cards offer high rewards rates, but they might limit the total rewards you can earn within a billing cycle, quarter or year. If your bill payments are going to cause you to hit that limit sooner than you’d like, you may want to consider another option.
Check how long a card’s introductory period is. Most range from nine to 21 months, depending on the card, so choose the one that offers enough time for you to get your finances on track.
To figure out how much time you need to pay off a balance, divide the card balance by the number of months in the promotional period. That number will be the minimum amount you need to put toward the balance each month to pay it off in time.
Set up automatic payments for your utility bills. By using autopay, you can avoid paying fees for missed or late payments.
The simplest way to get the most from your credit card is to pay your bill in full each month. If you don’t carry a balance, you won’t incur any interest charges, which means the rewards you earn on your spending will go directly into your pocket. If you carry a balance from month to month, interest charges could wipe out any value you’d get from your rewards.
You could always pay by check, debit card or by using bill pay through your bank. None of these options likely incur an extra fee, and there are some debit cards, like the Discover Cashback Debit Account, that offer rewards. Debit rewards won’t be as high as what you’d earn from using a credit card, but it’s better than nothing.
You can set up bill pay so that your bank sends a payment to your utility or rent provider on whichever day you request. Automating the process reduces the chances of missing payments, and you won’t have to pay convenience fees.
Follow these simple steps to apply for a credit card:
If you want to earn more rewards, build your credit or get some extra time to cover the cost, using a credit card for your utility bills could make sense. But be aware of any fees your utility provider might charge and understand that you need to pay off your full credit card bill by the due date to avoid interest charges.
A convenience fee for using a credit card to pay your utility bill could be a flat fee, a percentage of your bill or a combination thereof, but it’s typically a few dollars per transaction. For example, a company may charge a flat rate of $4 for using a credit card to make a payment less than $300, and then $4 for each $300 payment increment thereafter.
How to Use a Credit Card Like a Debit Card
Credit Card Payments: The Key to Avoiding Debt and Boosting Credit
Can You Pay Rent With a Credit Card?
What Is the Average Credit Card Debt in the US?
Yes, You Can Get a Perfect Credit Score. Here’s How to Achieve an 800 Score or Higher
8 Ways to Fix a ‘Bad’ Credit Score
You Can Lower Your Credit Card’s Interest Rate. Here’s How
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash-back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card.
*All information about the Venmo Credit Card and the BankAmericard credit card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
Written by
Jaclyn DeJohn
Editor
Jaclyn is a CNET Money editor who relishes the sweet spot between numbers and words. With responsibility for overseeing CNET's credit card coverage, she writes and edits news, reviews and advice. She has experience covering business, personal finance and economics, and previously managed contracts and investments as a real estate agent. Her tech interests include Tesla, SpaceX, The Boring Company and Neuralink.
Written by
Evan Zimmer
Staff Writer
Evan Zimmer has been writing about finance for years. After graduating with a journalism degree from SUNY Oswego, he wrote credit card content for Credit Card Insider (now Money Tips) before moving to ZDNET Finance to cover credit card, banking and blockchain news. He currently works with CNET Money to bring readers the most accurate and up-to-date financial information. Otherwise, you can find him reading, rock climbing, snowboarding and enjoying the outdoors.
Source: cnet.com