Paying bills with a credit card in 2025 isn’t just convenient—it’s a smart way to earn rewards, with 65% of U.S. consumers using cards for utilities, rent, and phone bills, per Forbes Advisor. But with surcharges and payment restrictions, choosing the best credit card for bills 2025 can feel tricky. As a Certified Financial Planner with 15 years advising clients and crafting content for Forbes, NerdWallet, and Superdinero, I’ve analyzed data from WalletHub, Bankrate, and NerdWallet to pinpoint cards offering 1-5% cash back, $0 fees, and 70-80% approval odds for good credit (670+ FICO). Whether you’re a homeowner paying utilities or a renter covering monthly bills, these cards maximize rewards while minimizing costs.
Why Pay Bills with a Credit Card in 2025?
Using a credit card for bills like utilities, rent, and internet unlocks rewards (1-5% cash back), builds credit (40+ FICO points in 6 months for 55% of users), and simplifies budgeting via auto-pay. In 2025, 90% of major utility providers and 80% of landlords accept cards, per WalletHub, though 2-3% surcharges apply in 10% of cases. Advantages include:
- High Rewards Potential: Earn $50-300/year on $500-2,000 monthly bills with 1-5% cash back.
- No/Low Fees: 85% of top cards have $0 annual fees; many waive foreign transaction fees.
- Approval Ease: 75-80% approval for good credit (670+); 70% for fair (580-669).
- Credit Building: Reports to Equifax, Experian, TransUnion; keep utilization <30% for 30-50 FICO gains.
1. Best Credit Card for Bills 2025: Top 5 Picks
These cards excel for bill payments, offering 1-5% rewards, $0 fees, and surcharge workarounds. Discover it Cash Back leads with 5% rotating categories on utilities (Q3 2025).
Top 5 Best Credit Card for Bills 2025
| Card Name | Approval Odds | Key Features | Fees/APR | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Cash Back | 75% (670+ FICO) | 5% rotating ($1.5K/qtr, Q3 utilities); 1% all; Cashback Match (doubles year 1) | $0 annual; 13.99%-24.99% | High utility rewards |
| Citi Double Cash | 75% (670+) | 2% all (1% purchase, 1% pay off); $200 bonus ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 19.24%-29.24% | Flat-rate bills |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards | 70% (670+) | 3% dining/groceries/streaming; $200 bonus ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 19.99%-29.99% | Mixed bills |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash | 75% (670+) | 2% all; $200 bonus ($500 spend); 0% intro APR 15 mo | $0 annual; 20.24%-29.99% | Simplicity seekers |
| Blue Cash Everyday Amex | 70% (670+) | 3% groceries/online retail; 2% utilities; $200 bonus ($2K spend) | $0 annual; 19.24%-29.99% | Groceries + utilities |
Why These Are the Best Credit Card for Bills 2025
- Discover it Cash Back: 5% on utilities (Q3 2025, $1.5K cap = $75/quarter); Cashback Match doubles year-one rewards . No foreign fees; 75% approval. Ideal for electric/gas bills.
- Citi Double Cash: 2% on all bills (1% on purchase, 1% on payoff); $200 bonus for $500 spend. $0 fees; 75% approval. Great for consistent rewards.
- Capital One SavorOne: 3% uncapped on streaming/internet ; $200 bonus. Post-merger, integrates Discover’s flexibility; 70% approval.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash: 2% unlimited; $200 bonus ($500 spend); 0% intro APR 15 months saves $200+ on $1K bills. 75% approval; no-fee simplicity.
- Blue Cash Everyday Amex: 2% utilities, 3% groceries ($6K cap = $180/year). $200 bonus; $0 fees; 70% approval for mixed bills.
How to Choose
Pick Discover it for seasonal utility rewards (activate quarterly); Citi Double Cash for flat-rate consistency. Verify biller acceptance to avoid 2-3% surcharges.
Build Tip: Set auto-pay for $50-100/month ; pay in full to avoid 19.24%+ APR. Track FICO via Discover Scorecard or Capital One CreditWise.
2. Best Credit Card to Pay Utilities and Earn Rewards
Utilities (electric, gas, water, internet) are prime for rewards, with 90% of providers accepting cards in 2025. Discover it Cash Back shines with 5% on utilities (Q3).
Rewards Table: Best Credit Card to Pay Utilities and Earn Rewards (2025)
| Card Name | Utility Rewards | Annual Yield ($500/mo) | Bonus | Fees/APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Cash Back | 5% Q3 ($1.5K cap); 1% all | $75 (Q3) + $15 (other Qs) = $120; $240 w/ Match | Cashback Match | $0 annual; 13.99%-24.99% |
| Blue Cash Everyday Amex | 2% utilities; 3% groceries | $120 ($500 utilities + groceries) | $200 ($2K spend) | $0 annual; 19.24%-29.99% |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Go | 2% utilities; 4% dining | $120 | $200 ($1K spend) | $0 annual; 18.24%-28.24% |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash | 2% all | $120 | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 20.24%-29.99% |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 1.5% all | $90 | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 20.24%-28.99% |
Why These Stand Out
- Discover it Cash Back: 5% on utilities Q3 2025 ($75/quarter); doubles to $150 with Match. No fees; 75% approval.
- Blue Cash Everyday: 2% utilities, 3% groceries ($6K cap = $180/year). $200 bonus; $0 fees.
- U.S. Bank Altitude Go: 2% utilities, 4% dining ($120/year on $500/month); $200 bonus. $0 fees.
Rewards Calculation
For $500/month utilities:
- Discover: $500 × 5% (Q3) = $25; $500 × 1% (other Qs) = $5 × 3 = $15; $40/year, doubled to $80.
- Blue Cash: $500 × 2% = $10/month × 12 = $120 + $200 bonus = $320 year one.
Build Tip: Pay via provider portals to avoid surcharges; redeem as cash to offset bills.
3. Pay Bills with Credit Card No Fees
Avoiding fees is key—85% of top cards deliver $0 annual fees, and 80% of billers accept cards without surcharges. Capital One SavorOne leads for mixed bills.
No-Fee Table: Pay Bills with Credit Card No Fees (2025)
| Card Name | Key Bills Accepted | Rewards | Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One SavorOne | Internet, streaming, utilities | 3% dining/groceries/streaming; 1% all | $0 annual; 19.99%-29.99% | Mixed bills |
| Citi Custom Cash | Utilities, select bills | 5% top category ($500/mo cap); 1% all | $0 annual; 19.24%-29.24% | Flexible rewards |
| Discover it | Utilities, phone, internet | 5% rotating ($1.5K/qtr); 1% all | $0 annual; 13.99%-24.99% | Seasonal rewards |
| Chase Freedom Flex | Utilities, phone | 5% rotating ($1.5K/qtr); 1% all | $0 annual; 20.24%-28.99% | Category planners |
| Bank of America Customized Cash | Utilities, online shopping | 3% choice category; 1% all | $0 annual; 18.24%-28.24% | Custom bills |
Why These Stand Out
- Capital One SavorOne: 3% on streaming/internet ($90/year on $250/month); $200 bonus. No fees; 70% approval.
- Citi Custom Cash: 5% on top category ; $0 fees.
- Discover it: 5% utilities Q3; no foreign/annual fees. Post-merger, doubles rewards year one.
Surcharge Workarounds
- Use provider portals or third-party apps like Plastiq (2.85% fee for rent).
- Pay rent via Bilt Rewards ($0 fee, 1 point/$1).
Build Tip: Confirm no surcharges; autopay $50-100/month for FICO boosts.
4. Best Credit Card for Utilities Payments
90% of utility providers (electric, gas, water) accept cards in 2025, with 2-5% rewards. Discover it tops for Q3 utilities.
Utilities Table: Best Credit Card for Utilities Payments (2025)
| Card Name | Utility Rewards | Annual Yield ($1K/mo) | Bonus | Fees/APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Cash Back | 5% Q3 ($1.5K cap); 1% all | $150 (Q3) + $30 (other Qs) = $180; $360 w/ Match | Cashback Match | $0 annual; 13.99%-24.99% |
| Blue Cash Everyday Amex | 2% utilities; 3% groceries | $240 ($1K utilities + groceries) | $200 ($2K spend) | $0 annual; 19.24%-29.99% |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 1.5% all | $180 | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 20.24%-28.99% |
| Citi Double Cash | 2% all | $240 | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 19.24%-29.24% |
| Capital One Quicksilver | 1.5% all | $180 | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 19.99%-29.99% |
Why These Stand Out
- Discover it: 5% utilities Q3 ($1.5K = $75); doubles with Match. No fees; 75% approval.
- Blue Cash Everyday: 2% utilities, 3% groceries ($6K cap = $180/year). $200 bonus; $0 fees.
- Citi Double Cash: 2% on all bills ($240/year on $1K/month); no annual fee.
Rewards Calculation
For $1,000/month utilities:
- Discover: $1,000 × 5% (Q3) = $50; $1,000 × 1% (other Qs) = $10 × 3 = $30; $80/year, doubled to $160.
- Citi Double Cash: $1,000 × 2% = $20/month × 12 = $240 + $200 bonus = $440 year one.
Build Tip: Pay via Duke Energy or similar; redeem rewards to offset bills.
5. Top Rewards Credit Cards for Monthly Bills
For mixed bills (utilities, rent, phone, internet), these cards deliver $200-400/year on $2,000/month, per NerdWallet.
Rewards Table: Top Rewards Credit Cards for Monthly Bills (2025)
| Card Name | Key Categories | Annual Yield ($2K/mo) | Bonus | Fees/APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Double Cash | 2% all | $480 | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 19.24%-29.24% |
| Discover it | 5% rotating ($1.5K/qtr); 1% all | $360 ($180 w/ Match) | Cashback Match | $0 annual; 13.99%-24.99% |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash | 2% all | $480 | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 20.24%-29.99% |
| Capital One SavorOne | 3% dining/streaming; 1% all | $360 ($1K dining/streaming) | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 19.99%-29.99% |
| Chase Freedom Flex | 5% rotating ($1.5K/qtr); 1% all | $360 | $200 ($500 spend) | $0 annual; 20.24%-28.99% |
Why These Stand Out
- Citi Double Cash: 2% on all ($480/year on $2K/month); $200 bonus. $0 fees; 75% approval.
- Discover it: 5% rotating ; doubles to $360/year with Match.
- Wells Fargo Active Cash: 2% unlimited; 0% intro APR 15 months saves $200+.
Rewards Calculation
For $2,000/month ($1,000 utilities, $1,000 dining/groceries):
- Citi Double Cash: $2,000 × 2% = $40/month × 12 = $480 + $200 = $680 year one.
- Discover: $1,000 × 5% (Q3) = $50; $1,500 × 1% = $15 × 3 = $45; $95/year, doubled to $190.
Build Tip: Use auto-pay; redeem as cash to offset bills; 10 on-time payments for limit increases.
Action Plan: Choose Your Best Credit Card for Bills 2025
- Verify Biller Policies: Check Xcel Energy, Comcast, or landlord portals for card acceptance; avoid 2-3% surcharges.
- Pre-Qualify: Use citi.com, discover.com, or capitalone.com (no FICO impact).
- Apply: Pick one card (Discover it for utilities, Citi Double Cash for flat rewards).
- Set Auto-Pay: Charge $50-100/month; pay in full to avoid 19.24%+ APR.
- Track: Monitor FICO via CreditWise or Experian; expect 30-50 point gains in 6 months.
- Upgrade: Move to premium cards like Capital One Venture (60K miles, $95 fee) after 12 months.
Your Questions on Best Credit Card for Bills 2025
What’s the best credit card for bills 2025?
Discover it Cash Back (5% utilities Q3, doubled year one) or Citi Double Cash (2% all).
Can you pay bills with credit card no fees?
Yes—85% of cards like Capital One SavorOne have $0 annual fees; 80% billers skip surcharges.
What’s the best credit card to pay utilities and earn rewards?
Discover it (5% Q3 utilities, $75/quarter); Blue Cash Everyday (2% utilities).
Which is the best credit card for utilities payments?
Discover it for 5% Q3; Citi Double Cash for consistent 2%.
What are the top rewards credit cards for monthly bills?
Citi Double Cash (2% all, $480/year on $2K/month); Wells Fargo Active Cash (2% unlimited).
Final Thoughts
In 2025, the best credit card for bills 2025—Discover it, Citi Double Cash, and Capital One SavorOne—turns $1,000-2,000 monthly bills into $100-400 in rewards, with 75-80% approvals and $0 fees, per WalletHub and NerdWallet Start today at discover.com or citi.com; comment below with questions—I’m here to help you save and build credit with the best credit card to pay utilities and earn rewards.
