7 Best Credit Cards for Bills, Utilities & Recurring Expenses

Earning Structure:

• 3x points on dining
• 2x points on travel
• 1x point on other purchases and rent (up to 100,000 points per calendar year)
• 5x points on Lyft rides (when accounts are linked and paid with the card)
• Double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points)

Welcome Bonus:

This card does not currently offer a welcome bonus.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: 20.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49%, depending on creditworthiness
• Earn points on rent without transaction fees (up to 100,000 points annually)
• Requires at least 5 purchases each statement period to earn rewards
• Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, rent payments, statement credits, and down payments on a home

Key Benefits:

• Earn points on rent, bills, and regular expenses
• Ability to transfer points to travel partners
• Access to exclusive travel and lifestyle perks
• No fees on rent payments through Bilt platform

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel, statement credits, or to cover rent payments, offering flexible reward options.

Credit Requirements:

Typically requires a credit score between 650 and 850 (fair to excellent).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

No rewards are earned on most purchases if the card is used fewer than five times per billing cycle, except for a flat 250 points for rent.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It helps build credit with regular payments and offers easy-to-earn rewards without annual fees.

Earning Structure:

• 6% cash back in your chosen category for the first year, on up to $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
• 3% cash back in your choice category after the first year (same spending cap as above)
• 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 combined with choice category purchases per quarter)
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Purchase Intro APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles
• Balance Transfer Intro APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles (on transfers made in the first 60 days)
• Regular APR: 18.24%–28.24%
• Preferred Rewards® members earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase
• Contactless payment with chip security
• Rewards never expire as long as the account is open

Key Benefits:

• Customizable cash back categories
• Extra rewards for Preferred Rewards members
• Easy digital banking tools linked with Bank of America accounts

Redemption Options:

Cash back can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, or gift cards. Certain redemptions are reserved for Bank of America and Merrill account holders.

Credit Requirements:

Requires a credit score between 690 and 850 (good to excellent).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Quarterly spending caps apply to the 3% and 2% categories combined, and rewards tracking requires attention to category limits.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It’s simple to use and tailor cash back rewards to fit regular bills and personal spending habits.

Earning Structure:

• 5% cash back on gas purchases at Costco and 4% on other eligible gas and EV charging purchases (up to $7,000 per year, then 1% afterward)
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases (including Costco Travel)
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

This card does not currently offer a welcome bonus.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0 (with paid Costco membership)
• Regular APR: 19.49%–27.49% variable
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Annual reward certificate redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses
• Accepted worldwide wherever Visa is accepted

Key Benefits:

• High cash back on gas and dining
• No foreign transaction fees
• Purchase protection and extended warranty
• Access to roadside assistance

Redemption Options:

Rewards are issued once a year as a certificate with the February billing statement, redeemable for cash or merchandise at Costco warehouses.

Credit Requirements:

Requires an excellent credit score between 720 and 850.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Rewards are issued annually, and a paid Costco membership is required to hold the card.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers straightforward rewards and useful benefits without extra costs beyond the membership fee.

Earning Structure:

• 5% cash back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases (with eligible Prime membership)
• 2% cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Prime Card Bonus: 10% or more back on rotating Amazon.com items and categories

Welcome Bonus:

Receive a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval (Prime members only).

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0 (Prime membership required)
• APR: Variable, typically 19.49%–28.24%
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• Unlimited cash back earning potential with no spending caps
• Redeem rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day

Key Benefits:

• Simple cash back rewards for regular bills
• No minimum redemption amount
• Easy online account management
• Fraud protection included

Redemption Options:

Rewards can be redeemed directly at Amazon.com or for statement credits, with availability as soon as the following day.

Credit Requirements:

Requires a credit score between 690 and 850 (good to excellent).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Must maintain a Prime membership, and there is no introductory APR offer.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers a clear and easy rewards system without complex rules, making it a good first card for managing monthly payments.

Earning Structure:

• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases
• 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash back on transit including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, and buses
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
• 1% cash back on other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95 after
• Purchase Intro APR: 0% for 12 months from account opening
• Balance Transfer Intro APR: 0% for 12 months from account opening
• Regular APR: typically 20.24%–29.24%
• Plan It® feature to split purchases into installments with a fixed fee
• Up to $10 monthly statement credit for Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+ subscriptions

Key Benefits:

• High cash back rates on everyday bills and groceries
• Purchase protection and extended warranty
• Access to Amex Offers for additional savings
• Roadside assistance and travel protections

Redemption Options:

Cash back is earned as Reward Dollars, redeemable as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.

Credit Requirements:

Requires good to excellent credit for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Supermarket rewards are capped annually, and the ongoing annual fee may not suit low spenders.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Its straightforward cash back rewards on common bills make it easy to use and understand for new cardholders.

Earning Structure:

• 2% cash rewards on every purchase, every day
• No limit on the amount of cash back earned

Welcome Bonus:

Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Purchase Intro APR: 0% for 12 months from account opening
• Balance Transfer Intro APR: 0% for 12 months from account opening (on qualifying transfers within 120 days)
• Regular APR: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% variable
• No categories to track; rewards never expire while the account is open
• Up to $600 in cell phone protection (subject to $25 deductible)
• Complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge

Key Benefits:

• Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases
• No annual fee
• Introductory 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers
• Fraud protection and zero liability on unauthorized transactions

Redemption Options:

Cash rewards can be redeemed as statement credits, direct deposits, or gift cards. Certain redemptions are reserved for Wells Fargo customers.

Credit Requirements:

Requires a credit score between 690 and 850 (good to excellent).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Higher rewards may be possible with category-based cards, and the intro APR period is shorter than some competitors.

Why it Works for Beginners:

Its simple rewards and no annual fee make it easy for beginners to maximize cash back without confusion.

Earning Structure:

• 5% off eligible Lowe’s purchases or orders when charged to the card

Welcome Bonus:

Get 20% off your purchase today (up to $100 discount) when you open and use a new account.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $0
• Regular APR: 31.99% variable
• Special financing: No interest if paid in full within 6 months on purchases of $299 or more
• Free Silver Key status in the MyLowe’s Rewards program
• 84 fixed monthly payments at 9.99% APR available for purchases of $2,000 or more

Key Benefits:

• Instant 5% discount at checkout for most store purchases
• Complimentary Silver Key status with free standard shipping on all orders
• Access to rewards points redeemable for future purchases
• Financing options for large home improvement projects

Redemption Options:

Rewards points earned through the MyLowe’s Rewards program can be redeemed for purchases at Lowe’s.

Credit Requirements:

Requires a credit score between 690 and 850 (good to excellent).

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The card can only be used at Lowe’s, and choosing financing instead of paying upfront removes the 5% discount.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It has a simple rewards system and no annual fee, making it easy for new credit users to manage.