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Your credit card can certainly provide all sorts of vacation-related benefits like bonus points, elite status, upgrades and lounge access. But one of the best and less often discussed perks offered with some cards can improve a major component of your everyday life: your cell phone.
Some of the best credit cards offer a few cell phone-related benefits, including an extended warranty on your new phone, bonus rewards when paying your cell phone bill and phone protection insurance.
It’s always important to be smart about what card you use to pay for cell phone-related purchases. That’s because you’ll generally have to have paid your latest monthly cell phone bill on that credit card and/or purchased the phone on that card in order to take advantage of your credit card’s cell phone benefits, which could amount to hundreds of dollars.
Here’s what you need to know about credit cards to use for cell phone bills and purchases, especially if youre looking for cards that can be part of your travel strategy:
As a busy professional I rely on my smartphone for everything. It keeps me connected, organized and entertained. But that unlimited data, talk, and text comes at a cost – my monthly phone bill! Like most people, it’s one of my largest recurring expenses.
I used to just pay this bill automatically each month without thinking about it. But then I realized I could be earning rewards and perks by charging it to the right credit card. With the perfect card, you can offset your phone bill AND get cool benefits like cell phone insurance. Here are my top picks for maximizing your monthly cell phone expenses.
An Overview of the Best Credit Cards for Phone Bills
There are two main types of cards that are ideal for phone bill spending
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Cash back business cards: These offer bonus categories like telecom services and phone bills. You can earn up to 5% back.
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Cards with cell phone protection: Some personal and business cards provide up to $800 coverage for damage or theft when you pay your bill with them.
Here’s a quick glance at some of the top options in each category:
| Card | Rewards Rate | Perks | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink Business Cash | 5% cash back on first $25K in combined phone/cable/internet spend each year | N/a | $0 |
| Ink Business Preferred | 3x points on first $150K in combined phone/cable/internet spend each year | Up to $1,000 in cell phone protection | $95 |
| Citi Double Cash | 2% cash back (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay) | N/a | $0 |
| Wells Fargo Propel | 1x points per $1 on all purchases | Up to $600 in cell phone protection | $0 |
| U.S. Bank Visa Platinum | 1x points per $1 on all purchases | Up to $600 in cell phone protection | $0 |
As you can see, there are great options whether you want to maximize rewards or protections. Next, let’s take a closer look at some of my favorite cards in each category.
Top Cash Back Business Cards for Phone Bills
Business credit cards tend to offer the highest earning rates for telecom purchases like cell phone bills. You don’t need to own a formal business to qualify – side gigs or freelancing often counts. Here are two excellent business card options:
Ink Business Cash Credit Card
- 5% cash back on first $25K in combined cable, phone, internet services each year
- 2% back on first $25K in combined gas station and restaurant spend each year
- No annual fee
This is my personal favorite for phone bill spending! The 5% back benefit alone can earn you $100+ per year. There’s no cap on total rewards either. You can convert cash back to valuable Ultimate Rewards points if you also have a premium Chase card like the Sapphire Reserve.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
- 3x points on first $150K in combined cable, phone, internet services each year
- Cell phone protection – up to $1,000 per claim against damage or theft when you pay your bill with this card
- $95 annual fee
This card combo combines strong rewards earning with cell phone protection. You can pool points with other Chase cards. The annual fee is very reasonable for a premium business card.
Best No Annual Fee Cards with Cell Phone Protection
For personal cards, I prefer no-fee options with cell phone coverage. Here are two great choices:
Wells Fargo Propel Card
- 1x point per $1 spent on all purchases
- Cell phone protection – up to $600 per claim; $25 deductible
- $0 annual fee
This is a simple, straightforward card that earns rewards on all spending. The cell protection benefit is very valuable if you ever break or lose your device. You can redeem points for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more.
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
- 1x point per $1 spent on all purchases
- Cell phone protection – up to $600 per claim; $25 deductible
- $0 annual fee
Similar to the Wells Fargo card, you’ll earn a flat 1x points on all charges with no categories to track. It also comes with up to $600 in protection when you pay your wireless bill. Redeem points for cash back, merchandise, travel, and more.
Tips for Maximizing Your Phone Bill Spending
To recap, here are my top tips for maximizing your monthly cell phone expense:
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Use a cash back business card – you can earn up to 5% back on telecom purchases.
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Consider a no annual fee card with cell phone protection if you want peace of mind.
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Pay your bill in full each month to earn rewards and keep account balances low.
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Track rewards to redeem them for maximum value – points can be worth $.01 up to 2 cents or more each depending on the card.
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Set up autopay so you never miss a payment deadline and rewards opportunities.
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Monitor your data usage in your account online to avoid surprise overage charges each month.
Charging your wireless bill to the right card takes just a minute but earns you rewards, protection, and savings over time. I’ve covered the basics here, but be sure to read full card reviews before applying to any new accounts. A little research upfront helps ensure you maximize ongoing monthly expenses down the road. Happy phone bill payment and rewards earning!
The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee)
Cell phone protection includes reimbursement for repair/replacement costs if your cell phone is stolen or damaged, including a cracked screen. Benefits cover up to two approved claims, for a maximum of $800 per claim or $1,600 per 12-month period, when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an eligible account. A $50 deductible applies to each approved claim.
Plus earn 5x points on certain flights (up to $500,000 on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel per calendar year) and hotel stays, hundreds of dollars a year in credit for travel and shopping, and lounge access, among other high-end perks.
Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Chase Freedom Flex® ($0 annual fee)
Cell phone protection of up to $800 per claim and a total of up to $1,000 per year, with a $50 deductible per claim. A maximum of two claims can be submitted every 12 months. You must pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card to take advantage of this benefit. Plus, youll earn 5% on rotating categories you activate each quarter, as well as fixed bonus rewards in other categories including 3% on dining and 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
For your travel aspirations, pair this card with one of the Chase Sapphire cards for elevated redemption rates and access to travel transfer partners.
Use these CREDIT CARDS for your CELL PHONE BILL!!! – 2023
FAQ
Is it good to pay a phone bill with a credit card?
It’s great to use credit cards for almost everything as long as you pay off the full balance by the due date. One more thing to check is that the service provider doesn’t charge you a fee. For example, Verizon doesn’t give you the auto-pay discount if you use a credit card.
How to get credit for paying cell phone bill?
Pay your phone bill with a credit card. Credit card companies do report on-time payments to the credit bureaus, but phone companies don’t. That means you can use a credit card to pay your cell phone bill and get points for having a good payment history.
Do business credit cards pay cell phone bills?
Business credit cards can offer even better incentives for paying your cell phone bill. We recommend these two business credit cards for paying cell phone bills: The first one gives you 5% cash back on cell phone, internet, and cable services, as well as purchases from office supply stores. The 5% cash back bonus applies to the first $25,000 spent annually.
What are the best credit cards to pay for cell phone bills?
You can pay your cell phone bill with the Amex Platinum card, the Capital One Venture X card, the Delta Platinum card, the Wells Fargo Autograph card, the Citi Double Cash card, and the Freedom Unlimited card.
Can I pay my cell phone bill with a credit card?
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. If you want to earn valuable rewards or get extra benefits, we suggest paying your monthly cell phone bill with a credit card. We recommend considering cards like the Chase Freedom Flex®, U. S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card, and The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Which business credit card should I use for cell phone bills?
We suggest the following two business credit cards for paying cell phone bills: The first one gives you 5% cash back on cell phone, internet, and cable services, as well as purchases made at office supply stores. The 5% cash back bonus applies to the first $25,000 spent annually. After that, you earn unlimited 1% cash back.
Which personal card should you use for cell phone bills?
Our favorite personal card to use for cell phone bills is the Amex Platinum card. You may be wondering why this card is on this list since its main bonus categories and benefits are related to travel.
How do I pay my cell phone bill with a rewards card?
When you use a rewards card to pay your cell phone bill, choose the one that gives you the most points. You can do this by linking your card through an autopay program or paying it online every month. Autopay is often more convenient because it ensures you won’t miss a due date.
