How to get free entry to Select Museums in Philadelphia (July 2026)
NCnextcard team
What are the best credit cards to pay phone bills with? June 2026
NC
nextcard teamPublished Dec 18, 2025Updated Jun 15, 2026
Advertiser Disclosure: nextcard may receive compensation from card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain. For the most up-to-date terms & conditions, refer to the official credit card application on the issuer's website.
Paying off your phone bill may seem like a purchase that falls into the miscellaneous category for credit card purposes, leaving you ineligible to earn bonus points beyond the standard 1x rate.
Since phone bills are often substantial amounts of money to pay, especially if your family is consolidated under one entire phone plan, this could be a bummer since you won't be able to earn any extra bonus points for the possible thousands of dollars you're paying a year to keep your family connected to the internet.
Luckily, there are several credit cards available that offer extra bonus points for internet and telecommunications purchases, including phone bills. If you're a business owner looking for a new credit card to supplement your purchases, including paying for phone bills, I recommend adding the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card to your wallet.
While everyone may not have the ability to own a business, no matter how large or small, anyone who is able to claim themselves as a business owner should have the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card in their wallets, especially if they are responsible for any telecommunications bills. If you want a full breakdown of the card's perks and earning structure, our Ink Business Cash review covers everything in detail.
The current introductory bonus on the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is a $1,000 bonus cash back after spending $8,000 or more on qualifying purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. This $1,000 cash back is rewarded as 100,000 Chase points, which are only redeemable as cash back if you don't hold an eligible Chase card that allows you to transfer points.
If you're also a cardholder of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can transfer points between any of your Chase cards to one of these three cards, and you'll be able to transfer all the points you've earned to any of Chase's transfer partners, such as Hyatt or United. For a full look at what the Ink Business Preferred brings to the table, see our Ink Business Preferred review.
For new credit cards, I usually wait to make sure that I am getting the best possible introductory offer. However, the current introductory offer on the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card isn't too shabby, and I'd advise many people to get the credit card to use it for paying any of their internet, cable, or phone bills.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is one of the few credit cards that offer substantial rewards for internet, cable, and phone services, making it a strong card for anyone who needs to pay tens of thousands of dollars on these bills. To learn more about why this card deserves a spot in your wallet, read our guide on reasons to get the Ink Business Cash.
| Categories | Ink Business Cash® Earn Rates |
|---|---|
| Office supply stores, internet, cable, and phone services | 5% (on the first $25,000 combined spent each year) |
| Gas and dining | 2% (on the first $25,000 combined spent each year) |
| Lyft | 5% (through September 30, 2027) |
On top of the bonus cash back that you’ll earn as part of the introductory offer, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card presents cardholders with opportunities to earn even more bonus cash back by spending in specific categories. This spending especially appeals to business owners who need to pay for telecommunications utilities. Here’s how the earning rates break down:
As shown by this article, the standout feature of the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card is the 5% cash back category for making purchases at office supply stores and qualifying telecommunications services.
While other Chase cards earn extra bonus cash back or points for these same categories, such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card stands out because it offers one of the highest earning rates for these categories, with no annual fee.
As someone who shares a phone plan with my entire family, I often find myself covering a large bill to our phone carrier for everyone on the plan. On top of this, my family pays for internet and cable services separately, meaning that I can earn thousands of bonus points each year by simply using my Ink Business Cash® Credit Card for all of these bills.
For business owners who need to pay off these bills on a large scale, the benefits of having a credit card like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card become invaluable. If you qualify for the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, I highly recommend investing a spot for it in your wallet to take advantage of its bonus owning categories.
If you don't qualify to apply for a business credit card, don't fret! There are other credit cards available that will still allow you to earn bonus cash back or points for paying off your phone bill.
The Citi Double Cash® Card earns up to 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill), which could make it a right fit if you make a lot of purchases that often fall into miscellaneous spending categories. For a deeper look at how these two options compare, check out our Sapphire Reserve vs. Venture X.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2x miles on all purchases that aren't spent on booking anything through Capital One Travel, and also comes with cellphone insurance protection coverage. This can be especially valuable if you have an expensive flagship phone, since the coverage helps protect against damage or theft, so your card is doing double duty by earning rewards and acting as a safety net for your device.
Throughout the year, even outside the holiday season, credit cards that earn bonus cash back or points in miscellaneous spending categories can be a worthwhile investment. On top of being able to earn bonus rewards for spending hundreds of dollars on gifts for other people, you'll be able to earn bonus rewards for the hard-earned money that you spend on paying for your everyday utilities.
I'm currently a T-Mobile customer, making me eligible to apply for the T-Mobile Visa®. The T-Mobile Visa® is a credit card under the Capital One brand, providing cardholders with benefits that allow them to save money on their phone bill, as well as earn bonus earnings on any phone, accessory, or device at T-Mobile.
The T-Mobile Visa® earns 2% in rewards on every purchase, as well as 5% in rewards on T-Mobile purchases, including phone bills, phones, devices, and accessories. On top of that, by using your T-Mobile Visa® for your phone bill AutoPay, you can earn $5 off per line per month for eligible plans, up to 8 lines.
However, the downside of these “rewards” is that you’ll be earning cash back that can only be spent at T-Mobile, unlike general cash back that you can use to pay off any of your credit card bills, buy gift cards, book through the travel portal, etc.
This AutoPay discount is usually restricted to paying with a debit card or by directly paying with ACH through your bank account, but T-Mobile users can unlock this discount with a credit card by using the T-Mobile Visa® to pay for their phone bill. Some users have reported that this loophole has now been closed.
Depending on your phone carrier, you may find it worthwhile to invest in a carrier-specific credit card, allowing you to take advantage of all the benefits and discounts available to you as a customer. According to FCC phone bill guide, the average American household spends hundreds of dollars each year on wireless service alone, making this category a prime target for rewards optimization. Beyond just the discounts and rewards on phone bills, some carrier cards also unlock exclusive perks like priority customer service, device upgrade credits, or bonus data, which can make the card even more useful for heavy users of that network.
Choosing the right credit card to pay your phone bill can make a meaningful difference in how many rewards you earn each year. Whether you're a business owner able to take advantage of high-earning cards like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, or a non-business consumer looking for strong everyday rewards with cards like the Citi Double Cash® Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, there are plenty of opportunities to maximize value on a recurring expense you already have. And if you're committed to a specific carrier, a phone-company-branded card may unlock exclusive discounts and higher rewards that fit your spending habits.
At the end of the day, your phone bill is a predictable, often substantial monthly charge, which makes it the perfect opportunity to earn consistent points or cash back over the long term. With the right card in your wallet, you can turn a necessary utility into a reliable source of rewards.
It depends on the card. Many credit cards lump phone bills into the general "utilities" or "miscellaneous" category and earn only 1x rewards. However, cards like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card expressly categorize phone, internet, and cable services as a bonus category, earning 5% cash back on those purchases.
Yes, most wireless carriers accept credit cards for bill payment. However, some carriers may charge a convenience fee for credit card payments. Always check with your carrier before setting up autopay to avoid unexpected charges.
Most carriers offer autopay discounts only for debit cards or direct bank (ACH) payments. The T-Mobile Visa® is a notable exception — T-Mobile customers who use it for AutoPay can still receive the per-line discount that is normally reserved for bank payments.
Yes, it's one of the best options available for business owners. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent annually on internet, cable, and phone services combined, and it charges no annual fee. That makes it hard to beat for anyone paying substantial telecom bills each month. You can read our full Ink Business Cash review for a complete breakdown.
If you don't qualify for a business card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Citi Double Cash® Card are the strongest personal card options. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also includes cellphone protection insurance, which adds extra value beyond just the miles you earn. The CFPB's credit card comparison tool is a useful resource for comparing your options across issuers.
