What You Can and Cant Pay (2024)

You could be earning significant cashback when paying bills with your credit card. But not all bills are created equal.

What Bills Can You Pay With Your Credit Card?

Monthly bills seem to be growing every year. What used to be one cable package has turned into three streaming services, two phone bills, and internet all from different providers. That doesn’t take into account household utilities like water, heating, electricity, and more. But what if there was a way to be rewarded for paying your bills in a timely manner?

Some financial institutions offer reward cards that give you a percentage back with each purchase. The thrill of being rewarded by spending may have you asking yourself, "is it good to pay bills with credit cards?"

The short answer is, entertainment and nonessentials can usually be paid with a credit card with no fees. Services, utilities, and taxes can often be paid with a credit card but with a processing fee. Loan payments are usually check or bank withdrawal payments only.

Setting up Autopay for Cable, Phone, and Internet Bills

A majority of cable, phone, and internet providers will accept a credit card as payment. Setting up your bills for monthly autopay using your credit card to avoid any late fees.

Can you Pay for Streaming Services with a Credit Card?

Yes. 95% of streaming services accept credit cards as payment.Even if you rarely use a streaming service, don't risk canceling it due to fear of missing out. Paying for streaming services will get you cashback rewards.

Can You Pay Your Utility Bills with a Credit Card?

Whether or not your home utilities provider offers credit cards as a valid form of bill payment is a toss-up.Your best bet is to assume they accept credit cards, but with an additional convenience and processing fee.

Looking to Pay your Rent or Mortgage with your Credit Card?

While paying your rent or mortgage would be a surefire way to build your credit, you’ll have to turn to other bills to boost your score. It's highly unlikely your lender or landlord would accept credit cards as a form of payment. If you are so inclined to pay off your rent or mortgage with a credit card, there are 3rd party solutions.

You can pay these companies the equivalent of your mortgage/rent plus a processing fee, and they will cut your mortgage lender/landlord a check. These processing fees could greatly inflate your bill, so check the percentage before paying for your home or apartment with a credit card.

Paying off your Car Loan with a Credit Card

Loans, like mortgages, are unlikely to be able to be paid with a credit card. If they can, they charge a significant processing fee. This fee will be much greater than any cashback you earn.

Doing Your Taxes with a Credit Card

If you’ve done your taxes (you should have at least once if you're reading this article), then you’re likely aware that you can pay some taxes with your credit card. But, once again, processing fees apply.

This is just a brief list of the common bills and services that we usually pay each year. If you are punctual in paying your monthly bills, and see the potential of growing your credit and your cashback, then consider a cashback credit card, like ourVisa Signature Empower Card.

What You Can and Cant Pay (2024)

FAQs

What can I do if I can't pay? ›

If you struggle to pay on time, it's best your lender knows as soon as possible. A free financial mentor can talk to the lender on your behalf. They can also help create a realistic budget and repayment plan, based on your income and living costs. Check your debts.

How to pay off $20,000 in debt? ›

If you have $20,000 in credit card debt that you need to pay off in three years or less, you have multiple options to consider, including:
  1. Take advantage of a debt relief service.
  2. Consolidate your debt with a home equity loan.
  3. Take advantage of 0% balance transfer credit cards.
Feb 15, 2024

What bills cannot be paid with a credit card? ›

Mortgages, rent and car loans typically can't be paid with a credit card. You may need to pay a convenience fee if you pay some bills, like utility bills, with a credit card. Using a credit card for your monthly bills can offer opportunities to earn rewards.

How do you pay when you have no money? ›

Finding financial relief
  1. Government disability insurance programs. ...
  2. Disability and income replacement benefits through your employer. ...
  3. Create a barebones budget. ...
  4. Use coupons and consider store brands. ...
  5. Evaluate and eliminate some nonessential expenses. ...
  6. Prioritize credit card payments. ...
  7. Apply for government programs.

What happens after 7 years of not paying debt? ›

The debt will likely fall off of your credit report after seven years. In some states, the statute of limitations could last longer, so make a note of the start date as soon as you can.

How to get rid of $40,000 credit card debt? ›

Options For Paying Off Substantial Credit Card Debt. There are a number of strategies to pay off large amounts of credit card debt. They include personal loans, 0% APR balance transfer cards, debt settlement, bankruptcy, credit counseling and debt management plans. You may be able to use more than one of these options.

How to get $50,000 out of debt? ›

Tips for Paying Off $50,000 in Credit Card Debt
  1. Pay More Than the Minimum. ...
  2. Focus on High-Interest Debt First. ...
  3. Pay Off the Card With the Lowest Balance First. ...
  4. Review Your Expenses. ...
  5. Use Extra Cash to Pay Down Your Debt. ...
  6. Home Equity Loan. ...
  7. Personal Loan. ...
  8. Balance Transfer.
Jun 13, 2023

How to get rid of $15,000 credit card debt? ›

Here are four ways you can pay off $15,000 in credit card debt quickly.
  1. Take advantage of debt relief programs.
  2. Use a home equity loan to cut the cost of interest.
  3. Use a 401k loan.
  4. Take advantage of balance transfer credit cards with promotional interest rates.
Nov 1, 2023

How do I get out of debt I can't afford? ›

Here are some debt-relief options to consider.
  1. Create a Budget. ...
  2. Do Nothing and Get Debt Relief That Way. ...
  3. Negotiate With Your Creditors to Get Debt Relief. ...
  4. Seek Debt-Relief Assistance From a Consumer Credit Counseling Agency. ...
  5. File for Bankruptcy to Get Debt Relief. ...
  6. Get Help With Your Federal Student Loans.

How to get out of debt with no money and bad credit? ›

How to get out of debt when you have no money
  1. Step 1: Stop taking on new debt. ...
  2. Step 2: Determine how much you owe. ...
  3. Step 3: Create a budget. ...
  4. Step 4: Pay off the smallest debts first. ...
  5. Step 5: Start tackling larger debts. ...
  6. Step 6: Look for ways to earn extra money. ...
  7. Step 7: Boost your credit scores.
Dec 5, 2023

How to get out of debt when you can't pay your bills? ›

Get professional help: Reach out to a nonprofit credit counseling agency that can set up a debt management plan. You'll pay the agency a set amount every month toward each of your debts. The agency works to negotiate a lower bill or interest rate on your behalf and, in some cases, can get your debt canceled.

Why shouldn't you always tell your bank how much? ›

You don't have to answer

No matter how you answer, there could be an impact on your credit limit, Howard said. Lenders can cut your credit line at any time whether or not you respond to update requests.

Is it better to pay bills with a credit card or a bank account? ›

You should also use your checking account to pay bills in the following situations: Your provider charges a fee for paying by credit card. In most cases, you'll pay more in credit card convenience fees than you'll gain in card rewards and perks for using a credit card.

Can I pay a car note with a credit card? ›

Like we said, the simple answer is yes, it's possible to use a credit card for your monthly car payment, but not really advisable. Say you put $1,000 down on a $13,000 car and you're looking at monthly payments of $350 over three years to pay off the $12,000 balance.

What happens if you owe money and can't pay? ›

“It could affect employment, housing and more.” Avoiding payment also means that creditors can sue you for unpaid bills. In some states, you could get your wages garnished or have your assets seized. You're still paying your outstanding debt even if you aren't making the payments directly.

Do debt collectors give up? ›

If the debt is not collected, then the debt collector does not make money. In many cases, although you would think that debt collectors would eventually give up, they are known to be relentless. Debt collectors will push you until they get paid, and use sneaky tactics as well.

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