With rising utility costs, every rupee counts. What if your credit card could give you something back every time you pay a bill? Find out which cards lead the pack.
Is it time for you to pay your monthly utilities? You may consider using a credit card for this. Why you ask? This blog is going to answer that for you.
Credit cards have evolved over the years, from simple financing tools to more mindful instruments of payment that earn rewards too. Their ease of use has revolutionised the user experience, and an increasing number of people have started using credit cards to make purchases and pay bills.
Image of Credit Card being used for paying Electricity Bills
Despite its numerous benefits, you may wonder is it safe to pay utilities with a credit card. In this blog, we will take you through the benefits of paying utility bills using credit cards, best credit cards for utility bill payments, and how to pay utility bills using credit cards.
Let’s begin with
Benefits of paying utility bills with credit cards
While many people still pay their utility bills using traditional methods, credit cards can make the process simple and also reward you with benefits. Let’s look at these benefits:
1.Credit access
There may be instances when you are low on funds, and the utility bill is due. In such cases, using a credit card can be beneficial, as you can effectively borrow funds and pay later.
2.Autopay facility
An autopay facility can be set up on utility bill payments every month. This reduces the burden of remembering the due date of bill payment and is more convenient for users.
3.Improves credit scores
Using your credit cards for utility bill payments also boosts your credit score. By clearing the outstanding amount every month, you build your credibility by showing timely payments.
Image of a Credit Card showing improved credit score
4.Ease of use
Credit cards are in general, a convenient tool to use as they eliminate the manual process of bill payment and the user can pay their bills online.
5.EMI (Equated Monthly Installments)
Credit cards also offer the option to pay your utility bills in installments. For example, if you receive a high electricity bill, you can divide it into smaller amounts and pay them periodically as EMIs.
6.Rewards and benefits
A lot of credit cards offer benefits such as reward points and cashback to users on certain types of transactions, such as utility bill payments.
7.Tool for financial planning
Using credit cards for utility bill payments can be a great tool for financial planning as it helps in taking credit during periods of low cash inflows.
Now that the benefits of using a credit card for utility bills are established, let us look at the top credit cards for this purpose in India.
Top 5 cards for utility bill payments in India
Below is a list of the top 5 credit cards in India that provide maximum cashback and rewards (as of March 2025) while making utility bill payments easy.
1. Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Credit Card
Features:
- Fuel– 5% cashback on fuel spends across all fuel stations, up to ₹200 per month.
- Utility Bills– 5% cashback on utility bills on a minimum transaction amount of ₹750, and maximum cashback worth ₹100 per month.
- Phone Bills– Also get a 5% cashback on phone bills above ₹750 transaction amount and a maximum cashback of ₹100 per month.
Eligibility:
- Age- To be eligible for this card, the user must be 21 years old and less than 65.
- Monthly income- To be eligible for this card, the user must have a stable monthly income of a minimum ₹55,000
Fees and Charges:
- First-year annual fee ₹750
- Renewal fee from second-year ₹750
2. HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
Features:
- You get 4 reward points on every ₹150 spent on utilities, insurance, etc.
- On quarterly spends of ₹1.5 Lakh, you get vouchers worth ₹1500
- Complimentary lounge access across 1000 airports
Eligibility:
- The user of this card must be between 21 and 65 years of age.
- Monthly income for a salaried non-government employee must be above ₹1.5 Lakh and for a salaried government employee must be ₹1 Lakh.
- Total income of a self-employed non-government person should be more than ₹18 Lakh per annum.
Fees and Charges:
- Joining fee of ₹2500+ taxes
- Annual Renewal fees of ₹2500+taxes
3. Axis ACE Credit Card
Features:
- Get 5% cashback on bill payments including gas, electricity, internet, and more; and also on mobile recharges done using Google Pay.
- Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel across all fuel stations across India.
- Get 4 domestic airport lounge access complimentary at selected domestic airports.
Eligibility:
- The user of the card should be between 18 and 70 years of age.
Fees and Charges:
- Joining fee is ₹499
- Annual fee is also ₹499
4. ICICI HPCL Super saver credit card
Features:
- Get 5% cashback as points on utility, grocery, and departmental store payments.
- Get an additional 5% cashback on all fuel purchases at HP fuel stations.
- Get 24*7 complimentary Road Side Assistance services.
Eligibility:
- The user needs to be between 21 and 65 years of age.
Fees and Charges:
- The joining fee of ₹500 + Goods and Services Tax
- The annual fee of ₹500 + Goods and Services Tax
5. SBI Card PRIME
Features:
- Get 2 Reward Points per Rs. 100 on all other retail spends except fuel.
- Pay your credit card outstanding bill with Reward Points. 4 Reward Points is ₹1.
- Get 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver on transaction amounts ranging from ₹500-₹4000 across all petrol pumps. Maximum Surcharge Waiver of ₹250 per month, per statement cycle.
Eligibility:
- To be eligible, a user must be between 18 and 80 years of age.
Fees and Charges:
- Joining fee of ₹2999+taxes
- Annual fee of ₹2999+taxes
Image of different credit card options for people to choose
Conclusion
With the wide range of benefits that come with a credit card, it is vital to check all the features, benefits, and charges associated with each. Credit cards provide ease of use and are convenient to pay utility bills. Therefore, apart from being effective financial planning tools, credit cards make utility bill payments quick and easy.
