You can pay many bills with a credit card — but it depends on the type of bill, the provider, and the payment methods they support. Here’s a clear breakdown of how you can pay bills with a credit card, which bills allow it, and when it makes sense.

Ways You Can Pay Bills With a Credit Card

There are four main ways to use a credit card for bills:

1. Pay directly through your bill provider (if they accept cards)

Some companies allow you to enter your credit card details directly into their online portal.

Typical examples include:

• Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+)
• Mobile phone contracts
• Broadband providers (Virgin, BT, Sky often accept cards)
• Insurance (car, home, pet)
• Council tax (in some areas)
• Subscriptions and memberships

Good for: earning credit card rewards without fees.

2. Pay via a third-party platform that accepts credit cards

Some services allow you to pay bills via a credit card even if the bill provider normally doesn’t accept cards. They charge your credit card and then send a bank transfer to the bill provider.

Examples (varies by country):

• Rent payment platforms
• Payment apps like PayPal, Curve, Revolut (depending on bill type)
• Bill-pay intermediary services

Important: these usually charge a fee (1–3%+), so it’s only worth it if the rewards outweigh the cost.

3. Pay bills with a credit card using Apple Pay or Google Pay

If a company accepts Apple Pay or Google Pay, you can link your credit card to your digital wallet and pay that way.
This is becoming more common for:

• Utilities
• Parking
• Government fees
• Transport
• Medical services

This works anywhere the merchant supports contactless or online card payments.

4. Use a shared-expense tool like Cino to pay household bills with a credit card

If you split bills with housemates or a partner, you can pay bills with a credit card more easily by using Cino’s shared virtual card.

How it works:

1. Link your credit card to your Cino account.
2. Pay any bill that accepts card payments using the shared Cino card.
3. Cino automatically splits the bill and deducts everyone’s share from their own bank card.

This allows you to:

• Pay bills with your credit card even when you’re only responsible for part of the cost
• Earn credit card points or cashback on bills you’d normally pay via bank transfer
• Avoid fronting the entire bill for your housemates
• Remove awkward reminders, since everyone pays instantly

For example, you can pay with your credit card for:

• Broadband
• Utilities (if the provider accepts cards)
• TV licence
• Rent (if the landlord accepts card payments)
• Shared subscriptions
• Groceries
• Cleaning services

Cino routes your portion to your credit card while everyone else pays their share automatically.

‍

🔍 Which bills can’t usually be paid with a credit card?

Some providers don’t support card payments:

• Energy bills (many still prefer Direct Debit, though some allow cards)
• Water bills (varies by region)
• Council tax (allowed in many areas, but not all)
• Childcare or nursery fees
• Private landlords (only accept bank transfer unless using a rent platform)

Even if a provider does accept cards, they may charge a fee.

⭐ Why people choose to pay bills with a credit card

1. Rewards & cashback

You earn points on spending you were going to pay anyway.

2. Helps with cash flow

Your credit card buys you time before the due date.

3. Keeps all spending in one place

Easier to track bills and budgets.

4. Works perfectly with Cino for shared bills

You still earn rewards without paying the entire bill upfront.

⚠️ When paying bills with a credit card is not a good idea

• If there’s a high processing fee
• If you’re carrying a balance and paying interest
• If you risk overspending and falling into debt
• If the bill is large and you can’t afford to repay immediately

Credit cards only make sense for bills if you’re disciplined about paying them off monthly.

‍