Paying everyday bills—electricity, Gas, mobile, or broadband—can feel dull and often a hassle. However, I discovered that the 6 best credit cards for utility bill payments which can save huge on monthly bills. I used to ignore this category of spending until I stumbled upon my Axis Bank ACE Credit Card, which gave me ₹985 cashback in my very first billing cycle just for paying my Jio broadband and electricity bill through Google Pay. It was a relief to see my bills being paid with such ease and getting rewarded for it.
That realization flipped a switch. Instead of letting this money disappear unnoticed, now I earn back every month. In this 2025 roundup, I’ll share the top credit card options available in India, how they work in everyday situations (yes, including mine), and help you pick the one that fits your lifestyle. Because, after all, your credit card should be as unique as you are.
Table of Contents
Why Use a Credit Card for Utility Bill Payments?
Utility bills are monthly essentials — predictable, recurring, and often unavoidable. That’s what makes them perfect for smart rewards optimization.
Benefits:
- Earn Rewards or Cashback: Turn routine payments into savings.
- Build Your Credit Score: Timely payments reflect positively.
- Track Spending Easily: Consolidated billing for household expenses.
- Auto-Pay & Alerts: Avoid late payment penalties.
- Special Partner Offers: Discounts on billers like Tata Power, BSNL, etc.
Quick Comparison: Choose the Best Card
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Cashback/Rewards on Bills | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Millennia Credit Card | ₹1,000 | 5% via PayZapp & SmartBuy | Heavy online shoppers |
| Axis Bank ACE Credit Card | ₹499 | 5% via Google Pay | Frequent Google Pay users |
| ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card | None | 2% via Amazon Pay | Amazon fans & budget spenders |
| Standard Chartered Titanium Card | ₹750 | 5% on fuel, utilities, phone | Fuel-plus-bill payers |
| SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card | ₹499 | 10x points on Paytm, Amazon, etc. | Daily online utility payers |
| Citi Cashback Credit Card | ₹500 | 5% on bills and movie tickets | Straightforward cashback lovers |
My Real Cashback Last Month
Here’s a breakdown from my actual utility bill usage last month:
- Electricity: ₹1,8000
- Broadband Jio: ₹825
- Mobile (postpaid + Prepaid): ₹576+₹299
- Total: ₹19,700
And here’s what I earned:
- Axis Bank ACE: ₹985cashback using Google Pay
- HDFC Millennia: Same ₹985, but only via PayZapp
- ICICI Amazon Pay: ₹394 cashback via Amazon Pay
- SBI SimplyCLICK: ~333 points, which fetched me ₹166 worth of vouchers
- Standard Chartered: ₹250 cashback, but capped monthly
🟢 From my experience, Axis Bank ACE is the winner if you’re already using Google Pay. But if you’re not into UPI apps, HDFC Millennia is a decent alternative—though setting up PayZapp took me a while!
Top 6 Best Credit Cards for Utility Bill Payments
1. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹499 (waived on ₹2 lakh annual spend)
- Utility Benefit: 5% cashback via Google Pay
- Other Perks: 4% on Swiggy, Zomato, Ola; 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Personal Note: I pay my BESCOM and ACT bills every month through Google Pay and never miss that sweet ₹250 back.
- Drawback: If you forget to use Google Pay, you lose the benefit
2. HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹1,000 (waived after ₹1L annual spend)
- Utility Benefit: 5% via PayZapp or SmartBuy
- Other Perks: Lounge access, 5% on Flipkart, Amazon
- Personal Note: I used this card last Diwali for Amazon shopping and got ₹500 cashback + reward points.
- Drawback: PayZapp isn’t always user-friendly; rewards drop to 1% outside eligible platforms
3. ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹0 (lifetime free)
- Utility Benefit: 2% via Amazon Pay
- Other Perks: 5% for Prime, 1% otherwise
- Personal Note: Great for small mobile/DTH recharges. I use it for my Tata Play bills on Amazon and it works flawlessly.
- Drawback: Cashback isn’t very exciting for high-value bills
4. Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium
- Annual Fee: ₹750 (waived at ₹60,000 annual spend)
- Utility Benefit: 5% cashback on utility and fuel
- Other Perks: Surcharge waiver; useful for car owners
- Personal Note: I used it primarily for HPCL fuel and BESCOM bills during my Pune stint in 2023.
- Drawback: Monthly cashback cap felt restrictive after a few months
5. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹499
- Utility Benefit: 10x reward points on partner sites
- Other Perks: Bonus vouchers on annual milestones
- Personal Note: I once forgot to use Amazon and paid my Airtel bill directly—earned basic points only. Lesson learned!
- Drawback: No benefits on non-partner platforms
6. Citi Cashback Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹500
- Utility Benefit: Flat 5% cashback
- Other Perks: Cashback on movies, fuel, and auto-debit options
- Personal Note: My old go-to card in 2020–2022. I loved the auto-pay setup—no more late fees.
- Drawback: Sadly, Citi is phasing out its India credit card operations
How to Choose the Right Card
- Platform Preference: If you’re always on Google Pay like me, go for Axis ACE.
- Fee Tolerance: Want zero charges? ICICI Amazon Pay is your guy.
- Lifestyle Fit: If you drive and pay fuel bills, go for Standard Chartered.
- Set-and-Forget Users: Citi Cashback works wonders with auto-debit. I personally loved this feature during my busiest work months.
How to Maximize Rewards on Utility Bill Payments
- Split larger bills across multiple cards to cross monthly thresholds.
- Use SmartPay or AutoPay to avoid missing out on recurring benefits.
- Track partner offers monthly (e.g., PayZapp offers up to ₹150 cashback).
- Pay through reward-linked platforms (e.g., Google Pay with Axis ACE).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Paying minimum due only: Leads to interest charges.
- ❌ Not checking reward exclusions: Some cards exclude utilities.
- ❌ Exceeding credit utilization: Keep it under 30% to protect your score.
- ❌ Delaying payment cycles: Late fees + score drop.
Pro Tips to Maximize Value
- Auto-Debit: I’ve missed due dates in the past. Ever since I linked my Citi card to Airtel’s auto-pay, no more late charges.
- Use the Right App: If I paid my BESCOM bill via Paytm instead of GPay with ACE, I’d miss ₹250 cashback. True story.
- Mind the Caps: Some months I hit the cashback limit early, especially with electricity hikes. Plan your bill cycle!
- Redeem Smartly: I once lost 1,000 points on an older card by ignoring expiry reminders. Don’t be me.
Final Thoughts
The right credit card makes a dull routine feel rewarding. For me, Axis ACE and HDFC Millennia have delivered the most value, but only when I use the right platforms. ICICI Amazon Pay is excellent for beginners or low bill volumes.
My advice? Start by tracking where you pay your bills and which apps you use. Match that to the right credit card. You’ll be surprised how those little ₹100s and ₹200s add up!
Need a tailored pick?
Tell me your average bill amount and the apps you use most—I’ll help you match the perfect card.
FAQ
1. Which credit card gives the highest cashback for utility bills?
Axis Bank ACE and HDFC Millennia offer 5% cashback, making them top choices if you use Google Pay or PayZapp.
2. Are there any credit cards with no annual fees?
Yes, the ICICI Amazon Pay Credit Card has zero annual or joining fees.
3. Can I earn rewards on automatic bill payments?
Yes, many cards like Citi Cashback and HDFC Millennia reward auto-debit payments. Be sure to check platform eligibility.
4. Is it safe to pay utility bills with a credit card?
Absolutely. Credit cards offer fraud protection and tracking. Use official portals like PayZapp, Amazon Pay, or Google Pay for added security.
5. Can I convert my bill payments into EMIs?
Most cards, including HDFC and SBI, offer EMI conversion options after the transaction. Check your bank’s terms before proceeding.