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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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9 things you didn’t know you could pay for with a credit card
Ariana has been writing about points and miles for almost a decade. She previously served as editor at FlyerTalk, Frugal Travel Guy and NerdWallet while running her own travel blog, PointChaser.
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
also contributed to this story
November 17, 2024 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
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Quick summary
The article highlights several large expenses that can be paid with a credit card, such as housing, taxes, tuition, and medical bills.
Using a credit card for these payments can help accumulate rewards, though additional transaction fees may apply for certain categories.
Some services and merchants, like car dealerships or universities, may allow partial or full payments by credit card, but policies and fees vary.
The article also notes opportunities to fund bank accounts, buy stocks, or pay for services like dog walking and Girl Scout cookies using a credit card.
What to consider
Many payment processors and institutions charge convenience or transaction fees for credit card payments, which can offset rewards earned.
Not all merchants or service providers accept credit cards for large expenses, and some may treat payments as cash advances, potentially incurring extra charges.
Always confirm fee structures and payment policies before proceeding, and ensure you can pay off balances in full to avoid interest.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of which expenses can be paid by credit card, how to evaluate fee-versus-reward scenarios, and tips for maximizing value on large purchases.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already doing all the right things when it comes to maximizing your living expenses. This likely includes using the right credit cards when dining out or shopping for groceries. Perhaps you’ve even set up autopay for utility bills and insurance premiums.
But, there are lots of big purchases that you may be overlooking completely. Here are some common expenses you may not have realized you can pay for with a credit card.
Housing is one of the biggest expenses for most of us, and luckily, you can earn points on it. Through a service such as Plastiq, you can pay your rent or mortgage with a credit card. The service does charge a fee of up to 2.9%, but you can earn Fee-Free Dollars by signing up with a referral link and referring others.
Additionally, the Bilt Mastercard® allows cardholders to earn Bilt Points when paying rent with no transaction fees. With the Bilt card, you can earn rewards on rent payments (up to 100,000 Bilt Points in a calendar year) without paying the transaction fee.
TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
The information for the Bilt Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
What you may not be aware of is that you can actually buy stocks with a credit card. Through a company called Stockpile, you can use a Visa or Mastercard credit card to purchase Stockpile gift cards, which can be redeemed for stock.
You can't use American Express cards for gift card purchases. Stockpile gift cards are not available in Connecticut.
However, trading stocks is risky, and if you get into it just to earn miles, you can end up in a lot of financial trouble. Always thoroughly research your options before investing in any stocks.
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A few years ago, I used a now-defunct site called Loyal3 to purchase blue-chip stocks to meet the spending requirement on a card. The company didn’t charge any credit card transaction fees, and I actually ended up making a small profit when I sold all the stock I purchased with my card.
If you’re in the market for a shiny new set of wheels, you know it’s not going to be cheap. Luckily for you, you may be able to pay for this purchase with a credit card.
This is a case-by-case scenario, but some car dealerships will allow you to buy a car with a credit card — or at least cover the down payment. Some dealerships may charge you a transaction fee, so you’ll definitely want to sort this out before getting too far into the buying process.
HILTON
Tesla actually allows customers to pay the initial order fee with a credit card. When I bought my Model 3, this fee was $1,000, but now it’s down to $250. While that won't earn you too many points or miles, it can help jump-start your progress toward a welcome bonus.
Taxes have to be everyone’s least favorite expense. But they are inevitable, and the fact that we can pay taxes with a credit card takes the sting out of this chore. Currently, the lowest fee for credit card payments is 1.82%. Depending on which credit card you use, it could actually be worthwhile.
For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases outside of its bonus categories. New cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
If you combine the Chase Freedom Unlimited with an Ultimate Rewards-earning card, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), your potential return is 3.08%, per TPG's November 2024 valuations. So even if you're paying a 1.82% fee on your tax payment, you'll come away with a 1.26% profit.
The card earns 2 points per dollar on the first $50,000 in purchases spent each calendar year, then 1 point. TPG's valuations place Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, so you’d earn a 4% return on your tax payment, which far exceeds the 1.82% fee.
Medical bills are frequently cited as the biggest portion of consumer debt. With high credit card interest rates, charging these expenses to a credit card isn’t advisable. But if you can get reimbursed by your health insurance company or health savings account, then you’ll definitely want to charge those bills to a credit card.
Whether it’s a trip to the dentist or a prescription copay, you should try to charge all of your medical expenses to a credit card when you can. Even if it’s just a small copay, it all adds up.
Best of all, I have yet to encounter a health care provider who charges a fee for credit card transactions. Don’t assume this to be the case, though. Double-check before swiping your card.
Whether you’re a student or have kids currently in college, chances are tuition payments are not something you look forward to every semester.
That’s why it’s absolutely worth checking with your academic institution about whether they accept credit card payments. You could easily earn tens of thousands of points or miles every semester for an expense you were going to incur anyway.
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Before you do, be sure to look into fees. While many universities do charge convenience fees when you pay tuition with a credit card, some of them do not. If yours falls into the latter category, consider yourself lucky and use a card that earns the most rewards on everyday spending.
Or, use those payments to hit the spending requirements for multiple welcome bonuses.
If you’re looking to switch banks or take advantage of checking account welcome bonuses, you can maximize this move by funding your bank account with a credit card.
That’s right — when opening a bank account, you’ll be presented with a few funding options. Most people will use a debit card, but some banks do allow you to use a credit card.
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I once did this when funding a new checking account and was able to charge $500 to my Chase Freedom Unlimited. I earned $7.50 worth of cash back, but since I also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, I can convert that to Ultimate Rewards points. It's not a huge haul, but Ultimate Rewards points are incredibly valuable, and every bit counts.
Keep in mind that some banks will charge a cash advance fee if you use your credit card to fund a checking account. The way you can avoid this is by finding out what your cash advance limit is. Then, try to use the card to fund your account with a higher amount. If the transaction is declined, you’ll know that it’s being coded as a cash advance.
It’s pretty much the law that when 10-year-olds show up in your office building to fuel your Tagalongs addiction, you buy 10 boxes minimum. Plus, you can buy Girl Scout Cookies online with a credit card.
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Nowadays, every Girl Scout has a designated web form where you can pay for cookies while giving them credit for the sale. Chances are the Girl Scouts will continue to push the online platform during the next sales cycle, which is going to be great news all around.
If you’re juggling working from home while caring for your very own Points Pup, you may find yourself using a dog walker more often than before. The great news is that if you utilize a service like Rover.com, you can pay your dog walker with a credit card. You may even be able to earn bonus points or cash back on this expense.
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In the past, Amex Offers has run deals on Rover, once offering $10 off of $50 spent, which is pretty substantial. Rover even has a referral program, allowing you to earn a $20 credit when you refer a friend to the site.
All of the above-mentioned expenses are substantial and can really help you grow your rewards balance for your next dream vacation. You’ll want to take into account the additional fees involved in paying some of these expenses with a credit card and ensure that the rewards you’re earning are worth it.
As with any purchase, remember to pay your card off in full every month so you do not incur interest fees.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
