7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling

7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Offers 10x Points on Phone Bills During International Travel

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has recently upped the ante for travelers who value staying connected while overseas. By offering 10x points on phone bills during international trips, they've created an interesting incentive for those who regularly use their phones for calls, data, and texting while abroad. Coupled with the existing benefits – like the 5x points on flights and 10x on hotels and rental cars when using Chase Travel – this card remains a strong option for those who frequent the global travel scene.

Of course, the annual fee of $550 is not insignificant. This makes it vital to honestly assess your travel habits to gauge whether the rewards will outweigh this cost. Do you use your phone abroad heavily, enough to earn substantial points? If so, the Reserve could be a valuable tool. But if you're a more casual international traveler, the return on investment might not be as compelling. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, though, is a card designed with the more frequent traveler in mind, and can deliver a substantial benefit when utilized accordingly.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a compelling perk for those who travel internationally: earning 10x points on phone bills while abroad. This feature makes it a valuable tool for frequent international travelers, who often rely on their phones for communication, navigation, and bookings while on the road.

Many travelers may overlook the earning potential associated with phone bill payments. While most reward programs value points between 1 and 2 cents per point, some airline miles can attain a significantly higher value, sometimes reaching 5 cents or even more during periods of high travel demand. The sheer volume of travelers using their phones for navigation and bookings while abroad emphasizes the practical benefits of optimizing point-earning potential on phone bills.

Not all cards offer comparable rewards for such expenses. The Sapphire Reserve's 10x points on international phone bills stand out in comparison to many other premium cards, which generally provide 1-3 points on such charges. This illustrates how credit card offerings can diverge in their reward structures. Recent years have shown hints of how loyalty programs might incorporate phone bill payments, offering bonuses not just for travel, but also communication expenses. It remains to be seen how widespread such practices become, but it indicates potential shifts in travel spending.


Typically, international travelers incur phone expenses exceeding $100 per trip. Leveraging the Sapphire Reserve's generous multiplier on these costs presents a clear opportunity to rack up a notable amount of rewards. As a consequence, phone providers and mobile carriers have begun offering data-intensive travel packages specifically designed for different regions, aiming to make international mobile communication more affordable without compromising the chance of maximizing reward points with specific cards.

The tendency of travelers to focus primarily on flights and accommodations often leads to overlooking potential rewards associated with utility expenses like phone bills. However, these expenses can be a substantial portion of total travel expenditures. If not optimized, the associated rewards may go unused, creating a missed opportunity for reward accrual.


Further complicating matters, international regulations regarding mobile phone usage and associated costs can vary significantly across countries, sometimes leading to unexpected increases in bills. Employing a credit card with high rewards on such costs can help mitigate some of the financial burden on budget-minded travelers. With many travelers exploring destinations previously less frequently visited, staying connected via phone service is often more crucial than ever, making it critical to select the right credit card to optimize rewards and travel benefits.

What else is in this post?

1. 7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Offers 10x Points on Phone Bills During International Travel
2. 7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - American Express Business Gold Card Adds Bonus Points for Insurance Payments in 2024
3. 7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Citi Premier Now Codes Internet Bills as Travel Category for 3x Points
4. 7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Wells Fargo Autograph Card Introduces Double Points on Water and Electricity Bills
5. 7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Capital One Venture X Adds 5x Points on Property Insurance Through Mobile App
6. 7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Discover it Miles Card Launches New Bonus Categories for Cable TV and Natural Gas Bills
7. 7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Includes New Cell Phone Protection When Paying Bills

7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - American Express Business Gold Card Adds Bonus Points for Insurance Payments in 2024

American Express's Business Gold Card is getting a refresh in 2024, specifically for those who handle a lot of insurance costs. The card will now grant bonus points for insurance payments, making it a more attractive option for businesses with substantial insurance needs. This new feature complements the card's existing benefits, such as the ability to earn a boosted 4x points on your two highest spending categories, up to a combined annual limit of $150,000. While this change potentially adds a lot of value, it's worth remembering that the annual fee has increased. So, it's essential to consider your business's specific spending habits and determine if the new bonus points make it worth the higher cost. For businesses that consistently spend money on insurance, this new benefit could be a way to earn a good chunk of rewards, alongside other already existing benefits. It remains to be seen how much of a real impact these extra points will have for most users.

The American Express Business Gold Card is making a move in 2024 by offering bonus points on insurance payments. This is quite interesting, as it suggests credit card companies are increasingly looking beyond typical travel-related spending to attract and retain customers. It seems they've realized that business owners are also looking to maximize value in areas like insurance premiums.

Considering that insurance premiums can be a significant expense, often exceeding $1,000 a year, depending on the type and size of the business, the possibility of converting these payments into valuable reward points is appealing. If a business pays a couple of thousand dollars annually in premiums and the card gives them 4x points, that could translate into a decent number of points—8,000 in this example—just for making regular payments.

From what I've seen, the value of American Express Membership Rewards points is fairly variable, often between 1.5 and 2 cents each when used for flights. The new insurance bonus could make the Business Gold Card a more attractive option for those who are regular travelers, especially if they can convert a large chunk of insurance payments into travel-related rewards.


It's noteworthy that a lot of people aren't leveraging the rewards potential of their everyday expenses. Research suggests that many consumers, particularly small business owners, are missing out on valuable point accumulation opportunities. With the American Express Business Gold Card, they seem to be recognizing this gap and actively trying to capture it. A 2023 study even found that nearly 60% of small business owners weren't actively optimizing their spending with rewards cards.

Interestingly, this change by American Express appears to be driven by a growing trend in the small business space where credit card rewards are increasingly influencing purchasing decisions. It's a clever tactic to cater to this segment, hopefully boosting loyalty and engagement.

Looking ahead, with the airline industry planning to boost capacity on popular routes by about 15% in 2024, we could see higher reward point values during peak travel times. Being able to generate points through seemingly ordinary expenses like insurance could offer an additional way to finance trips during those busy periods.

It also seems that a sizable portion of business travelers – over 70% by some estimates – actively chooses reward credit cards aligned with their spending habits. The American Express Business Gold Card's new features might well give them a competitive edge in a crowded market.


The trend in loyalty programs overall is evolving, with more and more companies incorporating non-traditional expenses like insurance into their reward structures. It's a response to the competition, and it will be fascinating to see how consumers react to these changes and how it further alters how they view their everyday spending.

7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Citi Premier Now Codes Internet Bills as Travel Category for 3x Points

Citi's Premier card, now rebranded as the Citi Strata Premier card, is making waves by including internet bills within the travel category for earning 3x points. This is a smart move for those seeking to maximize rewards from everyday spending. While not all utility bills qualify for this perk, the inclusion of internet service is particularly beneficial, since those costs can really add up throughout the year.

By classifying internet expenses under travel, cardholders can potentially earn more points for their travel plans. This opens up opportunities for accumulating enough points for flights to exotic destinations like the Galapagos Islands, exploring historical gems of Europe, or taking a cruise to Alaska during the peak summer season. It's all about making ordinary expenses contribute to bigger travel goals.

The decision of whether this change makes the card significantly more attractive depends heavily on how often you travel and how much you spend on the internet. Credit card rewards programs can be complex, and it's worth looking at the whole picture. There's always a trade-off between card perks and the annual fee, so it's crucial to evaluate if the card's benefits align with your individual spending and travel priorities. While this innovation offers a fresh perspective on how everyday expenses can contribute to rewards, it's important to critically assess its worth for each traveler's needs and overall travel goals.

1. **Reclassified Expenses:** Citi Premier has made a curious move by including certain internet bills under the travel category for earning rewards. This reimagining of common household expenses as potentially travel-related could be a game-changer for how some travelers approach their everyday spending.

2. **Enhanced Earning Potential:** Utility bills traditionally aren't associated with high credit card rewards, often earning only 1x to 2x points. However, with this change, internet service payments can now earn 3x ThankYou points on the Citi Premier. This is significant for travelers who are aiming to build up points without necessarily increasing their out-of-pocket spending.

3. **Behavioral Economics at Play:** Many travelers overlook the potential to earn rewards on their monthly internet bills, simply viewing them as routine expenses. By categorizing these as travel-related, Citi Premier seems to be applying principles of behavioral economics to encourage consumers to view their spending more strategically when it comes to reward programs.

4. **Annual Spending Insights:** Research suggests that the typical household spends around $1,200 annually on internet service. With this new categorization, those with the Citi Premier could rack up roughly 3,600 bonus points every year, making it a potentially appealing incentive for those motivated to maximize credit card rewards.

5. **Data vs. Wi-Fi Usage:** Surveys show that a significant percentage of international travelers – roughly 55% – rely on Wi-Fi while traveling, preferring it to using cellular data. Classifying internet payments as a travel expense conveniently dovetails with this growing trend, allowing those travelers to more easily accumulate points for future flights or hotel stays.

6. **Variability of Reward Value:** The real-world value of credit card rewards can be unpredictable. The value of a particular ThankYou point can fluctuate. But for travelers, utilizing this new bonus category on internet bills may lead to increased rewards, especially during travel peaks when airline reward availability is tight.

7. **Shifting Consumer Mindset:** Consumers are increasingly aware of ways to optimize rewards through their spending. Understanding how everyday expenses, like internet bills, can now contribute to travel goals is an indicator of a broader trend. Consumers are starting to view many of their basic monthly expenses through a lens of potential rewards, not just as necessities.

8. **Evolving Spending Categories:** Credit card companies are increasingly rethinking how they categorize spending to attract and retain customers. Citi Premier's adjustment highlights a broader trend – even seemingly non-traditional travel expenses can now contribute towards building up rewards for travel.

9. **Potentially Funding Entire Trips:** With points playing a growing role in how people fund their travels, this 3x multiplier on internet bills becomes significant. The reclassification might potentially democratize travel rewards, making them more accessible for a wider range of people and not just those who make large travel-related purchases.

10. **Industry Response to Changing Habits:** The financial sector's desire to expand the eligible categories for point accrual signals a recognition of the shifts in how people travel. As travelers increasingly rely on the internet for booking and managing their trips, offering creative and competitive reward structures helps encourage customer loyalty and engagement.

7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Wells Fargo Autograph Card Introduces Double Points on Water and Electricity Bills

Wells Fargo's Autograph Card has introduced a new perk that could be appealing to many: double points for paying water and electricity bills, effective April 4, 2024. This move makes the card more interesting for those who want to earn rewards on everyday expenses and potentially use those points for travel. New cardholders can also snag a bonus of up to 30,000 points after meeting a spending requirement, providing a potential head start on accumulating rewards for future trips.

The card comes with a 0% introductory APR, which is always helpful, and doesn't charge an annual fee. This makes it a potentially attractive option for those who want to build up points without having to pay a yearly fee. While not exactly a revolutionary feature, it does highlight a wider trend among credit card companies to broaden the range of spending that can be used to collect points. We've already seen this with other rewards programs, and it's likely to continue, creating more opportunities to earn points on things that are not directly travel-related. Whether this card is ultimately worth getting depends on your individual spending habits and whether you're someone who values earning points on bills. However, it is definitely a card worth considering if you are looking to add to your credit card collection.

1. **Utility Bill Point Boost:** Wells Fargo's Autograph Card has introduced a new feature where you can earn double the points on your water and electricity bills. This is an interesting move, tapping into the growing trend of credit cards offering rewards on everyday expenses. It's essentially turning a necessary cost into a potential path to earning travel rewards.

2. **Household Spending and Rewards:** Studies show that US households typically spend around $3,000 each year on utilities. If you can use your credit card for these costs, you suddenly have a new source of rewards you might have otherwise missed. It highlights that there's a lot of potential for accumulating points simply by paying for essential services.

3. **Point Value Fluctuations:** While the exact value of credit card rewards can shift, during periods of high travel demand, certain points can be worth more than 2 cents per point when used for flights. This implies that earning these bonus points on utility payments could have a meaningful impact on your ability to book trips, especially if you often travel during peak seasons. It's a way to potentially stretch your travel budget further.


4. **Credit Card Competition:** The introduction of utility rewards on cards like the Wells Fargo Autograph is a sign of the competitive landscape in the financial industry. It shows how credit card providers are trying to come up with fresh ways to attract and retain customers by offering better incentives. It will be fascinating to see how this influences the strategies of other banks in the coming months.


5. **Behavioral Economics in Play:** By making utility bills a part of their rewards program, Wells Fargo is potentially using some of the principles of behavioral economics. The idea is that by shifting how you view these expenses, you might be more inclined to spend on your credit card, boosting loyalty to the bank and encouraging more card use. Whether this has a long-term impact is still something that needs to be studied.

6. **Looking Beyond the Obvious:** Many travelers primarily think about earning points on flights and hotels. They may miss out on a significant source of rewards if they overlook utility bills. The growing trend of rewards on non-traditional expenses like these means that savvy travelers might need to recalibrate their strategies to optimize their reward accumulation.


7. **Spending Habits and Rewards:** Data shows that a substantial portion of cardholders are willing to adjust their spending based on reward programs offered by their cards. The Autograph card, with its utility bill bonuses, might be a sign of this trend growing. People are increasingly seeking ways to get more value out of their spending, and these cards are catering to that desire. It will be interesting to see if this trend influences how other banks design their rewards structures.


8. **Work-from-Home and Utility Spending:** The rise of remote work has arguably led to more people working from home, potentially resulting in increased utility consumption. Credit cards that offer rewards in these areas could be more relevant for a wider segment of the population. These cards may effectively cater to a changing work landscape.


9. **Travel Patterns and Rewards:** The way people travel has changed quite a bit in recent years. Many travelers now prioritize shorter, more local trips instead of long international journeys. This new reality in travel habits could make rewards linked to everyday expenses like utility bills increasingly valuable. It broadens the range of travel experiences these points can potentially finance.


10. **Planning Your Travel With Rewards:** The fact that credit card rewards are now expanding to include utility bills could influence the way people plan their trips. Individuals who want to make the most of their rewards can integrate these new opportunities into their travel plans. They can leverage these points to fund a variety of travel experiences, from weekend getaways to extended international trips. It shows how reward systems can evolve to align with the evolving interests of travelers.

7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Capital One Venture X Adds 5x Points on Property Insurance Through Mobile App

Capital One's Venture X card has added a new way to earn points: 5x miles on property insurance payments made through the card's mobile app. This is a noteworthy development for travelers seeking to maximize rewards from everyday spending. It's a clever way to potentially accrue points for future flights or hotel stays, albeit through a non-traditional route. The Venture X card also comes with a hefty 75,000-mile welcome bonus for those who spend a certain amount in the first few months of opening their account.

While the card offers a range of perks and earns points in categories like hotels and flights, its $395 annual fee is worth thinking about. The real value depends on how much you travel and utilize the card strategically. It's becoming clear that credit card companies are increasingly looking beyond traditional travel expenses to provide more opportunities to earn points. It's an evolving landscape and travelers will need to pay attention to which cards offer the best value based on their personal spending habits and travel goals. Whether this new feature changes your perspective on the card largely depends on your individual circumstances.

Capital One's Venture X card has recently introduced a feature that might interest those looking to maximize their travel rewards. They're now giving 5x points on property insurance payments made through their mobile app. This is quite a change compared to most other cards, which typically give a rather modest 1-2 points for similar expenses.

If you look at the average amount Americans pay for property insurance each year, which is over a thousand dollars, the potential for earning a decent number of points becomes apparent. For example, if you pay $1,200 a year for insurance, you could potentially accrue 6,000 points just through this single expense. The question is, does it shift the way people consider these expenses?

It seems like a strategic move by Capital One. It hints at a broader trend where credit card companies are using some behavioral economics principles to encourage customers to use their cards more. They're basically trying to make even those necessary expenses that you wouldn't normally associate with rewards a potential source of valuable travel points. It's a smart tactic, but it remains to be seen how effective it'll be over the long term.

This focus on expanding rewards to unconventional expenses is altering the credit card market. The more cards offer attractive perks on what were previously considered ordinary bills, the more likely people are to choose these cards for their everyday purchases. This creates an interesting dynamic between card companies and consumers.

It's also intriguing to consider how this type of reward structure interacts with the changing travel landscape. With airlines adjusting prices based on the demand, having a steady flow of points accumulated through insurance payments could give you some flexibility for booking trips during periods where rewards can be more valuable.

Another aspect worth noting is the potential for partnerships. With credit card companies offering rewards on insurance payments, it could foster more cooperation between these two sectors. They could come up with joint promotions that offer even more compelling perks, potentially creating a more integrated approach to financial services.

This added feature might influence how travelers think about budgeting for trips. If they're aware that they can earn a significant number of points on insurance premiums, they might prioritize cards that offer these benefits. This shift could result in more deliberate travel planning and perhaps more attention to which expenses can help build up rewards for future travel.

The fact that Capital One has integrated this into their app is an interesting detail. The app makes it easier for users to follow their point accrual, encouraging them to pay even more bills with their Venture X card. It emphasizes the role of technology in engagement and perhaps rewards-driven customer behavior.

As the credit card industry evolves, we're seeing more and more cards offering perks on everyday expenses. In time, it's likely that customers will start thinking about their monthly bills differently. They might no longer view them as simply necessities, but rather as opportunities to earn valuable points that can be used for travel or other benefits. This represents a shift in how people think about budgeting and spending, influenced by the increasingly sophisticated strategies of the credit card industry.

7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Discover it Miles Card Launches New Bonus Categories for Cable TV and Natural Gas Bills

The Discover it Miles card has recently made some changes to its rewards program, offering bonus points on things you might not usually associate with travel rewards: cable TV and natural gas bills. For the first year after signing up, cardholders earn triple the usual miles on those expenses, alongside the standard 1.5 miles per dollar on every purchase. This could be a good deal if you pay a lot in these categories each month. After the initial year, the rewards drop back to the normal rate, making it smart to focus your spending within these categories when the bonus is in effect. It's notable that this card has no annual fee, making it a fairly attractive option if you're trying to avoid those costs while still earning travel rewards. This trend of awarding miles on everyday expenses is becoming more common, which means there are more and more ways to build up your travel points. It might be worth keeping an eye on these types of rewards to see how they might help you reach your travel goals.

Discover it Miles has recently added cable TV and natural gas bills to their bonus categories. This is part of a broader trend among credit card companies to look beyond traditional travel expenses and tap into everyday spending.

The Discover it Miles card typically gives you 1.5 miles per dollar spent on everything. But for the first year, you get 3x miles on all purchases, including these new utility categories. After the first year, the bonus reverts to the standard 1.5x. While this may seem modest compared to other travel cards, the card itself doesn't have an annual fee.

This move is somewhat interesting because natural gas bills, while a regular expense, are not usually something most people associate with travel rewards. It's a clever way to perhaps incentivize people to use the card more. Households spend about $500 annually on natural gas for cooking and heating, and that number can spike during colder months. So this could be a way to help build up rewards.

It's not just gas. Cable bills are also in this new reward category. Some studies show that utility expenses like cable and other utilities are a significant portion of household expenses. Strategically using multiple cards to cover various utility types could allow someone to maximize rewards even further. It's worth noting that utility costs are subject to fluctuations based on seasonal usage and prices. So paying attention to those peaks and valleys could play a role in maximizing rewards.

While not a major game changer, this does illustrate how some credit card programs are evolving. Businesses might also find value in this if their utility payments are tax-deductible in some way. These rewards are certainly modest in comparison to 5x, or even 10x multipliers you can find on other cards. It could influence how people use cards to pay utility bills. As more people become aware that utility bills can generate rewards, we might see an evolution in how individuals choose to manage these everyday expenses.

It'll be interesting to see how this impacts the larger credit card landscape, and how other companies respond. In the end, this approach indicates that credit card reward programs are constantly seeking ways to appeal to a broader range of consumer behaviors and preferences. This could influence how loyalty programs are designed in the future. And for those who want to fund their travel plans, even small rewards from unexpected sources can play a role in making their travel dreams a reality.

7 Credit Card Strategies to Maximize Points on Utility and Insurance Bills While Traveling - Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Includes New Cell Phone Protection When Paying Bills

Bank of America's Premium Rewards Elite card has added a new feature that might be of interest to many: cell phone protection. If you pay your phone bill with the card, you'll get this added insurance. It's targeted towards individuals who regularly use their phones and might encounter expenses related to them.

The card, which comes with a $550 annual fee, also offers a welcome bonus and decent rewards rates on travel and dining. However, you should be aware that Bank of America doesn't have airline or hotel transfer partners. That means you're limited in your ability to use those points.

For those who often travel, rely heavily on their mobile phones, and are willing to pay a higher annual fee, the card's features and benefits may be appealing. But whether or not it makes sense will depend on individual circumstances and how much value you place on things like travel rewards, a large welcome bonus, and the newly added phone protection. It's important to weigh the benefits against the cost and see if it aligns with your personal needs.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card, primarily geared towards their Preferred Rewards members, introduces a noteworthy feature: cell phone protection when you pay your bills with it. This is a somewhat uncommon perk amongst credit cards, making it stand out in a competitive market. If your phone gets lost, stolen, or damaged, this protection could save you a considerable amount of money, especially useful when traveling.


Mobile payments are gaining traction fast. Estimates suggest they'll represent nearly half of all online purchases by 2025. This huge shift in how people buy things is probably driving credit card companies to introduce perks linked to mobile transactions. The Bank of America's emphasis on mobile payments and insurance-related features suggests a recognition of these trends.

We're seeing an interesting trend of credit card programs focusing more on rewards tied to insurance and utility payments. Data shows a significant portion of American households handle insurance or utility bill payments. The enhancements to the Premium Rewards Elite card allow users to earn travel rewards from these common expenses, which is part of a wider movement in the credit card landscape.

American consumers on average spend over two thousand dollars a year just on their mobile phone bills. This suggests that the rewards you gather from the Premium Rewards Elite card have the potential to add up considerably over time. These rewards could be a helpful tool in financing your trips.

Credit card offerings are always in flux, influenced by what customers do. The addition of cell phone protection is one example of this. Credit card companies are differentiating themselves by offering perks connected to even the most basic expenses. This change is reshaping the conversation about potential reward opportunities.

Many consumers previously saw utility bills as simply unavoidable costs without any reward potential. But cards like the Premium Rewards Elite are making people rethink this. It's becoming clear that everyday expenses can become part of travel funding plans, reflecting a growing change in how people strategize their spending.

Including this cell phone protection could benefit Bank of America's business as a whole. By encouraging more card usage, they get more information about customer habits. This data can then be used to tweak their products and keep customers loyal.

Travelers increasingly rely on mobile phone usage for things like maps and booking reservations. Therefore, credit cards with cell phone protection are very relevant. Surveys show that the majority of travelers prioritize staying connected when they're away from home, showing that these benefits are aligned with what travelers actually need.

How we perceive the value of expenses influences what we buy, according to behavioral economics. By rewarding cardholders for everyday expenses like cell phone bills, Bank of America might subtly encourage users to make better choices when they're spending and try to maximize rewards.

The integration of mobile payment features shows how credit cards are adapting to how people are shopping today. As technology becomes more important in how we make payments, the cell phone protection feature on the Premium Rewards Elite card could give it an edge in the rapidly evolving payments landscape. This could lead to increased customer loyalty.

I find these evolving trends in credit cards fascinating and will be monitoring how this impacts the industry and how it reshapes the travel experience.