 TITLE: Should I Pay Bills with a Credit Card or Checking Account? CONTENT: Putting your monthly bills on a credit card might be good for you if:\n### You Want to Get the Most of Your Credit Card's Perks\nIf you find the right credit card for your needs, every dollar you spend can earn rewards, get you cash back or help you qualify for a sign-up bonus. A card with a $500 bonus, for example, might require a $3,000 minimum spend to get the bonus, which can be hard to reach unless you use it to pay bills. If you earn cash back or travel miles every time you use your credit card, paying your bills this way could earn you a free trip to Paris or a sizable statement credit on your account.\nPaying your bills with a credit card can also give you access to purchase protection, depending on the card. For example, if you pay your internet bill with a credit card and your service cuts out frequently, you could request a chargeback through your credit card company if the provider doesn't give you a refund or discount.\n> Find the best cash back credit cards in Experian CreditMatch™.\n### You Pay Your Bills in Full Every Month\nAs long as you pay your credit card bill on time and in full each month, you generally won't see a negative impact on your credit score. In fact, regularly paying your credit card on time shows that you're a responsible borrower. If you don't have any other lines of credit, regularly using a credit card will help boost your credit score as long you pay it off each month. (See a possible exception regarding credit utilization ratios below.)\n### You Want to Ensure On-Time Payments\nUsing a credit card for bills can be helpful if you need to pay your rent or heating bill, but payday isn't until next week. In this situation, using a credit card can give you some wiggle room and help you avoid overdraft fees. However, make sure you pay the debt on your card once you get your paycheck. Putting bills on your credit card because you don't have the cash to pay them can lead you down a dangerous road and result in debt that could become unmanageable. END