Separately, I posted How to Earn Rewards by Paying Rent. There aren’t as many ways to earn rewards from paying your mortgage, but it is still possible. Here’s a primer on the best ways to earn rewards from paying mortgage…
Pay Mortgage with a Credit Card via Plastiq
Plastiq is a bill payment service that allows paying many types of bills with a credit card for a fee (currently 2.35% for the Brex Card and 2.85% for all other cards). Unfortunately, only Mastercard and Discover credit cards can be used to pay your mortgage. Worse, both Capital One and US Bank ban the use of their Mastercards to pay mortgage. For all other Mastercard and Discover cards, though, you can use Plastiq to pay your mortgage and you will earn rewards as if it was a regular purchase — you will not incur cash advance fees.
More details about Plastiq can be found here: Complete guide to Plastiq credit card payments.
Earn rewards through welcome bonuses
Many banks offer huge bonuses when you sign up for a new card and meet the minimum spend requirements. For example, it’s common to see an offer for 60,000 points or more after $4,000 spend in 3 months. With these big welcome bonuses, it can be well worth paying Plastiq’s 2.85% fee in order to meet the minimum spend requirements by paying your mortgage via credit card.
The following list shows the best current welcome bonuses based on our estimate of first year value and limited to cards that (to the best of our knowledge) can be used to pay mortgage through Plastiq. First year value estimates include the value of points or other rewards earned minus the first year annual fee and minus the “cost” of the minimum spend (for various reasons, we assume a 3% cost, which is very close to Plastiq’s 2.85% fee). As you can see, rewards earned from welcome bonuses can be huge:
| Card Offer and Review |
|---|
100K Miles 100K Miles after $3K spend in 90 days $89 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Matches best ever |
75K Miles 5K miles after being approved plus earn 70K miles after $1K in spend in 90 days and payment of annual fee (Use any 5 digit number for promo code)$99 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 9/22: 80K after $1K spend in 90 days FM Mini Review: Frequent JetBlue travelers should seriously consider this card for its terrific perks. The combination of the 10% rebate on awards and the annual 5,000 point bonus make this card a keeper. |
100K points Up to 100K points: 75K points after $4K spend in the first 3 months + 25K after $20K in the first 12 months.$95 Annual Fee This card is likely subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). FM Mini Review: Great card for regular or frequent Air Canada flyers |
65K miles 65K after $4K spend in first 4 months$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This card usually has a great signup bonus, but if you're looking for a card to keep long term, you'll find better options. |
140K points 140K points $3K spend in 3 months$99 Annual Fee This card is expected to be subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). |
140K Points 140K points after $3K spend in 3 months$99 Annual Fee This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Recent better offer: 175K after $3K in spend (expired 4/6/23) |
60K Miles 60K miles after $3,000 spend in first 3 months$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for a great signup bonus. Plus it offers the usual collection of perks for flying AA (free checked bag, priority boarding, etc.) |
60K Points + 10X Select Travel 60K points after $4K spend in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 10x on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.$95 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Very strong earnings for spend. Excellent bonus categories. Points transferable to select airlines. Recommend pairing this card with Citi Double Cash and Citi Rewards+. Sadly, this travel card doesn't provide any travel protections. |
30K points + 2x coupons 30K points after $1K spend in the first 3 billing cycles + 2 companion certificates, 2 upgrade certificates and 2 lounge passes$99 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
Up to 60K Miles 50K bonus miles after spending $4K in first 90 days + additional 10K miles after employee card purchase.$99 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: This card is almost identical to the JetBlue Plus card except that this one earns 2X at office supply stores rather than grocery stores. Both cards are great choices for JetBlue flyers. |
Up to 75K Miles Up to 75K miles: 60K bonus miles after spending $5K in first 90 days + additional 15K miles after $15K in purchases in first 12 months$95 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 2/6/23: 80K miles + a $95 statement credit after $2K spend in first 90 days. |
50K Miles 50k miles after 1st purchase.$99 Annual Fee |
50K miles + waived annual fee 50K miles and waived annual fee after $1000 spend in 90 days $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $79 |
50K miles + 60XP points 50K miles after $2K in the first 90 days + 60 XP points upon approval$89 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 70K miles + 100XP points [Expired 9/23] FM Mini Review: Valuable only for the welcome offer, then it should go off to the sock drawer. |
80K Points 80K points after $2K spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee Recent better offer: 120K after $2K spend (expired 7/4/22) FM Mini Review: A good no annual fee card for anyone who values the 4th night free benefit. |
65K points 60K points after $1K spend in 90 days plus 5K points for adding an authorized user$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $75 Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Best for those who stay often at Sonesta hotels |
90K Points 90K after $3K spend in first 3 months$95 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Worth getting for the welcome offer and keeping for the 30,000 anniversary points. The 5x categories could also be interesting for some. |
70K Miles 70K points after one purchase in first 90 days by entering any 6 digit code (such as 123456)$99 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$500 Cash Back $500 after $5K spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
60K Points 60K after $1K spend in first 3 monthsNo Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Decent bonus for a no-annual fee card, but not a great keeper unless you value the Choice Gold Status |
Up to 70K miles 60K Miles after $2K spend in 90 days plus 10K miles after adding and making one purchase on an employee card, both within 90 days$99 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 9/11/22: 80K + $99 statement credit after $2K spend in first 90 days |
35K miles 35K after $1K spend in first 90 days plus 5K after adding 2 authorized users$90 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
25K points 25K points after $1.5K spend in 3 months No Annual Fee FM Mini Review: 10% points rebate (up to 10K rebate per year) make this a great choice to pool with ThankYou Premier, Prestige, and/or Double Cash |
12K points 12K points after $1K spend in the first 3 billing cyclesNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
20K points + 15 months 0% APR Earn 20,000 points (worth $200 cash back) after spending $500 in the first 3 months + 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%.No Annual Fee Be sure to select the card you want after clicking through. This card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (click here for details). Even though this card is marketed as a cash back card, it actually earns Ultimate Rewards points which are redeemable for 1 cent each, or can be combined with other Ultimate Rewards-earning cards to get even more value. This product is available to you if you do not have this card and have not received a new cardmember bonus for this card in the past 24 months. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: 20K points + 5x grocery stores for the first year on up to $12K in qualifying purchases FM Mini Review: Great for 5X and 3x categories and World Mastercard benefits. Excellent companion card to Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, or Ink Business Preferred. |
35K points 35K points after $3K in 3 months$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 Note that the ongoing annual fee is $0 if you maintain an HSBC Premier checking account (which requires $5K per month in direct deposits to remain fee-free) FM Mini Review: This card may be worth it for the welcome bonus and possibly for the annual rideshare benefit if you have an HSBC Premier checking account and can thus keep the card annual fee-free. Note that the points value is based on HSBC's stated value when redeemed for airfare via the HSBC portal. |
80K points 80K points after $3K spend in the first 3 billing cycles$89 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
20K Points 20K points after $1500 spend in the first 6 monthsNo Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 9/13/22 - 20,000 points after $750 spend in first 3 months FM Mini Review: This is a great card to have and hold for a single category where you spend no more than $500 per month as it represents an excellent return without rotating categories to track. |
30K points 30K after $3K spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
$300 statement credit $300 statement credit after $5K spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
30K Miles + 1 Year Silver status 30K after $3K spend in 90 days$99 Annual Fee |
70K miles 70K miles after $7,000 spend in first 3 months$595 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Good choice for those who need Admirals Club access and those who value the Loyalty Points boosts at 50K and 90K Loyalty Points earned. Plus, it offers the usual collection of perks for flying AA (free checked bag, priority boarding, etc.) and some handy credits for Avis or Budget rentals and GrubHub. |
$225 Cash Back $75 statement credit for every $500 spent within the first 90 days, up to $225No Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Shop Your Way points are worth .85 cents each and can only be used towards specific gift cards and merchandise. But where this card shines is with its regular offers that start to appear after putting spend on the card, often giving 10-15x cash back or Thank You Points on various categories of purchases. It's a keeper because of it. |
$200 Back $200 back after $1K spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: 2% cashback everywhere is decent, but this card doesn't really have anything to separate it from any other 2% cashback card. |
15K miles 15K after $1K spend in 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Not bad for a fee-free airline card. |
20K points 20K after $1K spend in the first 90 daysNo Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Points are worth $0.01 each toward onboard credit or cruise purchase with Norwegian. Note that points expire 5 years after they are earned regardless of activity. This card offers very poor value for ongoing spend after meeting the welcome bonus requirements. Interestingly, it appears to be eligible for Bank of America Preferred Rewards, which would increase the bonus categories by as much as 75% for those with Bank of America's top-tier Platinum Honors. |
10K miles + $50 Earn 10K AA miles + $50 statement credit after $500 spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Not bad for grocery spend if you highly value AA miles |
$150 back $150 bonus when you spend $500 within 3 months.No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This card isn't ordinarily worth a look with only 1.8% cash back. |
$150 Statement Credit $150 statement credit after $1200 in purchases within 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: A decent no-fee rotating category card with a respectable if not large welcome bonus. |
$50 + First Year Double + $20/year Get $50 after first purchase. All cashback earned in first 12 months will be doubled including 5% earned in rotating categories. Plus, get $20 cash back each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to the next 5 years.No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: In my opinion this is the single best "starter card" for students. It offers great rewards and no annual fee. |
$100 Back Get $100 after first purchase. All cashback earned in first 12 months will be doubled including 5% earned in rotating categories. No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This is a great choice for its rotating 5% categories |
$100 + First Year Double Get $100 after first purchase. All "miles" earned in first 12 months will be doubled. This makes this a 3% cash back card for the first year. No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Great card to get for its first year 3% cash back. |
$100 Cash Back $100 statement credit after $500 spend in first 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Possibly worthwhile for a low-spender looking for an easily-attainable welcome bonus. |
$100 Cash back $100 cash back after $500 spend in the first 90 daysNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. Recent better offer: Expired 10/31/22: $150 after $500 in spend FM Mini Review: This card could be decent for an easy cash back bonus, but there are much more rewarding options for ongoing everyday spend. |
$100 Cash Back $100 after $500 spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee |
$100 Cash Back $100 after $500 spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee |
$100 statement credit $100 statement credit after $1K Spend in 3 MonthsNo Annual Fee FM Mini Review: This has a good gas station bonus for a no annual fee card, but there's not much else to make it a compelling card |
15K miles 15K after $1K in first 90 days$59 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Points are worth $0.01 each toward airfare and do not expire unless you cancel the card. If you cancel the card, you forfeit all points. Between that policy and the annual fee, this card probably isn't worth it in most scenarios. |
5,000 points 5K after $500 in first 3 monthsNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Points are worth $0.01 each, so the welcome bonus and ongoing rewards in bonus categories are respectable for a card with no annual fee. |
5,000 points 5K after $500 in first 3 monthsNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Points are worth $0.01 each, so the welcome bonus and ongoing rewards in bonus categories are respectable for a card with no annual fee. |
50K points 50K after $4K spend in 3 months$395 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Points are worth 1.5c each when redeemed for airfare through the HSBC portal. Could be worthwhile for a welcome bonus, but not rewarding enough to justify keeping beyond the first year. |
None There is no official welcome bonus, but this card offers the opportunity to earn 1x points on rent when you make at least 5 transactions per billing cycle.No Annual Fee Note that many people see a offer in the Bilt Rewards app to earn 5x points for the first 5 days after being approved and receiving and activating the card. FM Mini Review: If you pay rent and haven't been earning rewards, this card is a no-brainer as you can pay your rent and earn rewards with no fee. A surprisingly good set of transfer partners makes the rewards for using this for rent worth getting the card for that main purpose alone (as long as you remember to use the card 5 times per month). |
None No Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Given the recent downward spiral of Brex, there's probably better places to concentrate business spending. |
No Welcome Bonus No Annual Fee FM Mini Review: With most of this card's category bonuses, you can do better with other cards. If you do find a useful category and max out the $2K spend each quarter, you'll come out only $80 ahead per year compared to using a 2% cash back card. |
No Welcome Bonus No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Excellent cash back card for everyday spend with no foreign transaction fee. |
No Welcome Bonus No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Excellent cash back card for everyday spend. |
$25 Cash Back $25 after first purchaseNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Good option if used only in 3% categories (e.g. dining and entertainment) |
5x online purchases through 1/31/21 5x online purchases through 1/31/21No Annual Fee Note that it is possible that 5x online purchases is capped at $1250 spend. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: The terms note that you will "* Earn 5x points on online purchases through January 31, 2021 and 3x points on first $1,250 of grocery purchases per quarter. " YMMV as to whether the 5x online category is capped at $1250. If it is indeed capped, this card wouldn't make much sense given its lack of a welcome bonus. |
None There is currently no welcome bonus offered.No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This card could be a good option for someone looking for a 2% cash back Mastercard, though keep in mind that the Citi DoubleCash is a competitor that earns at the same rate while offering points which could become transferable to airline partners, whereas the SoFi credit card only earns cash back rewards. |
None There is currently no welcome offer on this cardNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Although this is marketed as a travel card, it's really cashback, since the rewards can be used for travel, a statement credit or an ACH transfer at the same rate. 3% back on dining, travel and gas is pretty good for a no annual-fee card, especially with no foreign transaction fees. |
First Year Double All cash back earned in first 12 months will be doubled. This makes this a 3% cash back card for the first year. No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Great card to get for its first year 3% cash back. |
No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
None This card is no longer availableNo Annual Fee |
None This card does not currently feature an introductory bonus.No Annual Fee FM Mini Review: 2X rewards for all spend with no annual fee makes this card a winner. Earn 2X everywhere and redeem for the equivalent of 2% cash back or 2X ThankYou points. Pair with the Premier or Prestige card to make points transferrable to airlines. |
None This card is no longer availableNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: 10% points rebate (up to 10K rebate per year) make this a great choice to pool with ThankYou Premier, Prestige, and/or Double Cash |
None This card is no longer availableNo Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Downgrade from Prestige or Premier to this card in order to keep points alive |
None This card is no longer availableNo Annual Fee This card is available in-branch only and is not available online. The bonus may vary by region and can be as high as 40K. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
None This card is no longer available$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $50 FM Mini Review: This card hardly seems worth the $50 annual fee |
3% back for 12 months 3% cash back for 12 months on up to $20K in purchasesNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: While the headline is 3% back for a year, the bonus itself is an extra 1.5% back on up to $20K in purchases for the first year. That's certainly not a bad return on otherwise unbonused spend, but many other cards on the market that offer even moderately good welcome bonuses offer greater net return with significantly less spend. |
No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
None This card is no longer available for new applicants.No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
This card is no longer available for new applications No Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
No longer available This card is no longer available to new applicantsNo Annual Fee |
This card is no longer available for new applications $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $89 Recent better offer: None. This is the best we've seen. |
None This card is no longer availableNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Points are worth $0.01 each toward a statement credit or 1.25c toward Fanatics gift cards, so this card could be a good deal for its bonus categories. |
None This card is no longer availableNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Points are worth $0.01 each, so the welcome bonus and ongoing rewards in bonus categories are respectable for a card with no annual fee. |
None This card is no longer availableNo Annual Fee FM Mini Review: This card may be worth it for a welcome bonus, but it would be worth considering a product change to the Double Cash down the road..Unforunately, it seems it is no longer possible to product change to the AT&T Access More card. |
None This card is no longer availableNo Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Points are worth $0.01 each toward a statement credit or 1.25c toward gift cards for Marlins gear, so this card could be a good deal for a Marlins fan. That is particularly true if you value some of the unique experiences offered by Home Run Rewards. |
15K points 15K after $1K spend in 3 monthsNo Annual Fee |
40K Miles + 1 Year Gold status 40K after $3K spend in 90 days$499 Annual Fee |
This card is no longer available for new applications $49 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. |
None This card is no longer available$49 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Those free night certificates issued before 5/1/18 are redeemable at any IHG property, but those issued after 5/1/18 are restricted to properties up to 40K per night. For only $49 per year, this still a good card to keep, but not to use for spend |
None This card is no longer available$95 Annual Fee This card is no longer available to new applicants. Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for those who shop often online (thanks to 3X earnings) |
50K points 50K after $5K spend in 90 days$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: This card offers a nice intro bonus. Earning an effective 3% on travel and dining isn't bad, but considering the annual fee in future years it isn't very compelling to keep this one. Note that they have a nearly-identical business card. |
25K points 25K after $2K spend in 3 months$95 Annual Fee |
This card is no longer available for new applications $150 Annual Fee This card is no longer available for new applications. FM Mini Review: This card is best for earning JAL miles, which can be very valuable. If you spend exactly $15K or $25K per year, you can earn an effective 1.76 Japan Airlines miles per dollar or 2.14 miles per dollar with other transfer partners. Points can alternatively be redeemed for 1 cent each towards travel. |
10K miles 10K miles after $5K spend in first 3 billing cycles with promo code SPG2020$70 Annual Fee Note: Basic card earns 1 mile per $2 spent and has a $20 annual fee. To earn 1 mile per $1 spent, choose the "Premium" rewards for $70 annual fee. FM Mini Review: This card offers a poor earning structure of just 1 mile per dollar and a very weak bonus compared to required spend that it just isn't worth it. |
Available by invitation only $195 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: $25 per day of in-flight food & beverage credits is pretty interesting. If you fly AA enough to make good use of this, this card is well worthwhile. |
None This card is no longer available$495 Annual Fee Information about this card has been collected independently by Frequent Miler. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy. FM Mini Review: The Prestige card's best in class 5X rewards for dining, airfare, and travel agencies is hard to beat. Sadly, this travel card doesn't provide any travel protections. |
Earn spend bonuses: elite status, free nights, etc.
Many credit cards offer bonuses for meeting high spend thresholds. You can find a comprehensive list here: Best big spend bonuses. Whether or not it makes sense paying Plastiq’s fee in order to reach these thresholds depends upon how much you value elite status or other rewards earned.
Here are a few examples of big spend bonuses available with Mastercard credit cards:
- Chase Aeroplan Card: Renew 25K status w/ $15K spend ⚬ Status Boost w/ $50K spend ⚬ Priority Reward w/ $100K, $250K, $500K, or $750K spend ⚬ Free award companion for rest of calendar year and all of next with $1Million spend
- IHG Premier Card or IHG Premier Business Card: 10K bonus points + $100 statement credit after you spend $20K in a calendar year + make one additional purchase ⚬ Diamond status after $40K in purchases + one additional purchase in a calendar year. Business card only: Free night certificate (up to 40K points) after $60K in purchases + one additional purchase in a calendar year.
- American Airlines cards: Most American Airlines cards now earn Loyalty Points in addition to redeemable miles with spend. This makes it possible to earn elite status without flying. Some also offer extra bonuses for large spend. Here are some examples:
- Citi® AAdvantage Platinum Select® World Elite MasterCard: $125 AA Flight Discount with $20K membership year spend.
- Citi® AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard: Earn 10,000 additional Loyalty Points after you spend $40,000 in purchases during the qualifying status year.
- CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard: $99 companion certificate with $30K membership year spend.
- AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard: $99 companion certificate with $20K membership year spend.
- AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard: $99 companion certificate with $30K membership year spend.
- Barclaycard JetBlue Plus, or JetBlue Business: Spend $50,000 and get Mosaic status which offers free checked bags; expedited security; early boarding; free drinks; enhanced point earnings; and 15,000 bonus points upon qualifying.
Earn rewards through spend
Not many cards earn rewards worth more than 2.85% when not considering welcome bonuses, bonus categories, or big-spend bonuses, but there are a few. Based on our estimated point values (Reasonable Redemption Values), you can earn up to 3% with the right card. That said, that’s such a small increment in value over Plastiq’s 2.85% fee that I wouldn’t recommend bothering with this unless you need the points for an even more valuable award.
The following table shows the cards that earn the best rewards for spend that is not within a bonus category. The list is limited to cards that (to the best of our knowledge) can be used to pay mortgage through Plastiq. If you press “next” often enough, you’ll find all matching cards in our database, but the first ones are those that offer the best rewards for everyday spend.
| Card Info Name and Earning Rate (no offer) |
|---|
Earning rate: 1.5 miles per dollar for all spend. All Miles are doubled at the end of your first card membership year. Base: 3% |
Earning rate: 2% cash back everywhere (1% cash back for each purchase + 1% when paying your credit card bill for that purchase) Base: 2X (2.9%) |
Earning rate: With Platinum Honors status with Bank of America's Business Advantage Relationship Rewards program, this card earns: 2.625X points for all spend (and 5.25X for travel purchased through BOA's travel center) |
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere; Earn up to 2.625% back everywhere with Bank of America Platinum Honors status Base: 2.625X (2.63%) |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X Amtrak ⚬ 2X dining ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Amtrak ⚬ 2X qualifying travel, dining, transit, and rideshare ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 2X Miles on all purchases Base: 2X (2%) |
Earning rate: 2X Miles on all purchases Base: 2X (2%) |
Earning rate: 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal ⚬ 2% cash back everywhere else Base: 2% Brand: 3% |
Earning rate: 3% cash back when you check out with PayPal ⚬ 2% cash back everywhere else Base: 2% Brand: 3% |
Earning rate: 3X on Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam purchases ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X Virgin Atlantic ⚬ 1.5X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 10X IHG ⚬ 5X travel, gas stations, restaurants and dining, social media and search engine advertising, office supply stores ⚬ 3X on all other purchases |
Earning rate: 10X IHG ⚬ 5X travel, dining, and gas stations ⚬ 3X on all other purchases |
Earning rate: 1.8% back everywhere Base: 1.8% Dine: 1.8% Gas: 1.8% Other: 1.8% |
Earning rate: With Platinum Honors status with Bank of America's Business Advantage Relationship Rewards program, this card earns: 3.5% on dining plus 5.25% on 1 choice from: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services (for the first $50,000 in combined choice/dining purchases each calendar year, 1.75% thereafter) and 1.75% everywhere else. Base: 1.75% Travel: 5.25% Dine: 3.5% Gas: 5.25% Phone: 5.25% Office: 5.25% Biz: 5.25% |
Earning rate: Must use your card for 5 purchases per month, then: 3x Dining ⚬ 3x Lyft ⚬ 2x Travel ⚬ 1x rent (one payment per month, up to 100,000 points per year) ⚬ 1x everywhere else |
Earning rate: 5x travel booked through Chase ⚬ 5X Lyft through March 2025 ⚬ 3x dining ⚬ 3x drugstores ⚬ 5X in rotating categories on up to $1,500 spend per quarter (Q3 2023: gas stations, EV charging and select live entertainment) |
Earning rate: 1.5% cash back for all spend. Base: 1.5X (1.5%) |
Earning rate: 1.5X everywhere; 3X for travel booked through BOA's travel center |
Earning rate: 1.5% everywhere; Earn up to 2.625% back everywhere with Bank of America Platinum Honors status. Note that you'll need Preferred Rewards on the business side ("Preferred Rewards for Business") to earn a greater return. Base: 1.5X (1.5%) |
Earning rate: 1.5 miles per dollar for all spend. Base: 1.5% |
Earning rate: 5x on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1x thereafter. Eligible categories: Restaurants, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Select Travel, Select Transit, Select Streaming Services, Drugstores, Home Improvement Stores, Fitness Clubs and Live Entertainment. ⚬ 1x on all other purchases |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3 points per $1 at gas stations ⚬ 2 points per $1 oat grocery stores ⚬ 1 point per $1 on all other purchases |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2 points per $1 on products and services that are purchased directly from AT&T ⚬ 2 points per $1 on all purchases at online retail and travel sites ⚬ 1 point per $1 on all other purchases |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3 points per $1 on products and services that are purchased directly from AT&T ⚬ 3 points per $1 on all purchases at online retail and travel sites ⚬ 1 point per $1 on all other purchases |
Earning rate: 2X at supermarkets and gas stations on up to $6,000 per year ⚬ Round up to nearest 10 TY points on all purchases |
Earning rate: 5x on travel booked through Citi Travel Portal through June 30 2024 (excludes air travel) ⚬ 2X at supermarkets and gas stations on up to $6,000 per year ⚬ Round up to nearest 10 TY points on all purchases |
Earning rate: 2X dining and entertainment |
Earning rate: 3X grocery ⚬ 3X dining ⚬ 3X gas stations ⚬ 3X flights, hotels, travel agencies |
Earning rate: 5X airfare, dining, and travel agencies ⚬ 3X hotels and cruise line ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3x travel ⚬ office supply ⚬ professional services |
Earning rate: 8x Rideshare ⚬ 5x Brex Travel ⚬ 4x Restaurants ⚬ 3x on recurring software like Salesforce, Zendesk, Twilio, and more ⚬ 1x everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X restaurants and grocery ⚬ 3X JetBlue ⚬ 1X everywhere else⚬ |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X restaurants and office supply stores ⚬ 6X JetBlue ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X restaurants and grocery ⚬ 6X JetBlue ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Base: 1X (1.3%) |
Earning rate: 4X AA ⚬ 10X hotels booked through AA.com/Hotels ⚬ 10X car rentals booked through AA.com/Cars ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X AA ⚬ 2X certain telecommunications merchants ⚬ 2X car rental merchants ⚬ 2X gas |
Earning rate: 2X grocery ⚬ 2X AA ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X restaurants ⚬ 2X gas ⚬ 2X AA |
Earning rate: 3X Air Canada ⚬ 3X grocery stores ⚬ 3X dining ⚬ 500 bonus points with each $2K calendar month spend, up to $6K spend per month (1,500 points max) ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Virgin Atlantic ⚬ 1X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 3X Emirates ⚬ 2X airfare, hotel, and car rentals ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X Emirates ⚬ 2X airfare, hotel, and car rentals ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X Miles & More |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X AA, office supply, telecommunications services, and at car rental agencies ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 2X AA ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X AA ⚬ 2X hotel and car rentals ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5X IHG ⚬ 3x dining, gas stations utilities, cable, Internet, phone, and select streaming services ⚬ 2X everywhere else |
Earning rate: Earn 1.529% back on your purchases when your Upromise Program account is linked to an eligible College Savings Plan or 1.25% if it is not. Base: 1.25% |
Earning rate: 10X at Best Western properties ⚬ 2X elsewhere |
Earning rate: 3x Allegiant ⚬ 2x dining |
Earning rate: 3x Norwegian cruise line purchases ⚬ 2x air and hotel |
Earning rate: 3x travel (includes airlines, hotels, and car rentals) ⚬ 2x dining |
Earning rate: 2x travel (includes airlines, hotels, and car rentals) |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3X Travel, Dining and Gas ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 5X in rotating categories, up to $1500 spend per quarter (Q2 2023: Restaurants and Wholesale Clubs) |
Earning rate: 5X in rotating categories, up to $1500 spend per quarter (Q2 2023: Restaurants and Wholesale Clubs) |
Earning rate: 5X gas ⚬ 3X grocery and dining ⚬ 2X Sears and KMart |
Earning rate: ⚬ 2X Miles for travel and dining ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3% cash back on up to $2K in spend in the category you choose each quarter: gas stations, travel & entertainment, restaurants, discount & warehouse stores, grocery stores, utilities & office supply stores, electronics and computer and camera stores, department and apparel and sporting good stores, auto parts & service, and home improvement stores Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 3% Gas: 3% Grocery: 3% Shop: 3% Office: 3% Biz: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 4x gas ⚬ 4x bars, restaurants, and select food delivery services ⚬ 4x on Pelicans tickets ⚬ 10% statement credit for concessions purchases at Smoothie King Center and at the in-venue and online Pelicans team store Base: 1% Dine: 4% Gas: 4% Brand: 4% Other: 4% |
Earning rate: 5x on Marlins tickets ⚬ 5% back on retail & concessions at IoanDepot Park ⚬ 3x on dining, food delivery, gas and drugstores ⚬ 1x on everything else Base: 1% Dine: 3% Brand: 5% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 5x points on Liverpool FC merchandise at the Official Liverpool FC Store and on Liverpool FC ticket purchases, select rideshare and streaming services ⚬ 3x at bars, restaurants, and select delivery services ⚬ 1x everywhere else Base: 1% Dine: 3% Brand: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 5x rideshare and streaming services ⚬ 5x bars and restaurants on match days ⚬ 1x everywhere else Base: 1% Dine: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 5x Cavs season tickets and streaming services ⚬ 3x other Cavs tickets, dining, grocery, and delivery ⚬ 1x everywhere else Base: 1% Dine: 3% Grocery: 3% Brand: 5% |
Earning rate: ⚬ 3% cash back for dining, select entertainment, and Marvel purchases (Select entertainment = Movie Theatres, Video Rental and Game Stores, Theatrical and Concert Promoters, Amusement Parks, Digital Entertainment, Games and Software, Music, Books and Newsstands, Toys and Hobby Stores) Base: 1% Brand: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 5x online purchases until 1/31/21 ⚬ 3x grpcery on up to $1250 per quarter Base: 1% Grocery: 3% Shop: 5% |
Earning rate: 3x travel & dining ⚬ 2x gas Base: 1% Travel: 2% Dine: 3% |
Earning rate: 5x in rotating categories, up to $1500 spend per quarter. Base: 1% Dine: 5% Grocery: 5% Shop: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 5X on rotating categories each quarter. 5% limited to $6K spend per year. Base: 1% Grocery: 5% Other: 5% |
Earning rate: 3% airfare, hotel stays, and car rentals ⚬ 2% restaurants ⚬ 1% everywhere else Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 2% |
Earning rate: 3% drugstores and gas stations ⚬ 2% medical expenses ⚬ 1% everywhere else Base: 1% Gas: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 2% on dining plus 3% on 1 choice from: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services or business consulting services (for the first $50,000 in combined choice/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter) and 1% everywhere else. Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 2% Gas: 3% Phone: 3% Office: 3% Biz: 3% |
Earning rate: 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 3% on one category of your choice between gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings (can choose a new category monthly) up to the first $2,500 in combined 2% and 3% category purchases each quarter, then 1%. Base: 1% Travel: 3% Dine: 3% Gas: 3% Grocery: 2% Shop: 3% Other: 3% |
Earning rate: 5X at FlyFrontier.com ⚬ 3X restaurants |
Earning rate: 2X airfare, car rental and dining ⚬ 3X Sonesta |
Earning rate: 3X Hawaiian Airlines ⚬ 2x gas, dining, and grocery stores ⚬ 1x everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X Hawaiian Airlines ⚬ 2x gas, dining, and office supply stores ⚬ 1x everywhere else |
Earning rate: 3X Expedia purchases |
Earning rate: 4X Expedia purchases ⚬ 2x restaurants & entertainment |
Earning rate: 10X at Choice Hotels ⚬ 5X at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plans ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: 5X at Choice Hotels ⚬ 3X at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores, and phone plans ⚬ 1X everywhere else |
Earning rate: ⚬ 5X IHG ⚬ 2X gas, grocery, and restaurants |
Conclusion
It’s possible to earn huge rewards by regularly signing up for new credit cards and using your mortgage spend to earn welcome bonuses. In some cases, even without a welcome bonus, it can make sense to pay Plastiq’s fees in order to earn “big-spend” bonuses such as elite status, free nights, companion tickets, etc. I don’t usually recommend paying your mortgage through Plastiq without earning a welcome bonus or big spend bonus, but it can make sense at times. For example, by using the Citi Double Cash card, you can earn 2 ThankYou points per dollar. After Plastiq’s 2.85% fee, that’s like paying 1.425 cents per point. That can make sense if you also have a Premier or Prestige card so that you can transfer points to loyalty programs in order to book high value rewards.
See also: How to Earn Rewards by Paying Rent.
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
So this is an article just about Plastiq? No creative tricks up the sleeve??
my mortgage company allows me to pay my mortgage via debit card with no fees (caliber). Could I use the Point Debit card to pay and earn 2%?
Sometimes earning points can be alot of work and effort that takes time and gas. Sometimes you can earn points in your sleep. I call paying my mortgage on the Double Cash through Plastiq pajama points because they automatically earn points each month. Yes, the fee of 2.9% stinks, but I consider that these points will earn way more than 2.9%. If my aggregate methods of earning points has some cheaper ways (Rakuten), and some more costly Plastiq, and some in between, then that is all part of the game.
At first reading the title, I thought there was a way to pay for mortgage with credit cards without fees.
I still haven’t given up hope…
This is very high cost to buy points or status. Unless you have a signup bonus that you just cannot meet the spending requirement, I think all other use case you are at loss.
With a title like that, I was hoping Greg would have some big reveal for a lucrative approach to paying a mortgage. Even if it was convoluted, I would have considered it. I guess instead this serves as a confirmation of what I was already understanding to be the case. Other than the occasional school fee for the kids, I pay almost my entire life through CC … except mortgage. Oh well, at least I was able to refinance in late 2020 to well under 3%.
Is it possible to use Plastiq with MC prepaid GCs, which could then be drawn down to pay for mortgage?
No plastiq doesn’t take prepaid debit, VC or MC. They banned it more than a year ago.
Curious as to whether anyone knows why there’s such hostility among the credit card issuers to using their cards to pay your mortgage? It seems like a legitimate use to me.
I’m guessing it’s due to a fear of the credit user failing to pay the balance and the CC issuer prob can’t get their money back from the home equity.
How is this different from any other charge you make on a credit card?
Yeah, it’s debt on debt … a bit like you taking out a second mortgage without any approved collaterilization (if that’s a word).
Technically, the Visa network doesn’t prohibit using a Visa card to process a debt payment. But, the Visa network characterizes a debt payment as a cash-like transaction. As such, a person will not earn points and will be charged a cash advance fee. While it’s not prohibited, it’s impractical. I believe Amex has an outright prohibition.
To extend Greg’s concept, one could use a payment service to pay a car loan, a student loan . . . any kind of loan. It just needs to be on a Mastercard.
For those in business, there is an alternative to Plastiq. It’s called Melio Payments. Melio’s fees are roughly the same as Plastiq, although I believe it is experimenting with alternative fee structures. It is important to note that ONLY business-related payments are allowed. That being said, payment of a mortgage on an investment property is allowed.
What I don’t understand is why they would treat a mortgage payment differently from, say, a phone bill payment?
Let’s say that I lend you $1k in cash. Let’s say that you want to pay me back and use a credit card to do so. The card issuer doesn’t see this as a purchase of either a good or a service. It is an interpersonal transfer.
Let’s say that I lend you $1k for a home loan. How does the card issuer know the difference.
For tax purposes, the interpersonal transfer is not taxable. The home loan payment is taxable.
When a payment is made to a person via PayPal, PayPal asks whether it is a interpersonal transfer or for goods/services. If it is interpersonal, no 1099. If it is for goods/services, yes 1099.
As characterization of every loan repayment type could be unwieldy, I’m guessing that Amex and Visa wanted a simple straightforward characterization of all loan repayments — even if it means disallowing things like a mortgage, car loan, or student loan. I think it was too much of an administrative burden.