Best Credit Card for Mortgage Payments in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Bilt Mastercard®

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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Mortgage Payments

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Not all credit cards are created equal when it comes to paying your mortgage, so it's crucial to weigh the rewards against the processing fees you'll likely encounter.

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Beyond the fees, a common pitfall is getting lured by a large welcome offer without a plan to pay the balance in full, as interest charges will quickly negate any rewards earned. Also, consider how a large monthly mortgage payment will affect your credit utilization ratio, which could temporarily lower your credit score. It's essential to choose a card with a high enough credit limit to keep your utilization from skyrocketing.

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Key Factors

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• Rewards Rate vs. Processing Fees: Ensure the rewards you earn from the card—whether cash back, points, or miles—are valuable enough to offset the transaction fee, which typically ranges from 2% to 3%.
• Large Welcome Offer: A card with a substantial introductory bonus can cover the processing fees for several months, but be sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement without overextending your budget.
• High Credit Limit: Your mortgage payment will be a large recurring charge, so a card with a high credit limit is essential to keep your credit utilization ratio low and avoid a negative impact on your credit score.
• Annual Percentage Rate (APR): This strategy is only beneficial if you pay your balance in full every month, as carrying a balance will result in interest charges that quickly wipe out any rewards you've earned.
• Card Acceptance: Check whether your mortgage lender accepts credit card payments directly or if you need to use a third-party payment service, which will have its own fee structure and policies.

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What to Watch Out For

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The most significant pitfall is carrying a balance, as the resulting interest charges will quickly erase any rewards you gain. It's also crucial to avoid cards where the processing fees outweigh the rewards and to be mindful of how a large mortgage payment can spike your credit utilization ratio. Chasing a large welcome offer without a plan to pay in full is a common mistake that can lead to costly debt.

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Decision Flow

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• If your priority is straightforward value: Opt for a flat-rate cash back card. The goal is to find one with a rewards rate that exceeds the payment processor's fee. For example, if the fee is 2.5%, a card earning 2% cash back on all purchases would result in a net cost of 0.5%, but it could still be worthwhile if it helps you meet a large welcome offer.
• If you are a frequent traveler: A premium travel rewards card is likely your best bet. The value of the points or miles you earn can significantly outweigh the processing fee, especially when redeemed for high-value flights or hotel stays. Your large mortgage payment can also help you reach spending thresholds for elite status or other travel perks.
• If your main goal is a large welcome offer: Focus on a card with a substantial introductory bonus. Your mortgage payment can be a powerful tool to meet the minimum spending requirement without altering your everyday spending habits. Just do the math to ensure the bonus value justifies the fees you'll incur.
• If your lender requires a third-party service: Your options are more limited, and the fees are the central issue. You'll need a card with a very high rewards rate to offset the service's transaction cost. One card to investigate is the Bilt Mastercard® (See Rates & Fees). While primarily designed for fee-free rent payments, it allows users to pay landlords outside its network via check, a feature that might extend to mortgage servicers. To earn points, you must use the card 5 times each statement period.

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Maximize Your Return with Mortgage Payments

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While paying your mortgage with a credit card often involves a processing fee, these strategies can help you come out ahead:

• Target welcome offers: A large mortgage payment can be a great way to meet the minimum spending requirement for a new credit card's valuable welcome offer.
• Calculate your net return: Always compare the value of the rewards you'll earn against the processing fee to ensure you're generating a positive return on the transaction.
• Maximize redemption value: Get the most out of your points by transferring them to high-value airline or hotel partners rather than redeeming them for cash back at a lower rate.
• Watch for promotions: Third-party payment services occasionally run promotions that reduce or eliminate processing fees, making it an ideal time to pay with your card.
• Leverage spending for status: Use the significant spend from a mortgage payment to help you reach the spending thresholds required for elite status with an airline or hotel loyalty program.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond the mortgage payment itself, consider your broader financial ecosystem. For instance, while a general travel card might be best for the mortgage transaction, a store-specific card could offer significant savings on the inevitable flood of home improvement and furnishing purchases. However, the most critical factor is disciplined debt management; failing to pay your credit card balance in full each month will quickly erase any rewards with high-interest charges. This strategy should not come at the expense of your cash savings or encourage reliance on Buy Now, Pay Later plans for other needs, as juggling multiple forms of debt can be a precarious balancing act.

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Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can you pay a mortgage with a credit card?

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While most mortgage lenders do not accept direct credit card payments, you can use a third-party payment service. These platforms charge your card and then send a payment to your lender on your behalf.

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Are there fees for paying a mortgage with a credit card?

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Yes, third-party services that facilitate these payments typically charge a processing fee, often a percentage of your payment amount. This fee can potentially negate any credit card rewards you might earn.

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Can paying my mortgage with a credit card affect my credit score?

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It can, as a large monthly mortgage payment will increase your credit utilization ratio. A consistently high utilization ratio may negatively impact your credit score.

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