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The Real Benefits of paying bills with your Credit Card...

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 01238708

The Real Benefits of paying bills with your Credit Card

This subject is very controversial, Diane and I do not agree… I have always been a big fan of using American Express to purchase everything. The primary reason is if there is a dispute American Express has your back and if it is legitimate you will not be charged or worst case scenario you get credited back.

The second reason I love American Express is everything we buy we earn points. A one point we had so many points, that during the downturn of the economy we were able to fly my father around trip to and from Europe via Business class and he had the best time visiting us.

Now with that said I also love the Ease of tracking my expenses for tax purposes. I can look at the expenses and see that it was my Website, my Automobile Repair, it was my client dinner, my client lunch and the list goes on and on.

I wish I could convince Diane that we could pay our Electricity and water bills via Amex as well… maybe next year.

Same goes for e car insurance, internet, cable television as well as cell phones. Just think all the extra points we could earn. This would clearly pay for a Round Trip to Europe or Australia in no time.

Slowly but surely I am getting her converted after all we have been together for 22 plus yearsJ)

Let’s not forget a credit card can also help out in emergencies, when an unexpected bill arrives.

Should you need additional advice about the Advantages of paying bills with your Credit Card, please reach out to me directly.

If you are considering buying or selling a home, a luxury home, luxury investment real estate, luxury vacation homes, or luxury beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu, feel free to contact me at310.486.1002 (m) or homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at  http://www.endrebarath.com.  I am a Pet Friendly Realtor and I contribute a portion of my commission to local animal rescue organizations.

 

 

Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Endre Barath, Jr.  It makes life easier + it is easier to track

Oct 04, 2016 12:42 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

That sounds like a solid plan as long as you budget accordingly when that big fat bill comes due.  Points are good.  Hope you get to Australia soon.

Oct 04, 2016 12:56 AM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Hi Endre Barath, Jr. I agree with you, but convincing a wife of anything can and does take a long time Only 22 years? You need to be prepared for another 22 to make a dent in this and a few other "issues."

Bill Roberts

Oct 04, 2016 02:12 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I use to pay bills by check or cash.  Even at the grocery store.  However, I agree with you about using a credit card, and in recent years, have done the very same thing.

Oct 04, 2016 02:51 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Endre my husband totally agrees with you! He also likes the year end statements they send with everything charted out.

Oct 04, 2016 03:07 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Endre - We use our business debit card for a lot of them, which at least gives us good tracking for bookkeeping, but no points.

Oct 04, 2016 06:10 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Endre Barath, Jr., I use AMEX for many things but never even thought of using it for utilities..hmmm! When it's not AMEX, then it's my business debit card. I got an iPad, flight to LAS with my points.

Oct 04, 2016 06:14 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Endre, I also like the AE year end report for preparing our taxes. We have Chase Visa cards and get similar data. I pay some things with a direct withdrawal from a checking account as sometimes there are extra fees for using a credit card. The points add up and have helped us cut a lot of travel expenses. AE also stands behind you if there is ever an issue. Some other cards do not. I got my AE card in 1971. they should put me on one of their commercials!! LOL.. ::))) 

Oct 04, 2016 06:17 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Endre you make a good case, but  I am on Diane's side on this one

Oct 04, 2016 09:46 AM
Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com
Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Endre Barath, Jr. - I see both sides of this coin, but you know the old saying happy wife - happy life!  I'd keep Diane happy and hope with time she'll let you do more auto pays!   : )

Oct 04, 2016 03:45 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I feel like I need to know more about benefits of credit cards. I never know what I might learn. :)

Oct 05, 2016 05:00 PM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I have cards with excellent rewards programs. I'm getting ready to cash in some points now for the coming holiday season. I pay most of my bills with them. I love it. 

Oct 06, 2016 08:05 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Endre

Great post and so true that credit cards create good credit! There is one problem with the new cards with the chip, they are a tracking device for the Feds

I have the old credit cards and when they want to issue new ones I might not accept them, VB might have to find another way of paying for things besides just using cash!

Oct 09, 2016 09:48 AM
Stephen Arnold
HomeSmart Elite Group - Scottsdale, AZ
CRS, GRI, SFR

I have quite a few of my ongoing expenses on various rewards cards as well..it feels a bit like free money.  Ease of tracking expenses is key as well.  

Oct 11, 2016 01:50 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Praful Thakkar  I have not been able to convince Diane to do the Electric Bill yet:), Endre

Oct 11, 2016 03:13 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint  we pay very responsibly thanks to Diane being on top of things, Endre

Oct 11, 2016 03:15 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Sally K. & David L. Hanson  for us it is the Amex and does the same points and a great end of year breakdown, Endre

Oct 11, 2016 03:16 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jayne Gerren   same here:))Endre

Oct 11, 2016 03:17 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I think it was the plane mileage incentive that we changed going to pay our utility bills in poerson and groceries.  Now it is gift card of her choice that prompted her to pay by our credit card91).  We have to change credit card numbers from time to time to avoid credit card and identity theft.

Oct 17, 2016 11:38 PM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

My wife thinks AR grants us gifts with AR points. LOL....

Oct 17, 2016 11:40 PM