How can I pay a credit card bill?

[HansXP]

Hey guys, I'm planning on getting a credit card real soon and I was wondering what the different ways you can pay are. Obviously with a check, but what else?

Thanks

 

[SaltBoy]

Pay with another credit card!

 

[Haircut]

Other than a cheque, you could probably set up a direct debit to pay it each month.
Go into your bank with the payment form, through the Internet or by telephone.

 

[Shudder]

Directly from your account, but be prepared to pay 5-15 for it (expect the higher)

Money order

cashier's check

 

[TuffGirl]

Lots of banks nowadays have an online billpay option, usually for a nominal monthly fee. I used to use the one at First Union and found it to be extremely convenient.

 

[Russ]

Saltboy has it right. If you have enough cards, and the companies keep raising your limits often enough, it's like free money forever!

Russ, NCNE

 

[mithrandir2001]

I have a Citibank card and I pay through their website. They basically wire (via EFT) money from my checking account. I like it because it is less hassle and they like it because it costs less to process.

 

[fragarific]

how about we list the downsides of paying with a credit card?

 

[Viper GTS]

I pay online via direct withdrawal from my checking account. I don't receive a paper statement anymore, everything is done online. Statements, balance inquiries, credit line increases. I've had the card for 8 months, I have a $2,000 limit, & I've never talked to a single person.

I don't have it set up to automatically withdraw since I usually make payments 10-20 times the minimum.

Viper GTS

 

[vegetation]

Best way is electronically. If your credit card doesn't have this feature by now, or charges you an extra fee to do it, I highly suggest you leave them and find another CC company.

 

[ornjblud]

I pay most of my bills online (amex, visa, ford). And there are no fees associated for any of them. I simply set up the bank account information (account number and routing info) with the respective company and initiate the ACH transfer at my discretion when I'm ready to pay the bill. Been doing it for the last year or so with no problems.

In the long run, it's actually cheaper (although nominally) to pay online since you save the cost of a check, envelope, and stamp. I've saved even more time paying bills by having misc utilities (cable, cell phone, etc) billed monthly to my Amex......then I simply initiate one transfer that effectively pays for ~6 bills. Now, I probably only write three checks a month.....it used to be 12+ every month!

 

[Carbo]

Fools, all of you! YOU don't pay off your credit cards. That's what the rich, old bitch you're satisfying is for.

 

[polypterus]

Yeah I pay on-line too with my checking account, no biggie. No contact with humans for me either (or paper), I like it.

dc

 

[StageLeft]

I do all banking online and other than the occasional time I have to go into the bank this is the only way I'll do it!

 

[dman]

<< Saltboy has it right. If you have enough cards, and the companies keep raising your limits often enough, it's like free money forever! >>



Be careful with that strategy, because everytime you use those checks to transfer balances you are most likely getting hit with a 3%+ cash advance fee. In the good 'ol days you could rotate balances for free (no cash advance charge for balance xfers) but they caught on.

SO, eventually you'll either have to pay up or go bankrupt.

 

[StageLeft]

SO, eventually you'll either have to pay up or go bankrupt.

Bah! We're all gonna die some day. If I die tomorrow I want to know I wasn't planning for when I was 60 before living my life! Enjoy today. Worry about tomorrow tomorrow!!!

--

As ludicrous as that sounds some people on AT have actually written such statements :frown:

 

[Mustangrrl]

The same as Viper GTS--I have cards that I pay through auto withdrawal from my checking, and I've never spoken to one person at that company. I signed up for a Juniper card online just because I was doing EZ Sweeps and they had a sweepstakes (hehe), I got a $15,000 card in 15 seconds. Kids these days!
~robyn

 

[Russ]

<< SO, eventually you'll either have to pay up or go bankrupt. >>



Damn, man, I never thought of that. Thanks for the heads up.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Carbo]

<< I do all banking online and other than the occasional time I have to go into the bank this is the only way I'll do it! >>


Hell, if your net worth is a six pack and a bicycle, why would you need to do any banking?

 

[DannyLove]

good lord, never thought i'd see such a newbie question.

you can pay online, pay through the phone with a service charge, or by sending a check or money order.

in fact, most bills are paid this way, are you on earth?

danny~!

 

[dullard]

<< SO, eventually you'll either have to pay up or go bankrupt. >>



I remember that the single largest campain donation came from MBNA America (a credit card company) and went to Bush. The idea was to make credit card bills exempt from bankruptcy. Bush was strongly for this (as long as you made over $40k/year I think). Was this bill passed yet? If so, you can't go bankrupt and forget your credit card bills.

 

[HansXP]

<< good lord, never thought i'd see such a newbie question.

you can pay online, pay through the phone with a service charge, or by sending a check or money order.

in fact, most bills are paid this way, are you on earth?

danny~! >>



I'll remember to insult you in your next thread.

Hans~!

 

[StageLeft]

Hell, if your net worth is a six pack and a bicycle, why would you need to do any banking?

Sadly my net worth is actually well into minus territory.

 

[MaxDSP]

I pay online for both my Visa and Discover, no fees. I authorize a payment through the CC's website, which is linked to my checking account at the bank. At the payment confirmation screen, I just print out the confirmation. No hassle of writing a check, stamps, dropping it off at the mailbox, mail delays, etc. Payments are posted in like 1-3 days. BTW, watch how much you charge up on the CC. It's not free money. I've paid in full for bth my cards since I got them in March 2001.

 

[StageLeft]

It's not free money.

So says you. If that were true we'd have to earn it before spending it - but we don't. It's free!! Free trip to best buy on the visa card!