Autopay is a way of setting up your bills to be paid automatically on the same day every month. Many companies allow customers to either connect directly to a bank account for payment, or use a credit or debit card to pay their monthly bill in this way.
Read Next: 3 Signs You’ve ‘Made It’ Financially, According to Financial Influencer Genesis Hinckley
For You: 13 Banks With Immediate Sign-Up Bonuses and No Direct Deposit Required
When it comes to using a card for autopay, there are pros and cons of each. Let’s review them so you can decide which is best for you.
Benefits of Paying With Credit
Convenient
The main reason many people pay their bills with a credit card is its convenience, according to The Balance. Many companies allow auto-payments with credit cards. They’re easy to set up on autopay systems, and you don’t have to worry about the money coming out of your checking account.
Improves your credit score
If you’re responsible about paying off the credit card you use for autopay each month, or only carry a low balance, this benefits your credit score. This enables you to get better rates on things like loans, mortgages and car purchases.
Find Out: If You’re Thinking About Getting a CD, Suze Orman Says You Should Do It Now — Here’s Why
Don’t have to come up with the money immediately
If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, or your bills are due before your paycheck comes in, credit allows you the convenience of being able to pay your bills automatically without having to worry immediately about when you get paid. Of course, you want to be sure you can pay off your bill down the road.
Earn rewards
Credit card companies don’t care what you’re using your card for. So, you can rack up rewards no matter what you’re paying for, which brings benefits far beyond just paying bills, such as earning points that can be redeemed for goods, services and travel, among other things.
Downsides of Paying With Credit
Potential interest charges
It’s tempting to pay with credit, because you don’t have to take any money out of your checking, which can make you feel temporarily flush with cash. However, paying your bills automatically by credit card can get expensive if you don’t pay off your full bill every month. You will then be racking up interest on bills that you really don’t need to accrue.
Late fees are a problem
Additionally, if you’re late on your credit card payments, then you could end up paying extra fees on top of interest on top of what you owed for your bills, which is not a great way to get ahead financially.
It can negatively affect your credit score
And, if these worst case scenarios continue to play out, late payments and carrying a high debt can negatively impact your credit score, which can lead to trouble getting good rates on things such as a car, a home, or any other kind of loan you might need to take out.
Benefits of Paying with Debit
Not all bills accept credit cards
Not all companies and organizations allow for autopay by credit card. In this case, you’ll be mighty glad for your debit card, which enables you to pay your bills easily and on time.
You have a more real-time picture of your money
One of the best benefits of autopaying your bills with your debit card is that you have a more accurate, real-time picture of your financial standing. With credit, you can always tell yourself you have more money than you actually do — but that money comes due, with interest. If you pay with debit, you know exactly how much you have left after bills.
No fees or debt
Additionally, when you pay with debit you never run the risk of racking up debt, because your bill is paid in full. You also won’t earn any credit card late fees (though some companies can still charge you late fees for not paying your bills on time).
Some companies incentivize paying with a checking account
According to Experian, some companies even incentivize customers paying their bills with a checking account instead of a credit card, since credit card companies charge a per-transaction fee to the company.
Downsides To Paying With Debit
The only major downside to using a debit card is if you don’t have enough money in your account at the time of autopay processing, you can be charged non-sufficient funds fees by your bank, as well as fees from the bill company. Further, you may also miss out on some credit card rewards, though debit cards offer rewards and cash back too.
More From GOBankingRates
- 3 Signs You've 'Made It' Financially, According to Financial Influencer Genesis Hinckley
- 5 Cities Where Homes Will Be a Total Steal in 2 Years
- 10 New Cars To Avoid Buying in 2025
- 10 Genius Things Warren Buffett Says To Do With Your Money
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Autopaying Bills: Should You Use Credit or Debit?
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
