We are an independent publisher. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Next” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (“advertiser listing”); and general information about credit card products (“editorial content”). Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Apply Now” button or “Learn More” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuer’s website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. We have partnerships with advertisers such as Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers’ sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links.

For more information, please see How we make money.

How to Use Plastiq to Pay Bills That Don’t Accept Cards

  • Million Mile Secrets

    • Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

    Did you know you can use your credit card to pay most of your bills, including your mortgage, rent, or car payment, even if they don’t accept credit cards?

    Plastiq will send a check to the business you want to pay for a 2.5% fee.  You can even pay an individual!
    You Can Use Plastiq to Pay Many Types of Businesses With Credit Cards – Even If They Don’t Accept Them as Payment!

    However, it’s not always worth it because of the fee.  I’ll help you decide when it could make sense for you!

    Should You Use Plastiq to Pay Bills?

    Link:   Plastiq

    With Plastiq, you can pay nearly any bill, including small businesses or individuals, with a Visa, MasterCard or AMEX credit card for a flat 2.5% fee.

    Use Your Visa, MasterCard, or AMEX to Pay a Bill, Even If Your Payee Doesn’t Accept Credit Cards

    Plastiq sends an electronic or paper check on your behalf.  So you can pay nearly any bill with a credit card.  Even if the business doesn’t accept credit cards!

    It Could Be Worth Paying Plastiq’s Fee to Meet a Minimum Spending Requirement or Earn Elite Status With Your Favorite Airline, Like Delta

    This service can be useful to meet minimum spending requirements to earn the sign-up bonus on a new credit card.  Or to meet a spending threshold to earn elite status with an airline, including Delta, or with a hotel chain.

    For example, if you make a $1,000 payment through Plastiq, you’ll pay a $25 fee, for a total of $1,025.  If you’re close to earning a sign-up bonus, or earning elite status, it could be worth it to pay $25 for thousands of miles or points.  Or elite status for another year!

    But if you’ll earn 2% cash back, or 1 mile or point per $1 spent, it usually isn’t worth it to pay the 2.5% fee.

    As always, run the numbers to make sure it’s a good deal for you!

    My Plastiq Review

    Back when Plastiq started, some folks complained of late payments or other issues with the service.

    But I think they’ve come a long way!  Million Mile Secrets team member Harlan reports timely payments with Plastiq for the past 6 months.  With no issues at all!

    That said, it can take 3 to 6 business days for Plastiq to deliver an electronic payment to a popular payee.  Most big companies, like utilities, student loan servicers, or mortgage lenders are set-up for electronic payments.

    Be Sure to Plan Your Payments Before They’re Due

    And it can take 5 to 7 business days for an individual or small business to receive payment.  Because Plastiq will send them a paper check.

    So always factor that in and send your payments at least 6 or 7 business days before they’re due.  That way if there’s an issue, you’ll still have some time to correct it.

    And if you’re charged a fee because of a late payment, you can take advantage of Plastiq’s Delivery Guarantee to get reimbursement.

    But if you plan ahead, it can be a smooth experience.  And help you earn miles, points, or elite status!

    How to Pay Bills With Plastiq

    Let’s look at how to make a payment.

    Step 1.   Create an Account or Log-In

    Navigate to the Plastiq website.  Add your name, email, phone number, and a password if you’re new.  Then click “Get Started.”

    You Can Create a New Account in Just a Minute or Two

    Or select “Sign In” if you already have an account.

    Step 2 – Add a Payee

    After you make an account, you’ll see this screen:

    Add Your Recipient and Click “Continue”

    So you can make a payment right away.  Type who you want to pay and click “Continue.”

    Plastiq Easily Found My Payee

    I searched for utility company Con Edison, which was already in Plastiq’s database.  If your business isn’t listed, you can always add them manually.

    After you choose an option, click “Continue.”

    If Everything Looks Good, Click “Save”

    If the address and other information match your usual bill, click “Save” to add the payee.

    Now You’re Ready to Make a Payment!

    You’ll see how your payment will be sent (electronically or through the mail) and how long it will take for it to arrive.

    Choose “Pay” if you’re ready to send a payment.

    Step 3 – Make a Payment

    You’ll need to enter payment details, including how much you want to send and your account number.

    Enter How Much You Want to Pay and Hit “Next”

    Click “Next” to move through the steps.

    Have Your Account Number Ready

    Add your account number so it’s credited to the right place.

    You Can Pay Right Away, or in the Future

    Next, you can select to pay now or add a delivery date.  I really like this feature to plan payments in advance!

    Review Your Payment to Make Sure It’s Correct

    Then, you can send your payment.  And on this page, you can add your credit card if you haven’t already.

    Review the information to make sure it’s accurate.  Note the total amount includes Plastiq’s 2.5% fee.

    If everything is correct, click “Submit Payment” to charge your card and send the payment.

    And that’s it!

    Watch Your Account for Credit

    After you’ve sent a payment, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your account to be sure it posts.  Team member Harlan say he hasn’t had any issues using Plastiq service.  But it’s a good idea to make sure the payment clears.

    You may also want to pay a couple of days early.  So just in case there’s a problem, you have time to fix it before you’re charged a late fee!

    Bottom Line

    Using Plastiq to pay bills with a credit card can be an easy way to meet minimum spending requirements or earn elite status with your favorite airline or hotel chain.

    Keep in mind you’ll pay a flat 2.5% fee.  And you can use a Visa, MasterCard, or AMEX card for payments.

    I wouldn’t recommend Plastiq for everyday payments because of the fee.  But if it’s the difference between earning a big sign-up bonus or not, it can be worth it on occasion.

    Let me know your experience with Plastiq!

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)