You can earn plenty of points on expenses that usually don’t accept credit cards.
You can pay your rent, tuition, income tax, and property taxes with bill payment services like PaySimply, Chexy, or Plastiq. Paying with your card means you’ll earn points on spending that normally wouldn’t count.
Keep in mind that you’ll pay a fee, so weigh that against the value of the points you’ll earn. When timed with a new card, using bill payment services is one of the easiest ways to meet minimum spending and earn a large welcome bonus quickly.
Here’s how to make bill payment services work for you.
What Are Bill Payment Services?
You can use a bill payment service to pay bills with your credit card, even if the biller doesn’t accept cards or American Express®.
You pay the service with your card, and they send the money to the company or person you owe.
PaySimply, Chexy and Plastiq work well for expenses like rent, tuition, taxes, and child care. Paying this way means you’ll earn points on bills that normally wouldn’t qualify.
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Why Use Bill Payment Services
You’ll find services like PaySimply, Chexy and Plastiq are valuable when you need to pay expenses that don’t usually accept credit cards or American Express®. Rent, tuition, income and property taxes, and child care are only a few examples.
It’s especially rewarding when you use a bill payment service for a large expense that normally doesn’t take credit cards, like a home renovation. Pair it with a generous welcome offer, and you’ll hit the minimum spending in no time.
Keep in mind that bill payment services charge a fee. The good news is the points you earn often outweigh the cost, especially when paired with a large welcome offer.
I opened an American Express® Platinum card right before my child’s university tuition was due. Using a bill payment service, I paid the first installment with the card.
For a small fee, I met the minimum spending requirement almost instantly and earned 100,000 welcome points. Those points gave our family a head start on planning our next trip together.
How Bill Payment Services Work
Bill payment services let you pay bills with your credit card even when the biller doesn’t accept cards.
You pay the service, which then sends the payment to the biller by check or electronically.
Each service charges a fee, usually between 2% and 2.85% of the payment amount.
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You may be able to write off bill payment fees as a business expense on your tax return if you’re a business owner.
Chexy
Chexy is the newest bill payment service in Canada and stands out with its Aeroplan® partnership. You’ll earn Aeroplan® points plus the points from your credit card when you pay bills through Chexy, practically double-dipping on rewards.
You’ll also earn extra Aeroplan® points during promotions that award bonuses to new users who meet a minimum spend or set up recurring payments.
Plus, you can make both one-time and recurring payments. They only accept Canadian Visa and American Express® cards.
You’ll pay one of the lowest fees in Canada with Chexy: 1.75% for Canadian credit cards and 2.5% for international cards.
Plastiq
Plastiq is one of the earliest and most widely used bill payment services in Canada and the US.
You’ll find Plastiq useful for payments that other platforms don’t cover. It lets you pay a wide range of recipients, including those not listed on other platforms, by sending checks or electronic transfers on your behalf.
You’ll pay a 2.9% fee per transaction with Plastiq. However, they occasionally run promotions that lower the fee, so it’s worth keeping an eye out.
PaySimply
PaySimply is a Canadian bill payment service recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You can use it for thousands of billers, including property tax, utilities, tuition, and rent. You don’t need to open an account. Just select your biller in PaySimply, enter your details, and pay.
You’ll pay a 2.5% fee for credit card payments. CRA payments are slightly lower at 2.49% making PaySimply a practical way to turn taxes and other bills into points.
Points Beginner’s Guide
From points newbie to booking your first trip.
Learn how easy it is for Canadians to earn points. Choose the best credit cards and programs. Make your first redemption for almost free travel.
Points Beginner’s Guide
From points newbie to booking your first trip.
Learn how easy it is for Canadians to earn points. Choose the best credit cards and programs. Make your first redemption for almost free travel.
Bottom Line
Bill payment services let you use your credit card for expenses that normally don’t accept cards. Payments like home improvements, tuition, income tax, or property tax can help you hit the minimum spend on a new card and earn a large welcome bonus.
You’ll get extra value from Chexy with its Aeroplan® partnership and low fees. With Plastiq, you can pay virtually anyone, including recipients not covered by other platforms. PaySimply is the easiest to use and a practical way to turn CRA tax payments into points.
You’ll pay a fee, but the points earned can outweigh the cost. Timed with a new card, bill payment services turn everyday bills into plenty of points for future travel.
