Yes you absolutely can pay your ComEd bill with a credit card! But before you whip out that plastic, there are some important things you should know about fees rewards, and alternatives. As someone who’s been managing utility payments for years, I’m gonna walk you through everything you need to know about this payment option.
How To Pay Your ComEd Bill With A Credit Card
Paying your ComEd electric bill with a credit card is pretty straightforward. You’ve got several options to choose from:
Online Payment
- Log into your ComEd online account
- Click on “Make Payment”
- Select “Credit/Debit Card” as your payment method
- Enter your card information
- Confirm payment
Phone Payment
- Call ComEd at 1-800-334-7661
- Choose the “Make Payment” option when prompted
- Select credit card payment
- Have your card ready to provide details
In-Person Payment
Visit an authorized ComEd payment location and give your credit card to the clerk to process your bill payment
No matter which method you pick, make sure you have your:
- ComEd account number
- Address on file
- Credit card ready to go
The payment will be processed immediately and deducted from your credit card
Credit Card Fees for ComEd Payments
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. ComEd does charge convenience fees when you use a credit card, and these can add up:
| Card Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Visa, MasterCard, Discover | 2.25% of payment amount |
| American Express | 3.5% of payment amount |
For example, if your bill is $100 and you pay with Visa, you’ll actually pay $102.25. If you use American Express, that same bill would cost you $103.50.
Some important points about these fees:
- They apply to ALL credit cards (even those fancy rewards cards)
- Debit cards are treated the same as credit cards fee-wise
- Each transaction incurs its own fee, even if you make multiple payments
- These fees are pretty standard among utility companies
UPDATE: Good news! As of September 15, 2021, ComEd has stopped charging these additional fees for credit and debit card payments! If any fees appear during this transition, ComEd will refund them, and they’ll show up on your bill within 4-6 weeks. No action needed from you.
Using Rewards Cards for ComEd Bills – Is It Worth It?
Before the fee elimination, this was a more complex calculation. Now that ComEd has dropped the convenience fees, using a rewards credit card becomes much more attractive!
When you pay your ComEd bill with a rewards credit card, those charges count toward:
- Earning points or cashback
- Meeting minimum spend requirements for sign-up bonuses
- Accumulating travel miles
For example, if you have a card that offers 2% cashback on all purchases and your ComEd bill is $100, you’ll earn $2 in rewards. With no convenience fee, that’s pure savings!
Impact of Putting Utility Bills on Credit Cards
Before you decide to pay your ComEd bill with a credit card, consider how it might affect your overall financial picture:
Credit Utilization
Utilities are usually large recurring expenses. Adding your ComEd bill to your credit card increases your credit utilization ratio, which could potentially impact your credit score if it pushes you over 30% of your available credit.
Interest Charges
If you don’t pay your credit card balance in full, you’ll pay interest on your ComEd bill too. Credit card interest rates are often 15-25%, which will quickly wipe out any rewards benefits.
Payment Timing
ComEd bills typically come due around the 20th of each month. Make sure this aligns with your credit card payment cycle to avoid carrying a balance.
Budgeting Challenges
It can sometimes be harder to track utility expenses when they’re mixed in with other credit card purchases. You might want to set up separate categories in your budgeting system.
Other Ways to Pay Your ComEd Bill
If using a credit card doesn’t seem right for you, ComEd offers several other payment methods:
Bank Account Payment
- Direct payment from checking or savings account
- No fees charged by ComEd
- Can be set up online
ComEd Mobile App
- Make payments through the ComEd app
- Use bank account, credit card, or debit card
- Convenient for on-the-go payments
AutoPay Program
- Set up recurring automatic payments
- Payments deducted from your bank account on due date
- Never worry about late payments again
- No more writing checks!
In-Person Payment
- Pay with cash, check or money order
- Visit authorized walk-in payment locations
- Accepts exact payments
Mail Payment
- Send check or money order
- Allow enough time for delivery
- Include your account information
5 Pro Tips for Paying Your ComEd Bill with a Credit Card
If you decide to use a credit card for your ComEd bill, follow these tips to maximize the benefits:
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Choose a card with high utility rewards – Some cards offer bonus points for utility payments, which can significantly increase your returns.
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Watch your credit utilization – Try to keep your total credit card balances below 30% of your available credit to protect your credit score.
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Set up autopay through your credit card – This ensures you never miss a payment and incur late fees.
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Align payment dates – Try to sync your ComEd due date with your credit card statement closing date for easier tracking.
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Pay your credit card in full – Always pay your entire credit card balance to avoid interest charges that would negate any rewards benefits.
ComEd Walk-in Payment Centers
If you prefer to pay in person, ComEd has several customer service centers. These are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
- Bronx: 1775 Grand Concourse
- Brooklyn: 345 Jay Street at National Grid
- Manhattan: 122 East 124th Street
- Queens: 89-67 162nd St. Jamaica at National Grid
- Staten Island: 1140 Richmond Terrace
- Westchester: At the Food Bazaar Supermarket, 1 Bogopa Plaza, Mount Vernon
Please note that these locations accept exact payments only.
What About AutoPay Through ComEd?
ComEd strongly encourages customers to enroll in AutoPay. With this service, your bill payment is automatically deducted from your bank account each month on the due date.
Benefits of AutoPay include:
- No need to remember due dates
- Eliminated risk of late fees
- No check writing
- Secure payment processing
- Easy setup and management
If you already have AutoPay set up, ComEd says you don’t need to take any action if account numbers change – they’ll update automatically, and monthly bills will continue to be withdrawn from your designated checking or savings account.
Final Thoughts: Should You Pay Your ComEd Bill with a Credit Card?
Now that ComEd has eliminated convenience fees for credit and debit card payments, using a credit card for your utility bill makes a lot more sense for many people. Here’s my take on when it’s a good idea:
Credit card payment is great if you:
- Want to earn rewards on a large recurring expense
- Pay your credit card bill in full each month
- Need to meet minimum spending requirements for a sign-up bonus
- Value the convenience of online or automatic payments
Consider other payment methods if you:
- Tend to carry credit card balances month-to-month
- Are close to your credit limit already
- Prefer to separate utility expenses from other spending
- Want the simplest possible payment process
I personally like using my rewards credit card for my utility bills now that the fees are gone. The 2% cashback I earn adds up over the year, and I find the online payment process super convenient.
Remember, the best payment method is the one that works for your specific financial situation and habits. ComEd gives you plenty of options, so you can choose what makes the most sense for you.
Whether you decide to pay by credit card, bank account, or another method, the most important thing is paying your bill on time to avoid late fees and potential service disruptions. With all the convenient options ComEd provides, there’s no excuse for missing a payment!
Have you had good experiences paying your ComEd bill with a credit card? Let us know in the comments!
How to Pay Your Bill
There are five ways to pay your ComEd bill. You can change your payment method at any time.
- Online: You can sign in and pay your ComEd bill online using your bank account or credit/debit card. You can also make a one-time online guest payment without creating an account.
- Automatic Payment: You can set up Automatic Payments to make automatic recurring payments. You can start Automatic Payments here, but you need a ComEd account to do so.
- In-Person: You can pay your bill in person at any authorized agent or payment location near you. You can go here and find a payment location near you by entering your ZIP code. Keep in mind that some of the payment locations may be temporarily unavailable due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
- Pay by Mail: You can mail a payable check using your bill return envelope. You can learn more here.
- Pay by Phone: You can pay your bill on the phone using your credit/debit card or bank account.
You can learn more about payment options here.
How to Lower Your ComEd Bill
All ComEd customers are free to choose their retail electric suppliers. You can compare the rates and plans offered by certified RESs with the Price to Compare and make an informed decision. You can find the RES list here.
To make your life easier, you can use Arborâs free TrueRate Protection to check if youâre getting the best rate against the Price to Compare.
Arbor scans the market and gives you the best rates you can get in your service area with ComEd. When your term is expiring, Arbor finds the best rate and switches you again. You always pay the best rate and never have to worry about overpaying for electricity ever again.
You can use the free savings calculator to find out how much you could save in each case. Electricity payments can be complicated, thats why a lot of people trust Arbor to manage their electricity service, so they end up saving on their energy bills.
To reduce your bill further, you can opt for energy efficiency programs that offer rebates and discounts as incentives. You can learn more about ways to save here.
To set up your ComEd account, you need to register on ComEdâs website.
Follow these steps to set up your new account.
- Go to this link to start the registration process.
- Choose what kind of account you have. For a residential and business account, go here directly.
- Enter your primary phone number thatâs associated with your account, along with the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN).
- Start entering your information, such as your full name, email address, password, and security questions, among other things.
- Verify the information and link your ComEd account.
- You will receive an email confirmation for the account creation shortly after.
You can log in using your email here.
Can I Pay Bills with a Credit Card?
FAQ
How do I pay my ComEd bill with a credit card?
The process of paying your ComEd bill with a credit card is straightforward. You have a couple different options Pay online – Log into your ComEd online account and select “Make Payment” Choose “Credit/Debit Card” as your payment method and enter your card details. Pay by phone – Call 1-800-334-7661.
How do I pay my ComEd account online?
Pay online – Log into your ComEd online account and select “Make Payment” Choose “Credit/Debit Card” as your payment method and enter your card details. Pay by phone – Call 1-800-334-7661. When prompted, select the “Make Payment” option and then choose to pay by credit card. Have your card ready to provide the details.
What happens if I pay my bill through a ComEd account?
According to ComEd, customers who have autopay through ComEd set up do not need to take any action. “These account numbers will be updated automatically and monthly bills will continue to be withdrawn from their designated checking or savings account,” ComEd said. What if I pay my bill each month through my bank account, check, or debit card?
Can I pay my ComEd electric bill with a credit card?
Paying your ComEd electric bill with a credit card is certainly possible, but there are some important factors to consider before deciding if it’s the right payment method for you. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about paying your ComEd bill with a credit card so you can make an informed decision.
When should I pay my ComEd Bill?
Payment timing – ComEd bills are typically due around the 20th of each month. Make sure your payment due date lines up with your credit card statement closing date. Budgeting – It can be harder to track utility expenses when lumped in with other credit card purchases.
Does ComEd charge a fee?
No fees charged by ComEd. ComEd app – Pay directly through the ComEd mobile app using a bank account, credit card, or debit card. Automatic payments – Set up recurring payments from your bank account via ComEd’s AutoPay program. In person – Pay with cash, check or money order at authorized walk-in payment locations.
Can I use a credit card to pay a ComEd bill?
They removed the surcharge for CC back in 2021, but you can’t use CC for Auto-Pay (at least last I remember). To me, it wasn’t worth it, because I’d manually have to login and pay my bill every month and didn’t want to risk forgetting (otherwise it’s lights out).
Is it okay to pay utility bills with a credit card?
You can typically pay some bills with a credit card. This typically includes utilities, cable and internet, and subscription services.Aug 5, 2024
What bills cannot be paid with a credit card?
Does ComEd have a credit card fee?
As of 9/15/2021, additional fees will no longer be assessed by ComEd on payments made by credit and debit card. Any fees that may appear as we implement this change will be refunded and appear on your ComEd bill in 4-6 weeks. No action is needed from you.
