Why AutoPay

What AutoPay does, what it prevents, and why it matters most if you have a promotional offer.

AutoPay takes your monthly payment automatically from a card or bank account you have saved, on your due date, without you having to remember.

What it prevents

A missed payment costs more than the payment. Depending on your account it can mean a late fee, a mark on your credit file, and — if you have a promotional offer — the loss of the offer itself.

If you have a promotional offer, a single missed payment can end it early. When that happens the interest that has been accumulating is added to your balance, and it is not waived afterwards.

This is the strongest reason to use AutoPay. It removes the one thing most likely to cost you the promotion.

You can pay more than the minimum

AutoPay is not limited to your minimum payment. You can set an override amount above it, which is how most people clear a promotional balance before its expiration date — see Changing your AutoPay.

What it does not do

It does not lock you in. You can opt out at any time — see Opting out of AutoPay.

It is not a condition of your credit. Nobody can require you to repay by automatic payment as a condition of getting or keeping credit. If you turn AutoPay off, you keep at least one way to pay that costs you nothing extra — the portal and a mailed check are both free.

Some programs offer a rate benefit for using AutoPay. That is an incentive, and it has to be set out in your agreement; it is not the same as a requirement.

It does not change your terms. Your rate, schedule and balance are unaffected.

What to know before you enroll

Weekends and holidays	AutoPay runs every day, including weekends and holidays. Your payment is taken on your due date, whatever day of the week that is
If a payment is returned	You will be charged a returned payment fee, and we may re-attempt the same amount up to two more times
Not enough in the account	Failing to keep sufficient funds is a default under the authorization, and we may end your AutoPay
Expired cards	A replaced card usually keeps working — see Automatic card updates

Ready

Enrolling in AutoPay

Five minutes in uPortal360.