Pay Your PG&E Bill with a Credit Card: Everything You Need to Know

Paying your utility bills can feel like a chore. Writing and mailing a check or setting up automatic payments from your bank account is simple enough. But what if you want more flexibility and rewards? Paying your PG&E bill with a credit card may be the answer.

This whole guide will tell you all of your options for paying your PG. You’ll find out the pros and cons, the costs, and how to get the most out of the rewards. Let’s dive in!.

Overview of Paying Your PG&E Bill with a Credit Card

PG&E offers several ways to pay your bill via credit or debit card. You can make one-time payments or set up recurring autopayments. There are a few things to keep in mind:

• Transaction Fees: PG&E charges processing fees when paying by card. The fee is $1. 35 for residential customers and $6. 95 for business customers using a personal card. Commercial cards incur a 1. 95% surcharge.

• Rewards Potential Paying your utility bill with a rewards credit card can help you earn cash back points or miles. Just don’t let rewards tempt you into overspending.

• Credit Card Interest: If you carry a balance on your credit card, the interest charges could be higher than any rewards you earn. If this worries you, you might want to switch to a debit card.

• Late Fees Autopayments help avoid late fees But don’t rely solely on autopay, since your card could expire or hit its credit limit Log in to monitor your account.

Now let’s explore the step-by-step process for paying your PG&E bill with plastic.

How to Pay Your PG&E Bill with a Credit or Debit Card

Paying your PG&E bill with a card is easy whether you want to make one-time payments or set up automatic billing. Here are the methods available:

Pay Online

The fastest way to settle your PG You can make one-time payments without even making an account.

To pay as a registered user:

• Sign into your PG&E account
• Under “Payment Options,” choose your card
• Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV security code

To pay without registering:

• Go to PG&E’s pay online page for one-time access
• Enter your PG&E account number, address, and card details
• The $1.35 transaction fee applies

Pay by Phone

You can also pay your PG&E bill over the phone with an automated system or live agent. Call 1-877-704-8470 and have your account number ready. Specify you want to pay by credit/debit card and enter your details. The $1.35 transaction fee applies here too.

Set Up Recurring Payments

If you want to put your PG&E payments on autopilot, sign into your online account and set up recurring charges. You can choose the payment date and set a maximum amount. Your card will be automatically charged each month.

To update expired cards or card numbers, login and edit your payment method in your account settings. PG&E will email reminders ahead of expiration dates too.

Pay by Mail

Sending a credit card payment by mail is possible but not recommended since it involves writing your card number on your bill. For security, it’s better to pay online or by phone instead.

Credit Cards with Benefits for Paying Utilities

The right credit card can help you earn rewards on your PG&E payment each month. But not all cards are created equal when it comes to utility bills. Here are the best options:

• Cash back cards – Flat-rate cash back cards offer reliable earnings perfect for utility bills. The Citi Double Cash earns 2% back (1% when you pay and 1% as a statement credit).

• Utilities category cards – Some cards like the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa offer bonus rewards for gas, electric, and utilities.

• Sign-up bonus cards – Cards with big sign-up bonuses can offset fee costs. But avoid cards with annual fees unless you can earn enough rewards to come out ahead.

• Business cards – Cards like the Ink Business Cash offer generous rewards on utilities. But remember that PG&E charges higher transaction fees for business cards.

• Cards that allow bill payments – Some credit card issuers don’t count utility payments toward rewards. Check your card’s terms first.

Always pay your bill in full to avoid interest charges nullifying your rewards. Set up autopay from your checking account as a backup too.

Costs and Fees Associated with Credit Card Payments

While paying bills with credit cards can provide convenience and rewards, it’s not free. Here are the fees to watch out for from PG&E:

• $1.35 transaction fee for residential customers paying by personal credit/debit card

• $6.95 transaction fee for business customers paying by personal credit/debit card

• 1.95% surcharge for commercial credit card payments

In addition, consider costs that can build up on your end:

• Credit card interest – Carrying a balance leads to interest charges that usually exceed any rewards earned.

• Cash advance fees – Some card issuers consider bill pay services a cash advance and charge extra fees.

• Late fees – If your autopay fails due to a closed card or other issue, you could face late fees.

• Annual fees – Only open fee cards if you can earn enough rewards to offset the annual costs.

To minimize fees, use a debit card or bank account transfer whenever possible. And remember to periodically check that your autopay is successfully working to avoid any penalties.

Tips for Maximizing Rewards on PG&E Payments

If done strategically, paying your PG&E bill via credit card can generate hundreds of dollars in rewards or points over time. Here are my top tips:

• Put your PG&E autopay on a card that earns an ongoing bonus for utilities like gas, electric, and cable bills. This adds up over the year.

• Consider opening a new card with a lucrative sign-up bonus to offset several months of transaction fees.

• Pay your bill early in your cycle to ensure the payment helps you meet minimum spend requirements for sign-up bonuses.

• Use the right card for that billing period. Rotate between cards to keep working toward minimum spends.

• Remember your rewards goals. Don’t lose sight of your reasons for chasing points and optimize spending accordingly.

• Pay off your balance in full so interest charges don’t eat away at rewards earned. Debit cards are safer bets for avoiding credit card debt.

Follow these tips and you can rack up some major rewards without going into debt. Just don’t let points fever cause you to overspend or neglect more pressing financial priorities.

Alternatives to Credit Cards for PG&E Payments

Credit and debit cards aren’t your only options for paying PG&E bills. Here are a few other payment methods to consider:

• Linked bank account – Free ACH transfers from a checking or savings account

• Money order – Can be purchased for a small fee at grocery stores, post offices, etc.

• Cash – Pay at an authorized payment center, but track your receipt as proof

• Check – Mail in a check with your remittance stub to avoid fees

• Pre-paid debit card – Reloadable cards allow bill payment without linking your account

The easiest and most affordable options are bank account and check payments. But for maximum flexibility and rewards, credit cards certainly have appeal.

Is Paying Your PG&E Bill with a Credit Card Worth It?

At the end of the day, is opening a rewards credit card strictly for PG&E payments actually worth it? Here are some key considerations:

The pros:

• Can earn hundreds in cash back or points over time
• More flexibility than automatic bank withdrawals
• Chance to earn sign-up bonuses

The cons:

• Transaction fees eat into rewards earned
• Risk of debt and interest charges
• Autopay issues can lead to late fees
• Rewards don’t always outweigh costs

My advice is to choose your cards wisely and strategically. Opt for a flat-rate cash back card or one with a hefty utility category bonus. And avoid cards with annual fees unless you can rake in enough rewards to offset them.

If played right, paying with plastic certainly beats an old-fashioned check. But don’t let it become a mindless exercise in points chasing at the expense of your finances. Evaluate your options and act deliberately.