how to pay rent w/ credit card to accumulate reward points?

[rbracch]

Hi everyone,

How are ya. I’m wondering if anyone has some suggestions regarding the following issue:
After some online research, I recently acquired a Chase Freedom credit card due to very positive reviews regarding its flexible and beneficial rewards program. In order to accumulate as many rewards points as I can, I have changed the auto-pay settings on nearly all of my monthly bills to now withdraw my payments from the Chase Freedom credit card account (instead of my Chase checking account, which I had done previously). That got me to thinking….I wonder if there’s a way to somehow pay my monthly rent with the Chase Freedom credit card? This would allow me to accumulate even more credit card rewards points. Could anyone suggest a strategy on how to do this? I currently pay $1,400 per month - in the form of a paper check linked to my Chase checking account - to my landlord. I was wondering - does the credit card company issue some sort of check or money order that I could pay my rent with? Is there a multi-step process that would allow me to “re-route” the money? Any other ideas? And of course, I am very aware and careful to pay my monthly credit card balance in full to avoid any interest fees, late fees and poor credit scores.

Many thanks in advance for any feedback,
Reno

[disneysteve]

Good idea but no.

You can get "convenience checks" from your credit card company but they are treated as cash advances. That means there is typically a fee to use them - 3% of the amount is common - and interest may begin accruing immediately as opposed to the grace period you get when you use your credit card. Even if there is a grace period, there is still the fee to contend with.

[Jwilliamson22]

The closest I've come to solving this same problem is using a merchant processing device such as square and making purchases into your own account. However you still pay a the 2.75% Square fee up front. Which makes it not worth it on the freedom if your only earning 1%.

[Sian]

CC to pay rent

I've actually been considering this myself when I get back to the states.

My apartment actually allows you to pay with a credit card. After you pay the first two times then it's free. ($19 fee for the first two times)

I do have a rewards program on the card. Currently there is an annual fee ($39) but I'm looking to update the card to one without a fee but still has rewards.

Since I'll be paying the card off everytime I use it. I don't see an issue with it. The fee for paying online will be earned back after I use the card a few times.

The rewards are 1% or 2% for use. Once I update my card there I'll just earn the $40 back so that it would have paid for itself after seven months max and four months at the least. I plan on living at the apartments for at least one year three months at least. And that'll be the only thing that I'd be using the card for unless there is an emergency.

I do have an emergency fund but I'm still building it up.

[FrugalTexan75]

I did just this for nearly two years with my MyPoints card (I only stopped because the bank holding the card went out of business and so no more MyPoints card...) I didn't have to use convenience checks.

I would talk with whoever your management is and see if they accept CC payments.

[emergency cash]

Nice idea. Going to check if my rental agent takes amex

[nimisht]

You may want to check with your credit card provider if they have some form of bill payment service tied in with the credit card. I have done this in the past but don't know if it still works.

Nimish