 TITLE: Should I Pay Bills with a Credit Card or Checking Account? CONTENT: When Should I Use a Checking Account to Pay My Bills?\n-----------------------------------------------------\nNot all lenders or utility companies allow people to pay their bills with a credit card. Your landlord will probably not accept a credit card, and if they do, you'll likely be charged a processing fee of 3% or so. That will almost always negate any rewards you might see from the card. A $1,000 rent payment could net you $20 in rewards with a 2% cash-back credit card, for example, but cost $30 in fees.\nSometimes paying with a checking account can actually save you money. Some providers offer a discount when you pay with a checking account, because they don't have to pay for credit card processing. Call and ask if your service provider offers an incentive for paying in cash.\nBill autopay offers another advantage to using your checking account to pay bills. If you tend to pay bills past their due date, autopay helps you stay current and avoid late fees.\nIn addition, paying your bills through your checking account's bill pay function may soon allow you to improve your credit score. Experian Boost™† is new tool that can track your utility and telecom payments and, if you show positive payments for at least three months, you'll likely get an immediate boost to your credit score. Visit experian.com\/boost now to register. END