[Using PayPal to pay bills and earn 5% on credit cards]

[jeffyscott]

Edit: For anyone looking for more information on this topic, it actually started way back here:
viewtopic.php?p=6359875#p6359875

[Moved into a new thread from: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards --admin LadyGeek]

As of this post, there are 2,548 posts on this thread. So I apologize if it has been already mentioned.

I have the Custom Cash Rewards card, 3% category online shopping set already. I set up PayPal bill pay (not PayPal Key) for my electric/gas bill & property taxes; I'm thrilled I can pay with a credit card. But both of those are only earning 1%. I thought being a PayPal transaction would qualify, but I guess the fact it is utilities & taxes reduces it to 1%.

Just a data point to add.

Yes, online shopping means "shopping", as in buying stuff (of course, I have had actual online shopping not be counted as "online").

Paying bills is not shopping. But Chase Freedom is 5% for paypal and another poster indicated that does apply to paypal bill pay. I paid a couple bills that way, waiting to see if they get 5%...

[djheini]

As of this post, there are 2,548 posts on this thread. So I apologize if it has been already mentioned.

I have the Custom Cash Rewards card, 3% category online shopping set already. I set up PayPal bill pay (not PayPal Key) for my electric/gas bill & property taxes; I'm thrilled I can pay with a credit card. But both of those are only earning 1%. I thought being a PayPal transaction would qualify, but I guess the fact it is utilities & taxes reduces it to 1%.

Just a data point to add.

There is a list of categories that are excluded from the "Online shopping" category in viewtopic.php?p=6310310#p6310310

[Cubicle]

Yes, online shopping means "shopping", as in buying stuff (of course, I have had actual online shopping not be counted as "online").

Paying bills is not shopping. But Chase Freedom is 5% for paypal and another poster indicated that does apply to paypal bill pay. I paid a couple bills that way, waiting to see if they get 5%...

There is a list of categories that are excluded from the "Online shopping" category in viewtopic.php?p=6310310#p6310310

I'm not gonna lie, I had my fingers crossed that between PayPal & Bank of America one of them would not realize it was excluded & I would get the bonus.

I guess I'll need paying bills with another card. Still better than 0%.

[anon_investor]

Yes, online shopping means "shopping", as in buying stuff (of course, I have had actual online shopping not be counted as "online").

Paying bills is not shopping. But Chase Freedom is 5% for paypal and another poster indicated that does apply to paypal bill pay. I paid a couple bills that way, waiting to see if they get 5%...

There is a list of categories that are excluded from the "Online shopping" category in viewtopic.php?p=6310310#p6310310

I'm not gonna lie, I had my fingers crossed that between PayPal & Bank of America one of them would not realize it was excluded & I would get the bonus.

I guess I'll need paying bills with another card. Still better than 0%.

If there is no fee, that is still not bad. My Discover and Chase Freedom cards usually have non-overlapping quarters with 5% cash back for PayPal, and for the other 6 months I can get 2.62% cash back via the BoA Premium Rewards card. Much better than 0% cash back. I wish the BoA Customized Cash Rewards card would add utilities, internet and cell phone bills as categories. I know there is a US Bank credit with those as 5% cash back categories, but I kind of have too many credit cards as it is...

[jeffyscott]

I wish the BoA Customized Cash Rewards card would add utilities, internet and cell phone bills as categories. I know there is a US Bank credit with those as 5% cash back categories, but I kind of have too many credit cards as it is...

I've got that card, but never used the utility category. I had been thinking there was a % fee, but discussion of paypal bill pay here led me to discover that it is a flat $2.95 for gas/electric (water sewer is a 3%+ fee if under $100, which ours is). Gas/electric also allows paying more than is owed, so I could make one large payment to cover several months to minimize the impact of the fee...of course, I can also do that with no fee via paypal, while chase has 5%.

I assume if I used the US Bank card to pay via paypal, that I'd not get 5%.

BTW, my water and sewer bill online account show that my payment via paypal has been received and there is was no service fee.

[anon_investor]

I wish the BoA Customized Cash Rewards card would add utilities, internet and cell phone bills as categories. I know there is a US Bank credit with those as 5% cash back categories, but I kind of have too many credit cards as it is...

I've got that card, but never used the utility category. I had been thinking there was a % fee, but discussion of paypal bill pay here led me to discover that it is a flat $2.95 for gas/electric (water sewer is a 3%+ fee if under $100, which ours is). Gas/electric also allows paying more than is owed, so I could make one large payment to cover several months to minimize the impact of the fee...of course, I can also do that with no fee via paypal, while chase has 5%.

I assume if I used the US Bank card to pay via paypal, that I'd not get 5%.

BTW, my water and sewer bill online account show that my payment via paypal has been received and there is was no service fee.

So via PayPal bill pay resulted in no service?

I am not sure what info PayPal transmits through to the CC company. I know that Samsung Pay transmits the the category, since I use Samsung Pay quite a bit and I always get the applicable category bonuses for all Cc issuers I have (BoA, Chase, Discover, Amex).

[jeffyscott]

So via PayPal bill pay resulted in no service?

Well, we still have water and sewer service , but the 3%+ fee that they charge for paying by credit card was not charged. They have things itemized, so it expicitly indicates a $0 service fee for the payment that I sent via PayPal, just as it does for the past ACH ones.

[anon_investor]

So via PayPal bill pay resulted in no service?

Well, we still have water and sewer service , but the 3%+ fee that they charge for paying by credit card was not charged. They have things itemized, so it expicitly indicates a $0 service fee for the payment that I sent via PayPal, just as it does for the past ACH ones.

I hope this works for my water bill this month! We have no CC option, only ACH.

[jeffyscott]

So via PayPal bill pay resulted in no service?

Well, we still have water and sewer service , but the 3%+ fee that they charge for paying by credit card was not charged. They have things itemized, so it expicitly indicates a $0 service fee for the payment that I sent via PayPal, just as it does for the past ACH ones.

I hope this works for my water bill this month! We have no CC option, only ACH.

FYI, I just noticed that on the website for my water/sewer account and property tax account, my receipts for payments sent via Paypal bill pay show the method of payment as "check".

The W/S and gas/electric payments I made have gotten 5% rebates from Chase. I made a small test payment on my property tax account with a different CF card and it'll be couple more days before that one shows the rebate, but there doesn't seem to be any reason why it wouldn't as it posted as "paypal...".

[anon_investor]

So via PayPal bill pay resulted in no service?

Well, we still have water and sewer service , but the 3%+ fee that they charge for paying by credit card was not charged. They have things itemized, so it expicitly indicates a $0 service fee for the payment that I sent via PayPal, just as it does for the past ACH ones.

I hope this works for my water bill this month! We have no CC option, only ACH.

FYI, I just noticed that on the website for my water/sewer account and property tax account, my receipts for payments sent via Paypal bill pay show the method of payment as "check".

The W/S and gas/electric payments I made have gotten 5% rebates from Chase. I made a small test payment on my property tax account with a different CF card and it'll be couple more days before that one shows the rebate, but there doesn't seem to be any reason why it wouldn't as it posted as "paypal...".

I am still waiting for my water bill to show up as paid in their online portal, but I only paid via PayPal bill pay on Thursday. For my CF card it shows as a PayPal charge and I get the 5% cash back, it was coded as a utility payment, so I will make sure to use my BoA PR card next month, since it won't count as online shopping using the BoA CCR card.

Update: PayPal bill pay worked flawlessly on my water bill.

[stilllurking]

So via PayPal bill pay resulted in no service?

Well, we still have water and sewer service , but the 3%+ fee that they charge for paying by credit card was not charged. They have things itemized, so it expicitly indicates a $0 service fee for the payment that I sent via PayPal, just as it does for the past ACH ones.

I hope this works for my water bill this month! We have no CC option, only ACH.

FYI, I just noticed that on the website for my water/sewer account and property tax account, my receipts for payments sent via Paypal bill pay show the method of payment as "check".

The W/S and gas/electric payments I made have gotten 5% rebates from Chase. I made a small test payment on my property tax account with a different CF card and it'll be couple more days before that one shows the rebate, but there doesn't seem to be any reason why it wouldn't as it posted as "paypal...".

I am still waiting for my water bill to show up as paid in their online portal, but I only paid via PayPal bill pay on Thursday. For my CF card it shows as a PayPal charge and I get the 5% cash back, it was coded as a utility payment, so I will make sure to use my BoA PR card next month, since it won't count as online shopping using the BoA CCR card.

Update: PayPal bill pay worked flawlessly on my water bill.

I was successful paying my utility bill with PayPal bill pay and thought I would try to add any other bill I typically use ACH for. So I found my term life company there. I tried paying them the other day and made sure the funding source was from one of my CCs on file with PayPal. Instead, the primary source they tried to debit was my linked checking acccount (ironically my BoA account) that I don't keep any money in. So of course it was going to be returned. Luckily i have their lowest account that doesn't charge any NSF fees. At least I don't see any fees there now.

Anyways, has anyone had that happen where certain payees' funds have to be sourced from a linked bank first rather than a CC? Any way to force that to always start with CC? I know with purchases, it will be forced, but bill pay is still relatively new to me.

[anon_investor]

Well, we still have water and sewer service , but the 3%+ fee that they charge for paying by credit card was not charged. They have things itemized, so it expicitly indicates a $0 service fee for the payment that I sent via PayPal, just as it does for the past ACH ones.

I hope this works for my water bill this month! We have no CC option, only ACH.

FYI, I just noticed that on the website for my water/sewer account and property tax account, my receipts for payments sent via Paypal bill pay show the method of payment as "check".

The W/S and gas/electric payments I made have gotten 5% rebates from Chase. I made a small test payment on my property tax account with a different CF card and it'll be couple more days before that one shows the rebate, but there doesn't seem to be any reason why it wouldn't as it posted as "paypal...".

I am still waiting for my water bill to show up as paid in their online portal, but I only paid via PayPal bill pay on Thursday. For my CF card it shows as a PayPal charge and I get the 5% cash back, it was coded as a utility payment, so I will make sure to use my BoA PR card next month, since it won't count as online shopping using the BoA CCR card.

Update: PayPal bill pay worked flawlessly on my water bill.

I was successful paying my utility bill with PayPal bill pay and thought I would try to add any other bill I typically use ACH for. So I found my term life company there. I tried paying them the other day and made sure the funding source was from one of my CCs on file with PayPal. Instead, the primary source they tried to debit was my linked checking acccount (ironically my BoA account) that I don't keep any money in. So of course it was going to be returned. Luckily i have their lowest account that doesn't charge any NSF fees. At least I don't see any fees there now.

Anyways, has anyone had that happen where certain payees' funds have to be sourced from a linked bank first rather than a CC? Any way to force that to always start with CC? I know with purchases, it will be forced, but bill pay is still relatively new to me.

Interesting. In both instances when I paid utility bills via PayPal bill pay this month (first time), I selected my CC and it was immediately charged, and my utility bill balances took 3 biz days to reflect as paid.

Is you CC your "default" PayPal payment source?

[jeffyscott]

I hope this works for my water bill this month! We have no CC option, only ACH.

FYI, I just noticed that on the website for my water/sewer account and property tax account, my receipts for payments sent via Paypal bill pay show the method of payment as "check".

The W/S and gas/electric payments I made have gotten 5% rebates from Chase. I made a small test payment on my property tax account with a different CF card and it'll be couple more days before that one shows the rebate, but there doesn't seem to be any reason why it wouldn't as it posted as "paypal...".

I am still waiting for my water bill to show up as paid in their online portal, but I only paid via PayPal bill pay on Thursday. For my CF card it shows as a PayPal charge and I get the 5% cash back, it was coded as a utility payment, so I will make sure to use my BoA PR card next month, since it won't count as online shopping using the BoA CCR card.

Update: PayPal bill pay worked flawlessly on my water bill.

I was successful paying my utility bill with PayPal bill pay and thought I would try to add any other bill I typically use ACH for. So I found my term life company there. I tried paying them the other day and made sure the funding source was from one of my CCs on file with PayPal. Instead, the primary source they tried to debit was my linked checking acccount (ironically my BoA account) that I don't keep any money in. So of course it was going to be returned. Luckily i have their lowest account that doesn't charge any NSF fees. At least I don't see any fees there now.

Anyways, has anyone had that happen where certain payees' funds have to be sourced from a linked bank first rather than a CC? Any way to force that to always start with CC? I know with purchases, it will be forced, but bill pay is still relatively new to me.

Interesting. In both instances when I paid utility bills via PayPal bill pay this month (first time), I selected my CC and it was immediately charged, and my utility bill balances took 3 biz days to reflect as paid.

Is you CC your "default" PayPal payment source?

I don't recall the exact wording, but somewhere in the terms I recall seeing something saying that other linked payment methods could be used. I wasn't sure if that meant they would just do it, without any specific approval, but was concerned that it did. But I had not used paypal at all for years, until now, and had no linked bank account when I started trying out their bill pay (and I think I will leave it that way).

My bill payments have also shown up as pending on the credit card site immediately. Paypal also shows the credit card that was charged on the activity page and in the emailed receipt.

[jeffyscott]

I don't recall the exact wording, but somewhere in the terms I recall seeing something saying that other linked payment methods could be used.

I found where this was. As I am about to pay a bill (manually), right above the "send payment" button there is a statement that says:
If you hold a balance with PayPal, we'll use that first. If your balance or chosen payment method is unavailable, PayPal can use the other payment methods in your account according to PayPal policies.

There is a lot at the policies link, including:
The availability of certain payment methods may be limited based on that particular seller or the third-party website you are using to complete the transaction.

Certain one-time online transactions may require that a backup funding method be used in the event that your selected or preferred payment method is unavailable. In those instances, the backup funding method may be displayed to you on your transaction review page, before you complete the transaction.

If you have not set a preferred payment method for an automatic payment agreement, or if your preferred payment method for an automatic payment agreement is unavailable (for example, because it is expired or has insufficient funds) the payment method used will be in the following order, if applicable: 1. BaCash Account (if one is linked to your personal PayPal account) or balance in your business PayPal account (if we’ve been able to verify the required identifying information you provide to us); 2. Bank account; 3. PayPal co-branded debit card; 4. PayPal co-branded credit card; 5. Debit card; 6. Credit card; and 7. E-check. This is also the order of payment methods that will be used if a previously selected payment method to be used in a seller agreement is unavailable.

So, it sounds like they may let you choose a back-up for a manual bill payment, but you definitely have no input on back-up for an automatic payment.

[stilllurking]

I don't recall the exact wording, but somewhere in the terms I recall seeing something saying that other linked payment methods could be used.

I found where this was. As I am about to pay a bill (manually), right above the "send payment" button there is a statement that says:
If you hold a balance with PayPal, we'll use that first. If your balance or chosen payment method is unavailable, PayPal can use the other payment methods in your account according to PayPal policies.

There is a lot at the policies link, including:
The availability of certain payment methods may be limited based on that particular seller or the third-party website you are using to complete the transaction.

Certain one-time online transactions may require that a backup funding method be used in the event that your selected or preferred payment method is unavailable. In those instances, the backup funding method may be displayed to you on your transaction review page, before you complete the transaction.

If you have not set a preferred payment method for an automatic payment agreement, or if your preferred payment method for an automatic payment agreement is unavailable (for example, because it is expired or has insufficient funds) the payment method used will be in the following order, if applicable: 1. BaCash Account (if one is linked to your personal PayPal account) or balance in your business PayPal account (if we’ve been able to verify the required identifying information you provide to us); 2. Bank account; 3. PayPal co-branded debit card; 4. PayPal co-branded credit card; 5. Debit card; 6. Credit card; and 7. E-check. This is also the order of payment methods that will be used if a previously selected payment method to be used in a seller agreement is unavailable.

So, it sounds like they may let you choose a back-up for a manual bill payment, but you definitely have no input on back-up for an automatic payment.

Thanks jeffyscott. Sounds a bit convoluted but it's only happening with just my term life policy as my utility bill, trash company and donations have gone as planned.

I started these term payments on Tuesday, they debited unsuccessfully on Wednesday, my bank shows no trace of the negative amounts on Thursday and let me know they didn't pay the funds. Friday morning, I get this email from PayPal.

You recently attempted to transfer funds from your bank account.

Your bank has declined the funds transfer because your account did not have sufficient funds available. We will automatically re-attempt this transfer in 3 business days. Please fund your bank account immediately to ensure this transaction can be completed.This may happen even if you’ve tried to add money to your PayPal account since the payment was authorized, or your recipient has refunded your payment. Be aware that if a payment is rejected due to insufficient funds, your bank may charge a non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee.

So I guess I'll see this again next week. Maybe it'll then trigger the back up source of my CC to pay. Just glad there is some leeway on the policy due date. Just hoping to grab 5% back in CC points.

[jeffyscott]

I don't recall the exact wording, but somewhere in the terms I recall seeing something saying that other linked payment methods could be used.

I found where this was. As I am about to pay a bill (manually), right above the "send payment" button there is a statement that says:
If you hold a balance with PayPal, we'll use that first. If your balance or chosen payment method is unavailable, PayPal can use the other payment methods in your account according to PayPal policies.

There is a lot at the policies link, including:
The availability of certain payment methods may be limited based on that particular seller or the third-party website you are using to complete the transaction.

Certain one-time online transactions may require that a backup funding method be used in the event that your selected or preferred payment method is unavailable. In those instances, the backup funding method may be displayed to you on your transaction review page, before you complete the transaction.

If you have not set a preferred payment method for an automatic payment agreement, or if your preferred payment method for an automatic payment agreement is unavailable (for example, because it is expired or has insufficient funds) the payment method used will be in the following order, if applicable: 1. BaCash Account (if one is linked to your personal PayPal account) or balance in your business PayPal account (if we’ve been able to verify the required identifying information you provide to us); 2. Bank account; 3. PayPal co-branded debit card; 4. PayPal co-branded credit card; 5. Debit card; 6. Credit card; and 7. E-check. This is also the order of payment methods that will be used if a previously selected payment method to be used in a seller agreement is unavailable.

So, it sounds like they may let you choose a back-up for a manual bill payment, but you definitely have no input on back-up for an automatic payment.

Thanks jeffyscott. Sounds a bit convoluted but it's only happening with just my term life policy as my utility bill, trash company and donations have gone as planned.

I started these term payments on Tuesday, they debited unsuccessfully on Wednesday, my bank shows no trace of the negative amounts on Thursday and let me know they didn't pay the funds. Friday morning, I get this email from PayPal.

You recently attempted to transfer funds from your bank account.

Your bank has declined the funds transfer because your account did not have sufficient funds available. We will automatically re-attempt this transfer in 3 business days. Please fund your bank account immediately to ensure this transaction can be completed.This may happen even if you’ve tried to add money to your PayPal account since the payment was authorized, or your recipient has refunded your payment. Be aware that if a payment is rejected due to insufficient funds, your bank may charge a non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee.

So I guess I'll see this again next week. Maybe it'll then trigger the back up source of my CC to pay. Just glad there is some leeway on the policy due date. Just hoping to grab 5% back in CC points.

I have only done manual payments in the short time since I learned of this bill pay thing. All have gone through using the designated Chase Freedom cards and should get 5% rebates and none asked me to designate a back-up. I am not sure how automatic payments work, whether that is only for certain billers or if it will become available on subsequent bills after having paid manually? I have connected three billing accounts and each one only offered manual payments.

That policy to change payment methods had me a bit worried for part of our property tax payment that we put through my wife's paypal, in order to use her Freedom card. Unlike mine, her paypal is connected to a bank account. We'd also not used that card at all for over a year, but there was no problem paying the bill...at least it shows as pending on the Chase site. I think if Chase offers this paypal 5% in the 4th quarter next year (so that I can use it for our property tax), I may have her make me an authorized user, so that I can put all the payments through my paypal and avoid the risk/worry of them trying to use the bank account.

[jeffyscott]

[Moved into a new thread from: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards --admin LadyGeek]


Good idea, thanks.

For anyone looking for more information on this, it started way back here:
viewtopic.php?p=6359875#p6359875

It's a way to get 5% on Chase Freedom only until the end of the month, BTW.

[BrandonBogle]

Thanks for the heads up folks. My insurance company didn’t even list PayPal on their page as a payment option, but rather than the BofA Premium Rewards for 2.625%, I used my Chase Freedom card via PayPal and got 5%. Now I can get that Christmas themed coffee lol

[spammagnet]

… I am not sure how automatic payments work, whether that is only for certain billers or if it will become available on subsequent bills after having paid manually? …

The payee vendor has to accept Paypal as a payment method on their web site for automatic payments to work. In that case, Paypal doesn't initiate the payment - the payee does. But they have a preexisting relationship with Paypal where Paypal records your agreement with the payee to allow them to charge you repeatedly. That provides a way to discontinue it from the Paypal side. You can also use that link to associate specific credit cards with the payment. Paypal's tiny print about using alternate payment sources still applies.

Initiating a payment manually from the Paypal side does not establish the payee as an automated payment.

[jeffyscott]

… I am not sure how automatic payments work, whether that is only for certain billers or if it will become available on subsequent bills after having paid manually? …

The payee vendor has to accept Paypal as a payment method on their web site for automatic payments to work. In that case, Paypal doesn't initiate the payment - the payee does. But they have a preexisting relationship with Paypal where Paypal records your agreement with the payee to allow them to charge you repeatedly. That provides a way to discontinue it from the Paypal side. You can also use that link to associate specific credit cards with the payment. Paypal's tiny print about using alternate payment sources still applies.

Initiating a payment manually from the Paypal side does not establish the payee as an automated payment.

Thanks, looks like mine will remain manual then. I'd probably want to stick with that anyway, since I plan to pay ahead when Chase or Discover have 5% rebates for paypal, if the payee allows that.

[lostdog]

I have my credit card linked to my PayPal account and that's it. It's set as the preferred/default payment method.

So PayPal does not charge a service fee for using the linked credit card to pay a bill?

I send in my rent every month via my bank bill pay. Does this mean I can use my credit card to pay my rent and get cash back pints on my capital one 1.5% card if I use PayPal bill pay?

[d0gerz]

I have my credit card linked to my PayPal account and that's it. It's set as the preferred/default payment method.

So PayPal does not charge a service fee for using the linked credit card to pay a bill?

I send in my rent every month via my bank bill pay. Does this mean I can use my credit card to pay my rent and get cash back pints on my capital one 1.5% card if I use PayPal bill pay?

I doubt it. You need to find a company in order to pay the bill. And the categories are Utilities, TV & Internet, Phone, Credit Cards, Insurance.

[lostdog]

I have my credit card linked to my PayPal account and that's it. It's set as the preferred/default payment method.

So PayPal does not charge a service fee for using the linked credit card to pay a bill?

I send in my rent every month via my bank bill pay. Does this mean I can use my credit card to pay my rent and get cash back pints on my capital one 1.5% card if I use PayPal bill pay?

I doubt it. You need to find a company in order to pay the bill. And the categories are Utilities, TV & Internet, Phone, Credit Cards, Insurance.

You're correct. It doesn't let you manually add a company.

[jeffyscott]

I have my credit card linked to my PayPal account and that's it. It's set as the preferred/default payment method.

So PayPal does not charge a service fee for using the linked credit card to pay a bill?

I send in my rent every month via my bank bill pay. Does this mean I can use my credit card to pay my rent and get cash back pints on my capital one 1.5% card if I use PayPal bill pay?

I doubt it. You need to find a company in order to pay the bill. And the categories are Utilities, TV & Internet, Phone, Credit Cards, Insurance.

You're correct. It doesn't let you manually add a company.

Yes, they have to turn up when you enter the name on the paypal bill pay page. Some things outside the categories might appear, for example I am able to pay my property tax bill. I wonder about the "credit card" category, I am guessing they would not allow you to pay one credit card with another.

[d0gerz]

Yes, they have to turn up when you enter the name on the paypal bill pay page. Some things outside the categories might appear, for example I am able to pay my property tax bill. I wonder about the "credit card" category, I am guessing they would not allow you to pay one credit card with another.

Ha that would be crazy. I’d keep using the same cc to pay its own bill. Or sign up for two sign-on bonus cards, make purchases with one and pay it off with the other.

[anon_investor]

I have my credit card linked to my PayPal account and that's it. It's set as the preferred/default payment method.

So PayPal does not charge a service fee for using the linked credit card to pay a bill?

I send in my rent every month via my bank bill pay. Does this mean I can use my credit card to pay my rent and get cash back pints on my capital one 1.5% card if I use PayPal bill pay?

I doubt it. You need to find a company in order to pay the bill. And the categories are Utilities, TV & Internet, Phone, Credit Cards, Insurance.

You're correct. It doesn't let you manually add a company.

Yes, they have to turn up when you enter the name on the paypal bill pay page. Some things outside the categories might appear, for example I am able to pay my property tax bill. I wonder about the "credit card" category, I am lguessing they would not allow you to pay one credit card with another.

Being able to pay my mortgage with no fee would be the holy grail. I could get unlimited 2.62% cash back...

[JackoC]

Paying bills is not shopping. But Chase Freedom is 5% for paypal and another poster indicated that does apply to paypal bill pay. I paid a couple bills that way, waiting to see if they get 5%...

I'll reiterate on this thread my experience in case it's of any use to others:

1. Paypal Bill Pay has charged me no fee over several charges so far.

2. Chase Freedom 5% with PayPal as quarterly category works with PayPal Bill Pay. I paid utility bills this way, they settled out, my Chase Freedom reward activity view shows them as earning 5%.

3. BOA Customized Cash Rewards card set to category 'on line shopping' and used with PayPal Bill Pay on a utility bill did not earn the category bonus, it got 1.75% (1% basic plus Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors level 75% bonus) not 5.25% (3%*1.75).

4. Therefore when PayPal is not a 5% Chase Freedom category, I will use BOA Ultimate Cash Rewards (2.625% at PRPH level) with PayPal Bill Pay.

5. Profitable use of PayPal Bill Pay is limited, for me for now, to two utilities (gas/electric and water) which don't accept CC directly w/o convenience fee but are on the PayPal Bill Pay list. My other utility (sewer, cable) and regular monthly/quarterly payments for services either accept CC directly w/o convenience fee or don't but aren't on PayPal Bill Pay list. I don't know how of if it's possible to add a recipient that's not on the list.

[jeffyscott]

I'll reiterate on this thread my experience in case it's of any use to others:

Thanks to your post in the original thread, I was able to just about max out 5% rebates on 3 Chase Freedom cards, mostly due to being able to pay my property tax bill this way. All of the ~$4500 was for things that I had been paying via ACH, due to credit card fees, so that's about an extra $225 this month.

Next year, I am going to test a US Bank card to see if the 5% Utility category carries through when paid via paypal. But if not, as result of these discussions, I have discovered that my gas/electric bill can be paid directly via credit card for a flat fee of $2.95 and they allow one to pay ahead. Then when we get to the July-Sept quarter, Discover will have 5% for paypal...

I'm hoping Chase repeats the paypal category in the 4th quarter of each year, so I can continue to get 5% on my property tax payments.

[Collectingnuts]

I'll reiterate on this thread my experience in case it's of any use to others:

Thanks to your post in the original thread, I was able to just about max out 5% rebates on 3 Chase Freedom cards, mostly due to being able to pay my property tax bill this way. All of the ~$4500 was for things that I had been paying via ACH, due to credit card fees, so that's about an extra $225 this month.

Next year, I am going to test a US Bank card to see if the 5% Utility category carries through when paid via paypal. But if not, as result of these discussions, I have discovered that my gas/electric bill can be paid directly via credit card for a flat fee of $2.95 and they allow one to pay ahead. Then when we get to the July-Sept quarter, Discover will have 5% for paypal...

I'm hoping Chase repeats the paypal category in the 4th quarter of each year, so I can continue to get 5% on my property tax payments.

Does that mean the the Chase card only works for one quarter out of the year? People are using multiple cards for different quarters? So I would need 4 different cards if I want the rewards to carry thru?

[Collectingnuts]

Paying bills is not shopping. But Chase Freedom is 5% for paypal and another poster indicated that does apply to paypal bill pay. I paid a couple bills that way, waiting to see if they get 5%...

I'll reiterate on this thread my experience in case it's of any use to others:

1. Paypal Bill Pay has charged me no fee over several charges so far.

2. Chase Freedom 5% with PayPal as quarterly category works with PayPal Bill Pay. I paid utility bills this way, they settled out, my Chase Freedom reward activity view shows them as earning 5%.

3. BOA Customized Cash Rewards card set to category 'on line shopping' and used with PayPal Bill Pay on a utility bill did not earn the category bonus, it got 1.75% (1% basic plus Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors level 75% bonus) not 5.25% (3%*1.75).

4. Therefore when PayPal is not a 5% Chase Freedom category, I will use BOA Ultimate Cash Rewards (2.625% at PRPH level) with PayPal Bill Pay.

5. Profitable use of PayPal Bill Pay is limited, for me for now, to two utilities (gas/electric and water) which don't accept CC directly w/o convenience fee but are on the PayPal Bill Pay list. My other utility (sewer, cable) and regular monthly/quarterly payments for services either accept CC directly w/o convenience fee or don't but aren't on PayPal Bill Pay list. I don't know how of if it's possible to add a recipient that's not on the list.

I have both BOA cards what lvl is PRPH? just made a transfer and wonder if I qualify for an upgrade?

[jeffyscott]

I'll reiterate on this thread my experience in case it's of any use to others:

Thanks to your post in the original thread, I was able to just about max out 5% rebates on 3 Chase Freedom cards, mostly due to being able to pay my property tax bill this way. All of the ~$4500 was for things that I had been paying via ACH, due to credit card fees, so that's about an extra $225 this month.

Next year, I am going to test a US Bank card to see if the 5% Utility category carries through when paid via paypal. But if not, as result of these discussions, I have discovered that my gas/electric bill can be paid directly via credit card for a flat fee of $2.95 and they allow one to pay ahead. Then when we get to the July-Sept quarter, Discover will have 5% for paypal...

I'm hoping Chase repeats the paypal category in the 4th quarter of each year, so I can continue to get 5% on my property tax payments.

Does that mean the the Chase card only works for one quarter out of the year? People are using multiple cards for different quarters? So I would need 4 different cards if I want the rewards to carry thru?

AFAIK, it's only Chase and Discover that offer 5% via PayPal. Assuming they repeat and do so in different quarters then there would be 6 months during which you can get 5%. Discover already has their schedule for next year, I don't think Chase reveals their categories until just before each quarter.

US Bank has a card that allows you to select 5% on "utilities" on an ongoing basis. I don't yet know if that'll work when using PayPal bill pay.

Of course any other card can be used to pay bills via Paypal, such as one with a flat 2% on everything.

[anon_investor]

US Bank has a card that allows you to select 5% on "utilities" on an ongoing basis. I don't yet know if that'll work when using PayPal bill pay.

I wonder if anyone has tried this with the US Bank Cash+ Visa that you are referring to.

I know for my Chase Freedom that I used to pay my utility bills via PayPal bill pay, the merchant type shows up as "Utilities: electric, gas, water and sanitation".

[spammagnet]

Does that mean the the Chase card only works for one quarter out of the year? People are using multiple cards for different quarters? So I would need 4 different cards if I want the rewards to carry thru?

Unlike BA where you can set the 3% category and forget it, Chase and Discover rotate the categories that get 5% every quarter. Some repeat from year to year. Discover publishes an annual calendar; Chase only publishes the upcoming quarter. With Chase, you have to activate the 5% category every quarter or you don't get it. It's only clicking a button but I'm sure many of their customers don't.

[jeffyscott]

Does that mean the the Chase card only works for one quarter out of the year? People are using multiple cards for different quarters? So I would need 4 different cards if I want the rewards to carry thru?

Unlike BA where you can set the 3% category and forget it, Chase and Discover rotate the categories that get 5% every quarter. Some repeat from year to year. Discover publishes an annual calendar; Chase only publishes the upcoming quarter. With Chase, you have to activate the 5% category every quarter or you don't get it. It's only clicking a button but I'm sure many of their customers don't.

You have to activate Discover also. And I am not sure, but think that Discover won't give you 5% on anything prior to the date you actually activate, but Chase Freedom only requires that you activate at least 15 days before the end of the quarter.

[UpperNwGuy]

Does that mean the the Chase card only works for one quarter out of the year? People are using multiple cards for different quarters? So I would need 4 different cards if I want the rewards to carry thru?

Unlike BA where you can set the 3% category and forget it, Chase and Discover rotate the categories that get 5% every quarter. Some repeat from year to year. Discover publishes an annual calendar; Chase only publishes the upcoming quarter. With Chase, you have to activate the 5% category every quarter or you don't get it. It's only clicking a button but I'm sure many of their customers don't.

Set-it-and-forget-it is overrated. It's easy to activate the quarters on the Chase and Discover cards, and 5% beats 3% every time.

[anon_investor]

Does that mean the the Chase card only works for one quarter out of the year? People are using multiple cards for different quarters? So I would need 4 different cards if I want the rewards to carry thru?

Unlike BA where you can set the 3% category and forget it, Chase and Discover rotate the categories that get 5% every quarter. Some repeat from year to year. Discover publishes an annual calendar; Chase only publishes the upcoming quarter. With Chase, you have to activate the 5% category every quarter or you don't get it. It's only clicking a button but I'm sure many of their customers don't.

Set-it-and-forget-it is overrated. It's easy to activate the quarters on the Chase and Discover cards, and 5% beats 3% every time.

If you have Platinum Honors level Bank of America Preferred Rewards status, you get 5.25% cash back from the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Visa (or the numerous varients).

[jeffyscott]

Does that mean the the Chase card only works for one quarter out of the year? People are using multiple cards for different quarters? So I would need 4 different cards if I want the rewards to carry thru?

Unlike BA where you can set the 3% category and forget it, Chase and Discover rotate the categories that get 5% every quarter. Some repeat from year to year. Discover publishes an annual calendar; Chase only publishes the upcoming quarter. With Chase, you have to activate the 5% category every quarter or you don't get it. It's only clicking a button but I'm sure many of their customers don't.

Set-it-and-forget-it is overrated. It's easy to activate the quarters on the Chase and Discover cards, and 5% beats 3% every time.

If you have Platinum Honors level Bank of America Preferred Rewards status, you get 5.25% cash back from the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Visa (or the numerous varients).

I think Collectingnuts was confused and thought Chase Freedom had selectable categories, but that you could only select Paypal in one quarter and spammagnet was just clarifying how it actually works.

[UpperNwGuy]

Does that mean the the Chase card only works for one quarter out of the year? People are using multiple cards for different quarters? So I would need 4 different cards if I want the rewards to carry thru?

Unlike BA where you can set the 3% category and forget it, Chase and Discover rotate the categories that get 5% every quarter. Some repeat from year to year. Discover publishes an annual calendar; Chase only publishes the upcoming quarter. With Chase, you have to activate the 5% category every quarter or you don't get it. It's only clicking a button but I'm sure many of their customers don't.

Set-it-and-forget-it is overrated. It's easy to activate the quarters on the Chase and Discover cards, and 5% beats 3% every time.

If you have Platinum Honors level Bank of America Preferred Rewards status, you get 5.25% cash back from the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Visa (or the numerous varients).

Yes, I know that. My post was challenging the assumption that 3% was better than 5% if activation was required.

[spammagnet]

Yes, I know that. My post was challenging the assumption that 3% was better than 5% if activation was required.

I didn't say it was better, only that it does require action. Discover and Chase must have a reason to do that, or they wouldn't require it. It doesn't affect people like us who pay attention but my guess is that they pay a lot less in kickbacks than they would if it was automatic.

[anon_investor]

Yes, I know that. My post was challenging the assumption that 3% was better than 5% if activation was required.

I didn't say it was better, only that it does require action. Discover and Chase must have a reason to do that, or they wouldn't require it. It doesn't affect people like us who pay attention but my guess is that they pay a lot less in kickbacks than they would if it was automatic.

For the US Bank Cash+ Visa I think you also have to select your catagories every quarter otherwise you do not get the 5% cash back for any purchase made before the selection, which is less generous than Chase, which retroactively grants you the 5% cash back if you select before the deadline (I believe 15 days before the end of the quarter). I don't remember the Discover Card requirements.

I am tempted to get the US Bank Cash+ Visa though, since that could mean 5% cash back each quarter on 2 catagories ($2k/qtr spend cap), which can include utility bills AND cell phone bills. This may be a useful card for folks who might not want to use up their spend caps on their other cards purely on utility bills, etc. The question is does the "utility" or "cell phone bill" merchant type get recognized by US Bank when payment is made through Paypal?

[JackoC]

Paying bills is not shopping. But Chase Freedom is 5% for paypal and another poster indicated that does apply to paypal bill pay. I paid a couple bills that way, waiting to see if they get 5%...

I'll reiterate on this thread my experience in case it's of any use to others:

1. Paypal Bill Pay has charged me no fee over several charges so far.

2. Chase Freedom 5% with PayPal as quarterly category works with PayPal Bill Pay. I paid utility bills this way, they settled out, my Chase Freedom reward activity view shows them as earning 5%.

3. BOA Customized Cash Rewards card set to category 'on line shopping' and used with PayPal Bill Pay on a utility bill did not earn the category bonus, it got 1.75% (1% basic plus Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors level 75% bonus) not 5.25% (3%*1.75).

4. Therefore when PayPal is not a 5% Chase Freedom category, I will use BOA Ultimate Cash Rewards (2.625% at PRPH level) with PayPal Bill Pay.

5. Profitable use of PayPal Bill Pay is limited, for me for now, to two utilities (gas/electric and water) which don't accept CC directly w/o convenience fee but are on the PayPal Bill Pay list. My other utility (sewer, cable) and regular monthly/quarterly payments for services either accept CC directly w/o convenience fee or don't but aren't on PayPal Bill Pay list. I don't know how of if it's possible to add a recipient that's not on the list.

I have both BOA cards what lvl is PRPH? just made a transfer and wonder if I qualify for an upgrade?

Here's the page from BOA
https://www.bankofamerica.com/preferred ... s/details/
It's $100k min combined 3 month average daily balance. Balances at Merrill count, and that's the way to do it IMO: I don't know of any deposit product at BOA proper where you'd want to have that kind of money. But that means if you go from ~$0 to just over $100k it takes ~3 months to qualify. If you transfer more, the 3 mo daily average reaches $100k sooner, but there's no permanent benefit (as far as credit card cash back) to having more than $100k.

[jeffyscott]

I am tempted to get the US Bank Cash+ Visa though, since that could mean 5% cash back each quarter on 2 catagories ($2k/qtr spend cap), which can include utility bills AND cell phone bills. This may be a useful card for folks who might not want to use up their spend caps on their other cards purely on utility bills, etc. The question is does the "utility" or "cell phone bill" merchant type get recognized by US Bank when payment is made through Paypal?

I am waiting to see, my small test payments are pending. I am not sure if the category is revealed when they post or only at the end of the billing period, but either way I should have an answer soon. The pending charges do include the utility name, they list them as: Paypal *company name, so there is at least some chance of it working. As I noted before, since one utility charges only a flat $2.95 when paying directly with a credit card, I can pay ahead on that one in a single large payment, if going via paypal doesn't get me 5%. If I pay $1000 with a $2.95 fee, that will still be a net of 4.7%.

I had gotten that card either just for the sign-up bonus or that plus intending to use their furniture category at some point, as we were planning to resume shopping for a dining set. I have made little or no use of it other than that initial spending and then the furniture a couple months ago (conveniently the dining set was just under $4000 with half due when ordered and the other half when it gets delivered (about 8 months or so later), so just under the $2000 quarterly limit each time.

[anon_investor]

I am tempted to get the US Bank Cash+ Visa though, since that could mean 5% cash back each quarter on 2 catagories ($2k/qtr spend cap), which can include utility bills AND cell phone bills. This may be a useful card for folks who might not want to use up their spend caps on their other cards purely on utility bills, etc. The question is does the "utility" or "cell phone bill" merchant type get recognized by US Bank when payment is made through Paypal?

I am waiting to see, my small test payments are pending. I am not sure if the category is revealed when they post or only at the end of the billing period, but either way I should have an answer soon. The pending charges do include the utility name, they list them as: Paypal *company name, so there is at least some chance of it working. As I noted before, since one utility charges only a flat $2.95 when paying directly with a credit card, I can pay ahead on that one in a single large payment, if going via paypal doesn't get me 5%. If I pay $1000 with a $2.95 fee, that will still be a net of 4.7%.

I had gotten that card either just for the sign-up bonus or that plus intending to use their furniture category at some point, as we were planning to resume shopping for a dining set. I have made little or no use of it other than that initial spending and then the furniture a couple months ago (conveniently the dining set was just under $4000 with half due when ordered and the other half when it gets delivered (about 8 months or so later), so just under the $2000 quarterly limit each time.

I would be interested to hear if it works (US Bank Cash+ Visa gives 5% cash back for utility bills paid via PayPal bill pay), if so, it might be worth it to get that card, although I already have WAY too many credit cards.

For the US Bank Cash+ Visa, is there a minimum amount to redeem it for a statement credit? I don't have any US Bank accounts, so that looks like it would be the best redemption method available.

[jeffyscott]

For the US Bank Cash+ Visa, is there a minimum amount to redeem it for a statement credit? I don't have any US Bank accounts, so that looks like it would be the best redemption method available.

Yeah, but it's just $25 and increments of $0.01 above that. After paying for 1/2 of our furniture, I was able to take the statement credit for that before the payment was due.

They also offer an annoying way to apparently redeem as little as $10, the page about that says:

Have you signed up for Real-Time Rewards?
With Real-Time Rewards we’ll send you a text after you make a purchase of $10 or more on your U.S. Bank credit card and have enough cash rewards to cover your entire purchase.
Apply cash rewards as a statement credit towards purchases. Choose when to get text alerts. You decide which purchases to make eligible.

[aj44]

I am tempted to get the US Bank Cash+ Visa though, since that could mean 5% cash back each quarter on 2 catagories ($2k/qtr spend cap), which can include utility bills AND cell phone bills. This may be a useful card for folks who might not want to use up their spend caps on their other cards purely on utility bills, etc. The question is does the "utility" or "cell phone bill" merchant type get recognized by US Bank when payment is made through Paypal?

I am waiting to see, my small test payments are pending. I am not sure if the category is revealed when they post or only at the end of the billing period, but either way I should have an answer soon. The pending charges do include the utility name, they list them as: Paypal *company name, so there is at least some chance of it working. As I noted before, since one utility charges only a flat $2.95 when paying directly with a credit card, I can pay ahead on that one in a single large payment, if going via paypal doesn't get me 5%. If I pay $1000 with a $2.95 fee, that will still be a net of 4.7%.

I had gotten that card either just for the sign-up bonus or that plus intending to use their furniture category at some point, as we were planning to resume shopping for a dining set. I have made little or no use of it other than that initial spending and then the furniture a couple months ago (conveniently the dining set was just under $4000 with half due when ordered and the other half when it gets delivered (about 8 months or so later), so just under the $2000 quarterly limit each time.

I would be interested to hear if it works (US Bank Cash+ Visa gives 5% cash back for utility bills paid via PayPal bill pay), if so, it might be worth it to get that card, although I already have WAY too many credit cards.

For the US Bank Cash+ Visa, is there a minimum amount to redeem it for a statement credit? I don't have any US Bank accounts, so that looks like it would be the best redemption method available.

Min redemption for US Bank Cash Plus is $25. Having a credit card with them also qualifies you for free checking (gold) if you wanna redeem that route.

[anon_investor]

I am tempted to get the US Bank Cash+ Visa though, since that could mean 5% cash back each quarter on 2 catagories ($2k/qtr spend cap), which can include utility bills AND cell phone bills. This may be a useful card for folks who might not want to use up their spend caps on their other cards purely on utility bills, etc. The question is does the "utility" or "cell phone bill" merchant type get recognized by US Bank when payment is made through Paypal?

I am waiting to see, my small test payments are pending. I am not sure if the category is revealed when they post or only at the end of the billing period, but either way I should have an answer soon. The pending charges do include the utility name, they list them as: Paypal *company name, so there is at least some chance of it working. As I noted before, since one utility charges only a flat $2.95 when paying directly with a credit card, I can pay ahead on that one in a single large payment, if going via paypal doesn't get me 5%. If I pay $1000 with a $2.95 fee, that will still be a net of 4.7%.

I had gotten that card either just for the sign-up bonus or that plus intending to use their furniture category at some point, as we were planning to resume shopping for a dining set. I have made little or no use of it other than that initial spending and then the furniture a couple months ago (conveniently the dining set was just under $4000 with half due when ordered and the other half when it gets delivered (about 8 months or so later), so just under the $2000 quarterly limit each time.

I would be interested to hear if it works (US Bank Cash+ Visa gives 5% cash back for utility bills paid via PayPal bill pay), if so, it might be worth it to get that card, although I already have WAY too many credit cards.

For the US Bank Cash+ Visa, is there a minimum amount to redeem it for a statement credit? I don't have any US Bank accounts, so that looks like it would be the best redemption method available.

Min redemption for US Bank Cash Plus is $25. Having a credit card with them also qualifies you for free checking (gold) if you wanna redeem that route.

Is there still a $25 minimum for redemption if you use their checking account?

[AllMostThere]

Wow! I am so glad that I read and re-read this full thread about PayPal Bill Pay. I already max out the annual Chase 5% PayPal Category, but I was totally unaware of the PayPal Bill Pay features. After reviewing, it looks like my municipal taxes and water bill are payable via this route. BH's has just added an additional $200 per year in value to me using my Fidelity 2% Card without being charged a service fee. Awesome!
Hopefully, this feature doesn't get closed down in the future. Now, if only DD's University was in the Bill Pay system to allow me to bypass their new 1% CC Tuition fee (was only $20 in prior). One can hope.

Update:
I paid my Q1 water bill via this CC/Paypal route. Just checked and the payment posted with no service fee! Happy Dance here! I'll continue paying water bill this way and will experiment with my summer taxes in July.

[jeffyscott]

I am tempted to get the US Bank Cash+ Visa though, since that could mean 5% cash back each quarter on 2 catagories ($2k/qtr spend cap), which can include utility bills AND cell phone bills. This may be a useful card for folks who might not want to use up their spend caps on their other cards purely on utility bills, etc. The question is does the "utility" or "cell phone bill" merchant type get recognized by US Bank when payment is made through Paypal?

I am waiting to see, my small test payments are pending. I am not sure if the category is revealed when they post or only at the end of the billing period, but either way I should have an answer soon. The pending charges do include the utility name, they list them as: Paypal *company name, so there is at least some chance of it working. As I noted before, since one utility charges only a flat $2.95 when paying directly with a credit card, I can pay ahead on that one in a single large payment, if going via paypal doesn't get me 5%. If I pay $1000 with a $2.95 fee, that will still be a net of 4.7%.

I had gotten that card either just for the sign-up bonus or that plus intending to use their furniture category at some point, as we were planning to resume shopping for a dining set. I have made little or no use of it other than that initial spending and then the furniture a couple months ago (conveniently the dining set was just under $4000 with half due when ordered and the other half when it gets delivered (about 8 months or so later), so just under the $2000 quarterly limit each time.

I would be interested to hear if it works (US Bank Cash+ Visa gives 5% cash back for utility bills paid via PayPal bill pay), if so, it might be worth it to get that card, although I already have WAY too many credit cards.

For the US Bank Cash+ Visa, is there a minimum amount to redeem it for a statement credit? I don't have any US Bank accounts, so that looks like it would be the best redemption method available.

Min redemption for US Bank Cash Plus is $25. Having a credit card with them also qualifies you for free checking (gold) if you wanna redeem that route.

Is there still a $25 minimum for redemption if you use their checking account?

Yep, it says:
There is a $25 minimum redemption for deposits into your U.S. Bank deposit account (Savings, Checking or Money Market), statement credits. There is a $25 minimum redemption ($5 increments) for U.S. Bank Rewards Cards. There is a $10 minimum for Real-Time Rewards.

[JackoC]

US Bank has a card that allows you to select 5% on "utilities" on an ongoing basis. I don't yet know if that'll work when using PayPal bill pay.

1. I wonder if anyone has tried this with the US Bank Cash+ Visa that you are referring to.

2. I know for my Chase Freedom that I used to pay my utility bills via PayPal bill pay, the merchant type shows up as "Utilities: electric, gas, water and sanitation".

2. But to clarify and as was mentioned earlier, paying a utility bill via PayPal Bill Pay when PayPal is a 5% Chase Freedom category does get 5%. It says "Bills and Utilities" on the activity report, but on the rewards report it says PayPal and 5%, when I've done it.

1. Interesting, there's always something I'd never heard of. Here it seems though we'd want sort of the opposite treatment from US Bank, that we'd get around a utility's CC convenience fee by paying via PayPal Bill Pay but have it show up for rewards purposes as the utility not PayPal. Only experimentation would answer it. But 5% on utilities and cell (or perhaps streaming, depending) set on autopay, even though you need to re-choose the categories quarterly with US Bank, might be worthwhile. No homerun, likely max ~$75 pick up/yr for me, vs. theoretical max ($8k a year at 5% in UCR/PR 2.625% categories) of $190, ie. jumping around to department store or furniture etc. I see an ad for $200 sign up bonus though. As was said, a utility bill with conv fee (assuming you can't get 5% via PayPal Bill Pay) might be optimized by prepaying the whole year if necessary. Otherwise, my gas/electric would break even between 2.625% no fee (UCR via PayPal Bill Pay) and 5% minus $3.95 fee at $168/month.

PS, Bonus add I see for this card is $200 after $1k initial spend. Anyone successfully game this by buying department store gift card? (you usually can, also could prepay $1k of gas/electric).

[jeffyscott]

Interesting, there's always something I'd never heard of. Here it seems though we'd want sort of the opposite treatment from US Bank, that we'd get around a utility's CC convenience fee by paying via PayPal Bill Pay but have it show up for rewards purposes as the utility not PayPal. Only experimentation would answer it. But 5% on utilities and cell (or perhaps streaming, depending) set on autopay, even though you need to re-choose the categories quarterly with US Bank, might be worthwhile. No homerun, likely max ~$75 pick up/yr for me, vs. theoretical max ($8k a year at 5% in UCR/PR 2.625% categories) of $190, ie. jumping around to department store or furniture etc. I see an ad for $200 sign up bonus though. As was said, a utility bill with conv fee (assuming you can't get 5% via PayPal Bill Pay) might be optimized by prepaying the whole year if necessary. Otherwise, my gas/electric would break even between 2.625% no fee (UCR via PayPal Bill Pay) and 5% minus $3.95 fee at $168/month.

It looks like I won't have the final answer until the billing cycle ends and I see the rebate amounts, but my test charges have posted and the "merchant location" for both is shown as: 402-935-7733, CA
That's PayPal, so it is not looking favorable.

My back-up plan will be to pay ahead, via paypal, on W/S, using a card that I am working on a bonus for, since they charge 3% to pay direct. For gas/electric I can pay direct with the US Bank card for 5% with a $2.95 fee, netting 4.7% or so. On both I plan to pay enough to cover bills through June. Then in July-Sept, I can use Discover via PayPal and get 5%. It's easier to make a single big payment, anyway, since I have to do them manually. It's also handy that I can leave the existing automatic payments via ACH in place, as a back-up.

In the past I never paid attention to the PayPal category with Chase and Discover, as I did not use it. Has Chase generally repeated the PayPal category in the Oct-Dec quarter?