I receive compensation for content and many links on this blog. Citibank is an advertising partner of this site, as is American Express, Chase, Barclays and Capital One. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners. I do not write about all credit cards that are available -- instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same). Terms apply to the offers and benefits listed on this page.
On Monday I wrote that bill payment service Plastiq was coding as a small business for earning double points through the end of the year with American Express.
Plastiq is a great way to spend a lot on a card quickly, for instance earning a signup bonus. But it does come with a fee for doing so. Right now the fee is discounted for rent or mortgage payments when you schedule at least 6 months’ worth.
You pay your bills through their service, they mail a check and charge your credit card. It’s a great way to generate lots of spending quickly for things like signup bonuses. But this makes it worthwhile even for non-bonused spend.
American Express is offering ‘Shop Small’ double points bonus through end of 2016 (Registration required) and Plastiq has been posting that way.
Indeed Plastiq now promotes this as a promotion.
So pay bills, like rent or mortgage and earn double points in the process.
Or pay with a Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express — single most valuable currency — and earn 2 Starpoints per dollar.
Where do you look to see if a change is coded as a small business?
@Gary I thought the fee is only discounted for mortgage/rent payments if paying by MasterCard, but this post is about paying with American Express?
@djibouti, there’s discounts for both MasterCard and Amex. But Amex is only .25% cheaper at 2.25%, while MC is 1.75%
@djibouti – there are currently discounts running for amex and for mastercard just not visa
Can you verify that you earn 2x starpoints? I am seeing conflicting reports that it only counts for cards that earn MR.
I would proceed with caution! Made a large payment last weekend and miles posted for both the bill and service fee. Paid the SAME company again on Tuesday and so far the only bonus miles I received have been on the service fee they charge.
This is great information, Gary. As always, thanks for helping us readers.
Here’s my link, always appreciate if a few can use:
https://try.plastiq.com/396868
on AMEX SPG cars, how do you check to see if you get the 2X bonus?
I have earned 2x points with Personal SPG points and plastiq . You can see bonus points in your SPG account .
Update:
The rest of miles did post tonight. Just delayed a day from the service fee miles.
Does this stack with the new 50% bonus for purchases over $5K on Biz Platinum?
thanks, Gary. i may well sign up and pay my mortgage with plastiq for awhile. btw, how long this company been around?
is that your referral link in the first paragraph? if not, please provide your link.
@steven k – it is (hence the disclosure), thanks! it gets me only “400 fee-free dollars” meaning saves me $2 in fees paying my own bills. Not sure when they started, I don’t think they’re very old, I first used them a little over a year ago.
@KM yes
Does this stack with the get double SPG points offer if you spend $5,000 thru 12/15/16 ( a targeted offer)?
Following
@Gary, Thanks. I will use your link. A couple of questions: Do you think a principal payment on a HELOC (home equity line of credit) would qualify? And, since I have both the SPG and Biz Plat, which would you recommend for >$5k purchases?
Oops, one final question: I followed your link and Plastiq shows a 2.5% fee vs. the 2.25% mentioned. I stopped there for now pending clarification. TIA.
@Jeepie, 2.25% is for scheduling 6 monthly payments in advance. I think last day is today for the current promotion.
@jeepie you can make such a payment sure and word is that plastiq itself is coded as a small business so certainly don’t see why not
I do value 1.5 amex points > 1 spg point
2.25% requires scheduling multiple payments into the future..
I didn’t get the 2x from plastiq, should I call Amex or is this a YMMV situation.