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Plastiq Price Hike: Is Paying Bills with Your Credit Card Still Worth It?
Published on January 6, 2026, 2:19 AM

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Heads up, award travelers! Plastiq, the service that lets you pay bills with your credit card even when the vendor doesn't accept cards directly, just bumped up their fee. It's gone from 2.90% to 2.99% plus the usual $0.99 per transaction. While that might seem like a small increase, it can add up, especially if you're making large payments to hit minimum spending requirements for welcome bonuses, or trying to rack up those all-important rewards points.

So, what does this mean for you? You need to crunch the numbers again. Is the extra 0.09% (plus the $0.99 fee) worth the rewards you're earning on your credit card? For example, if you're chasing a valuable signup bonus or earning 2x or more on every purchase, it might still make sense. But if you're just trying to earn a basic 1x return, you might want to reconsider. Don't forget to factor in any potential category bonuses!

Before you make your next Plastiq payment, take a moment to calculate whether the rewards outweigh the cost. There are scenarios where it still makes perfect sense, especially for unlocking those valuable travel perks, but it's always good to stay on top of the numbers to ensure you're maximizing your rewards!

Why This Matters for Your Strategy

News in the points-and-miles world moves fast, and promotional changes often have a short window. If this announcement affects a card or program you hold, log into your awardtrail dashboard to check your current benefit usage, bonus progress, and whether a transfer or redemption makes sense right now — before terms change.

As a general rule: transfer points only when you have a specific redemption in mind — transfers are almost always one-way and non-reversible. If you're unsure of the value, check our redemption guides before acting.

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