How to Pay Discover With A Credit Card

Paying your Discover bill with another credit card requires a few extra steps, typically involving a balance transfer or cash advance. Here’s a general overview of the process.

1. Review Your Discover Statement: Before taking action, check your current balance, minimum payment, and due date. Knowing the exact amount you owe is crucial for planning the payment and avoiding any potential late fees.

2. Choose the Right Card: Select a credit card to use for the payment, ideally one offering a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers to minimize costs. You can use Kudos' Explore Cards tool to find and compare different card options.

3. Initiate a Balance Transfer: Contact your new card issuer to start a balance transfer. You will need to provide your Discover account number and the total amount you want to transfer. This process can typically be completed online or over the phone.

4. Consider a Cash Advance: Alternatively, you can take a cash advance from a different credit card and deposit the funds into your bank account. From there, you can make a standard payment to Discover. Be mindful that cash advances usually have high fees and interest rates.

5. Confirm the Transaction: Once the balance transfer or payment is complete, double-check both your Discover account and the new card’s statement to ensure the transaction posted correctly and your balance is settled.

Impact On Your Credit Score

While you can't pay your Discover bill directly with another credit card, using methods like balance transfers or cash advances can influence your credit. Here are a few key considerations for your credit score.

• Credit Utilization Ratio. This action increases the balance on the card used for payment, raising its credit utilization. A higher ratio can negatively impact your score, as it may signal greater financial risk to lenders.
• Hard Inquiries. Applying for a new balance transfer card typically results in a hard inquiry on your credit report. Multiple hard inquiries within a short time can cause a temporary dip in your credit score.
• Debt Management. Shifting debt from one card to another doesn't reduce your total amount owed. It's crucial to have a clear plan to pay down the new balance to avoid a worsening debt cycle.

Alternative Ways To Pay Discover

Payments from Your Bank Account

You can pay your Discover bill directly from a checking or savings account without using another credit card. This can be done online through the Discover portal or your bank's bill pay service. Alternatively, you can mail a physical check or money order to the payment address listed on your statement. For immediate processing, you can also make a payment over the phone by providing your bank account information to a customer service representative.

Automated Payment Settings

To simplify the process, consider adjusting your payment settings to enable AutoPay. This feature allows you to schedule recurring payments automatically each month. You can choose to pay the minimum amount due, the full statement balance, or a fixed custom amount. Setting up automatic payments is an effective way to ensure your bill is paid on time, helping you avoid potential late fees and manage your account with less manual effort.

Choose the Right Card to Pay Discover

Whether you're looking for a balance transfer card to manage your Discover balance or simply want better rewards, navigating the sea of nearly 3,000 credit cards can be daunting. Kudos’ Explore Tool simplifies the process, helping you filter through the noise to find the perfect match for your financial goals. Instead of pushing sponsored cards, the tool uses your preferences for things like low interest or travel perks to show you the best options, making it easy to find the best card for your needs.

If you want to get more from your credit cards, Kudos is the ultimate free tool for online shopping. We're also giving you $20 back on your first eligible purchase when you sign up for free with code “GET20” and buy from a Boost merchant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of paying a credit card with another credit card?

This can lead to a cycle of debt, high fees, and potential damage to your credit score.

Are there fees for using a third-party service to pay my Discover bill?

Yes, third-party services typically charge processing fees, which can add a significant amount to your payment.

Does paying a credit card with another count as a cash advance?

Often, yes. Using a credit card for a bill payment service is usually treated as a cash advance.