How to Pay Tesla's Monthly Payment With A Credit Card

Paying your Tesla loan with a credit card can be a strategic way to earn rewards, but it requires careful planning. Here’s a general guide to navigate the process effectively.

1. Verify Payment Options with Tesla: First, confirm directly with Tesla Financial Services if they accept credit cards for loan payments. Policies can change, and some lenders restrict this to prevent cash advance fees or processing costs.
2. Choose the Right Credit Card: Select a card that maximizes your benefits. Look for high rewards rates on large purchases, introductory 0% APR offers, or significant travel perks. Tools like the Kudos explore cards tool can help you compare options based on your needs.
3. Explore Third-Party Services: If Tesla doesn't accept direct credit card payments, consider using a third-party bill pay service. These platforms act as intermediaries but often charge a processing fee, so weigh the cost against any rewards you’d earn.
4. Pay Off Your Balance Promptly: To make this strategy worthwhile, you must pay off the credit card balance in full each month. Carrying a balance will likely result in interest charges that negate any rewards earned.

Impact On Your Credit Score

Using a credit card for your Tesla's monthly payment can influence your credit score in several ways. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind before you decide.

• Credit Utilization Ratio. A large car payment can significantly increase your credit utilization, a major factor in your score. A high ratio can negatively affect your credit, so aim to keep your balance low relative to your limit.
• Payment History. Making on-time payments is crucial for a healthy credit score, regardless of the payment method. However, a missed credit card payment can be more damaging to your score than a late auto loan payment.

Alternative Ways To Pay Tesla's Monthly Payment

Direct Bank Account Payments

A primary alternative to credit card payments is linking your bank account for direct ACH transfers. By adding your checking or savings account details to your Tesla profile, you authorize a direct debit for your monthly amount. This method avoids potential credit card processing fees and the risk of accruing high interest, making it a more financially direct way to handle your loan obligations.

Utilizing Autopay

For added convenience, you can configure Autopay within your Tesla account settings. This feature automatically deducts the payment from your linked bank account on the scheduled due date each month. Enabling Autopay ensures timely payments, helps you avoid late fees, and provides a "set it and forget it" approach, removing the need to manually process the transaction every cycle.

Choose the Right Card to Pay Tesla's Monthly Payment

Making a significant monthly payment for a Tesla means you should be using a credit card that gives you the most back. With over 3,000 cards on the market, each with different rewards and perks, the choice can be daunting. Kudos helps you cut through the noise and find your next card by matching your spending habits and financial goals to the perfect option, whether that's maximizing travel points or cash back.

If you want to maximize your credit card rewards, Kudos is the ultimate free tool for online shopping. We are also offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase when you sign-up for free with code “GET20” and buy from a Boost merchant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Tesla charges can I pay with a credit card?

You can typically use a credit card for your initial vehicle order fee and for Supercharging payments via your account.

Are there fees for paying a Tesla monthly payment with a credit card?

While Tesla doesn't directly accept cards for loans, third-party services that enable this will charge their own processing fees.

Can I earn rewards by paying my Tesla bill with a credit card?

If you use a third-party payment service, you can earn your card's rewards, but be sure to factor in service fees.