Plastiq Review: Everything you need to know

Plastiq is a US-based service that lets you pay bills with a debit or credit card, even if the company you’re paying does not normally accept them. Founded in 2012, it has become popular for covering expenses like rent, mortgage, utilities, and tuition.

This review will cover everything you need to know about Plastiq in the US. You’ll find details on how it works, its pros and cons, fees, features, and safety.

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Table of contents
What is Plastiq and how does it work in the US? Plastiq pros and cons How to open a Plastiq account? Overview of Plastiq fees in the US Plastiq features How to add money to a Plastiq account? Is Plastiq safe?

What is Plastiq and how does it work in the US?

Plastiq is a bill payment service, which means that instead of writing checks or arranging bank transfers, you can pay almost any bill using a debit or credit card.¹

That doesn’t mean your recipient needs a Plastiq account, either. From their perspective, it looks like the payment is coming directly from you, whether it arrives by ACH, wire transfer, or even a paper check.

The appeal of Plastiq is flexibility. You can use it for bills that normally do not accept cards, such as rent, mortgage installments, tuition fees, or certain utilities. For many users, that makes it easier to manage cash flow or earn rewards from their credit card.

In short, Plastiq works like a bridge between your card and the company you need to pay.

Once you create a free account, you add your card details, choose your recipient, and enter the payment amount. Before you confirm, Plastiq will show you the fee and estimated delivery time so you know exactly what to expect.

Plastiq pros and cons

Here’s a quick rundown of Plastiq’s pros and cons:

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Lets you pay bills that don’t normally accept cards	2.9% processing fee on most payments²
Supports major cards like Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover	Some cards restrict certain payments (e.g., mortgages with Visa)
Useful for managing cash flow or earning rewards	Payments can be treated as cash advances by some issuers
Works with one-time or recurring payments	Delivery by check may take up to 8 business days

How to open a Plastiq account?

Opening a Plastiq account is free and only takes a few minutes. You can sign up on the Plastiq website or download the app for iOS or Android.

To create an account, you’ll need to provide:

• First and last name
• Email address
• Mobile phone number
• Password for your account

Once your account is set up, you can add a debit or credit card as your payment method. Plastiq accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club, although some card issuers limit the types of payments you can make.

You’ll also need to add recipients. This means entering details like the company name, billing address, and any account or loan number tied to the payment. These details are saved in your account, so future payments can be scheduled faster.

After that, you’re ready to send your first payment. Select the recipient, enter the amount due, and confirm the delivery method. Plastiq will show you the processing fee and expected delivery time before you approve.

Overview of Plastiq fees in the US

Plastiq does not charge a monthly account fee. Instead, the main cost is a processing fee on each payment you make. As of now, this fee is 2.9% for both debit card and credit card payments.

That means if you use Plastiq to pay a $1,000 rent bill with your credit card, you will pay an additional $29 in fees. Some users offset this cost with rewards points or cashback, but it’s important to calculate whether the benefit outweighs the fee.

Be aware that some card issuers limit or restrict certain payments.

Visa, for example, doesn’t allow mortgage payments through Plastiq. Chase may classify some transactions as “cash-like,” which could trigger extra fees or interest. Always check your card’s terms before scheduling a payment.

Here’s a quick look at Plastiq’s standard fees in the US:

Fee type	Cost
Account opening fee	$0
Monthly fees	$0
Payment fee	2.9%

Plastiq shows the total cost and delivery time before you confirm, so you’ll always know what you’re paying.

Plastiq international money transfer: coverage, speed, and limits

Plastiq allows US users to pay a wide range of bills, from rent and utilities to tuition and vendor invoices, using a debit or credit card. The payment is then sent to the recipient through ACH, wire transfer, or check, depending on what the vendor accepts.

Delivery speed depends on the payment method. ACH and wire transfers usually take a few business days. If the recipient requires a paper check, Plastiq recommends allowing around 8 days for delivery. The platform shows you an estimated arrival date before you confirm your payment.

Some restrictions apply based on the card issuers. For example, Visa cannot be used to pay mortgages through Plastiq. Other issuers may block certain loan payments, and prepaid cards are often limited to $10,000 in transactions per month.³

Larger payments may be subject to review before they’re processed.

Plastiq features

In this section, we’ll look at the main features available with Plastiq for US users.

Card-funded bill payments

The core feature of Plastiq is the ability to pay bills with a debit or credit card, even if the business doesn’t normally accept them. Once you add your card, Plastiq processes the payment and delivers it by ACH, wire, or paper check.

The recipient sees the payment as coming directly from you, so they do not need a Plastiq account. That makes it possible to cover expenses like rent, mortgage, or tuition that are usually off-limits for card payments.

Recurring and scheduled payments

Plastiq gives you the option to schedule one-time or recurring payments. For bills that repeat each month, such as utilities or daycare, you can set up an automatic schedule and let Plastiq handle the rest.

The platform shows you an estimated delivery date before you confirm, which can help you plan ahead and avoid late payment penalties.

Multiple card support

You can store several cards in your Plastiq account and select the one you want to use for each payment. If you want to spread expenses across cards, manage cash flow, or earn rewards on specific cards, the platform makes it easy.

Plastiq also lets you set a default card to save time for regular payments.

Business payments

Small businesses often use Plastiq to pay vendors, suppliers, or contractors. Payments can be sent directly to a business bank account or by check, making it easier to handle accounts payable when a vendor doesn’t accept cards.

This feature is especially useful for companies that want to extend their cash flow by putting business expenses on a credit card.

How to add money to a Plastiq account?

Plastiq doesn’t store a balance in your account. Instead, you choose a funding method each time you create a payment. Here are the main ways to add money to Plastiq in the US.

Credit cards

Plastiq accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Diners Club, and American Express. You can add your card by entering the details in your account settings. Once saved, you can use it for one-time or recurring payments.

Credit cards are often the most flexible option, but keep in mind that some issuers place restrictions on certain bill types. For example, Visa cards cannot be used to make mortgage payments through Plastiq.

Debit cards

You can also use a debit card to fund payments through Plastiq. The fee is the same, 2.9%, as charged on credit cards.

Debit card payments are less cost-effective than paying directly with your bank, but they may still be convenient if you want to avoid writing checks or using a separate transfer service.

Multiple card support

Plastiq lets you store more than one card in your account. You can select which card to use for each transaction, or set a default card for regular bills. This can be helpful if you want to spread expenses across different cards or take advantage of rewards programs.

Once you confirm your payment method, Plastiq shows the processing fee and the estimated delivery time before you submit. In turn, you know the cost and arrival date in advance.

Is Plastiq safe?

Plastiq is PCI Level 1 compliant.⁴ What does that mean? Level 1 is the highest level of certification in the payments industry, and it covers things like encryption, access control, and ongoing audits. In practice, it means your card details are stored and transmitted under strict global security rules.

The company also applies extra layers of protection. Plastiq uses secure coding, runs regular vulnerability testing, and offers multi-factor authentication so you can lock down your account with more than just a password.

Payments are processed through regulated financial partners, and Plastiq monitors transactions for unusual activity. This helps ensure that bills are paid securely and that you can track each payment until it’s delivered.

You can also check reviews on sites like Trustpilot if you want to see how other users rate Plastiq’s reliability before trying it yourself.

Bottom line

Plastiq can be useful if you want to pay bills with a credit or debit card where cards are not normally accepted. It offers flexibility, real-time tracking, and support for a wide range of payment types in the US.

The main drawback is cost. A 2.9% processing fee applies to most payments, which can add up quickly on larger bills. Before using it, compare the fee against your card rewards or other alternatives.

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Sources

1. Plastiq – Pay by credit card.
2. Plastiq Support – The Plastiq Fee
3. Plastiq Support – Prepaid Card Policy
4. Plastiq Support – Is Plastiq Secure?

Sources checked 09/23/2025