Convenient Ways to Pay Your TEP Bill With a Credit Card

Paying your monthly TEP electric bill is a necessary evil that we all have to deal with. But just because it’s a routine task doesn’t mean it has to be a pain. TEP offers several easy and convenient ways to pay your bill using a credit or debit card either online, by phone, or at retail stores.

As someone who has been a TEP customer for years, I’ve tried all the different options and figured out the pros, cons, fees, and process for each method Here’s what you need to know about how to easily pay your TEP bill with a credit card

Online Payments

The easiest way to pay your TEP bill with a credit card is directly through their website. You don’t need to login or create an account. Just go to tep.com/pay-my-bill, click the “Pay now with credit or debit card” button and enter your account and payment info. It takes just a couple minutes.

TEP accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards for online payments. The convenience fee is only $1.95 for payments up to $750, which covers most normal residential bills. For larger commercial payments up to $10,000, the fee is capped at 3%.

I like paying online because it’s fast, secure and gives me a receipt right away that I can save or print. The convenience fee is reasonable and worth it to me for the ease of paying online 24/7.

Pay by Phone

If you prefer to talk to a real human, you can pay your TEP bill over the phone. Just call 1-800-650-9138 and be ready with your account number, billing zip code, and credit card info. The representative will take your payment and email you a receipt after.

The phone payment method accepts the same card types and charges the same convenience fees. This is a good option if you have questions about your bill but still want to pay by card. The only downside is having to call during business hours instead of paying anytime online.

Pay at Retail Stores

Did you know you can pay your TEP bill at over 4,000 Walmart stores across the country? Just go to any Walmart customer service desk or money center and tell them you want to make a TEP utility payment. They’ll collect your account details, take a debit card payment, and charge a $1.50 fee.

This is my preferred way to pay if I’m running errands and don’t want to worry about going online or calling later. Walmart is everywhere so it’s super convenient. The small fee is worth it for me. You can also pay with cash at Walmart if you don’t have a debit card.

Why Fees Are Charged

When I first started paying my TEP bill with a credit card, I wondered why they charged convenience fees. Doesn’t TEP want to make it easy for customers to pay? After learning more about it, the fees actually make sense.

Credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard charge processing fees to businesses who accept their cards. These “swipe fees” cover things like rewards points and cash back for cardholders. On average, swipe fees are 2-3% of the transaction amount.

So when you use a credit card to pay your TEP bill, they get charged a fee behind the scenes. The convenience fee covers this cost so TEP doesn’t lose money on credit card transactions. The fees are clearly disclosed upfront so customers can decide if it’s worth it for the convenience.

Tips to Minimize Fees

Now that you know why TEP charges convenience fees, here are some tips to minimize the amount:

• Pay online – Online fees are capped at $1.95 for payments under $750. Much cheaper than the phone or retail options.

• Use a debit card – Debit cards tend to have lower swipe fees so the convenience fee may be less than a credit card.

• Pay monthly – Paying your balance in full each month avoids late and interest charges.

• Enroll in auto-pay – Have payments automatically deducted from your bank account monthly for no fee.

• Pay cash at Walmart – Walmart takes cash payments for only a $1.50 fee.

Weighing the Convenience

At the end of the day, you have to decide if the convenience of paying your TEP bill by card is worth the small fee. For me, the fee is 100% justified by the ease and security of paying online 24/7. I can log in any time and have a receipt emailed to me instantly. Well worth $1.95!

But everyone has their own preferences. Maybe you don’t mind mailing in a check each month to avoid the fee. Or you’d rather drive to Walmart than pay online. As long as you pay your bill on time, choose whatever option fits your lifestyle.

No matter which way you choose to pay your TEP bill, having convenient credit card options makes the process much smoother. TEP offers great online, phone, and retail payment methods with reasonable fees. So next time your bill is due, skip the stamps and pay with plastic! Both your wallet and schedule will thank you.