Which Cellular Providers Allow Credit Card Payment With Auto-Pay Discount?

The new, cool thing is for cellular providers to offer a discount when you set up auto-pay; they want their money coming automatically each month without your manual input. Since cellular bills are a common bonus category on credit cards – notably, they earn 5x on the INK Cash/Plus cards – let’s take a look at which cellular providers allow paying with credit cards in conjunction with the auto-pay discount and which force you to pay with a bank.

Please sound off in the comments with information missing here, and also let us know if you’ve ever had issues getting the 5x INK multiplier with any cellular provider.

Contents

1 Verizon
2 T-Mobile
3 AT&T
4 Other Providers

Verizon

Verizon postpaid only offers the auto-pay discount when it’s set up with a checking account or debit card. Credit cards can not be used in conjunction with the auto-pay discount.

A lot of people used to prepay their bill and still get the auto-pay discount. However, they now charge you the next month the discount amount when you do this. There are still two workarounds mentioned:

Update: Both of the ideas below are disputed by some, maybe it’s YMMV or maybe it’s changed or maybe it depends on prepaid vs postpaid or other factors.

Pay part of your bill with the credit card and leave a little left over to get paid with the auto-pay. (1)
Pay with a Verizon gift card and you’ll maintain the auto-pay discount. The Verizon gift card can be purchased in-store with the your INK card to be eligible for the bonus telecommunications category bonus. It’s a bit roundabout, but some might find it worthwhile. (1, 2 )

Verizon prepaid DOES allow credit card in conjunction with the auto-pay discount.