What a guest payment is and when you might use one
A guest payment to Credit Acceptance is a payment made by someone other than the person whose name is on the loan — a family member, friend, or employer, for example. Credit Acceptance accepts these payments and credits them to the loan account, just as if the borrower had sent the money themselves.
You might make a guest payment if you want to help someone avoid a late fee, prevent their account from falling behind, or cover a payment when they are temporarily unable to. The payment goes directly to reducing what they owe; it does not change who owns the loan or who is responsible for making future payments.
Guest payments are straightforward to send, but there are a few details worth knowing before you do — mainly around how to make sure the money reaches the right account and what information you will need on hand.
Key Takeaways
- A guest payment is money sent by someone other than the borrower, and Credit Acceptance will credit it to the loan account when ready.
- You can make a guest payment by phone, mail, or online through Credit Acceptance's payment portal, and each method requires the loan account number.
- The payment reduces what is owed but does not change the borrower's responsibility for future payments or the terms of the loan.
- If you are paying by mail or online, confirm the payment arrived and was posted to the correct account within a few business days.
How to send a guest payment by phone
Calling Credit Acceptance is often the fastest way to send a guest payment. You will reach their payment line at 1-800-252-0402. Have the loan account number ready — this is the piece of information Credit Acceptance needs to find the right account and post the payment correctly.
When you call, tell the representative you are making a guest payment and provide the account number. They will walk you through payment options: you can pay with a debit card, credit card, or bank account. The payment is usually processed the same day, and you will receive a confirmation number. Write down that number in case you need to verify the payment later.
If the borrower does not have their account number handy, you can ask the representative to look it up using the borrower's name and date of birth, but having the number ready makes the call shorter.
Sending a guest payment online or through the portal
Credit Acceptance's online payment portal allows you to send a guest payment without calling. Go to creditacceptance.com and select the option to make a payment. You will be asked for the loan account number and the amount you want to send.
The portal accepts payments from a bank account (ACH transfer) or debit card. ACH transfers typically post within one to two business days; debit card payments may post the same day. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and usually via email as well.
One advantage of paying online is that you have a record of the transaction when ready. Save or print the confirmation page so you can verify later that the payment reached the account. If you do not see the payment posted within three business days, contact Credit Acceptance to confirm it was received.
Paying by mail
You can also send a check or money order by mail. Make the payment out to Credit Acceptance Corporation and include a note with the loan account number so they know which account to credit. Mail payments to the address on the borrower's statement or on Credit Acceptance's website.
Mail payments take longer to process — typically five to ten business days from the time Credit Acceptance receives the envelope. If you are trying to prevent a late fee or catch up a payment quickly, phone or online payment is faster. If you do send a check, keep a copy of the front and back for your records.
Always include the account number clearly, either in a note with the check or on the memo line. Without it, Credit Acceptance may hold the payment while they try to match it to an account, which delays the credit.
What happens to the payment after you send it
Once Credit Acceptance receives your guest payment, they credit it to the loan account. The payment reduces the outstanding balance and counts toward the next payment due. If the borrower is behind on payments, the money goes toward the oldest unpaid amount first.
The borrower will see the payment reflected on their next statement. If they set up automatic payments or have a payment plan, the guest payment does not change that schedule — they are still responsible for making their regular payments on time.
Guest payments do not affect the interest rate, the loan term, or any other terms of the loan. They are straightforward a way to reduce the amount owed at any given moment.
Things to confirm before and after sending a guest payment
Before you send the payment, make sure you have the correct account number. A wrong number could send the money to someone else's account, and it can take time to sort out. Ask the borrower to double-check the number on their statement or billing letter.
After you send the payment, give it a few business days to post, then ask the borrower to check their account online or on their next statement to confirm the money arrived. If you paid by phone, you have a confirmation number; if you paid online, you have a confirmation email. Keep these records in case there is ever a question about whether the payment was made.
If the payment does not appear within the timeframe Credit Acceptance gave you, contact them with your confirmation number. They can look up the payment and tell you whether it is still processing or if there was an issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does making a guest payment affect the borrower's credit?
No. A guest payment is straightforward money applied to the loan balance. It does not change who is responsible for the loan, and it does not appear on the borrower's credit report as anything other than a payment made on their account. If the account was behind, the payment helps bring it current, which is good for their credit.
Can I make a guest payment if the account is in default?
Yes. Credit Acceptance will accept a guest payment even if the account is behind or in default. The payment reduces what is owed and can help stop collection activity, but it does not automatically bring the account current if multiple payments are overdue. Contact Credit Acceptance to understand how much needs to be paid to bring the account fully current.
What if I send a guest payment but the borrower still misses their next regular payment?
The guest payment reduces the balance, but it does not change the borrower's responsibility to make their regular scheduled payments. If they miss a payment after you send a guest payment, Credit Acceptance will still charge a late fee and report the missed payment. The guest payment and the regular payment are separate obligations.
Is there a limit to how much I can send as a guest payment?
Credit Acceptance does not publicly state a maximum amount for a single guest payment. Very large payments may require verification, especially if paid by card. If you are sending a large amount, calling ahead to let them know can prevent delays.
Can I make a guest payment anonymously?
You can send a payment without the borrower knowing, but Credit Acceptance will need some way to identify you if there is a question about the payment later. If you pay by phone or online, you will provide your own contact information. Anonymous mail payments are harder to verify if something goes wrong, so they are not recommended.