FPL accepts credit cards, but the payment method carries a fee that cash or bank transfer does not
Florida Power & Light (FPL) lets you pay your electric bill with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover through their website, phone line, or in person at a payment center. When you use a credit card, FPL does not charge you directly — instead, a third-party payment processor charges a convenience fee that ranges from about 2.5% to 3.5% of your bill amount. That fee goes to the processor, not to FPL, and it is added on top of what you owe for electricity.
The exact fee percentage depends on which processor handles your payment that day. FPL contracts with multiple payment companies, and the fee can shift. Before you confirm the payment, the website or phone system will show you the total fee amount in dollars, so you will know the exact cost before you commit.
If you are trying to avoid the fee, FPL offers payment methods with no convenience charge: paying from a checking or savings account (online, by phone, or by mail), setting up automatic bank draft, or paying in cash at an FPL office or authorized payment location.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card payments to FPL trigger a convenience fee of roughly 2.5% to 3.5% of your bill, shown to you before you complete the payment.
- The fee is charged by a third-party payment processor, not by FPL, and is separate from your electric bill amount.
- Bank account payments (online, by phone, or automatic draft) and cash payments at FPL locations carry no convenience fee.
- You can pay by credit card online at fpl.com, by phone at 1-800-226-3545, or in person at an FPL payment center.
How the convenience fee is calculated and charged
When you enter your credit card information on FPL's payment portal or give it over the phone, the payment processor calculates the fee as a percentage of your bill. A $150 bill with a 3% fee costs you $154.50 total. A $300 bill costs $309. The processor then charges your credit card for both the bill amount and the fee in a single transaction.
The fee appears as a separate line item on your credit card statement, labeled something like "FPL Payment Processing Fee" or "Payment Convenience Fee." It is not part of your FPL bill itself — your electric bill stays the same. The fee is what you pay to use the credit card as the payment method.
FPL publishes the current fee range on their website before you pay, and the exact dollar amount is calculated and displayed during checkout. You see the total before your card is charged, so there are no surprises after the fact.
When paying by credit card makes sense
The convenience fee is a real cost, but credit card payment can still be worth it in specific situations. If you earn cash back or rewards points on utility payments, those rewards might offset the fee. For example, if your card gives you 2% cash back on all purchases and FPL's fee is 3%, you lose 1% overall — but if your card gives 3% or higher, you break even or come out ahead.
Credit card payment also makes sense if you need to build your payment history quickly for credit-building purposes, or if you are in a situation where you must pay when ready and do not have access to your bank account. Some people also use credit card payments to float a bill for a few weeks if they are waiting for a paycheck, though this only works if you can pay off the credit card balance before interest accrues.
For most households paying a routine monthly bill, the fee is an unnecessary cost. Bank account payment or automatic draft saves you money with no real inconvenience.
How to pay FPL by credit card online
Go to fpl.com and log into your account, or create one if you do not have it. Click "Pay My Bill" or "Make a Payment" (the exact wording varies, but it is always on the main account page). Enter your account number if you are not logged in.
Select "Credit Card" as your payment method. Enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. The system will calculate your bill amount and show you the convenience fee in dollars. Review the total and confirm. Your payment processes when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number by email.
The payment typically shows on your credit card statement within one business day. FPL's records update within 24 hours, so your account will show the payment posted by the next day.
Paying by credit card over the phone or in person
To pay by phone, call FPL's automated payment line at 1-800-226-3545. Have your account number and credit card ready. The system will guide you through entering your card information and will calculate and display the fee before asking you to confirm. You will receive a confirmation number at the end of the call.
If you prefer to pay in person, visit an FPL payment center or an authorized payment location (many grocery stores, pharmacies, and check-cashing services accept FPL payments). Staff can process a credit card payment there, though not all locations accept all card types — call ahead to confirm. The convenience fee still applies.
Phone and in-person payments process the same way as online payments: the fee is calculated upfront, shown to you, and charged to your card along with the bill amount.
Comparing credit card payment to other methods
| Payment Method | Convenience Fee | Processing Time | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card (online, phone, or in person) | 2.5% to 3.5% | when ready; posts within 24 hours | fpl.com, 1-800-226-3545, or payment center |
| Debit card or bank account (online or phone) | None | when ready; posts within 24 hours | fpl.com or 1-800-226-3545 |
| Automatic bank draft | None | Scheduled; posts on due date | Set up once on fpl.com or by phone |
| Mail (check or money order) | None | 5 to 7 business days | Mail to address on bill |
| Cash at FPL office or authorized location | None | when ready; posts within 24 hours | Visit location with bill or account number |
What to do if you have already paid by credit card and want to avoid the fee next time
If you have been paying with a credit card and want to stop paying the convenience fee, switch to automatic bank draft. Set it up on fpl.com under "Billing & Payments" or call 1-800-226-3545 and ask to enroll. You will need your checking or savings account number and routing number. The draft pulls the full bill amount (with no fee) on your due date each month, and you can cancel anytime.
Automatic draft is the lowest-friction option: you do not have to remember to pay each month, there is no fee, and the payment is may provide to post on time. If you prefer to pay manually but want to avoid the credit card fee, use your debit card or bank account number on fpl.com or by phone instead — both have no fee and process the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid credit card to pay FPL?
Yes, FPL accepts prepaid cards as long as they carry a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo. The convenience fee still applies. Make sure the card has enough balance to cover both your bill and the fee before you attempt payment.
Does the convenience fee count toward my credit card rewards?
Yes. The fee is charged to your card as part of the total transaction, so it counts toward any cash back, points, or rewards your card offers. If your card gives 2% cash back, you earn rewards on the fee amount as well as the bill amount.
What if my credit card payment fails?
FPL will notify you by email or phone that the payment did not go through. Try again with the same card or a different payment method. If the card was declined, contact your credit card company to find out why — it could be a fraud hold, insufficient funds, or an expired card. Once you resolve it, you can retry payment on fpl.com or by phone.
Is there a limit to how much I can pay by credit card?
FPL does not publish a stated limit for credit card payments, but very large payments (over $5,000 or $10,000) may trigger fraud holds from your credit card company. If you have an unusually high bill, call FPL at 1-800-226-3545 to discuss payment options — they may suggest splitting the payment across multiple days or using a bank account transfer instead.
Can I pay someone else's FPL bill with my credit card?
Yes, if you have their account number. On fpl.com, select "Pay Another Account" instead of "Pay My Bill," enter their account number, and proceed with credit card payment. The convenience fee still applies. The payment posts to their account, and they will see it reflected in their next bill or account statement.