FPL accepts credit card payments through their website, phone line, and in person, but each method has different fees

Florida Power & Light (FPL) lets you pay your electric bill with a credit card, but the company charges a fee for this service — usually between 2% and 3% of your bill amount. The fee varies depending on which payment method you use. If you want to avoid the fee entirely, you can pay directly from a bank account instead, which FPL does not charge for.

The reason for the credit card fee is that FPL does not absorb the processing cost that credit card companies charge merchants. When you use a credit card, FPL has to pay a percentage to Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Rather than build that cost into everyone's bill, FPL passes it to the customer who chooses to pay that way.

Key Takeaways

  • FPL charges a fee (usually 2% to 3% of your bill) when you pay with a credit card, but charges nothing if you pay from a checking or savings account.
  • You can pay by credit card online through FPL's website, by phone through their automated system or a representative, or in person at an FPL office.
  • Online payments typically post within one business day; phone and in-person payments may post the same day if made before the cutoff time.
  • If you pay after your due date, FPL will charge a late fee regardless of which payment method you use.

Paying online through FPL's website

The online method is the most common way FPL customers pay by credit card. Go to FPL.com, log into your account, and select "Pay My Bill." You will see your current balance and can choose to pay the full amount or a partial payment. When you select credit card as your payment method, the system will show you the exact fee before you confirm the transaction.

Online payments usually post to your account within one business day. If you pay before midnight on your due date, you will not be charged a late fee. FPL's system processes payments seven days a week, including weekends and holidays, though the posting time may be slightly longer on weekends.

Paying by phone with a representative or automated system

You can call FPL's customer service at 1-800-226-3545 to pay by credit card with a representative. The representative will ask for your account number and credit card information, then process the payment while you are on the phone. This method also charges the standard credit card fee.

FPL also offers an automated phone payment system available 24 hours a day. When you call the same number, you can choose the automated option and enter your account number and credit card details using your phone keypad. Payments made before 5 p.m. Eastern Time typically post the same day; payments after 5 p.m. usually post the next business day.

Paying in person at an FPL office

You can walk into any FPL payment center or office location and pay your bill in person with a credit card. FPL has offices throughout Florida; you can find the nearest one by entering your zip code on FPL.com under "Pay My Bill" and selecting "Payment Locations." In-person payments made before the office closes usually post the same day.

In-person payments also include the credit card fee. If you want to avoid the fee at an FPL office, you can pay with cash, a check, or a debit card (which typically does not incur a fee, though you should confirm with the representative).

Understanding the credit card fee and when it applies

The fee FPL charges for credit card payments is a percentage of your bill amount, not a flat dollar amount. If your bill is $100 and the fee is 2.5%, you will pay $102.50 total. The fee is shown to you before you complete the payment, so you can see the exact amount you will be charged.

The fee applies every time you use a credit card, whether you pay online, by phone, or in person. It does not matter which credit card company you use — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover — the fee is the same. The only way to avoid it is to choose a different payment method, such as a bank account, cash, or check.

What happens if you pay late or miss a payment

If your payment does not reach FPL by your due date, the company will charge a late fee on top of your bill balance. This late fee applies regardless of which payment method you used. The late fee is typically a percentage of your bill or a flat amount, depending on FPL's current policy.

If you are concerned your payment will not arrive in time, call FPL before the due date to confirm the payment was received or to discuss a payment arrangement. If you miss a payment entirely, FPL may suspend your service after a certain number of days without payment, usually around 20 days past the due date, though this varies.

Alternatives to credit card payment

If you want to avoid the credit card fee, you can set up a bank account payment through FPL's website or by phone. This method has no fee and can be set up as a one-time payment or as an automatic recurring payment each month. You will need your checking or savings account number and routing number to set this up.

You can also pay by mail by sending a check to the address listed on your bill, though mail payments take longer to post and may arrive after your due date if mailed close to the important date. Some customers use a third-party bill payment service through their bank, which may or may not charge a fee depending on the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a credit card to pay FPL if I do not have an online account?

Yes. You can pay by phone at 1-800-226-3545 or in person at an FPL office without logging into an online account. You will need your account number, which appears on your paper bill.

Does the credit card fee count toward my bill balance?

No. The fee is charged separately and does not reduce what you owe FPL. If your bill is $100 and you pay with a credit card at a 2.5% fee, you pay $102.50 total, and your $100 bill is marked as paid in full.

What if I pay my FPL bill with a credit card that gives me cash back or rewards?

You will still earn the rewards or cash back from your credit card company, even though FPL charges you a fee. Whether the rewards offset the fee depends on your card's rewards rate and your bill amount. Some customers find it worthwhile; others do not.

How long does it take for a credit card payment to show up on my FPL account?

Online and phone payments usually post within one business day. In-person payments typically post the same day if made before the office closes. Weekend and holiday payments may take longer to appear in your account.

Can I set up automatic credit card payments with FPL?

FPL does not offer automatic recurring credit card payments. You can set up automatic payments only if you pay from a bank account. For credit card payments, you must pay manually each month through the website, phone, or in person.