What a Credit Acceptance Guest Payment Is
A guest payment to Credit Acceptance is a payment made by someone other than the person whose name is on the loan — typically a family member, friend, or co-signer who wants to help cover part or all of a monthly payment. Credit Acceptance, a subprime auto lender, allows these payments through their online portal and by phone, and the money goes directly toward reducing what is owed on the loan.
Guest payments work the same way as regular payments from the borrower: they reduce the principal balance and are credited to the account when ready. The person making the payment does not need to be listed on the loan documents, and Credit Acceptance does not require them to prove a relationship to the borrower. This can be useful if you are helping someone stay current on their car loan, or if you are the borrower and want someone else to handle a payment on your behalf.
Key Takeaways
- Guest payments can be made online through Credit Acceptance's website, by phone at their customer service line, or by mail, and they are credited to the loan account when ready.
- The person making the payment does not need to be on the loan or provide proof of identity, but they will need the loan account number and the borrower's name.
- Guest payments reduce the loan balance the same way a regular payment does and do not change the loan terms or monthly payment amount.
- If a payment is made late, it will not prevent a late fee or report to the credit bureaus unless it arrives before the due date.
How to Make a Guest Payment Online
The fastest way to make a guest payment is through Credit Acceptance's online payment portal at creditacceptance.com. Go to the "Make a Payment" section and select the option for a guest or third-party payment. You will need to enter the loan account number (found on any bill or statement) and the borrower's last name. You do not need to log into an account or provide your own information.
Once you enter the account details, the system will show the current balance, the due date, and the minimum payment amount. You can then choose how much to pay — the minimum, the full amount due, or any amount in between. Credit Acceptance accepts payments by debit card, credit card, or bank account transfer. Payments made before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time are typically posted the same business day.
Be aware that Credit Acceptance charges a fee for credit and debit card payments (usually around 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount), though bank account transfers are free. If you are paying a large amount, a bank transfer will save money.
Making a Guest Payment by Phone
You can also call Credit Acceptance's customer service line to make a guest payment. The phone number is on any bill or statement sent to the borrower, or you can find it on their website. Have the loan account number and the borrower's last name ready before you call.
When you call, tell the representative you are making a guest payment and provide the account information. They will confirm the current balance and due date, then walk you through payment options. You can pay by debit card, credit card, or bank account information over the phone. Payments made during business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time) are posted the same day; payments made after hours or on weekends are posted the next business day.
Phone payments also incur a fee for card payments, though bank account payments are free. Ask the representative about the exact fee before you complete the transaction.
Mailing a Guest Payment Check
If you prefer to pay by check or money order, you can mail it to the address listed on the borrower's statement or on Credit Acceptance's website. Write the loan account number on the check or money order so the payment is credited to the correct account. Mail payments typically take 5 to 10 business days to arrive and be posted, so send them well before the due date if you want to avoid a late fee.
Mailed payments are free, but the delay means you should send them earlier than you would an online or phone payment. If the payment arrives after the due date, Credit Acceptance will charge a late fee and may report the late payment to the credit bureaus, even though you sent it on time.
What Happens to Your Guest Payment
Once your payment is posted to the account, it reduces the loan balance and counts toward the borrower's payment history. If the payment arrives before the due date, it prevents a late fee and keeps the account in good standing. If the payment arrives after the due date, it will not erase a late fee that has already been charged, and the late payment will still be reported to the credit bureaus.
Guest payments do not change the loan terms, the interest rate, or the monthly payment amount. If the borrower's regular monthly payment is $350, making a guest payment of $500 does not lower the next month's payment to $150 — the borrower still owes $350 the following month. However, the extra $150 does reduce the total amount owed and will shorten the life of the loan.
Credit Acceptance does not notify the guest payer of payment confirmation or send receipts to anyone but the borrower. If you need proof that your payment was received, log back into the guest payment portal or call customer service to confirm the payment posted.
When a Guest Payment Might Not Be Posted Right Away
In rare cases, Credit Acceptance may hold a guest payment for review, especially if the payment amount is very large or if the account has a history of disputes. This is a fraud-prevention measure. If your payment is held, you should receive a phone call or email asking for verification. Respond promptly so the payment can be released.
If you are paying on behalf of someone and their account is in default or has been sent to collections, Credit Acceptance may not accept a partial guest payment. In that case, you may need to contact their collections department directly to arrange payment. The borrower's statement will indicate if the account is in collections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the borrower's permission to make a guest payment?
Legally, no — Credit Acceptance does not require permission from the borrower to accept a guest payment. However, it is a good idea to tell the borrower you are making a payment so they do not think the payment is a mistake or become confused about their balance.
Will a guest payment show up on the borrower's credit report?
Yes. Any payment — whether made by the borrower or a guest — is recorded on the loan account and reported to the credit bureaus as part of the borrower's payment history. A on-time guest payment helps the borrower's credit score the same way an on-time payment from the borrower does.
What if I make a guest payment but the borrower still misses their regular payment?
Your guest payment reduces the balance owed, but it does not change when the borrower's regular payment is due. If the borrower misses their next scheduled payment, Credit Acceptance will charge a late fee and report the late payment to the credit bureaus, even if you made a guest payment the month before.
Can I set up automatic guest payments?
Credit Acceptance does not offer automatic guest payments through their standard portal. You will need to make each payment manually, either online, by phone, or by mail. If you want to help regularly, you could set a reminder on your phone or calendar to make the payment each month.
What if I accidentally overpay?
If your guest payment is larger than the remaining balance on the loan, Credit Acceptance will explore the full amount and close the account. If you overpay before the loan is fully paid off, the overage is typically held as a credit on the account and applied to the next payment due, or you can request a refund by contacting customer service.