Big Lots Bill Pay lets you pay bills using your Big Lots credit card or a debit card linked to your account
Big Lots Bill Pay is a service that lets you send money to creditors, utilities, landlords, and other payees directly from your Big Lots account. You can use it with a Big Lots Rewards Mastercard, a Big Lots Credit Card, or a linked debit card. The service itself does not charge you a fee — Big Lots does not take money for processing the payment.
The real cost depends on what card you use and whether the payee accepts the payment method. If you use a credit card to pay a bill, you may be charged a cash advance fee by Big Lots or the card issuer, which is typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount. If you use a debit card or bank account, there is usually no fee from Big Lots, but the payee might charge you for accepting a card payment.
You access Big Lots Bill Pay through your online account at biglots.com or through the Big Lots mobile app. You enter the payee's information, the amount, and when you want the payment sent. Big Lots then processes it as either an electronic transfer or a check, depending on the payee and the payment method you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Big Lots Bill Pay itself charges no fee, but using a credit card may trigger a cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent.
- You can pay almost any creditor or utility, but the payee must accept the payment method Big Lots uses to send it.
- Payments sent electronically typically arrive within one to three business days; mailed checks take longer.
- You can set up one-time payments or recurring payments for bills that are the same amount each month.
How to set up a payment through Big Lots Bill Pay
Log into your Big Lots account online or open the mobile app. Look for the Bill Pay or Payments section — the exact location varies depending on whether you are using the website or the app. Select "Add a Payee" or "New Payment" to start.
Enter the payee's name and mailing address. For utilities and large creditors, Big Lots often has them in a directory, so you may be able to search by name instead of typing the address. For smaller creditors or individuals, you will need to provide the full mailing address. Big Lots uses this address to route the payment correctly, whether it sends an electronic transfer or a check.
Choose the payment method: your Big Lots credit card, Big Lots debit card, or a linked bank account. Enter the amount and the date you want the payment sent. If the payee accepts electronic payments, Big Lots will send it that way; otherwise, it will mail a check. Review the details and confirm.
When the payment arrives and what to expect
Electronic payments typically arrive within one to three business days after you schedule them. Mailed checks usually take five to ten business days, depending on postal service speed and the payee's processing time. Big Lots does not may provide delivery dates, so you should schedule payments with a buffer before your due date.
Once Big Lots sends the payment, you can view its status in your account. The status will show whether it has been processed, sent, or delivered. If a payment fails — for example, because the payee's address is incorrect — Big Lots will notify you and may offer to resend it or refund the amount.
The payee will see the payment as coming from Big Lots or from your name, depending on the payment method. If you use a check, the payee will see your name on the check. If you use an electronic transfer, the payee may see "Big Lots" or a reference number in the transaction details. This does not affect whether the payment is credited to your account.
Credit card cash advances versus debit card payments
If you pay a bill using your Big Lots credit card, Big Lots or the card issuer may classify it as a cash advance rather than a regular purchase. A cash advance typically carries a fee of 3 to 5 percent of the amount, charged immediately. It also usually has a higher interest rate than regular purchases — often 20 to 25 percent or more — and interest starts accruing right away, with no grace period.
Using a debit card or linked bank account avoids the cash advance fee and interest charges. The money comes directly from your account, so there is no debt created. However, some payees charge a fee for accepting debit card payments, usually 1 to 3 percent. You should check with the payee before paying to see whether they charge for card payments.
If you are paying a bill regularly, using a debit card or bank account is almost always cheaper than using a credit card. The only exception is if the payee charges a high debit card fee and you have a credit card with a very low cash advance fee and a promotional 0 percent interest period — a rare situation.
Setting up recurring payments for regular bills
Big Lots Bill Pay lets you create recurring payments for bills that are the same amount each month, such as rent, insurance, or a loan payment. When you set up a recurring payment, you choose the amount, the payee, and the frequency — weekly, biweekly, monthly, or another interval. Big Lots will send the payment automatically on the schedule you set.
Recurring payments are useful for bills you cannot miss, because they remove the step of remembering to pay each month. However, you should monitor your account to make sure the payment goes through each time. If the payee's address changes or the payment fails, Big Lots may not notify you immediately, and you could fall behind.
You can change or cancel a recurring payment at any time through your account. If you cancel, Big Lots will stop sending future payments, but any payment already processed will still go through. Check the status of your recurring payments regularly, especially if your bill amount changes or you switch payees.
What happens if a payment fails or is late
If Big Lots cannot process a payment — for example, because the payee's address is incorrect or the account does not have enough funds — it will notify you through your account or by email. The notification will explain why the payment failed and give you the option to correct the information and resend it.
If a payment is late because Big Lots mailed a check and it was delayed in the mail, you are responsible for any late fees the payee charges. Big Lots does not cover late fees or interest charges that result from mail delays. This is why you should schedule payments well before the due date, especially for bills with strict deadlines like mortgage or rent payments.
If you dispute a payment — for example, if you believe it was sent twice or sent to the wrong payee — contact Big Lots customer service with the payment details and the date it was processed. Big Lots can investigate and may reverse the payment if it was sent in error. Keep records of all payments you schedule, including confirmation numbers and dates.
Comparing Big Lots Bill Pay to other payment methods
Big Lots Bill Pay is one option for paying bills with a credit card, but it is not the only one. Many credit card issuers offer their own bill pay services through their websites or apps, and you can also pay bills directly through your bank's bill pay service using a linked account.
The main advantage of Big Lots Bill Pay is convenience if you already use Big Lots for shopping and have a Big Lots card. The main disadvantage is the cash advance fee if you use a credit card, which makes it more expensive than paying directly from a bank account. If you have a bank account, paying through your bank's bill pay service is usually free and faster than mailing a check.
If you do not have a bank account or prefer to use a credit card, Big Lots Bill Pay is a reasonable option as long as you use a debit card or linked account to avoid cash advance fees. Compare the cost of using Big Lots Bill Pay to paying the payee directly or using another payment method before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Big Lots Bill Pay charge a fee?
Big Lots does not charge a fee for the service itself. However, if you use a Big Lots credit card, the card issuer may charge a cash advance fee of 3 to 5 percent. If you use a debit card or linked bank account, there is no fee from Big Lots, though the payee might charge a fee for accepting a card payment.
How long does it take for a payment to arrive?
Electronic payments typically arrive within one to three business days. Mailed checks usually take five to ten business days, depending on postal service and the payee's processing time. You should schedule payments well before the due date to account for delays.
Can I pay any creditor through Big Lots Bill Pay?
You can pay most creditors, utilities, and individuals, but the payee must accept the payment method Big Lots uses. Big Lots has a directory of common payees, but you can also add custom payees by providing their mailing address. Some payees may not accept electronic payments and will receive a mailed check instead.
What if I accidentally schedule a payment twice?
Contact Big Lots customer service immediately with the payment details and dates. Big Lots can investigate and may reverse a duplicate payment if it has not yet been delivered. Keep confirmation numbers for all payments so you can reference them if there is a problem.
Can I cancel a recurring payment?
Yes, you can cancel or change a recurring payment at any time through your account. However, any payment already processed will still be sent. Check your account regularly to confirm that recurring payments are going through correctly.