How To Pay Your Mortgage With A Credit Card

Can You Pay Your Mortgage with a Credit Card?

Paying your mortgage with a credit card isn’t as easy as swiping at the grocery store. Most banks don’t allow credit card payments directly. However, with third-party services, it’s still possible—just expect a processing fee of around 2.5–3.0%. You pay the service with your credit card, and they send your mortgage company a payment via ACH or electronic check.

Third-party services are often eager to capitalize on this need. Platforms like Plastiq or TIO offer a practical workaround, although you’ll pay for the convenience.

Why Banks Don't Accept Credit Cards Directly

There are a few key reasons:

✔ Using high-interest credit card debt to pay low-interest mortgage debt doesn’t make financial sense.
✔ It increases your debt-to-income ratio, making you riskier in the eyes of lenders.
✔ Processing fees on credit cards eat into a bank’s margins.

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Ultimately, banks want to protect themselves from increased default risk and extra costs.

When Does It Make Sense?

It might seem risky to pay a mortgage with a credit card—but under the right circumstances, it can work:

✔ You’re managing a temporary cash-flow problem
✔ You want to earn a high-value credit card reward or bonus that requires a large transaction

If either applies to you, workarounds could help. For everyone else, the fees and risks usually outweigh the benefits.

Explore our Credit Q&A

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What to Consider Before Paying This Way

Paying your mortgage with a credit card may help in a financial pinch—but the long-term costs can be steep.

Added Fees and Interest

✔ Expect processing fees around 3%
✔ Add in your credit card interest rate
✔ You may be better off exploring mortgage-specific solutions with your lender

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Also, if you’re chasing a reward, check the math. Most recurring credit card rewards don’t outweigh the processing fees—but sign-up bonuses with high thresholds might.

Impact on Your Credit Score

Putting a large mortgage payment on your credit card spikes your utilization rate, potentially lowering your credit score—even if temporarily.

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Consider alternative options with your lender or request a credit limit increase before proceeding.

How to Pay a Mortgage with a Credit Card

If you’ve decided to move forward, here’s how to do it:

Choose a third-party service like Plastiq or Venmo
Calculate fees based on your payment amount
Pick a credit card (based on offer, available balance, or interest rate)
Sign up and enter your mortgage + credit card details
Submit payment
Pay off that credit card balance ASAP

If online services don’t work, alternatives like prepaid gift cards or cash advances may help—but they come with limits and extra fees.

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a woman using a laptop paying online using her cc

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The Bottom Line

Most mortgage lenders don’t allow direct credit card payments because of the risk and fees involved.

Third-party services can make it happen, but the cost is high—a $2,500 payment may cost you $75 in fees plus interest. That said, some zero-interest, high-reward credit card offers may make it worthwhile for certain buyers.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage with Mares Mortgage today—your dream home is just a click away!

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