12.10.2026 12:12
Consumers who make automatic bill payments with credit cards may encounter additional fees without realizing it. Some banks may charge a commission of between 1 and 3 percent or a fixed transaction fee on electricity, water, natural gas, and internet bills. Those who pay only the minimum amount of the card debt may face an interest burden. Experts recommend that consumers regularly check their bank statements and pay attention to deductions in automatic payment instructions.
Automatic bill payments made via credit cards may be treated differently from regular purchase transactions by some banks.
In this context, a fixed transaction fee may be charged for electricity, water, natural gas, and telecommunication bills, and commissions ranging from 1 percent to 3 percent of the payment amount may also be applied.
Especially for consumers who set up automatic payment instructions for multiple bills, small deductions made every month can reach a significant amount by the end of the year. However, these fees are not applied in the same way at all banks and on all credit cards. Deductions may vary depending on the bank's current tariff and the features of the card used.
INTEREST RISK FOR THOSE MAKING MINIMUM PAYMENTS
Bills automatically collected from a credit card are reflected on the card statement at the end of the period.
Consumers who deposit only the minimum amount instead of paying the entire card debt may have to pay interest on the remaining debt.
Thus, an expense that initially consisted only of the bill amount can become more costly over time due to interest applied to unpaid debt.
ANOTHER DANGER IN AUTOMATIC PAYMENT
Another issue to pay attention to in automatic payment instructions is not checking bills regularly. Price increases in digital streaming platforms, internet subscriptions, and insurance services can go unnoticed by users due to automatic collection.
Similarly, incorrectly issued bills can be paid without the consumer noticing. Noticing the deduction late can make objection and refund processes more difficult.
PAY ATTENTION TO THESE ITEMS ON YOUR BANK STATEMENT
Consumers are advised to regularly review their credit card statements and check especially deductions such as 'bill payment commission', 'transaction fee', and 'BSMV'. Depending on the bank's tariff, setting up an automatic payment instruction from a demand deposit TL account instead of a credit card can provide an alternative to avoid additional transaction costs.
In addition, enabling payment notifications through mobile banking and setting spending limits for transactions where possible can help unexpected collections be noticed earlier. It is important for those making automatic payments with a credit card to check their existing instructions and the fees applied by their banks.