The fastest way to pay Nicor is online through their website or mobile app, by phone, or by mail — and which method you choose depends on when you need the payment to post and how you prefer to manage your account.
Nicor Gas serves northern Illinois and allows you to pay through multiple channels. Each has different processing times, so knowing the difference matters if you're close to a due date or want to avoid a late fee. You can pay immediately online, schedule a future payment, set up automatic payments, or mail a check — and you can do all of this without calling customer service if you prefer.
Your bill shows a due date, not a payment deadline. Nicor considers a payment on time if it arrives by 5 p.m. Central Time on the due date. Online and phone payments typically post the same day or next business day. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days, so if your due date is soon, mailing is not the right choice.
Key Takeaways
- Online payments through Nicor's website or app post the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. Central Time, or the next business day if you pay after.
- Phone payments (877-642-6748) work the same way as online payments and take just a few minutes.
- Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date, but you need to set them up through your online account first.
- Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to process, so use this method only if your due date is at least two weeks away.
- Late fees apply if payment does not arrive by 5 p.m. Central Time on the due date, regardless of which method you use.
Paying online or through the Nicor mobile app
Log into your account at nicorgas.com or download the Nicor mobile app on iOS or Android. You'll need your account number (on your bill) and either a username and password or your email address. Once logged in, select "Pay My Bill" or a similar option — the exact wording varies slightly between the website and app.
You can pay the full amount due, a partial amount, or a different amount if you want to get ahead. Enter the payment date you want — today, a specific future date, or a recurring date if you're setting up automatic payments. Nicor accepts bank account payments (ACH transfers) and credit or debit card payments. Bank transfers are free; credit and debit card payments include a fee that Nicor will show you before you confirm.
If you pay before 5 p.m. Central Time, the payment posts the same day. If you pay after 5 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, it posts the next business day. You'll receive a confirmation number immediately — save this or take a screenshot in case you need to reference the payment later.
Paying by phone
Call Nicor's automated payment line at 877-642-6748. You'll need your account number and a bank account or card number ready. The system will ask you to confirm the amount and the payment date, then provide a confirmation number. This method works 24/7 and takes about five minutes.
Phone payments process the same way as online payments: same-day posting if you call before 5 p.m. Central Time on a business day, next-business-day posting otherwise. If you prefer to speak with a representative instead of using the automated system, you can call during business hours, but the wait time is usually longer.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments remove the need to remember your due date each month. Log into your Nicor account online, find the automatic or recurring payment option, and choose the amount (full bill or a fixed amount), the date each month you want it to come out, and your payment method.
You can set up automatic payments from a bank account (free) or a card (with a fee). You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account — you don't need to call. If your bill amount varies significantly month to month, you may prefer to set a fixed amount and pay any remaining balance manually, or to pay manually each month instead.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order payable to Nicor Gas, include your account number on the check, and mail it to the address on your bill. Nicor's mailing address is typically listed on the back of your bill or in the payment section of your account.
Mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach Nicor and post to your account. This means if your due date is in 10 days, a check you mail today may not post until after the due date, and you could be charged a late fee even though you sent the payment on time. Use mail only if you have at least two weeks before your due date, or if you have no other option.
Understanding late fees and what happens if you miss a due date
Nicor charges a late fee if your payment does not post by 5 p.m. Central Time on the due date. The fee amount varies but is typically a percentage of your bill or a flat amount — check your bill or account for the exact fee. A late fee is added to your next bill.
If you miss a due date, your account goes into arrears. Nicor may send you a notice and may eventually disconnect your service if the balance remains unpaid. If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact Nicor before the date arrives — they may offer a payment arrangement that lets you pay in installments without a late fee or service disconnection.
Checking your payment history and confirming a payment posted
Log into your Nicor account online or in the app and look for "Payment History" or "Account Activity." You'll see a list of all payments you've made, the dates they posted, and the amounts. This is useful if you want to confirm a recent payment went through or if you need to reference a payment for your records.
If you paid online or by phone and received a confirmation number, you can also search your email for the confirmation message. Keep these confirmations until you see the payment post to your account, which usually takes one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I pay after 5 p.m. on the due date?
The payment will post the next business day, which means it arrives after the due date. Nicor will charge a late fee on your next bill. To avoid this, pay before 5 p.m. Central Time on the due date, or set up automatic payments so you never have to think about timing.
Can I pay with a credit card without a fee?
No. Nicor charges a fee for credit and debit card payments. The fee is shown before you confirm the payment. Bank account payments (ACH transfers) are free, so if you want to avoid the fee, use that method instead.
What if I need to dispute a charge on my bill?
Contact Nicor customer service before you pay. Explain the issue and ask them to investigate. You can still make a payment for the amount you believe you owe while the dispute is being reviewed. Do not skip payment entirely, as that can result in a late fee or service disconnection.
Can I set up automatic payments for a partial amount?
Yes. You can set automatic payments for any amount you choose — the full bill, a fixed amount, or any other number. If you set it for less than the full bill, you'll need to pay the remainder manually each month.
How do I change my payment method?
Log into your account online, go to your payment settings or automatic payment setup, and update your bank account or card information. If you're changing a one-time payment, you can do this before the payment posts. If you're changing automatic payments, the new method will apply to your next scheduled payment.