What Rent-A-Center Bill Pay does
Rent-A-Center's bill pay feature lets you make payments on your furniture rental agreement through their website or mobile app instead of going to a store or mailing a check. When you set up bill pay, the payment goes directly to your Rent-A-Center account and counts toward your rental balance the same day it processes.
The service itself has no separate fee — you pay only the regular rental charges that are already part of your agreement. However, bill pay is not the same as owning the furniture. You are making installment payments on a rental contract, and the company retains ownership until you complete all payments or exercise a purchase option.
Payments made through bill pay are recorded on your account within hours, so you can see the updated balance immediately. If you miss a payment, the same late fees and consequences apply whether you paid online or in person.
Key Takeaways
- Rent-A-Center bill pay has no separate charge — you pay only the rental amount stated in your agreement.
- Payments process the same day through their website or app and show on your account within hours.
- Missing a payment through bill pay carries the same late fees and risks as missing any other payment method.
- You can set up automatic recurring payments so the amount withdraws on your chosen date each week or month.
- Bill pay is a payment method only; it does not change the terms of your rental agreement or lower what you owe.
How to set up bill pay on your Rent-A-Center account
Log into your account on Rent-A-Center's website or open their mobile app. Go to the payment or account settings section and select the option to add a payment method. You will need to provide a bank account number and routing number (for ACH transfers) or a debit or credit card number.
Once your payment method is saved, you can choose to pay a one-time amount or set up automatic recurring payments. If you choose recurring payments, select the amount and the date each week or month when you want the payment to come out. Confirm the details and submit.
Your first payment may take one to two business days to process if you use a bank account. Card payments often process faster. After that, recurring payments will withdraw on your chosen date automatically unless you cancel or change them.
What happens if you miss a payment
If a bill pay payment fails — for example, because your bank account has insufficient funds — Rent-A-Center will typically attempt to collect the payment again within a few days. You will owe a late fee in addition to the missed payment amount. The exact fee depends on your rental agreement and state law, so check your contract or call your local store for the specific amount.
Repeated missed payments can lead to account suspension or the company repossessing the furniture. Rent-A-Center may also report the missed payments to a credit bureau, which can affect your credit score. If your account falls behind, contact the store or customer service as soon as possible to discuss a payment plan or other options.
Comparing bill pay to other payment methods
Rent-A-Center accepts payments in person at any store location, by phone, by mail, and through their website or app. In-person and phone payments are processed immediately, while mailed checks take several days to arrive and clear. Bill pay through the app or website falls in the middle — it processes the same day but may take a few hours to show on your account.
Automatic bill pay is the most convenient if you want to avoid thinking about the payment each month. One-time payments through the app or website give you flexibility if your payment date changes. In-person payments let you ask questions or discuss your account with staff, which can be helpful if you are behind or need to adjust your plan.
None of these methods change what you owe or the terms of your agreement — they are simply different ways to send the same payment.
Understanding your rental agreement and what bill pay covers
Your Rent-A-Center agreement specifies the weekly or monthly payment amount, the total number of payments, and what happens if you complete all payments (usually a purchase option or return of the furniture). Bill pay covers only the regular rental payment — it does not cover late fees, damage charges, or other add-ons unless you specifically pay those amounts.
If your agreement includes a purchase option, completing all payments through bill pay gives you the same right to buy the furniture as any other payment method would. The purchase price is set in your contract and does not change based on how you pay.
Read your agreement carefully to understand the total cost of the rental over its full term. Some rental agreements cost significantly more than buying the same item outright, especially if the rental period is long.
Protecting your account and payment information
When you save a bank account or card to your Rent-A-Center account, that information is encrypted and stored securely. Use a strong, unique password for your account and do not share your login details with anyone else. If you suspect unauthorized activity, change your password immediately and contact Rent-A-Center customer service.
Review your account regularly to make sure payments are processing on the dates you set and for the amounts you authorized. If you see a payment you did not make, report it to Rent-A-Center right away. You can also cancel or change your automatic payments at any time through your account settings.
If you no longer want to use bill pay, you can remove your saved payment method and return to paying in person, by phone, or by mail.
What to do if bill pay is not working
If a payment fails, check your bank account or card to make sure there are sufficient funds and the account is active. Some banks block recurring payments from unfamiliar merchants, so contact your bank to confirm they are not declining the transaction.
If your payment method is correct and funded but the payment still fails, log out of your Rent-A-Center account completely, clear your browser cache, and log back in. Try the payment again. If it fails a second time, call Rent-A-Center customer service or visit your local store to make a payment by phone or in person while you troubleshoot the issue.
Do not wait for the system to work itself out — a missed payment triggers late fees immediately, so contact the company within a day or two of discovering the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up bill pay if I have a past-due balance?
Yes, you can use bill pay to catch up on past-due amounts. Contact Rent-A-Center to confirm the total you owe, including any late fees. You can then pay that amount through bill pay, and future payments will resume on your regular schedule.
Does bill pay work the same way if I have multiple items rented from Rent-A-Center?
If you have multiple rental agreements, each one has its own account and payment amount. You will need to make separate payments for each item through bill pay, or you can pay all of them at once if your account allows you to combine them. Ask your local store or customer service whether combining accounts is an option.
What if I want to return the furniture before I finish paying?
You can return rented furniture at any time by bringing it to a Rent-A-Center store. Your obligation to pay ends on the date the store receives the item back. You will not receive a refund for payments already made, but you will stop owing future payments. Bill pay does not change this policy.
Can I pay more than my regular amount through bill pay to pay off the rental faster?
Yes, most Rent-A-Center accounts allow you to make extra payments beyond your regular amount. Log into your account and select the option to make a one-time payment for more than the scheduled amount. Paying extra reduces the total number of payments you owe and can help you reach the purchase option sooner.
Is there a fee to use bill pay instead of paying in person?
No, bill pay has no separate fee. You pay only the rental amount in your agreement, whether you pay online, by phone, in person, or by mail.