BJ's Pay Bill basics: where to send your payment and what methods work
BJ's Wholesale Club issues its own credit card through Comenity Bank, and you send payments to Comenity, not directly to BJ's. You can pay online through your Comenity account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a BJ's location. The card carries a variable interest rate that changes with the prime rate, and missing a payment triggers late fees and a mark on your credit report.
Your payment due date appears on your monthly statement. Payments received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date count as on-time. If you pay after that time or after the due date, the payment posts late, and Comenity reports it to the credit bureaus 30 days after the due date passes.
Key Takeaways
- BJ's credit card payments go to Comenity Bank, the card issuer, not to BJ's Wholesale Club itself.
- You can pay online at Comenity's website, by phone at the number on your statement, by mail to the address listed on your bill, or at a BJ's customer service desk.
- Late fees start at $28 to $39 depending on your balance, and a payment 30 days late appears on your credit report.
- The card's interest rate is variable and tied to the prime rate, so your APR changes when the Federal Reserve adjusts rates.
- Paying only the minimum keeps you in debt longer and costs significantly more in interest than paying the full balance.
Online payment through your Comenity account
Log in to your Comenity account at the website listed on your statement or call the customer service number to set up online access if you haven't already. Once logged in, you can see your balance, due date, and recent transactions. Select "Make a Payment" and choose the amount and payment date you want.
Comenity lets you schedule payments in advance, which is useful if you want to ensure a payment posts by a specific date. If you schedule a payment for a future date and then pay the balance another way, you'll need to cancel the scheduled payment to avoid overpaying. Payments made online typically post within one business day.
Phone and mail payment options
Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement to pay by phone. A representative will ask for the amount you want to pay and your bank account information if you're paying from a checking or savings account. Payments by phone post within one to two business days. You can also authorize a one-time payment or set up automatic payments this way.
To pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address on your statement. Write your account number on the check. Mail payments take seven to ten business days to reach Comenity and post to your account, so send your payment well before the due date if you're using this method. Late payments by mail are common because of mail delays, so consider online or phone payment if you're close to your due date.
Paying at a BJ's location
You can walk into any BJ's Wholesale Club and pay your credit card bill at the customer service desk. Bring your card or account number and the amount you want to pay in cash or debit card. Payments made in person post within one to two business days.
This option works if you're already shopping at BJ's or live near a location, but it's slower than online payment and requires a trip. If you're within a few days of your due date, paying online or by phone is safer because those methods post faster and give you proof of payment immediately.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your payment doesn't arrive by the due date, Comenity charges a late fee. The fee ranges from $28 to $39 depending on your balance and whether you've had late fees before. The late fee appears on your next statement and is added to what you owe.
A payment that is 30 days late is reported to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) as a 30-day late payment. This mark stays on your credit report for seven years and lowers your credit score. If you miss a payment by 60 days, it's reported as a 60-day late payment, which damages your score further. At 180 days past due, Comenity may charge off the account, meaning they write it off as a loss and may sell the debt to a collection agency.
Minimum payments versus paying your full balance
Your statement shows a minimum payment, usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance. Paying only the minimum keeps you in debt much longer and costs far more in interest. For example, a $5,000 balance at 20 percent APR costs about $5,500 in interest if you pay only the minimum over several years, but only about $530 in interest if you pay it off in one year.
The BJ's card's variable APR means your interest rate can increase if the Federal Reserve raises rates. Check your statement each month to see whether your APR has changed. If you carry a balance, paying more than the minimum reduces how much interest you pay and gets you out of debt faster.
Automatic payments and payment reminders
Set up automatic payments through your Comenity account to have a fixed amount deducted from your bank account on the same day each month. You can choose to pay the full statement balance, a fixed dollar amount, or the minimum payment. Automatic payments reduce the risk of forgetting a due date, but make sure you have enough money in your bank account on the payment date to avoid overdraft fees.
If you don't want automatic payments, set a calendar reminder for five days before your due date. This gives you time to make a payment online or by phone before the deadline. Many people find that paying as soon as they receive their statement prevents the balance from growing and makes it easier to track spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my BJ's credit card bill at a BJ's store?
Yes, you can pay at the customer service desk at any BJ's location with cash or a debit card. The payment posts within one to two business days. This is convenient if you shop at BJ's regularly, but online or phone payment is faster if you're close to your due date.
What's the difference between the due date and the payment posting date?
The due date is when your payment must arrive to avoid a late fee. The posting date is when the payment actually reduces your balance. A payment made online on the due date may not post until the next business day, but it still counts as on-time as long as it was submitted by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.
Will paying late hurt my credit score?
Yes. A payment 30 days late is reported to credit bureaus and stays on your report for seven years. Even one late payment can lower your score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score. Paying on time is one of the most important factors in maintaining good credit.
Can I set up automatic payments for the full balance each month?
Yes. When you set up automatic payments through Comenity, you can choose to pay the full statement balance each month. This ensures you never carry a balance and pay no interest, as long as you don't use the card again before the next billing cycle ends.
What if I can't pay my full balance?
Pay as much as you can by the due date to avoid a late fee and credit damage. Any amount you pay reduces your balance and the interest you owe on the remaining balance. If you're struggling with debt, contact Comenity to ask about hardship programs, though these may affect your account terms.