Travel hacking opportunity: Pay tuition with credit card?

[jfer_rose]

I'm enrolled in a program at the community college starting this fall. When the tuition bill came, I was surprised to see that they accept credit cards. If they charge an extra fee for this payment method, it is not at all obvious.

So I'm thinking-- this could be a great opportunity to meet a minimum spend on a new credit card to receive the bonus points. Has anyone else done something like this?

Any ideas for good cards to get right now? I already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred. One without an annual fee would be ideal.

[Boofinator]

They probably have a fee. This does not sound like a good idea unless the fee is minimal and you have plenty of money to pay off the credit card at the end of the month. Even then, I probably wouldn't do it if there's a fee involved. (Cash >> Travel Points)

[AMandM]

Until yesterday, I would have posted to say that I've sent five kids to college and there has always been a hefty fee, usually close to 3%, for paying with a credit card. But those were all four-year, private colleges. Yesterday, I registered a child for a class at community college and there was no fee to use the credit card.

Sorry, I can't recommend one, as we don't travel enough or spend enough to use a points card.

[jfer_rose]

They probably have a fee. This does not sound like a good idea unless the fee is minimal and you have plenty of money to pay off the credit card at the end of the month. Even then, I probably wouldn't do it if there's a fee involved. (Cash >> Travel Points)

I'm looking and looking but I don't see anything about there being a fee. I would not do it if there were. I would pay off the credit card immediately-- I have never in my life carried a credit card balance.

[Boofinator]

They probably have a fee. This does not sound like a good idea unless the fee is minimal and you have plenty of money to pay off the credit card at the end of the month. Even then, I probably wouldn't do it if there's a fee involved. (Cash >> Travel Points)

I'm looking and looking but I don't see anything about there being a fee. I would not do it if there were. I would pay off the credit card immediately-- I have never in my life carried a credit card balance.

If that is the case, I'd say go for it! There are plenty of cards which will give points without charging a fee the first year.

[Cranky]

If there's a fee, it usually comes up on the tuition paying portal, IME.

I did pay one of my dd's tuition with my cc for a while, when there was no fee, and then used the points for textbooks. I think they started charging a "convenience fee" at some point, though.

[solon]

At our local State U, there is a convenience fee to pay with a credit card online, but NOT at the cashier window. I was floored when I learned this; I had to ask them a couple times to confirm it. My bill one semester was $5000, which even at 1% gives you a free $50. I paid it off within the month, of course, and then repeated every semester.

I think my excitement over finding a deal like this was lost on the cashier. I don't think they have many students who can exploit that loophole.

[chemistk]

I'd call the school (or visit in person) to ask about a potential fee. Typically most sites will state that a fee is charged for using a CC, so you could be in the clear.

It's very difficult to recommend a card without knowing what your travel/cash back priorities are. Amex Blue Cash, Delta, Southwest, Hilton, Marriott, etc. are all viable options and many that do have a fee will waive it for the first year.

[robartsd]

I've find that a lot of public institutions (schools, libraries, municipal utilities) offer credit card payment online through third party partner sites. These usually have a convenience fee. Often you don't know what the fee is until you've completed most of the process. If you've gotten to the point where you're actually entering your credit card number and there has been no mention of a fee, there probably isn't one.

[thedigitalone]

At our local State U, there is a convenience fee to pay with a credit card online, but NOT at the cashier window. I was floored when I learned this; I had to ask them a couple times to confirm it. My bill one semester was $5000, which even at 1% gives you a free $50. I paid it off within the month, of course, and then repeated every semester.

Literally did this yesterday with a kid starting community college this fall quarter.  Fee if paid via the online portal, but I sent her in with a note authorizing use of my card and they processed it with no hassles at all.  I then turned around and submitted for reimbursement from her college fund for the tuition we paid = win win!

[Debts_of_Despair]

This is how I paid for wife's grad school.  Went on 3 or 4 big trips courtesy of credit card points.  There were no fees, but even if there were, it would've been worthwhile to pay them.

[Saving in Austin]

I have paid for individual classes at Austin Community College without any additional fees at all.

[nedwin]

Did this in the early 2000s with a United visa, and we are doing this now for my wife's grad school with a Southwest card.  There is no fee for SO's grad school, but don't remember if there was a fee to do this in college.  We had money to pay off every time.

[okisok]

I did this in the mid 2000s with the Southwest Airlines card after a co-worker told me of her success with it. The college didn't charge a fee, but if yours does check the math to see if it's worth it.

[jfer_rose]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm surprised and pleased with how many of people have tried this strategy. My paper tuition bill included a space for me to include my credit card number and mail it back, so I feel very confident there will not be any fees for this payment method. I applied for the Capitol One Venture card due to the temporarily increased welcome offer. Hopefully my application will be approved (I'm a full-time student now, so it may not be a sure thing, despite having excellent credit).

[Rdy2Fire]

No Fee = No Brainer!!  Fee then skip it unless it's like 1% just to get you to the new member 'reward' on your credit card if you have no other spending that will get you there.

[kpd905]

If it allows you to get a sign up bonus that you otherwise couldn't hit, then I wouldn't really worry about the fee if it is a couple percent.  All sign up bonuses will get you double digit returns.