Payment methods
ACH and card details — processing times, fees, and what to expect when paying.
The Payments portal supports several ways to pay. The two most common are ACH (bank transfer) and credit or debit card; depending on your dealer's setup, you may also see Wallet and RTP (real-time payment) options. The right choice depends on the size of the payment, how quickly you need it to clear, and what kind of fees you are willing to absorb.
ACH (bank transfer)
ACH transfers funds directly from your bank account to the dealer's bank account through the Automated Clearing House network. Most large business-to-business payments in the United States move this way.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Setup | Link your bank account once — instantly through Plaid, or manually with a micro-deposit |
| Processing time | 1 to 3 business days from submission to settlement |
| Fees | Flat per-transaction fee, lower than card fees |
| Best for | Larger payments, recurring payers, statement payments |
The first time you pay by ACH you link the account. You can link instantly through Plaid (recommended) or add it manually and verify with a micro-deposit. See Saved bank accounts for both flows.
What "Pending" means for ACH
Your payment will show as Pending for 1 to 3 business days while the ACH transaction clears. This is normal. You do not need to do anything during that window.
ACH returns
In rare cases, your bank can return an ACH payment after it has already settled (for example, if there were insufficient funds at the time the transaction processed). Returns typically surface 2 to 5 business days after settlement. If a payment is returned, your dealer will follow up with you directly.
Credit and debit card
Card payments are processed through standard card networks (Visa, Mastercard, and the rest).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Setup | Enter card details, or pick a saved card |
| Processing time | Near-instant authorization, settles same business day |
| Fees | Percentage of transaction amount plus a flat per-transaction fee |
| Best for | Smaller payments, faster clearing |
Cards are usually a poor choice for large balances because the percentage fee scales with the amount. ACH is almost always cheaper for B2B payments over a few hundred dollars.
Side-by-side comparison
| ACH | Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | 1 to 3 business days | Same day |
| Cost | Lower flat fee | Higher percentage-based fee |
| Setup | One-time bank linking (Plaid or manual) | Enter card details with Add card |
| Best for | Large or recurring payments | Smaller or time-sensitive payments |
Saved methods and your default
Bank accounts and cards you have linked are saved on your profile and reappear as options on future payments. You manage these yourself: use Remove to delete a method, and Make primary to set a default. Your default method shows a Primary badge and is preselected the next time you pay.
Is my information safe?
You never hand your bank login or card number to your dealer. Bank accounts are linked through Plaid (or verified with a micro-deposit if you add one manually), and cards are entered in a secure card form. Your dealer sees that a payment method is linked and its last few digits — not your full credentials. See Saved bank accounts for the bank-linking detail.
Related
- Fees and discounts — How the payment preview shows fees and the statement discount.
- Saved bank accounts — Linking a bank account through Plaid.
- Payment statuses — Pending, Settled, and other statuses explained.