Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.

Credit card direct debit: How to set up, change or cancel

It’s easy to set up direct debits on your credit card for subscriptions and bills – here’s how.

Setting up direct debits makes it easier to stay on top of your regular bills. Whether it's your gym membership, streaming subscription or energy and phone bills, automating the process is easier than manually paying your bill every month.

With credit card direct debits, you:

  • Always make your payments on time.
  • Avoid late fees.
  • Don't have to worry about utilities or services being restricted for non-payment.
  • Have reassurance that your savings account won't be overdrawn with a direct debit.

How to set up a regular payment via direct debit on your credit card

You can set up credit card direct debits for fixed amounts or to cover the exact amount you owe, even if it changes from bill to bill.

How you set it up will depend on your service provider. Some service providers will need you to fill out a form, while others may allow you to do it through their website or over the phone.

The details you'll have to provide include your credit card number, card expiry date and card verification number.

What to consider when setting up a direct debit

  • Can you trust the provider that you're sending the direct debit to? Only set up direct debits from your credit card or debit card with services and providers that you can trust.
  • Do you know how to cancel the direct debit? Make sure you know the steps you'll need to take to cancel the direct debit if you decide you don't need it or want to close the credit card.
  • Can you repay the transaction made on your credit card? There's no point setting up a direct debit from your credit card unless you can afford to pay off the transaction in full each month. Otherwise, any unpaid amount will attract interest and you'll end up paying more than you need to.

Tip: Check your bank statements

When you set up a direct debit, it's easy to forget about the payment because it automatically comes out of your account. But its worth checking your credit card statement regularly so you know you're being billed correctly. As a bonus, it could help you find direct debits for services that you're no longer using (such as an old gym membership or TV streaming subscription service).

How to cancel a direct debit from your credit card

If you're closing your credit card, make sure you update your direct debit details to avoid any issues. Depending on your service provider, you may be able to cancel your direct debit over the phone or manage your payment options online.

Otherwise, you may need to contact your financial institution to cancel the direct debit and ask that it confirms the cancellation in writing.

Make sure you check your bank statement to confirm that the direct debits have been cancelled. If the recurring payments continue, follow up with your card issuer and the merchant to resolve the issue.

3 quick steps for changing your direct debit details

Each company that bills you will have different conditions for direct debits. Switching these payments to a new card is a DIY affair. You can keep the process simple by following these steps:

  1. Make a list of all the recurring payments set up on your card. Go through your card statements to see which companies you have direct debit arrangements with. Some may be easy to remember (hello, Netflix), but you may miss some. This could also prompt you to end subscriptions you don't use, helping you save money.
  2. Update your payment details with each service. Contact each service and update your account with the new credit card details. This can be done either online, through an app or over the phone. Delete old card details from your account. Make sure you also check that your card details have been added correctly. Some services may place an authorisation hold or "test" charge on your new account to confirm the details. The hold or charge is usually settled in a few days.
  3. Check processing times and your credit card statement. It may take a few days for some direct debit services to update your billing information. Make sure you know when your next payment is due and update your details in advance. That way, you avoid missing payments. You could also log on to your new credit card account and look for the charge in your recent transactions. This way you know for a fact the payment has gone through.

Finder survey: How much do Australians usually pay off their credit card when they get a statement?

ResponseMaleFemale
All of the balance7.71%6.55%
The majority (more than 50%) of the balance3.57%1.9%
About half of the balance1.69%1.03%
Less than half of the balance1.13%0.34%
I only pay off my minimum repayment0.75%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1113 Australians, December 2023

Images: Getty

More guides on Finder

  • Finder Credit Card Report 2024

    Finder's Credit Card Report investigates the emerging consumer behaviours and industry trends in Australia's credit card market.

  • Credit cards for pensioners

    Learn how to apply for a credit card when you're retired or on a pension and compare cards to find one that suits your needs.

  • Credit Card Surcharges

    Compare the surcharges that you can expect when you pay with a credit card and pick up tips to avoid these extra fees.

  • You deserve the best credit card

    While there isn't one best credit card, you can find a card that suits your needs by comparing the features, deals and offers that are trending here.

  • Horizon Bank Visa Credit Card

    This low-cost card offers the same interest rate for all transactions and a $0 annual fee for life.

  • How long does it take to get a credit card?

    From submitting the application and getting approval to receiving the card in the mail, here's how long it takes to get a new credit card.

  • Easy credit cards to get approval for

    When you apply for a credit card online, you could receive a response within 60 seconds. Find out how you to find a card that you're eligible for and increase your chances of approval.

  • Custom credit card options in Australia

    As well as credit card companies that let you choose your design, there are stickers and covers that you can get to customise your card.

  • Credit card vs debit card

    While a credit card is linked with a line of credit, a debit card is connected to your own money. Compare the differences between the card types in this guide.

  • No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards

    Find out how you can keep your overseas spending costs down by comparing credit cards with no foreign transaction fees and no currency conversion fees.

Ask a Question

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and 6. Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

14 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    JohnJanuary 4, 2017

    Hi! 3yrs back I set-up a direct debit for a service. Though I attended the service, I was never really happy with the service and don’t really want to pay for it. The company also stopped contacting me regards to this matter.

    Even though, the company is a 1 person operated (pretty small) and also because I don’t wish to pay for it. Can they still affect me in any negative ways?

    John.

      AvatarFinder
      MayJanuary 4, 2017Finder

      Hi John,

      Thanks for your question.

      All your credit applications, payment defaults, credit enquiries, payment histories and even bankruptcy information are all listed on your credit file. So, if you have not paid your debts for whatsoever reason, they will be recorded on that file and that may have a negative effect on your rating.

      Usually, when you apply for any form of credit, the creditor will conduct an inquiry of your file. Whatever information they find from your file will most likely be considered in their decision whether to approve your application or not.

      If you wish to check your credit file, you have the option of signing up for a credit monitoring service or buying a one-off credit report.

      Cheers,
      May

    Default Gravatar
    LourieSeptember 18, 2015

    Are direct debits on credit cards considered purchases or cash advances for the purpose of interest charges?

      AvatarFinder
      JonathanSeptember 18, 2015Finder

      Hi Lourie, thanks for your inquiry!

      Generally direct debits are associated with bill payments and recurring cash advance transactions. The quickest method to determine whether your direct debit transaction is a purchase is to contact the merchant directly.

      Cheers,

      Jonathan

    Default Gravatar
    TrevhseJanuary 27, 2015

    I would like to set up a direct debit for a credit card as we will have a large amount of spending for the next six months but these payments may put us into credit on the card. Is this allowed?

      AvatarFinder
      JonathanJanuary 27, 2015Finder

      Hi Trevhse,

      Thanks for your inquiry,

      Direct debit payments via a credit card are possible if the merchant supports direct debit facility. Depending on the credit card lender the interest rate will vary for the direct debit transaction.

      I hope this helps,

      Jonathan

    Default Gravatar
    KateDecember 21, 2014

    I have been on the phone and have spoke to 8 different people from St George this week regarding the interest charges on my vertigo mastercard. Every single one of them said that I will be paying interest if I have not paid the closing balance. This is not what I was told when signing up for the card, and it is not what is stipulated on your website. I always make the minimum payment, going over it by about $300 per fortnight. I don’t know if the interest charges are from my gym membership which has been coming out of the credit card. I was never warned about this type of transaction and the fees that it would accrue.

    Furthermore, I have not received any phone calls from St George to say what the charges are from, which I would expect if it is a $22 membership, which I get charged $27 extra for. Not one of the customer service representatives could give me helpful information. I have their names, and I know which departments they work in if this is of any help.
    What should I do?

      AvatarFinder
      ElizabethDecember 22, 2014Finder

      Hi Kate,

      Thanks for your question.

      Interest will be applied on your St.George Vertigo card unless you pay the closing balance in full each statement period. If you’re unsure which transactions are costing you interest, it can help to take a look at your most recent statement and see the interest charges that are applied to your account. Any purchases you make will have the purchase rate of interest applied, while cash advances (which St.George defines as withdrawing cash using your card or transferring to and from other accounts you have with St.George) will have the cash advance rate applied.

      As for the $27 additional charge, this is something that you will need to sort out with St.George. You might want to take a look at the details of the process of resolving disputes with your card issuer.

      I hope this has helped.

      Thanks,

      Elizabeth

    Default Gravatar
    JjaymagsJuly 9, 2014

    Hi, I have just switched bank accounts which seemed to go ok …until now. I received a default letter from my credit card saying I was in arrears and missed my payment. When I called they said I cancelled it on a given date and advised me to contact my bank, which I did and they say the switch was ok and the direct debit is showing as live on their system. Who is at fault to reclaim costs from and how do I prove this as I have made several phone calls and they both say it isn’t their fault. Surely I must be able to get proof somewhere, after looking at my bank account it does show as active on the screen ???? Confused! Please help or advice :)

      AvatarFinder
      ShirleyJuly 10, 2014Finder

      Hi Jjaymags,

      Thanks for your question.

      You might want to call your credit card issuer to confirm what the problem is. If you’ve set up direct debit with your credit card, it could be that the numbers on the form were incorrect.

      Your credit card issuer should be able to provide a course of action; alternatively you could contact the Financial Services Ombudsman as both banks seem like they are unable to help.

      Cheers,
      Shirley

Go to site