Plastiq Review: How to Pay Business Expenses with a Credit Card

Are you sitting on a mountain of business expenses – rent, inventory, taxes, or contractor fees – that refuse to accept credit cards? In the world of business finance, cash is king, but credit is leverage. For years, savvy entrepreneurs have looked for a “holy grail” that allows them to pay their overhead with a card to earn massive travel rewards and keep cash in the bank longer.

Enter Plastiq.

In this comprehensive Plastiq review, we’ll dive into how this platform serves as a bridge between your credit card and vendors who only accept ACH or checks. Whether you’re trying to hit a massive sign-up bonus or simply need to bridge a 30-day cash flow gap, we’ll analyze if Plastiq’s 2026 features and fees make sense for your bottom line.

The Cash Flow Friction: Why Business Owners are Stuck

Most small business owners face a frustrating paradox. You have a high-limit business credit card with a 2% cash-back rate or 3x travel points, yet your most significant expenses, often totaling $10,000 to $50,000 a month, must be paid via bank transfer.

According to recent 2025 financial reports, nearly 62% of B2B vendors still prefer ACH or paper checks to avoid merchant processing fees. This leaves you, the payer, with:

• Stagnant Capital: Your cash leaves your account immediately.
• Missed Rewards: You lose out on thousands of dollars in annual travel or cash-back value.
• Rigid Timelines: You are at the mercy of your bank balance on the 1st of the month.

Plastiq aims to solve this by acting as the “middleman.” You pay Plastiq via your credit card; Plastiq sends a check or ACH to your vendor. But with a base fee of 2.99%, the real question is: Is the math in your favor?

How Plastiq Works: From Plastic to Paper

The beauty of Plastiq lies in its simplicity. You don’t need your landlord or supplier to sign up for anything. They receive a payment that looks exactly like a standard check or electronic transfer.

1. Add Your Card: Link any major card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover).
2. Add a Recipient: Enter the name and address (for checks) or bank details (for ACH/Wires) of who you want to pay.
3. Submit Payment: Plastiq charges your card for the principal amount plus their service fee.
4. Delivery: Plastiq delivers the funds. In 2026, delivery speeds have improved, with ACH transfers often landing in 1–3 business days.

The 2026 Fee Structure

As of early 2026, Plastiq has updated its pricing to reflect the current inflationary environment and card network costs.

• Credit/Debit Card Base Fee: 2.99%
• Bank Transfer (ACH) Funding: 0% (Used primarily for their AP automation tools)
• Check Delivery Fee: $1.49
• Domestic Wire: $8.99
• International Wire: $39.00

Why Top CFOs Use Plastiq (The Strategy)

It might seem counterintuitive to pay a 2.99% fee to pay a bill. However, strategic finance isn’t just about the fee – git’s about the Cost of Capital.

1. Unlocking “The Float”

When you pay a $10,000 invoice via Plastiq on the first day of your credit card billing cycle, you don’t actually have to “pay” that money back to the bank for roughly 45–55 days (depending on your statement’s grace period). This provides an interest-free short-term loan that is significantly cheaper than a high-interest business line of credit or a merchant cash advance.

2. Hitting “Sign-Up Bonuses” (SUBs)

This is the most popular “hack” for Plastiq users. Many premium business cards require you to spend $15,000 in three months to earn 150,000+ points. If your normal spending isn’t high enough, one or two rent payments through Plastiq can bridge that gap.

Example: Paying $15,000 through Plastiq costs $448.50 in fees. However, a 150,000-point bonus can be worth over $3,000 in business class travel, netting you a profit of over $2,500.

3. Tax Deductibility

For registered businesses, the Plastiq processing fee is often considered a necessary business expense (similar to a bank fee or interest). This means you can likely write off the 2.99% fee, effectively lowering the “real” cost of the transaction by your marginal tax rate.

Mastering Plastiq in 2026

For a visual walkthrough of the dashboard and a deep dive into the “Points vs. Fees” math, we recommend this authoritative guide:

Channel: The Digital Merchant

This video is essential for any business owner deciding whether Plastiq is the right fit for their financial workflow. It provides:

• Dashboard Walkthrough: See the exact interface of the Plastiq dashboard, including the “Inbox” and “Payments” folders, which allow you to review invoices and set up vendor payments with a single click [01:05].
• Unique Financing Options: The guide highlights a key advantage Plastiq has over competitors: the ability to apply for short-term financing directly through your “Wallet” tab, providing a decision in minutes [05:14].
• Vendor Network Advantage: Learn how Plastiq’s robust network allows you to search for existing companies (like Amazon) to add as vendors instantly, significantly reducing manual data entry [03:21].
• Direct Fee Comparison: The video breaks down the cost of bank transfers (ACH) at $0.99 [07:49], helping you calculate the exact “break-even” point when compared to other market leaders.

Plastiq vs. The Competition: A 2026 Comparison

Critical Considerations: The “Fine Print”

Before you start charging every bill to your card, there are a few “gotchas” to keep in mind:

• Visa/Amex Restrictions: Some card issuers restrict certain types of payments. For instance, Visa and Amex often prohibit using their cards for mortgage payments via third-party processors, though rent is usually allowed.
• The “Cash Advance” Risk: If a payment isn’t coded correctly, a bank might treat it as a cash advance (which carries high interest and no grace period). Plastiq has built-in protections to warn you if a payment might trigger this, but always double-check your first small transaction.
• Timing is Key: While Plastiq is faster than it used to be, don’t wait until the day a bill is due. Always allow 5–7 business days for a check to arrive to avoid late fees.

How to Start Using Plastiq Today

If you’re ready to stop leaving points on the table and start leveraging your credit, here is your 3-step action plan:

1. Audit Your Expenses: Identify one recurring “non-card” expense (Rent, Inventory, or Taxes) where the rewards or cash-flow benefit outweighs the 2.99% fee.
2. Verify Your Card Multipliers: Ensure the card you use earns at least 1.5% to 2% back to offset the fee.
3. Run a Test Payment: Start with a smaller invoice ($500–$1,000) to get a feel for the delivery timeline before committing to a massive tax payment.

Expert Quote: “In a high-interest environment, the ability to extend your accounts payable by 50 days for a flat 3% fee is often the cheapest capital available to a growing business. Plastiq isn’t just a payment tool; it’s a cash flow management strategy.” Jordan Miller, Senior Finance Strategist.

People Also Asked (FAQ)

Is Plastiq safe for large business payments?

Yes. Plastiq is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant and uses bank-grade encryption. They have processed over $100 billion in transactions.

Can I pay my taxes with Plastiq?

Absolutely. Many business owners use Plastiq to pay quarterly estimated taxes. It is often a more user-friendly interface than the official IRS payment portals.

Does Plastiq work for international vendors?

Yes, Plastiq supports international wires to over 45 countries, though an additional $39 wire fee typically applies.

What happens if my payment is late?

Plastiq offers a “Payment Guarantee” for certain delivery methods, but the best practice is to schedule payments at least 8 days in advance.