Cheapest way of paying for Octopus

Chrysalis

Bendo said:

You can pay by variable direct debit and make a card payment once the bill is generated,  the DD won't be take that way.

That's what I do, I pay with Amex.

Nice idea, as they give 14 days notice.

kidwell25

So in the end I went for a £1 direct debit, then paying off the balance with a card each month to get cashback. It worked fine for the first few months but I recently received an email saying they're going to change me to a £54 direct debit.  Although I can amend that figure via my online account it's not letting me go below £48. Has anything similar happened to anyone else, and if so did you have any success in persuading them back to a (much!) lower figure over the phone? 

Gerry1

Sounds like you didn't go for a variable DD?

kidwell25

Gerry1 said:

Sounds like you didn't go for a variable DD?

Correct. I wanted to benefit from the preferential DD rate whilst also still getting cashback using my Chase debit card.

Gerry1

You can still get 1% Chase cashback with a variable DD.

Just make a top up payment when the statement is issued.  Make the top up £1 less once in a while to tickle the DD otherwise it may expire if it's not used for 13 months.

Chrysalis

They give you a long notice for the DD, so set variable DD, when they issue the bill, pay with the card, then no DD will be drawn.

superkoopauk

Worth mentioning that if you are on flexible Octopus then it would be cheaper to pay by PPM

kidwell25

Thanks everyone. At present my bill is generated on the 14th of the month, and I'd set my £1 DD to come out on the 21st. If I move to variable DD would that automatically change the payment date of any balance to 2 weeks after the bill issue date?

anonymousmackem

I have a DD for £5 a month & then I pay each monthly bill when it’s generated using my Chase account. Previously I was on PAYG with no DD (had to telephone them to request this). Only recently set up the £5 DD to qualify for Octoplus rewards which requires an active DD. 

molerat

kidwell25 said:

Thanks everyone. At present my bill is generated on the 14th of the month, and I'd set my £1 DD to come out on the 21st. If I move to variable DD would that automatically change the payment date of any balance to 2 weeks after the bill issue date?

Yes.............