Chexy: Is It Worth It for Paying Bills by Credit Card?

Chexy offers Canadians an appealing workaround: Use a credit card to pay large bills that usually do not earn rewards, like rent or taxes, and collect points or cash back in the process.

The catch is that opportunity is not free. Chexy charges a processing fee, so the real question is not whether you can use it, but whether doing so gets you ahead.

Chexy is worth considering if you want to earn rewards on large bills that are not always easy or practical to pay directly with a credit card, especially recurring expenses like rent or taxes.

It tends to make the most sense in three situations:

It is less compelling when your card earns only modest rewards. In that case, the fee can cancel out much — or all — of the upside.

Chexy is a third-party payment platform that acts as the middleman between your credit card and a payee that would not normally accept card payments.

Instead of paying your landlord, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), or another biller directly by credit card, you charge the payment to your card through Chexy. Chexy then sends the money onward through e-Transfer, bill payment or pre-authorized debit.

In practical terms, Chexy turns bills that are usually “dead spend” into credit-card spend. That is the appeal. However, whether it is worth it comes down to the math.

You set up the bill, choose the payout method and add the credit card you want to use. Chexy charges your card about four business days before the bill is due, and the recipient receives the payment as they normally would.

From the recipient’s perspective, not much changes. Your landlord, the CRA or your utility provider does not need to start accepting credit cards directly. Chexy handles the routing for you.

That convenience is part of the draw. It lets you move more monthly spending onto a rewards card without asking the payee to change anything on their end.

What Chexy costs

This is the key tradeoff, and it depends on the type of credit card you use.

That fee is not a minor detail. It is the entire reason Chexy can be useful for some people and a poor deal for others.

Example: When the math is rewarding

Suppose you pay $2,000 in rent through Chexy. At a 1.75% fee, that payment would cost $35.

If your credit card rewards are worth about 1% back, you would earn about $20 in value, leaving you $15 behind.

If your rewards are worth about 2% back, you would earn roughly $40, putting you about $5 ahead.

That gap is the whole story. The closer your rewards value gets to or exceeds the fee, the easier it is to justify Chexy.

The math can look better when a large payment helps you earn a welcome bonus. For example, if you are trying to unlock a $500 bonus and putting a large bill on your card helps you get there, paying a $35 fee could be a reasonable trade-off.

» MORE: Can I pay rent with a credit card?

Chexy's extra perks and promotions

Chexy also offers partner deals that can enhance the value proposition. Right now:

Promotions like these are a useful sweetener, but they should not be the main reason you sign up. The core fee-to-rewards math needs to work in your favour first.

Chexy is most useful for large, unavoidable bills, such as rent. Taxes are another. Utilities, insurance, tuition and childcare can also be worth considering if you have a strong rewards card and a clear reason for putting that spending on it.

For some users, the value is straightforward: Earn rewards on bills that would otherwise earn nothing.

For others, the bigger appeal is strategic. A large payment can help you hit a minimum spending requirement for a welcome bonus or give you more short-term flexibility over how and when you pay.

Chexy works best when the bill is large enough for the upside to matter and your card is strong enough to justify the fee.

When Chexy makes less sense

Chexy is harder to justify if your card earns only a modest flat rate or if you are carrying a balance.

Paying a fee to earn rewards can sometimes make sense. Paying a fee and then paying interest on top of it does not. That is never worth it.

It also makes less sense for smaller or inconsistent bills when no real strategy is involved. In those cases, Chexy can become an expensive way to earn very little.

For example, using Chexy to pay a $150 utility bill at a 1.75% fee would cost about $2.63. That may not sound like much, but the rewards on that purchase could be minimal with a lower-earning card. Over time, small fees can add up faster than the value you get back.

The best credit card for Chexy is not always the one with the flashiest earn rate. It is the one that still leaves enough value after the fee.

For smaller monthly bill amounts, a cash-back card can make the most sense. If the earn rate is high enough, it may do enough to offset more of Chexy’s 1.75% fee and leave you with a modest net gain.

For larger monthly bill amounts, that advantage can fade. Once a card’s bonus categories stop applying or spending caps start limiting your return, Chexy’s fee takes a bigger bite out of the value you get back. At that point, premium travel cards may become more competitive.

How to decide

A simple way to think about it:

You also do not need to treat Chexy as a one-card strategy. In some cases, it may make more sense to spread payments across cards, especially if you are trying to avoid spending caps or hit a bonus on a new account.

» MORE: How many credit cards should I have?

You can use Chexy’s own calculator to see how much different Canadian credit cards could earn when paired with Chexy. Here are a few of our favorites, with estimates based on $4000 in monthly expenses.

How much could you earn with $4000 in monthly expenses?

$390 per year in Rewards

Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card

5.0

NerdWallet rating

APPLY NOW

on Scotiabank's website

Annual fee

$120

Waived first year

Interest rates

20.99% / 22.99%

Intro offer

Up to $200

Recommended credit score700-900

Rewards breakdown

4%

Cash back on every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.

2%

Cash back on every $1 you spend on gas purchases, daily transit purchases, and food delivery.

1%

Cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.

NerdWallet's take

You can earn a lot of cash back with this card if you max out the spending categories — for example, get up to $1,000 back each year when you spend $25,000 on groceries and recurring payments. The catch: Cash back is only deposited into your account once a year, in November, and the $120 annual fee is higher-than-average for a cash-back card. Best for: Big spenders on groceries and gas who don’t mind reaping their rewards annually.

Pros

• High 4% cash-back rate on groceries.
• Comprehensive insurance coverage included.

Cons

• Can only redeem cash back once a year.

Card details

• Earn 10% cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months (up to $2,000 in total purchases).¹
• No annual fee in the first year, including on additional cards.¹
• 4% for every $1 you spend on grocery store purchases, recurring bill payments, and subscription purchases.
• 2% for every $1 you spend on gas purchases and daily transit purchases.
• 1% cash back on all other purchases with no cash back limit.
• New! 2% Cash Back on Food delivery
• New! Cash Back Anytime feature: Redeem your Cash Back anytime ($25.00 minimum required) instead of having to wait for an annual payout in November.
• Visa Infinite* Concierge Services
• Visa Infinite* Hotel Collection
• Visa Infinite* Dining and Wine Country program
• Comprehensive Travel Insurance & New Mobile Device Insurance coverage
• Rates, fees and other information are effective as of October 31, 2025. Subject to change.
• *See Card Provider's website and Card Application for complete card details, terms and current offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accuracy of information.

$360 per year in Rewards

CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card

4.8

NerdWallet rating

Annual fee

$599

Annual fee rebate available

Interest rates

20.99% / 22.99%

Intro offer

Up to 110,000 Points

Recommended credit score760-900

Rewards breakdown

2x

Points on Air Canada purchases.

1.5x

Points on gas & electric vehicle charging.

1.5x

Points on groceries.

1.5x

Points on travel.

1.5x

Points on dining.

1.25x

Points on other purchases.

NerdWallet's take

This top-shelf Aeroplan card is stacked with perks, including up to 2x points on eligible purchases, unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority airport services and more. The hefty annual fee and high income criteria place it firmly in premium territory. Best for: Air Canada loyalists who can make the most of top-tier travel benefits to offset this card’s sizable annual fee.

Pros

• Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge visits, plus six complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program passes annually.
• Free checked bags.
• Priority check in, boarding and baggage handling.

Cons

• Steep $599 annual fee.
• $150,000 individual or $200,000 household annual income requirement.

Card details

• Get up to 110,000 Points: You’ll receive 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase, another 30,000 points if you spend $6,000 or more during your first four monthly statement periods, and 60,000 more points as an additional anniversary bonus if you have at least $25,000 in net eligible purchases posted on your account during the first 12 monthly statement periods. This offer only applies to newly approved card accounts.
• 2x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases, including Air Canada Travel Vacations.
• 1.5x Aeroplan points on gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel and dining, up to annual $100,000 spend.
• 1.25x Aeroplan points on other purchases.
• Earn points twice by providing your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and over 170 online retailers through the Aeroplan eStore.
• Points can be redeemed for flights, car rentals and hotel stays, as well as complete vacation packages like cruises and all-inclusive resort visits. Points can also be redeemed for gift cards and merchandise sold through the Aeroplan eStore.
• $599 annual fee, which can be reduced by up to $139 each year if you have a CIBC Smart Plus account.
• An annual Worldwide Companion Pass, worth up to $599, to any destination in the world that Air Canada flies when you spend $25,000 on your card.
• Exclusive access to Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Program, Visa Infinite Dining Series and the Visa Infinite Wine Country Program.
• Reach Aeroplan Elite status sooner by earning 1,000 Status Qualifying miles and one Status Qualifying segment for every $5,000 you spend on eligible purchases.
• Save up to 25% on car rentals at participating Avis and Budget locations.
• Authorized users can access travel benefits when travelling without you by linking their Aeroplan number.
• Access to CIBC Pace It, an installment plan designed to help you pay off large or unexpected purchases over time at a lower interest rate.
• 13 types of insurance provided, including 31-day travel medical benefits (10 days if you’re 65 or older on your departure date) — worth up to $5 million in coverage per insured person.
• Preferred rates: 20.99% for purchases, 22.99% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, $150,000 (individual) or $200,000 (household) annual income is required. You must be a Canadian resident who has reached the age of majority in your province or territory and who hasn’t made a bankruptcy claim in the last seven years.
• The information for the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

$360 per year in Rewards

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card

4.8

NerdWallet rating

APPLY NOW

on TD's website

Annual fee$599

Interest rates

21.99% / 22.99%

Intro offer

Up to 85,000 Points

Recommended credit scoreN/A

Rewards breakdown

2x

Points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®).

1.5x

Points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining purchases.

1.25x

Points† for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with your Card.

NerdWallet's take

This card offers premium travel perks at top dollar. You get comprehensive travel insurance, annual $99 companion passes, unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges, six annual lounge passes via the Visa Airport Companion Program, priority airport services, NEXUS rebates and more. But not everyone will be able to afford the annual fee, nor meet the steep income requirement. Best for: Frequent Air Canada travellers with a big budget looking for premium perks at the airport.

Pros

• Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge visits, plus six complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program passes annually.
• Priority airport services.
• Annual $99 companion pass.

Cons

• Steep $599 annual fee.
• High $150,000 minimum income requirement.

Card details

• Up to $3,000 in value† including up to 85,000 Aeroplan points† could be yours. Conditions Apply.
• Earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card†.
• Earn an additional 35,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 180 days of Account opening†.
• Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $24,000 within 12 months of Account opening†.
• Offer may be changed, withdrawn, or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise indicated.
• Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®).
• Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining purchases.
• Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with your Card.
• Earn points twice when you pay with your Card and provide your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and at 200+ online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore (www.aeroplan.com/estore).
• Earn more at Starbucks: Link your eligible Card to earn 50% more Aeroplan points plus more Starbucks Stars. Redeem points for even more Stars. Conditions apply.  
• Apply for the NEXUS program membership and once every 48 months get a partial application fee rebate (up to $100 CAD)†.
• Share first free checked bags with up to 8 travel companions†, and get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges† including complementary access for one guest.
• Plus, primary cardholders get 6 complimentary worldwide select airport lounge visits annually through the Visa Airport Companion Program†.
• Get an annual round-trip companion pass from $99 (plus taxes, fees, charges and surcharges)†.
• Get access to Priority Airport Services† like Priority Boarding, Priority Baggage Handling, and Priority Airport Standby & Priority Airport Upgrades†.
• Travel Medical Insurance†: Up to $5 million of coverage for the first 31 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
• To be eligible, $150,000 annual personal income or $200,000 household annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
• †Terms and conditions apply.
• This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
• The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.

$120 per year in Rewards

RBC Avion Visa Infinite

4.9

NerdWallet rating

APPLY NOW

on RBC's website

Annual fee$120

Interest rates

20.99% / 22.99%

Intro offer

Up to 55,000 Points

Recommended credit score725-900

Rewards breakdown

1.25x

Points on eligible travel-related purchases

1x

Points on everything else.

NerdWallet's take

The RBC Avion Visa Infinite simplifies reward accrual with 1 Avion point per $1 spent and boosted rates of 1.25x on travel purchases. A broad swath of insurance coverage, paired with value-adding extras like gas, car rental and food delivery discounts, makes this a well-rounded card for travellers. Best for: Travellers who want flexible rewards points and built-in travel protections.

Pros

• Car rental discounts of up to 20% at Hertz.
• Fuel discounts of 3 cents per litre at Petro-Canada.

Cons

• No airport lounge access.
• Highest earn rate only applies to travel spending.

Card details

• Get up to 55,000 Avion points¹ (max travel value of $1,100†), that’s up to 3 round trip flights^. Get 35,000 Welcome Points on approval and 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months¹. Apply by June 15, 2026.
• Earn 1 Avion point for every dollar you spend* and an extra 25% on eligible travel purchases.
• Avion Visa Infinite Cardholders can book flights with points on any airline, on any flight, at any time, early or last minute, with no blackout periods or restrictions.
• Avion Visa Infinite Cardholders earn points that never expire so your points will be waiting for your next adventure.
• Redeem your points for travel and more. Use points for anything from paying bills and paying your card balance to redeeming for Gift Cards and Merchandise at top brands like Apple. The Avion Rewards program gives you the freedom of choice to use your points your way, and helps you make the most as an Avion Visa Infinite Cardholder.
• Eligible Avion Rewards members can also convert points to other loyalty programs including WestJet dollars, British Airways Avios points and Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.
• Link your RBC card with a Petro-Points membership to instantly save 3₵ per litre on fuel at Petro-Canada stations and earn 20% more Petro-Points and 20% more Avion points.
• Link your RBC card with a Rexall Be Well account and get 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall. Redeem Be Well points faster for savings in store on eligible purchases where 25,000 Be Well points = $10.
• Get access to RBC offers which provides access to earn points faster at specified brands.
• Extensive insurance including: mobile device insurance, travel insurance (trip cancellation, interruption and emergency medical) and other eligible purchases to protect you and your family.
• Avion Visa Infinite Cardholders get access to luxury Visa Infinite benefits including first in line for exclusive events, and hotel and dining benefits.
• Avion Visa Infinite Cardholders no longer need 14-days to book travel using the RBC grid.
• Add your credit card to your DoorDash account and get a free 12 monthly DashPass subscription¹⁶
• Enjoy unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.
• Corresponding legal references and product terms are available on the RBC website, which will be available and agreed upon in the customer onboarding process.

$360 per year in Rewards

American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card

5.0

NerdWallet rating

APPLY NOW

on American Express' website

Annual fee$599

Interest rates

21.99% / 21.99%

Intro offer

Up to 85,000 Points

Recommended credit score660-724

Rewards breakdown

3x

Points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.

2x

Points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada.

1.25x

Points on on everything else.

NerdWallet's take

This top-shelf Aeroplan card offers 3x points on purchases made with Air Canada — the highest Aeroplan earn rate on the market. Comprehensive insurance coverage, annual companion passes and priority airport services add to the luxe factor, but the hefty $599 annual fee may be more than some cardholders are willing to spend. Best for: Air Canada enthusiasts who want to maximize their Aeroplan point accumulation.

Pros

• Up to 3x points on eligible dollars spent.
• Free Maple Leaf Lounge access, plus a complimentary Priority Pass membership.
• Free checked bags.
• Priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.

Cons

• Steep $599 annual fee.
• Priority airport services only apply to Air Canada itineraries.
• Pay-per use rates apply to Priority Pass lounges.

Card details

• New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points.
• Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months.
• Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in purchases in month 13
• You could earn up to $4,400 in value within your first 13 months. When you combine the Welcome Bonus offer of up to $1,700 in value, your earn potential in accelerated and everyday spend earn rate categories with approximately $1,760 in value, and the $1,000 in value you get from exceptional benefits, you can earn up to $4,400 or more in value within your first 13 months. Terms and usage assumptions apply.
• Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Enjoy even more at over 300,000 hotel properties worldwide
• Receive up to $100 CAD in statement credits every four years when a NEXUS application or renewal fee is charged to your American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
• Highest Air Canada earn rate on an Aeroplan payment card in Canada: Earn 3X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®*.
• Standard Earn Rate: Earn 2X the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada and earn 1.25X the points on everything else.
• Get through the airport quicker with Air Canada Priority Check-In, Air Canada Priority Boarding and Air Canada Priority Baggage Handling.
• Receive one Annual Worldwide Companion Pass when you spend $25,000 in net purchases prior to your Card anniversary date; your Pass entitles you to buy an accompanying Air Canada economy class ticket for a companion at a fixed base fare from $99 to a maximum of $599 CAD (plus taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges)
• Enjoy access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges™* and Air Canada Café™ in North America for you and a guest, with a same day ticket on a departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flight.
• Enjoy your eligible first checked bag free for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada flights.
• Get a 10% Head Start. Starting in 2027, eligible Basic Cardmembers with Aeroplan Elite™* Status will receive a 10% head start toward qualification, based on Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) accumulated the year before. Roll over any unallocated unused eUpgrade Credits to the following year to enjoy during your travels
• Get access to more than 1,200 Priority Pass™ airport lounges and enjoy an oasis of comfort before your flight, regardless of your airline or cabin class.
• Amex Experiences™ opens doors for you to access a number of special events, including special dining experiences, VIP parties, advance film screenings and more
• Get more from your travel experience at Toronto Pearson International Airport with:
• Access to Pearson Priority Security Lane
• Complimentary valet service at the Express Park and Daily Park
• 15% discount on parking rates at the Express Park and Daily Park
• 15% discount on Car Care Services
• Insurance Coverage: whether you’re shopping nearby or travelling abroad, you can feel confident knowing you can be taken care of.
• American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card is made from precision cut and engraved 13g metal – it’s the perfect companion on your next exceptional journey
• American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Chexy gives Canadians a way to earn rewards on bills that can't be paid by credit card. That can make sense for rent, taxes and other large recurring expenses, especially if you have a strong rewards card, are working toward a welcome bonus or place real value on the added flexibility.

But the fee is not a footnote. It is the deciding factor of whether or not Chexy is worth it for you.

If the rewards, bonus value or convenience clearly outweigh the cost, Chexy can be a smart workaround. If not, it is probably just an expensive way to pay a bill.