Pays Credit Card Bills Online

You can streamline the dreary process of paying credit card bills by doing it online. All it takes is to open up an online checking account with your credit card company. Call the toll-free number on the back of your credit card to find out whether the company offers online payment programs. Check out www.onlinebankingreport.com, which lists 100 online banks, many of which offer credit cards as well as checking and savings accounts. Check out www.norwest.com and www.chase.com, both of which offer demonstrations that will show you how online banking transactions can work.

Check with your credit-card company to see whether it offers checking accounts and online payment programs. If so, request that you be mailed a sign-up sheet for a checking account.

Open a checking account with the credit card company, mailing a check from an existing bank account plus the sign-up forms.

Go to the company's Web site. Sign up for a password that will enable you to conduct banking transactions online.

Using your password, access your new checking account.

Transfer funds from the checking account to the credit card account.

Verify the accuracy of your entry before you close the transaction.

Update your checkbook to reflect the transaction.

Ensure your next credit card statement accurately reflects the online payment.