What Discover Make Payment does
Discover Make Payment is Discover Bank's online tool that lets you send money to people or businesses outside the Discover system. If you have a Discover checking or savings account, you can use it to pay your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, contractors, or anyone else who doesn't bank with Discover. The money moves from your Discover account to theirs, usually within one to three business days.
This is different from paying someone who also has a Discover account — that's faster and free. Make Payment is for when the person you're paying uses a different bank entirely. You'll need their bank routing number and account number to set it up, and Discover charges a fee for each transfer.
Key Takeaways
- Discover Make Payment sends money from your Discover account to any bank account at any U.S. financial institution for a flat fee per transfer.
- You need the recipient's full name, bank routing number, and account number to set up a payment.
- Transfers typically take one to three business days, so plan ahead if you have a due date.
- You can schedule payments in advance, set up recurring payments for regular bills, or send a one-time payment whenever you need to.
- Discover charges a fee for each Make Payment transfer; transfers between Discover accounts are free.
When to use Make Payment instead of other options
Make Payment works best when you're paying a bill to someone who doesn't offer online bill pay through Discover, or when you want to avoid giving out your checking account number to a third party. Many mortgage servicers, property management companies, and contractors accept bank transfers but don't have their own payment portals.
If your mortgage servicer or utility company has a bill pay option through their own website, that's often faster and sometimes free. Check their website first. But if they only accept checks, automatic bank drafts, or transfers from any bank, Make Payment is a straightforward way to send the money without writing a check or calling them.
Make Payment is also useful if you want to keep a record of payments within your Discover account. Every transfer shows up in your transaction history with the date, amount, and recipient name, which can help you track what you've paid and when.
How to set up a Make Payment transfer
Log into your Discover account online or through the mobile app. Look for the "Pay & Transfer" or "Transfers" section — the exact name varies depending on your account type. Select "Make Payment" or "Pay Someone Else."
You'll enter the recipient's information: their full name, the bank they use, their routing number, and their account number. If you're not sure of the routing number, you can search for it on the recipient's bank website or ask them directly. Double-check the account number especially — if it's wrong, the money may go to the wrong account or be rejected.
Next, enter the amount and choose when you want the payment to go out. You can send it immediately (it will process the next business day) or schedule it for a future date. If you're paying a bill with a due date, schedule it to arrive a day or two before the deadline to account for processing time.
Review all the details one more time before confirming. Once you submit, you'll see a confirmation number. Save this or take a screenshot — you'll need it if you ever need to dispute or cancel the payment.
Timing and how long transfers take
Make Payment transfers are not instant. Discover processes the payment the next business day after you submit it, and then the receiving bank takes another one to two business days to deposit it into the recipient's account. In total, expect one to three business days from the time you hit submit until the money appears on the other end.
Weekends and bank holidays add time. If you submit a payment on Friday evening, Discover won't process it until Monday, and the receiving bank won't receive it until Tuesday or Wednesday. If you have a bill due on the 15th, submit your payment by the 12th or 13th to be safe.
Some recipients, like mortgage servicers, may have their own cutoff times for same-day posting. Check their website or call them to ask what time they stop accepting payments each day. If you miss their cutoff, your payment might not post until the next business day, which could trigger a late fee even though you sent the money on time.
Fees and costs
Discover charges a fee for each Make Payment transfer. The exact amount depends on your account type and Discover's current pricing — check your account or call Discover to confirm the current fee. This fee is deducted from your Discover account at the time you submit the payment.
If you're paying a bill every month, those fees add up. For example, if you pay your mortgage through Make Payment and the fee is $1.50 per transfer, that's $18 per year. Some people choose to set up automatic payments directly through their mortgage servicer instead to avoid the fee, or they use a different payment method.
Transfers between two Discover accounts are free, so if both you and the recipient bank with Discover, use that option instead. Transfers to other banks always carry a fee.
Setting up recurring payments
If you pay the same person or business the same amount every month, you can set up a recurring Make Payment. Instead of manually submitting a payment each time, Discover will automatically send it on the schedule you choose — weekly, biweekly, monthly, or on a custom schedule.
To set up a recurring payment, follow the same steps as a one-time payment, but look for an option to repeat or schedule it. You'll choose the frequency and an end date (or leave it open-ended if it's a permanent bill). Discover will send the payment automatically on that schedule until you cancel it.
Recurring payments are convenient, but make sure you have enough money in your account each time the payment goes out. If your account doesn't have sufficient funds, the payment may fail or overdraft. You can edit or cancel a recurring payment anytime through your Discover account.
What to do if a payment fails or goes to the wrong account
If a Make Payment transfer fails — usually because the account number was wrong or the receiving bank rejected it — Discover will return the money to your account within a few business days. You'll see a notification in your account explaining why it failed. The fee you paid for the transfer may or may not be refunded; check your account or contact Discover.
If the payment went to the wrong account because you entered the wrong account number, contact Discover right away with your confirmation number. Discover can try to recall the payment, but success depends on whether the receiving bank has already processed it. The sooner you report it, the better your chances.
If a payment was sent correctly but your recipient says they never received it, ask them to check their bank account and transaction history. Sometimes payments post under a different name or description than expected. If it truly didn't arrive after three business days, contact Discover with your confirmation number and the recipient's bank information so they can investigate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Make Payment after I've submitted it?
It depends on timing. If you cancel before Discover processes it (usually the next business day), the payment won't go out and you'll get the fee refunded. Once Discover has processed it and sent it to the receiving bank, you generally cannot cancel it. Contact Discover immediately if you need to cancel — the sooner you act, the better your chances.
Is Make Payment safe?
Make Payment is as safe as any bank transfer. Your Discover account is protected by the same security and fraud protections as any other bank account. The main risk is entering the wrong account number and sending money to the wrong person. Always double-check the recipient's routing and account numbers before submitting.
Can I use Make Payment to pay someone outside the United States?
No. Make Payment only works for U.S. bank accounts. If you need to send money internationally, you'll need to use a wire transfer, international money transfer service, or another method. Contact Discover for options.
What if I don't know the recipient's routing number?
Ask the recipient directly — they can find it on their checks, bank statement, or by logging into their bank's website. You can also search online for "[Bank Name] routing number" and the city where their branch is located. Make sure you have the correct routing number for their specific bank and branch before submitting the payment.
Can I set up Make Payment to pay my credit card bill?
If your credit card is with a different bank than Discover, yes — you can use Make Payment to send money to that card's bank account. However, most credit card issuers have their own payment portals that are faster and free. Check your credit card statement or website for a payment option before using Make Payment.