CenturyLink do not give a grace period, so they must register the payment by close of business on the due date at the latest. Any payments after the due date expires will attract penalty fees.
Regardless of the payment method you use – whether by phone, in person, or online, CenturyLink will consider the payment as an ‘accepted pending settlement’, which will automatically put your account in good standing, with some exceptions resulting in registration of the payment on the next business day. However, late payments will attract interest based on the percentage of amounts due, a flat fee, or both, depending on the state you live in and the CenturyLink services you use.
How to avoid late fees
To avoid this issue, you must pay for your CenturyLink service by the date that is listed on your bill. There are various methods you can use to do so; the automated phone system and online methods are the fastest, while mailing takes the longest time as the payment registers in your account in around 7 to 10 days.
The other system you can use is AutoPay, which is a great and convenient method to avoid late fees as the process is automated. When using it, you will not need to worry about missed due dates and late fees, as you can set up the bill to pay automatically each month through your credit card, debit card, savings account, or checking account.
Tips to handle late payments
If you need to pay the bill quickly because you are close to the due date
If you are in a rush, the best choice is to pay your bill through the automated phone system or online to get the payment registered immediately. However, exceptions apply if you choose to pay on a federal holiday or weekend, paying on the phone through the assistance of a CenturyLink agent, or paying in person – in these cases, the payment will reflect on your account on the next business day.
If you cannot pay the entire bill at once
If you find yourself in a situation where it is not feasible to pay your whole CenturyLink bill at once, you are not alone – it is a common occurrence. Instead of avoiding paying the bill entirely and risk late penalty fees and turn off of your CenturyLink services, you can set up a payment arrangement system to split the payments into multiple installments.
When setting up the system, you can choose to pay through CenturyLink customer service representatives, or the automated phone system. regardless of the method, you can contact their customer care team, and they will figure out ways to work within your situation.
Additionally, AutoPay is a great method to help you avoid late fees, as it is CenturyLink’s automated payment service. Once you enroll on it, you will not need to worry about missed due dates or late fees, as money will be deducted automatically each month from your credit card, debit card, savings account, or checking account.
Summary of what happens when you miss your due bill date
What happens | What you can expect |
|---|---|
Late fees | This is a guarantee when your due date lapses. These will vary according to the specific CenturyLink service you use; and they can be a flat fee of $5, an interest that depends on the amount you owe, or both. |
CenturyLink contacting you | At the least, CenturyLink will contact you through mail if your due date lapses, as they will send you a notice. If you fail to make a payment on your account, they will reach you by phone calls. If you have installed the CenturyLink internet service, you might also get a ‘past due’ message on your computer screen when you attempt to connect to the internet. |
Disconnection of service | There is no set time between the bill due date lapsing and disconnection of service, as it depends on the state you live in – each state has a PUC (Public Utility Commission) that governs these activities. As a general rule, any unpaid account will be suspended first, then disconnected if no payment is made. When you complete paying your bill or any penalties involved, a suspended account is reactivated within 24 hours, while a disconnected account takes longer to reactivate as they will require a technician to physically come and reconnect the service. You may also need to pay a re-connection deposit fee. |
Conclusion
CenturyLink does not offer grace periods for late payments, although they offer some solutions you can explore to avoid getting lapses in payment due dates.
FAQs
Is there a grace period with CenturyLink?
No, there is no grace period. If you fail to pay the bill by close of the due date, you will automatically pay penalty fees that CenturyLink will calculate.
Does CenturyLink have a late fee?
Yes, they do, although there is no standard fee specified on their website as they will calculate it based on the services you use and where you live.
How long does CenturyLink give you to pay your bill?
The latest time to pay your CenturyLink bill is by close of business hours on your bill’s due date. You can schedule your payments within 30 days from the due date of your bill.
What happens if you pay your Internet bill late?
You will need to pay a penalty fee, although the specific amount will depend on how late the payment is made.
Can I pay CenturyLink with credit card?
Yes, CenturyLink accepts credit card payments, which include Discover, MasterCard, and VISA.
How much is CenturyLink late fee?
It is dependent on where you live or work, and the CenturyLink services you use. There is no standard late payment fee, as this can range between a flat $5 to a percentage of the amount you owe.
When does CenturyLink charge late fees?
This is immediately after your due date lapses, although the exact amount will depend on when you pay the bill.
Where can I pay my CenturyLink bill?
You can choose to pay it online, through the AutoPay system where you use your credit or debit card, savings accounts, or bank account, through mailing your payments, or doing so in person at any Western Union and CheckFreePay agent.