What APS Pay Bill is and how to use it
APS Pay Bill is Arizona Public Service Company's online and phone system for paying your electric bill. You can pay a one-time bill, set up automatic payments, or make a partial payment without creating an account. Payments are processed the same day if you pay before 5 p.m. Arizona time on a business day, or the next business day if you pay after that time or on a weekend.
You do not need to be an APS customer to use APS Pay Bill — anyone can pay an APS bill for someone else if they have the account number and the amount due. The system accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. There is a fee for credit and debit card payments, but no fee for bank transfers or paying by phone with a checking or savings account.
APS Pay Bill is separate from setting up an APS account online. You can pay a bill through APS Pay Bill without logging into My APS, though if you have an account you can also pay through the main website or mobile app.
Key Takeaways
- APS Pay Bill processes same-day payments if submitted before 5 p.m. Arizona time on a business day, or the next business day otherwise.
- Credit and debit card payments carry a fee set by APS; bank account transfers have no fee.
- You can pay without an account if you have the APS account number and know the amount due.
- Payments made through APS Pay Bill do not automatically set up recurring payments — you must choose that option separately if you want it.
Payment methods and fees
APS Pay Bill accepts four payment methods: credit card, debit card, bank account (ACH transfer), and phone payment with a bank account. The fee structure depends on which you choose. Credit and debit card payments incur a fee that APS sets; the exact amount appears on the payment screen before you confirm. Bank account transfers through the website have no fee. Phone payments with a bank account also have no fee.
If you pay by phone, you will speak to an APS representative who takes your payment information over the phone. This method is free for bank account payments. Phone payments are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-844-277-4357.
One-time payments and automatic payments use the same payment methods and fee structure. If you set up automatic payments, the fee (if any) will be charged each time the payment processes.
Setting up automatic payments through APS Pay Bill
Automatic payments can be set up through APS Pay Bill or through your My APS account. When you set up automatic payments, you choose a payment date each month — this can be any day between the 1st and the 28th. APS will attempt to process the payment on that date. If the date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment processes on the next business day.
Automatic payments deduct the full amount due on your bill each month. You cannot set them to pay a fixed dollar amount — the payment adjusts with your bill. You can pause, change the payment date, or cancel automatic payments at any time through APS Pay Bill or My APS without penalty.
If a payment fails — for example, because your bank account has insufficient funds — APS will attempt to reprocess it. The number of retry attempts and the timing between them depend on the reason for the failure. You will receive a notice if a payment fails.
Processing times and when payments post to your account
Same-day processing applies only to payments submitted before 5 p.m. Arizona time on a business day (Monday through Friday, excluding APS holidays). If you pay after 5 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, the payment processes the next business day. Processing time means the payment leaves your account and enters APS's system, not that it appears on your bill when ready.
Once a payment is processed, it typically appears on your APS account within one to two business days. This delay exists because the payment must be matched to your account and recorded in APS's billing system. If you need to confirm a payment was received, you can check your APS account online or call APS customer service at 1-844-277-4357.
If you are paying to avoid a service disconnection, do not wait until the last day. APS may disconnect service if your bill is past due, and reconnection can take time and may involve a fee. Paying several days before the due date gives you a buffer in case of processing delays.
Paying a bill without an APS account
You do not need to create a My APS account to pay through APS Pay Bill. You will need the APS account number (a 10-digit number on the bill) and the amount due. The account number is printed at the top of your bill. If you do not have the bill, you can ask the account holder for the account number, or you can call APS at 1-844-277-4357 and provide the service address to look up the account number.
When you pay without an account, you enter the account number and amount, then choose your payment method. You will receive a confirmation number via email if you provide an email address. The payment will post to the APS account the same way as any other payment.
If you are paying someone else's bill regularly, you may want to create an account and add that account as an authorized payer. This lets you see the bill online and set up automatic payments without asking for the amount each month. To do this, you must contact APS and provide proof that the account holder has authorized you to manage the account.
Disputing a payment or handling payment errors
If a payment was processed twice, charged to the wrong account, or processed for the wrong amount, contact APS customer service at 1-844-277-4357. Have your confirmation number ready — this is the number you received when you made the payment. APS will investigate and issue a credit or refund if the error is confirmed.
If you believe a charge on your credit or debit card was unauthorized, contact your card issuer directly. Your card issuer can dispute the charge with APS and may issue a temporary credit while the dispute is investigated. APS will cooperate with your card issuer's investigation.
Refunds for overpayments are issued as a credit to your APS account, not as a direct refund to your payment method. If you have a credit balance on your account, APS will explore it to your next bill. If you want a refund check instead, you can request one from APS customer service, though this may take longer than a bill credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my APS bill with a prepaid card?
APS Pay Bill accepts any card with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo, including prepaid cards. Prepaid cards are treated as debit cards and will incur the standard debit card fee. Make sure your prepaid card has sufficient funds and that the card is not expired or blocked.
What happens if I pay late?
APS considers a payment late if it is not received by the due date on your bill. Late payments do not trigger an when ready disconnection, but they may result in a late fee added to your next bill. If your account becomes significantly past due, APS may issue a disconnection notice. Paying as soon as you can stops the accumulation of late fees and prevents disconnection.
Can I set up automatic payments for a partial amount?
No. Automatic payments through APS Pay Bill deduct the full amount due each month. If you want to pay a fixed amount each month, you must make one-time payments manually. Some customers use this approach to spread payments across the month or to pay a set amount toward their bill.
Is APS Pay Bill the same as the APS mobile app?
APS Pay Bill is a standalone payment system accessible through the web or by phone. The APS mobile app includes APS Pay Bill's functionality but also lets you view your bill, track usage, and manage your account. Both systems process payments the same way and use the same fee structure.
What if I need a receipt for my payment?
APS sends a confirmation email when you complete a payment through APS Pay Bill. This email includes your confirmation number, the amount paid, and the payment date. You can print this email as a receipt. If you did not receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder or call APS customer service to request a payment receipt.