How to Pay Your PG&E Bill by Phone

Call PG&E's automated payment line to pay by phone

PG&E's phone payment system lets you pay your bill using a debit card, credit card, or bank account without logging into your online account. The automated system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not need to speak to a representative unless you have questions about your bill or account.

To pay by phone, call 1-800-743-5000. This is PG&E's main customer service number, and the automated system will route you to the payment option. Have your PG&E account number ready — it appears on your bill in the upper right corner. You will also need the payment method you want to use: a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover card, or a bank account for ACH transfer.

The system will ask you to enter your account number using your phone keypad, confirm the amount due, and provide payment details. The entire process usually takes three to five minutes. PG&E charges a fee for credit and debit card payments made by phone, but ACH bank transfers have no fee.

Key Takeaways

• Call 1-800-743-5000 to reach PG&E's automated payment line, which operates 24/7 without wait times for routine payments.
• Have your account number and payment method ready before calling to complete the transaction in a few minutes.
• Credit and debit card payments by phone include a fee, but ACH transfers from your bank account do not.
• Payments made before 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day usually post to your account the next business day.
• If you need to discuss your bill or have account questions, press the option to speak with a representative instead of using the automated payment system.

What payment methods PG&E accepts by phone

PG&E accepts three types of payment over the phone: credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers. Credit and debit cards include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The card payment option is fastest if you do not have your bank account information handy, but PG&E charges a convenience fee for this method.

Bank account transfers, also called ACH payments, draw money directly from your checking or savings account. This method has no fee and is the least expensive way to pay by phone. You will need your bank's routing number and your account number. Both appear on the bottom left of your checks, or you can contact your bank to confirm them.

PG&E does not accept payment by check, money order, or cash over the phone. If you prefer those methods, you can mail a payment to the address on your bill or pay in person at a PG&E payment location.

How long it takes for your payment to show up

Payments made by phone before 5 p.m. Pacific Time on a business day (Monday through Friday) usually post to your account the next business day. Payments made after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post on the next business day after that. PG&E counts a business day as any day except Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.

Even though the payment posts quickly, it may take a few days longer for the payment to reduce your balance on the bill you receive in the mail. This delay happens because PG&E's billing system and payment system do not update at the same time. If you are worried about a late payment, call customer service to confirm the payment was received.

Fees for paying your PG&E bill by phone

PG&E charges a convenience fee when you pay by credit card or debit card over the phone. The fee amount varies depending on your payment method and the total amount you are paying. PG&E does not publish the exact fee in advance, but it typically ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 percent of your payment amount.

ACH transfers from your bank account have no fee. If you want to avoid the convenience fee, set up an ACH payment instead. You can also pay without a fee by mailing a check, paying online through your PG&E account, or paying in person at a PG&E payment location or authorized retailer.

What to do if you cannot reach the payment line

If you call 1-800-743-5000 and the system is not working or you cannot complete your payment, try calling again in a few minutes. PG&E's phone system occasionally experiences brief outages, especially during peak hours in the early evening. If the problem continues, call back during a different time of day.

If you need to speak to a representative about a payment problem, stay on the line after the automated system starts and select the option to speak with a customer service agent. Wait times vary, but you may hold for 15 to 45 minutes during business hours. You can also pay online through your PG&E account at pge.com, which does not require a phone call and has no fee for ACH transfers.

Setting up automatic payments instead of calling each month

If you pay your PG&E bill every month, setting up automatic payments saves you the step of calling each time. You can set up automatic ACH payments through your PG&E account online or by calling customer service. Automatic payments deduct money from your bank account on a date you choose, usually around your bill due date.

Automatic ACH payments have no fee and reduce the risk of paying late by accident. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your online account or by calling 1-800-743-5000. If your bill amount changes significantly from month to month, you can set up automatic payments for a fixed amount instead of the full balance, or you can pay manually when the amount is unusual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee for paying my PG&E bill by phone?

Credit and debit card payments by phone include a convenience fee of roughly 1.5 to 2.5 percent of your payment. ACH bank account transfers have no fee. If you want to avoid the fee, pay by ACH transfer, mail a check, or pay online through your PG&E account.

Can I pay someone else's PG&E bill by phone?

Yes, but you will need their account number. The automated system does not ask for the account holder's name, only the account number. If you are paying for a family member or friend, ask them for their account number before you call.

What if I pay by phone but my bill still shows as unpaid?

Payments usually post within one business day, but it can take a few days for your bill statement to update. If more than three business days have passed since you paid, call customer service at 1-800-743-5000 to confirm the payment was received and processed.

Can I set up a payment plan by phone if I cannot pay the full amount?

The automated payment system only accepts full payments. To discuss a payment plan or partial payment, press the option to speak with a representative after calling 1-800-743-5000. A customer service agent can explain your options.

What time should I call to avoid long wait times?

The automated payment line has no wait time because you do not speak to a representative. If you need to speak with an agent, call early in the morning or late in the afternoon on a weekday to avoid peak hours, which are usually between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific Time.