How to pay your Sears credit card through the online portal
You can pay your Sears credit card bill online through Sears' customer portal. Log in with your account number and password, then select the payment option to enter how much you want to pay and which bank account or debit card to draw from. The payment processes when ready, though it may take one to two business days to show on your account.
Sears credit cards are issued by Citibank, so you have two main routes: pay through Sears' own website or through Citi's payment system. Most cardholders find the Sears route simpler because it's built into the same login they use to check their balance.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Sears account on the Sears website or mobile app using your card number and password to reach the payment screen.
- You can pay from a checking or savings account via ACH transfer, or from a debit card, and the payment posts within one to two business days.
- One-time payments and automatic recurring payments are both available through the Sears portal.
- If you cannot access the Sears website, you can also pay through Citi's payment system or by phone at the number on the back of your card.
Steps to make a one-time payment online
Start by going to the Sears website and selecting "Sign In" in the top right corner. Enter your Sears credit card number and your password. If you don't have a password set up yet, you'll need to create one using your card number and personal information.
Once logged in, look for "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you're on the desktop site or mobile app. Click that button and enter the amount you want to pay. You'll then choose your payment method: either a bank account (which uses ACH, a standard electronic transfer) or a debit card.
If you choose a bank account, enter your routing number and account number. If you choose a debit card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Review the details, confirm the payment, and you'll see a confirmation number. The money leaves your account within one business day and typically shows as posted to your Sears card within one to two business days.
Setting up automatic monthly payments
Automatic payments let you set a fixed amount to pay every month on a date you choose. This is useful if you want to pay the same amount each month or may support you never miss a due date. Log in to your Sears account, find the payment section, and look for an option like "Set Up Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments."
Choose your payment amount (you can select a fixed dollar amount, the minimum payment, or the full statement balance), pick the day of the month you want it to process, and select your payment method. Once confirmed, that payment will process automatically on that date each month until you cancel it. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime by logging back in and updating your payment settings.
Paying through Citi's system instead
If you have trouble accessing the Sears website or prefer to use Citi's payment portal directly, you can pay through Citibank's system. Go to Citi.com and select "Pay My Bill" or log into your account there. You'll need your Sears card number and may need to set up a separate Citi login if you haven't already.
The process is similar: enter your payment amount, choose your payment method, and confirm. Payments made through Citi's system post the same way as payments through Sears' site — within one to two business days. Some people use Citi's system because it offers slightly more detail about payment history, but both routes reach the same account.
Paying by phone or mail if you can't pay online
If online payment isn't an option for you, call the number on the back of your Sears credit card. A representative can take a payment over the phone using a bank account or debit card. Phone payments process the same way as online payments and post within one to two business days.
You can also mail a check to the address listed on your statement. Write your account number on the check and mail it to the payment address shown on your bill. Mail payments take longer — typically five to seven business days to post — so send them well before your due date if you're trying to avoid a late fee.
What to do if your payment doesn't show up
If you made a payment and it hasn't appeared on your account after two business days, log back into your Sears account and check your payment history. You should see a record of the transaction, including the confirmation number and the date it's scheduled to post. If the payment shows in your history but hasn't posted yet, wait one more business day.
If the payment doesn't appear in your history at all, the transaction may not have gone through. This can happen if there was a connection error or if you didn't receive a final confirmation. Try making the payment again, and if you see it charged twice, contact Sears customer service with both confirmation numbers so they can reverse the duplicate charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to pay my Sears card online?
No. Sears does not charge a fee for online payments made through their website or the Citi portal. Some payment methods like wire transfers or third-party payment services may have fees, but standard online payments are free.
Can I pay my Sears card from someone else's bank account?
You can enter any bank account number during payment, but the account holder should authorize it. If the account holder disputes the charge, the bank may reverse it. For regular payments from another person's account, it's safest to have them set up the payment themselves or to get written permission.
What's the difference between ACH and debit card payments?
ACH transfers pull money directly from your checking or savings account and are free. Debit card payments charge your card when ready. Both post within one to two business days. ACH is slightly slower to set up but costs nothing; debit card is faster to enter but requires you to have a card number handy.
Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay part of it?
You can pay any amount from the minimum payment up to your full balance. Paying more than the minimum reduces interest charges. You can also set automatic payments for the full balance each month if you want to avoid carrying a balance.
What time of day does an online payment process?
Payments submitted online are processed when ready, but the exact time depends on when you submit them and your bank's processing schedule. Payments submitted before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time typically post within one business day; those submitted after midnight may take an extra day.