FAQs
When you reach the end of the BNPL period, we’ll send you a statement with your total outstanding balance, which will include any other interest, fees or charges on your other existing balances.
As you have other balances on your account, such as flexible credit or instalment plans, we’ll apply any payments you make before the end of your BNPL period towards those balances first before we reduce your BNPL balance.
This is because we always put your payments towards other balances to help you keep charges low and get the most out of your BNPL plan.
As you already have other balances with AO Finance, making a payment at the right time can help ensure you get the most from the BNPL period.
- Before your Buy Now, Pay Later period ends
Any payments you make during this time will go towards paying off your other outstanding balances on your AO Finance account, and will not reduce your BNPL balance. This is because we always take payments for balances charged at a higher rate first. - After the Buy Now, Pay Later period ends and by the payment due date
This is the best time to get the most from your plan. If you want to avoid paying interest on your BNPL plan, you could make a manual payment for the total amount of the purchase at this point. Alternatively, you could pay another amount (as long as it covers the contractual minimum payment) but you’ll start to be charged interest on any balance outstanding after the payment due date. - After the payment due date
If you haven’t made any payments by this point, you’ll be charged a fee and we may also need to report it to Credit Reference agencies. It’s a good idea to pay at least the Payment Requested by the payment due date, as it will ensure your account remains up to date and it will cover any monthly instalments on your other plans.
You can either pay off your outstanding balance in full or in smaller amounts by using flexible payments.
With flexible payments, you have no fixed time limit to pay back your balance. We’ll send you a monthly statement with a Payment Requested – which is the amount you should pay to ensure your account remains up to date. If you can afford to, you should try and pay more than the Payment Requested, as making only the minimum payment takes you longer and costs you more in interest to clear your balance.
When you come to the end of your BNPL period, your balance will be charged at the standard purchase rate. You can find out what this is on the back of your statement.
If you pay back the full amount by your first payment due date, you won’t be charged any interest.
Log in to your AO Finance Online Account Manager to choose how you want to make payments. You can also manage any of your other AO Finance plans. (!) If you haven’t already done so, you’ll first need to register. Simply visit the Online Account Manager login page and follow the quick and easy steps. You’ll need your account number.
You can choose from the following:
Manual payments
- Pay online
Make fast payments, wherever and whenever you like, with our simple Pay Online option – powered by NatWest’s PayItTM. You’ll find it in your Online Account Manager. - Pay by debit card
Follow the steps in your Online Account Manager one full working day before the payment is due for it to clear in time.
Direct debit
The easiest and most convenient way to help you pay on time – take a look at the payment options below.
When you make a payment, we'll reduce the part of your balance with the highest rate of interest first, to keep your charges low. This means you won't be able to choose which parts of our AO Finance balance the payment will reduce. If there are other balances on our account, you may find that your payment won't reduce our BNPL balance until after the period has come to an end.
Your Direct Debit can be set to any of the following payment options, including:
- Payment Requested
This includes your contractual minimum payment and any fees and charges. It will also include any payments due on monthly instalment plans. You’ll find all of this on your monthly statement. - Fixed Direct Debit Plus
With this option, you choose a set amount to pay each month. This may also include an optional Recommended Extra Payment, which will always be shown on your statement. - Boosted Payment
This option helps you reduce the overall interest you pay and manage your account better. It includes your contractual minimum payment and any monthly instalments, plus a variable Boosted amount. We’ll always let you know what your Boosted amount will be on your statement. - Full Statement Balance
Paying this amount will clear the full statement balance, including your BNPL balance. To make the most of your BNPL plan, you should set this up after your plan finishes.
The Payment Requested your see on your statement is made up of the contractual minimum payment, which includes interest, fees and charges, plus any instalment plans you may add to your account. Paying this will ensure your account remains up to date, but you should try and repay more when you can afford to do so.
If you just pay the minimum amount, it’ll take you longer and cost you more to repay your balance.
If you’re struggling to make your payments, please chat with our friendly team by calling 0333 220 2591*. We can look at options for you.