The holidays are upon us and seasonal retail sales are expected to jump between 7 percent and 9 percent over 2020, fueled by consumers’ eagerness to celebrate the holidays on the tail-end of pandemic austerity.

This is also the time of year when consumers might need more flexibility when it comes to directing their dollars—especially in light of recovery from the economic uncertainties of the past year. For example, funds that are earmarked for loan payments might be useful to help make holiday-related purchases. In these situations, some customers might want to take advantage of a skip-a-payment option for their bill payments.

What is skip-a-payment?

Skip-a-payment allows customers to do just that: take a month off from a regularly scheduled bill payment and reserve that money for other purposes. The customer typically needs to have their account in good standing to take advantage of this option, if it’s offered by their biller.

How does it work?

Billers typically offer skip-a-payment for a limited time period (for example, the holiday season might include November, December, and January) and assess a fee for using the service. Customers pay the fee instead of making the bill payment and can direct that cash toward other expenditures. The skipped payment is typically tacked on to the end of the loan, thereby extending its life.

Who offers skip-a-payment?

Billers may or may not choose to offer skip-a-payment depending on a variety of factors including the nature of their business, its payments operation, and the types of loans they service. Billers can begin the conversation with their electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) solution provider to discuss their options for offering skip-a-payment to their customers.

The Bottom Line: Skip-a-payment can be a helpful option for cash-conscious consumers during the holiday season. It’s relevance to a specific business will depend on a variety of factors including customer demand, operational considerations, and the ease of implementing via an EBPP solution.

Read Why Should Businesses Offer Flexible Payment Options to better understand why providing flexible options like skip a pay can help with receivables. 

*This is an update on an original post published November 2019

Alacriti’s Orbipay EBPP is a customizable electronic billing and payments solution for businesses and financial institutions of all sizes. Skip a pay is just one of several Orbipay EBPP features available to help you provide a great payment experience. For more information, please contact us at info@alacriti.com.