What Bridgecrest Payment Is
Bridgecrest Payment is a payment processing service used by Bridgecrest Auto Finance, a subprime auto lender that finances used vehicles for borrowers with lower credit scores. When you have a car loan through Bridgecrest, your payments go through their payment system — which may be branded as Bridgecrest Payment or handled through their parent company Santander Consumer USA.
The service itself is straightforward: you send money, Bridgecrest receives it, and it gets applied to your loan balance. But the timing, the fees, and what happens if a payment fails all depend on how you send the money and when. Understanding those details keeps you from accidentally triggering late fees or overdraft charges on your own account.
Key Takeaways
- Bridgecrest accepts payments through their online portal, automatic bank transfers, phone, mail, and in-person at MoneyGram locations — each method has different processing times.
- Payments made online or by phone typically post within one to two business days, while mailed checks can take five to seven business days or longer.
- Your payment due date is set in your loan agreement, and Bridgecrest charges a late fee if payment is not received by that date, regardless of when you sent it.
- If a payment fails — such as an automatic transfer bouncing due to insufficient funds — you will owe both the original payment and a failed-payment fee, usually $25 to $35.
- Bridgecrest reports your payment history to credit bureaus monthly, so late or missed payments damage your credit score within 30 days of the due date.
How to Make a Bridgecrest Payment
The fastest and most reliable way to pay is through Bridgecrest's online portal or mobile app. Log in with your account number and password, enter the amount you want to pay, and choose your payment date. If you pay before your due date, the money typically posts within one business day. If you pay on or after the due date, it still posts within one to two business days, but you will owe a late fee because the due date is when Bridgecrest expects the money to arrive, not when you send it.
You can also set up automatic payments directly from your bank account. This removes the risk of forgetting a payment, but only if your bank account has enough money on the scheduled date. If the transfer bounces, Bridgecrest charges a failed-payment fee on top of the original payment amount, and your account falls behind.
Phone payments are available by calling Bridgecrest's customer service line — the number is on your loan documents or billing statement. You will need your account number and bank information ready. Payments made by phone post within one to two business days, the same as online payments.
Mailed checks take the longest. A check mailed to Bridgecrest's payment processing address typically arrives within five to seven business days, and Bridgecrest must receive it by your due date to avoid a late fee. If you are close to your due date, mailing a check is risky — use online payment or phone payment instead.
Payment Processing Times and When Money Actually Posts
The date you send a payment and the date it posts to your account are not the same thing. Bridgecrest's due date is the date they expect the money to be in their hands, not the date you clicked "send" or dropped an envelope in the mail.
Online and phone payments typically post within one to two business days. If you pay on a Friday, the payment usually posts by Monday or Tuesday. Weekends and bank holidays slow this down — a payment made on Friday evening might not post until Wednesday.
Automatic bank transfers follow the same timeline. Your bank initiates the transfer on the scheduled date, but Bridgecrest receives and posts it one to two business days later. This matters if you are paying on the due date itself — the payment may not post until after the due date has passed, triggering a late fee even though you sent the money on time.
Mailed checks are the slowest and least predictable. Mail delivery varies by location and time of year. A check mailed from across the country can take seven to ten business days to arrive. Once Bridgecrest receives it, they must process it, which adds another one to two business days. If your due date is fewer than ten business days away, do not mail a check.
Late Fees and What Happens When Payment Is Overdue
Bridgecrest charges a late fee if your payment is not received by the due date shown on your billing statement. The fee amount varies by state and loan agreement, but typically ranges from $15 to $35. This fee is added to your loan balance, so you owe more than you originally intended to pay.
A payment is considered late the day after your due date passes, even if you sent the money on the due date itself and it has not posted yet. This is why the timing of your payment method matters. If your due date is tomorrow and you mail a check today, you will be charged a late fee because the check will not arrive in time.
If your payment is more than 30 days late, Bridgecrest reports the delinquency to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This appears on your credit report as a 30-day late payment and lowers your credit score. A 60-day late payment is reported separately and damages your score more severely. These marks stay on your credit report for seven years.
If your account reaches 120 days past due, Bridgecrest may begin repossession proceedings. They can legally take back the vehicle without warning in most states, though some states require notice. Once the car is repossessed, you still owe the remaining loan balance, plus repossession fees and storage fees, even if the car is sold at auction for less than you owe.
Failed Payments and Overdraft Charges
If you set up automatic payments but your bank account does not have enough money on the scheduled date, the transfer fails. Bridgecrest charges a failed-payment fee — usually $25 to $35 — and your account is now short one full payment. You still owe the original payment amount, plus the fee.
Your bank may also charge you an overdraft fee if the failed transfer attempt overdraws your account. This is a separate charge from Bridgecrest's fee. You end up paying both Bridgecrest and your bank for the same failed transaction.
To avoid this, check your bank balance before the automatic payment date. If you know money will be tight, contact Bridgecrest and ask about a payment plan or deferment options. Do not skip the payment hoping to catch up later — the late fees and credit damage compound quickly.
How Bridgecrest Applies Your Payment to Your Loan
When your payment posts, Bridgecrest applies it in a specific order: first to any late fees or other charges, then to interest that has accrued, and finally to the principal balance of the loan. This means if you are behind on payments, a large portion of your next payment goes toward fees and interest rather than reducing what you actually borrowed.
If you make a payment larger than your monthly payment amount, the extra money goes toward principal, which reduces the total interest you will pay over the life of the loan. Some borrowers pay extra when they can afford it to pay off the loan faster.
Bridgecrest sends you a monthly statement showing your payment history, current balance, and next due date. You can also log into your online account to see real-time payment status. If a payment has not posted yet, the statement will show it as pending.
What to Do If You Cannot Make a Payment
If you know you cannot make your payment by the due date, contact Bridgecrest before the due date passes. They may offer a deferment, which postpones one or more payments to the end of your loan term, or a payment plan that spreads the missed payment across future months. These options prevent a late fee and keep the delinquency off your credit report.
Do not wait until you are 30 days late to call. Once the late payment is reported to credit bureaus, it is too late to prevent the damage. Bridgecrest is more willing to work with you if you reach out proactively.
If you are struggling with the loan overall — the monthly payment is too high or you cannot afford the car — ask about loan modification or refinancing options. Some lenders will restructure the loan to lower the monthly payment, though this extends the loan term and increases total interest paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Bridgecrest loan at a physical location?
Bridgecrest does not have physical payment centers, but you can pay in cash at MoneyGram locations. MoneyGram charges a fee for this service — usually $3 to $10 depending on the amount — and the payment takes one to two business days to post to your account. This method is slower and more expensive than online or phone payment.
What happens if I pay extra toward my loan?
Extra payments go directly toward your principal balance after any late fees and interest are covered. This reduces the total amount of interest you pay and shortens your loan term. There is no penalty for paying extra or paying off the loan early with Bridgecrest.
How do I know if my payment posted?
Log into your Bridgecrest online account or mobile app and check your account balance and payment history. You can also call customer service and provide your account number. Online and phone payments typically post within one to two business days. If more than two business days have passed and the payment still shows as pending, contact Bridgecrest to confirm it was received.
Can I change my payment due date?
Contact Bridgecrest customer service to request a due date change. They may allow you to move your due date to align with your payday or another date that works better for your budget. This does not change the amount you owe, only when it is due each month.
What if I dispute a late fee Bridgecrest charged?
Call Bridgecrest and explain the situation — for example, if you paid on time but the payment posted late due to a processing delay. They may reverse the fee if you have a good payment history and this is your first late fee. If they refuse, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, though this does not may provide the fee will be removed.