How to Pay Your Scheels Visa Card and Manage Your Account
How Scheels Visa Payments Work
The Scheels Visa is a store card issued by Comenity Bank that you use to make purchases at Scheels sporting goods stores and online. When you use the card, the charge goes to your Scheels Visa account, and you receive a monthly statement showing what you owe. You then make a payment by the due date listed on that statement to keep your account in good standing.
Payments move through the banking system as an ACH transfer (a bank-to-bank electronic move) or by check, depending on which method you choose. The payment reaches Comenity Bank's processing center, gets applied to your account, and typically posts within one to three business days. If you pay after the due date, the card issuer reports the late payment to credit bureaus and may charge a late fee.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay your Scheels Visa online through your account, by phone, by mail, or through your own bank's bill pay system.
- The due date appears on your monthly statement, and payments made after that date trigger late fees and credit reporting.
- Online and phone payments usually post within one to three business days, while mailed checks take seven to ten business days.
- Paying at least the minimum amount due keeps your account active, but paying the full balance avoids interest charges on future purchases.
- If you miss a payment, contact Comenity Bank as soon as possible to discuss your options before the account is reported to credit bureaus.
Payment Methods and Where to Send Money
Comenity Bank offers four main ways to pay your Scheels Visa. The fastest and most direct is logging into your account on the Scheels website or the Comenity Bank website, where you can make an immediate online payment using your bank account or debit card. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card to make a payment by phone with a representative.
If you prefer to mail a check, your statement includes a payment coupon with the mailing address. Write your account number on the check and allow seven to ten business days for the payment to arrive and post. A fourth option is to set up bill pay through your own bank's online system, which sends a check from your bank account to Comenity Bank on a date you choose—this also takes seven to ten business days but removes the step of writing and mailing yourself.
Do not send cash in the mail, and do not make payments to Scheels stores themselves. Store employees cannot process Visa payments; only Comenity Bank can receive and post them to your account.
Understanding Your Statement and Due Date
Your monthly statement arrives by mail or email (depending on your preference) and shows your opening balance, all charges from the past month, any payments you made, fees, interest, and your new balance. The statement also displays your minimum payment due and the due date—usually 21 to 25 days after the statement closes.
The minimum payment is the smallest amount you can pay to keep your account in good standing and avoid late fees. However, paying only the minimum means you carry a balance into the next month, and interest accrues on that balance at the card's annual percentage rate (APR). The APR for Scheels Visa cards varies and is shown on your statement and in your account online. If you pay the full new balance by the due date, no interest is charged on those purchases.
If you cannot pay by the due date, contact Comenity Bank before the date passes. Some cardholders can negotiate a brief extension or a temporary hardship arrangement, though this is not may provide and depends on your account history and the reason for the delay.
What Happens When a Payment Is Late
A payment is considered late if it is not received by Comenity Bank by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Once a payment is late, Comenity Bank charges a late fee (the amount varies but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment and may increase for repeat lates) and reports the late payment to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. That late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score significantly.
If your payment is 30 days late, your APR may increase to a penalty rate, which is higher than your regular rate. If your payment is 60 days late, the card issuer may freeze your account and stop allowing new charges. If your payment is 180 days late (six months), Comenity Bank may charge off the account, meaning they write it off as a loss and may sell the debt to a collection agency.
If you are facing a hardship—job loss, medical emergency, or other unexpected expense—contact Comenity Bank immediately. They have hardship programs that may pause interest, reduce your payment temporarily, or work out a repayment plan. Calling before you miss a payment is far more effective than calling after.
Setting Up Automatic Payments
Most cardholders can set up automatic payments through their Scheels Visa account online. You link your bank account and choose whether to pay a fixed amount (such as the minimum or a set dollar amount) or the full statement balance each month. The payment is deducted from your bank account on a date you select, usually a few days before your due date.
Automatic payments reduce the risk of forgetting a due date, but they do require you to monitor your bank account to ensure you have enough funds on the payment date. If your bank account does not have sufficient funds, the automatic payment fails, and you may be charged an overdraft fee by your bank and a late fee by Comenity Bank. You can pause or cancel automatic payments at any time through your account settings.
Paying Off Your Balance Faster
If you carry a balance on your Scheels Visa, interest accrues daily on that balance at your APR. The longer you carry the balance, the more interest you pay. For example, a $500 balance at 20% APR costs roughly $100 in interest per year if you make only minimum payments; paying it off in three months costs roughly $25 in interest.
To pay off your balance faster, make payments larger than the minimum whenever possible. Some cardholders make two or three payments per month instead of one, which reduces the daily balance and the interest charged. You can also make a lump-sum payment when you receive a bonus, tax refund, or other windfall. Every dollar above the minimum goes directly to reducing your balance and the interest you owe.
If you are struggling with high interest charges, contact Comenity Bank and ask whether they offer a balance transfer option (moving your balance to a promotional 0% APR period) or a hardship program that temporarily reduces your interest rate. These are not may provide, but they are worth asking about if your balance is large or your APR is high.
Disputing Charges and Fraud
If you see a charge on your Scheels Visa statement that you did not make or that was processed incorrectly, you have the right to dispute it. Contact Comenity Bank by phone (the number is on your statement and card) or through your online account and explain the charge. Comenity Bank will open a dispute investigation, which typically takes 30 to 60 days.
During the investigation, the disputed amount is usually not counted toward your minimum payment due, though you should still pay the rest of your balance to avoid late fees. If the investigation finds in your favor, the charge is removed from your account and any interest or fees related to it are reversed. If the investigation finds against you, the charge remains and you are responsible for paying it.
If your card is lost or stolen, call Comenity Bank immediately to report it. Your card will be frozen to prevent further unauthorized charges. Unauthorized charges made before you reported the card missing are typically covered under the card's fraud protection, though you may be responsible for the first $50 depending on your card agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Scheels Visa at a Scheels store?
No. Scheels stores do not process Visa payments. You must pay through Comenity Bank directly—online, by phone, by mail, or through your bank's bill pay system. Store employees can direct you to the payment methods but cannot accept payment themselves.
What happens if I pay less than the minimum?
Paying less than the minimum is treated as a late payment. Comenity Bank charges a late fee, reports the late payment to credit bureaus, and may increase your APR. Your account may also be frozen, preventing new charges.
How long does it take for an online payment to show up?
Online payments typically post to your account within one to three business days. Payments made on a weekend or holiday may take longer. If you are close to your due date, call Comenity Bank to confirm the payment was received rather than waiting to see it online.
Can I change my due date?
Some cardholders can request a due date change through their online account or by calling Comenity Bank. The new due date usually takes effect on your next statement. Changing your due date does not extend the time you have to pay your current balance—it only shifts when future payments are due.
What should I do if I cannot afford my payment?
Contact Comenity Bank before your payment is due. Explain your situation and ask about hardship options, which may include a temporary payment reduction, interest rate reduction, or extended repayment plan. Acting before you miss a payment gives you far more options than calling after.