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Pay monthly: everything you need to know

Spread the cost of eligible purchases with Pay monthly

Pay monthly lets eligible customers spread the cost of a purchase across monthly instalments with Zilch.

Depending on your eligibility and account status, you may be able to spread payments over:

  • 3 months

  • 6 months

  • 12 months

You’ll see your available Pay monthly options in the Zilch app before checkout.

Pay monthly availability depends on your eligibility, account status and the purchase amount.

How Pay monthly works

When you use Pay monthly, Zilch splits your purchase into:

  • an upfront payment at checkout

  • followed by monthly repayments over your selected repayment term

Depending on your Zilch plan, your upfront payment at checkout may be:

  • 0%

  • 25%

  • 50%

Your upfront payment percentage is determined by your Zilch plan, which is based on factors including your account history and eligibility.

The remaining balance, including any applicable fees, is then divided across your monthly instalments.Your monthly instalments are automatically collected from your linked payment method on the same date each month, based on the date of your original purchase.

Before confirming a Pay monthly purchase, the Zilch app will always show:

  • your repayment schedule

  • any applicable fees

  • your total repayment amount

  • the number of monthly repayments

  • your upfront payment amount

Pay monthly repayment examples

Pay over 3 months example

For a £300 Pay monthly purchase over 3 months with 25% upfront:

  • £75 paid at checkout

  • the remaining balance split across 3 monthly repayments

  • applicable Pay monthly fees included within the monthly repayments

Pay over 6 months example

For a £300 Pay monthly purchase over 6 months with 25% upfront:

  • £75 paid at checkout

  • the remaining balance split across 6 monthly repayments

  • applicable Pay monthly fees included within the monthly repayments

Pay over 12 months example

For a £600 Pay monthly purchase over 12 months with 25% upfront:

  • £150 paid at checkout

  • the remaining balance split across 12 monthly repayments

  • applicable Pay monthly fees included within the monthly repayments

Minimum purchase amounts for Pay monthly

The minimum purchase amount for all Pay monthly terms (3, 6 and 12 months) is £75.

If applying Rewards reduces your final purchase total below the minimum purchase amount, the Pay monthly option will not be available for that purchase.

Pay monthly fees and charges

Pay monthly purchases include a monthly fee.

The monthly fee is a percentage of your total purchase amount, applied each month for the duration of your repayment term. For example, a 1.5% monthly fee on a £300 purchase means 1.5% of £300 (£4.50) is added to each monthly instalment.

Your Pay monthly fee is calculated at checkout based on:

  • your purchase amount

  • your repayment term

  • how you use Zilch

  • whether you enable your Zilch card before paying

You’ll always see your Pay monthly repayment amount, monthly fee and total repayment amount before confirming your purchase.

Pay monthly fees when you enable your Zilch card before checkout

If you search for your store in the Zilch app and enable your Zilch card before paying with a participating retailer:

  • Pay over 3 months: 0%–1.5% monthly fee

  • Pay over 6 months: 1.5% monthly fee

  • Pay over 12 months: 1.5% monthly fee

Pay monthly fees when using Zilch Anywhere

If you use Zilch Anywhere, or complete your purchase without enabling your Zilch card first:

  • 1.8% monthly fee applies

The monthly fee is added to your total repayment amount and paid as part of your monthly instalments.

How to get lower Pay monthly fees

You may be able to get lower Pay monthly fees and higher Rewards by enabling your Zilch card in the app before checkout.

To enable your Zilch card before using Pay monthly:

  1. Open the Zilch app

  2. Select Online or In-store

  3. Search for your store

  4. Choose your Pay monthly option

  5. Enable your Zilch card

  6. Complete your purchase as usual

How to use Pay monthly online

To use Pay monthly for an online purchase:

  1. Open the Zilch app

  2. Search for your store

  3. Select your Pay monthly option

  4. Enable your Zilch card

  5. Complete checkout using your Zilch card details

How to use Pay monthly in-store

Before using Pay monthly in-store, add your Zilch card to your digital wallet:

  • Apple Wallet

  • Google Wallet

  • Samsung Wallet

Then:

  1. Open the Zilch app

  2. Select In-store

  3. Search for your store

  4. Select your Pay monthly option

  5. Enable your Zilch card

  6. Pay using Tap and Pay

Using Pay monthly with Zilch Anywhere

Zilch Anywhere lets you use Zilch at any retailer, even if they aren't a participating Zilch partner. Instead of enabling your Zilch card through a specific store in the app, you use your Zilch card directly at checkout. You can use Pay monthly with Zilch Anywhere for online and in-store purchases.

If you use Pay monthly through Zilch Anywhere, or do not enable your Zilch card before checkout, a higher monthly fee may apply.

Using Rewards with Pay monthly

You can use Rewards with eligible Pay monthly purchases.

To use Rewards with Pay monthly:

  1. Open the Zilch app

  2. Select Online or In-store

  3. Search for your store

  4. Select your Pay monthly option

  5. Toggle Rewards on

  6. Enable your Zilch card

  7. Complete your purchase

If applying Rewards reduces your final purchase amount below the minimum spend requirement, the Pay monthly option will not be available.

Snoozing Pay monthly instalments

Eligible Pay monthly instalments can be Snoozed by up to 8 days.

A Snooze fee applies each time you Snooze an instalment. See Snooze fees for full details. Each Pay monthly instalment can only be Snoozed once.

If you Snooze a Pay monthly repayment, the full instalment is Snoozed, including any fee amount included within that repayment.

Payment support for Pay monthly repayments

If you’re worried about making a Pay monthly repayment, contact Zilch as early as possible so we can review your situation and discuss available support options.

Free independent support is also available from:

  • Citizens Advice

  • StepChange Debt Charity

Pay monthly FAQs

Why am I paying a Pay monthly fee if I paid 0% upfront?

Paying 0% upfront only changes the amount you pay at checkout.

Applicable Pay monthly fees are still included within your repayment plan and total repayment amount.

Will I always see Pay monthly fees before paying?

Yes. Zilch always shows your Pay monthly fees, repayment schedule and total repayment amount before you confirm your purchase.

Who can use Pay monthly?

Pay monthly is only available to eligible customers.

Available Pay monthly options may vary depending on your account status, eligibility and purchase amount.

Can I repay a Pay Monthly purchase early?

Yes. You can repay your Pay monthly balance early at any time in the Zilch app.

Will I still pay Pay monthly fees if I repay early?

Yes. Your total Pay monthly fee is agreed at checkout and still applies if you repay your balance early. The fee amount does not reduce if you settle your plan ahead of schedule.

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