My Chevrolet Salesperson Said I Should Get a GM Credit Card, Put My 2025 Silverado Truck Payment On It So I Can Collect Points, This Can’t Be a Thing

Patrick bought a new Chevy Silverado; now, should he pay his monthly truck bill with the GM credit card to earn points, or is the salesperson setting him up for a financial faceplant?

It’s happened again. Just when you think you’ve seen every possible angle a dealership will play to put you into a new vehicle, a new, eyebrow-raising tactic surfaces. This time, it’s coming straight from the trenches of a Chevrolet and GMC owners’ Facebook page, and it involves a practice that sounds either brilliantly savvy or financially disastrous: paying your monthly truck loan with a GM-branded credit card.

Patrick Little sparked a fiery debate by revealing a surprising suggestion from his Chevrolet salesperson: use the GM credit card to pay his 2025 Silverado's monthly truck payment to rack up rewards points. Patrick immediately questioned the advice, doubting its legitimacy and suggesting that, if such a tactic is necessary, the GM credit card's value might have decreased significantly.

This scenario raises a common consumer question: Are loyalty programs truly beneficial, or are they just a way to push more debt?

Truck Payment Hack or Sales Gimmick?

Patrick’s post perfectly captures the skepticism many seasoned truck buyers feel. He quotes his salesperson suggesting he “get the GM credit card and pay my 2025 Chevy Silverado truck payment on it so I can collect the points.”

Patrick’s immediate reaction—“This can’t really be a thing." Sounds like the credit card isn’t as good as it used to be”—is why I’m stepping in. As a Senior Reporter here at Torque News with decades of experience covering the automotive industry, I’ve seen countless dealer tactics to push financing on new truck purchases, and this one requires a deep dive into the fine print.

My primary role is to give you—the hardworking consumer—the complete picture. This particular maneuver, while seemingly innocent and focused on "rewards," carries significant financial risks and hidden costs.

It reminds me of the non-disclosure issues I discussed in my previous piece: I Paid Too Much For My 2024 Toyota RAV4 Because the Dealer Stung Me By Issuing a Verbally Undisclosed Credit Card For an Extra $1,500 Down Payment.

That story illustrated the dangers of allowing a dealer to mix credit card sign-ups with your financing deal. When a salesperson suggests this kind of card usage post-sale, it’s often because they are incentivized to move credit products, not because it’s the best strategy for financing a heavy-duty pickup truck for you.

The Three Financial Landmines

When evaluating the claim that you can game the system by paying off a primary auto loan with a credit card to accumulate points, three critical questions immediately surface:

1. Can Your Lender Even Accept Credit Card Payments? 

The first and most immediate hurdle is that most major auto lenders, including GM Financial, typically do not accept standard credit card payments for monthly loan installments. Why? Because the lender (the one holding your loan) would have to pay a 2% to 3% interchange fee to the credit card network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.).

They won't eat that cost on a payment you are already obligated to make. If they do allow it, it’s usually through a third-party payment processor that slaps you with a non-refundable convenience or transaction fee, often around 2.9%. This directly leads to the second landmine.

2. Is the Math Worth the Risk? 

Let’s look at the truth about GM card payment points and processing fees. Most GM cards offer 1% to 2% back on general purchases. If you are paying a 2.9% fee to the third-party processor to use the card and only getting 1% back in GM points, you are netting a 1.9% loss on every single payment.

You are essentially paying extra interest, meaning the salesperson’s advice, far from being a rewards hack, is a cost accelerator. This puts a spotlight on the GM credit card rewards vs. high-interest rates controversy that many truck buyers face. Furthermore, GM points can often only be redeemed toward a new vehicle purchase, or for certified service and parts, limiting their immediate liquidity.

As I’ve stated before in my coverage on getting the most value out of your trade, like in the article 2024 Toyota Camry Owner Says, "I Didn't Know I Couldn't Trade In My Car With Negative Equity and Just Get a Cheaper Car”, smart financial moves require looking at your total long-term cost, not just maximizing minor short-term gains.

3. The Credit Card Interest Trap 

The final, and most dangerous, landmine is the credit card interest rate. Auto loans typically have a lower APR than a GM credit card, which can easily hover between 18% and 30% if you carry a balance. If you miss paying the full balance of the credit card immediately—a very real possibility on a $600-$1,200 monthly truck payment—you are effectively converting a lower-interest auto loan debt into a crippling, high-interest credit card debt.

That is an exponential path to financial misery, all for the sake of accumulating points that may not even be worth their face value. Even if you found a way to make the payment that the salesperson didn't disclose, a lot of the points people collect are just not worth it.

Take my article, Chevy Dealer Quoted Me $799 For My Silverado Transmission Service, That's Outrageous, But I Bit the Bullet and Had Them Do It Anyway. If It Craps Out Later, the cost of a routine service far outweighs the potential rewards earned through this kind of payment scheme.

My Recommendations and A Key Takeaway

If you’re determined to maximize your rewards and understand the fine print of GM credit card rewards, here is my advice:

• Do Not Pay the Loan with the Card: Unless the math guarantees you a net positive return after all fees, and you have a 0% APR introductory period you can use strategically (and pay off in full!), avoid this tactic.
• Use the Card Wisely: Instead of paying your truck loan, use your GM card for everyday expenses—gas, groceries, utilities—where no processing fees are incurred and you can pay the balance in full every month. This is how to maximize savings when buying a new GMC Sierra by accumulating real rewards without incurring debt.
• Separate Price from Payment: As covered in this article, Negotiate The Best Deal With a Car Dealer For a 2025 Model, always negotiate the final price of the truck first, and only then discuss financing or card offers. Don't let rewards distract you from getting the best price on the vehicle itself.
• Cash is King for the Loan: Continue to pay your auto loan directly from your checking account via ACH transfer. It's fee-free and interest-free, and it keeps your debt simple.

The takeaway here for Patrick and all other owners of the 2019-2026 Silverado and Sierra is clear: always scrutinize dealer advice that steers you toward more debt products.

What Silverado Owners Are Saying

This debate is alive and well in the online community, proving that Patrick Little is not alone in asking, Is paying my 2025 Chevy Silverado loan with a credit card a good idea? Here’s what real owners and financial experts are saying across the web:

• Reddit comment from Pretty_Good_11 on r/CreditCards: "Absolutely not. It's not hugely irresponsible or anything, but you generally cannot pay loans with other loans. That's called refinancing or a balance transfer. Not a regular payment. Specifically with respect to credit cards, no lender is going to pay a transaction fee for you to get a reward or SUB when making a payment you are legally obligated to make to them. Nice try, but no go. Good luck."
• Reddit comment from Tight_Couture344 on r/CreditCards: "Most loan servicers don't accept credit as a repayment option. You can use a service like Plastiq, but there's a 2.9% fee, so it's rarely worth it unless you're trying to hit a SUB. Also, auto loan payments are only supported on Mastercard and Discover via Plastiq."
• Quora user response, addressing the specific mechanics of reward redemption vs. transaction fees. "The main issue with trying to cycle your GM payments through a credit card for points is the fee. If your lender allows it, they charge a transaction fee—usually 2-3%. The GM card only gives you 1% back on general purchases. You're losing money, plain and simple."
• YouTube comment on a financial review channel, discussing credit card down payment limits: "Look, I got a 0% APR intro card and was able to pay off three months of my loan with it, essentially floating the payment interest-free. But the dealer only let me charge the first $3,000, which kills the strategy for a full loan payoff. It’s too much hassle for too little reward." 

In The End

Patrick Little’s suspicion was well-founded: the Chevrolet salesperson’s advice is a classic example of confusing a short-term rewards illusion with a sound long-term financial strategy. The ability to pay a monthly auto loan with a credit card is rare. When it is possible, the fees charged will almost certainly negate any rewards earned, leaving the consumer with an added cost and the looming risk of higher credit card interest.

I advise all my readers to maintain a critical eye toward dealer suggestions to sign up for additional financial products after the purchase price is settled.

Tell Us What You Think

Have you ever been advised by a dealer to pay your car or truck loan using a proprietary credit card? Did it work, or did you encounter hidden fees? Share your experience in the comments below!

I'm Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012, bringing over 30 years of automotive expertise to every story. My career began with a consulting role for every major car brand, followed by years as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles—equipping me with a wealth of insider knowledge. I specialize in delivering the latest auto news, sharing compelling owner stories, and providing expert, up-to-date analysis to keep you fully informed.

Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Photo credit: Denis Flierl