Back to Learn
Can I Buy Out My Lease with a Credit Card?
Published 6/6/25
Estimated Read Time: 5-6 minutes
TL;DR: Technically, yes, you might be able to buy out your lease with a credit card—but it depends on your lender, your credit limit, and whether it’s actually a good financial move (spoiler: usually not). If you want to avoid sky-high interest rates, it’s better to finance your lease buyout with a lease buyout loan—and Lease End can help you find the best rates fast.
If you’re looking at your lease buyout statement and thinking, I have a credit card with a high limit, why not just swipe and be done with it?—we get it. Credit cards are convenient, and sometimes you just want to skip the paperwork and move on with your life.
- But here’s the deal: most leasing companies don’t allow credit card payments for lease buyouts. And even if they do, it might not be your smartest move financially.
Let’s break it down.
Why Most Leasing Companies Won’t Let You Use a Credit Card
- Processing Fees – Credit card transactions come with merchant fees, and most leasing companies don’t want to eat those costs. Some may pass them on to you—meaning you’ll pay an extra 2-3% just for using plastic. On a $25,000 buyout, that’s $500–$750 in fees.
- Risk for the Lender – Credit card payments are more prone to disputes and chargebacks, which is a headache for leasing companies. They’d rather deal with cash or traditional financing.
- Limits on Transaction Size – Even if your credit card has a high limit, some issuers cap the amount you can spend in a single transaction. A lease buyout is a big-ticket item, and your credit card might not even approve it.
- High Interest Rates – Unless you’re paying off that balance immediately, credit card interest rates are brutal. The average APR on a credit card is 20% or more, while a lease buyout loan could be as low as 6-8%. The difference? Thousands of dollars in interest over time.
When Can You Use a Credit Card for a Lease Buyout?
While most leasing companies won’t let you swipe your way to ownership, there are a few workarounds:
- Indirect Payments – Some leasing companies accept credit card payments through third-party services, like Plastiq, but these often charge extra fees.
- Partial Payments – Some companies allow partial payments via credit card, meaning you could cover a portion of your buyout while financing the rest.
- Cash Advance (Not Recommended) – You could take out a cash advance on your credit card, but these come with huge fees and high interest—it’s basically borrowing money in the most expensive way possible.
Why a Lease Buyout Loan is a Smarter Option
If your leasing company won’t take a credit card (or even if they do), a lease buyout loan is almost always a better idea. Here’s why:
- Lower Interest Rates – Lease buyout loans have significantly lower rates than credit cards, meaning you’ll save thousands over time.
- No Processing Fees – Unlike credit card transactions, lease buyout loans don’t come with extra merchant fees.
- More Favorable Terms – With a car loan, you can spread payments over 3-6 years, making it easier on your budget.
- Lease End Makes It Easy – Instead of shopping around for rates yourself, Lease End does the hard work for you—finding the best financing options in minutes.
Final Thoughts: Should You Use a Credit Card to Buy Out Your Lease?
If your leasing company allows it, paying off a lease buyout with a credit card is possible—but not ideal. Between high interest rates, transaction fees, and credit limits, you’ll almost always be better off financing with a lease buyout loan.
Want the easiest, most affordable way to buy out your lease? Let Lease End find you the best financing, handle the paperwork, and get you on the road hassle-free.
About the author
Adam Broud
Adam Broud is a writer and comedian based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. As a professional stand-up comedian with an MBA, his writing uniquely blends the worlds of business and comedy. Adam's writing for ads and comedy has appeared in places such as Buzzfeed, Vanity Fair, your television, and his mom's box of keepsakes. Feel free to review his writing from any of those places, but just know it's kinda weird if you choose his mom's house.
Lease End's mission is to empower auto lease owners with the technology to easily exit their lease. If you'd like to learn more about the lease-end options available to you, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our expert advisors are always prepared to answer your questions and are committed to finding the right plan for your individual needs.
©2025 Lease End
©2025 Lease End
Give Us a Call:
(844) 902-2842