TalkTalk slashes early payment discount

Customers who take advantage of the provider's 'speedy payment discount' initiative by paying their monthly bill within 24 hours of receiving it have been getting a 15% discount off their bill since the scheme launched at the end of 2013 (see our Cheap Broadband and Digital TV guides for the best deals).

But these customers will only receive a 10% speedy payment discount from this month onwards.

The cut comes after TalkTalk announced last month it would increase line rental prices, as well as certain packages and call costs from 1 December (see the TalkTalk customers to be hit with price hikes MSE News story).

Can I get the speedy payment discount?

All TalkTalk TV, home phone and broadband customers who pay for their bill monthly via direct debit, credit or debit card and who have an online account can get the discount. But you won't automatically be offered it.

The 10% off discount applies to your entire bill, including your line rental charge if you pay monthly.

If, however, you opted for 'value line rental', where you paid for the year upfront, the 10% off discount won't be taken off the line rental cost, just the monthly broadband cost.

How do I get the discount?

The easiest way to get the discount is to opt in for TalkTalk's ebilling service, where you receive your bills via email, rather than by post. This is free to do. Once you've done this, you just need to follow these steps:

1. When you receive your monthly online bill via email, you have 24 hours to pay it in order to get the discount. These bills are sent on the same date each month, seven days ahead of when direct debits are taken. So if you're a direct debit customer, there's enough time for the early payment to be processed, meaning you won't be double charged.

2. To pay the bill, either follow the link in the email, which will take you to a dedicated web page confirming if you've still got time to pay. Or you need to log into your account, click 'bills & payments', 'make a card payment' and then select 'apply 10% speedy payment discount'.

This option won't be available if you've missed the 24-hour window. Both methods will confirm whether or not you're eligible for the 10% off before you pay.

If you pay by monthly direct debit, TalkTalk says that once you've made your early repayment, your normal monthly direct debit won't be taken that month. But it adds that you shouldn't cancel your direct debit as customers need to have an active account and if a direct debit fails, customers are liable for a £10 rejection charge.

I receive paper bills. Can I get the discount?

TalkTalk says the speedy payment discount is given to encourage people to use their online accounts. Also, by the time you receive a paper bill in the post, there's a high change you would have missed the 24-hour window. To get the discount, follow the steps above.

Do any other providers offer a 'speedy payment discount'?

We asked BT, Plusnet and Virgin Media if they offer a similar speedy payment discount scheme and they all said no.