I've used MSN Bill Pay for the last couple of years. I
have not switched to my bank's bill pay because MSN has
more flexibility and options. I can simply click on
Internet Updates and get direct statements downloaded from
all of the checking and savings account from my bank and
two of my credit cards from other banks without the Import
hassle.

It is easy to use and is free. Therefore I purchase the
new version of Money each time it comes out. I get up to
15 bills/transfers a month free. After that I believe it
is $.50 a bill. I rarely go over that many bills. I still
do transfers from one checking account to another on my
banks website, and then record the transfers in MS Money.
I do that because the transfers take place immediately.

I do not go to MSN.com money site often since everything
is taken care of within MS Money. I do go there to send
Messages and to view History, but when MS Money updates,
it syncs everything, so I have found the same transactions
in both places. I do find that when I go to MSN Money, I
like to do so from Explorer, so I can flip back and forth
between MS Money and MSN website.

Sharon



- quote -

The biggest advantage that MSN Bill Pay offers is that it is not limited
to working with only one bank. So, you can 'enroll' accounts from Bank
X and Bank Y, even if X and Y already give you bill pay service. You
can then do electronic transfers from X to Y seamlessly, (up to a limit
that I recall as 3k per day).

One advantage that was unique to my situation, YMMV: When my bank's bill
pay service pays someone that does not receive payments electronically
-- i.e., a check is cut -- I do not get a copy of the check returned to
me. When MSN Bill Pay does the same (pays someone by check) I get a copy
of the check in my bank's monthly statement. This may change with the
recent banking regs. that allow an image of the check to substitute for
a paper check.

If you search this newsgroup for 'MSN Bill Pay' you might find more pros
and cons.

The 'no charge' MSN Bill Pay included with higher versions of M04 are
well worth it. I'd say sign-up even if you are not going to use it, ...
you paid for it in the purchase price of M. The interbank transfers are
the height of convenience.


Chris wrote:

- quote -

I recently re-built my Money file and just received the following prompt
upon starting Money 2004:

Use MSN Bill Pay with Microsoft Money
Paying your bills online with MSN Bill Pay saves you time and gives you more
control over your bills. MSN Bill Pay and Microsoft Money work together, so
you can manage your bill payments all in one place. Would you like to take a
short tour to learn more?
o No, I'm not interested.
o Maybe. Remind me later.
o Yes! I want to take the tour.

I currently pay my bills electronically in Money via my bank. How does MSN
Bill Pay compare? Thanks!