Direct does have a 1 day period with credit cards. if your bill cycle is on the 2nd/ then your cc is charged on the 3rd or 17th if you use debit. But my gas bill is generated on the 6th and is autocharged on the 6th so I dont get to see it before hand.
I haven't seen any 1-day grace period. My CC is charged on the 17th, the bill isn't offered for viewing until the 18th.
And I'm sorry to hear your gas company also has a poor business practice.
