Leo shows that both bezahlen and zahlen are translated as "to pay". I noticed that people sometimes use the one, and sometimes the other.
So, when to use bezahlen and when zahlen?
In many cases, zahlen and bezahlen mean the same and may be used interchangeably:
Sometimes, there is a difference in register; otherwise, it is often a matter of personal taste when to use which. However, there are some cases where a more-or-less clear difference exists.
As far as I know, the prefix be- is used on verbs that are born as intransitive to make them transitive. So, in the case of zahlen, you would say:
So bezahlen has to be used when you need an object.
EDIT: This rule does not apply to zahlen. See comments below.
That is a tough one, I find me using it interchangeably. However there seems to be a somewhat directed preference:
I would state it as
The first sentence inquires the intent. The second sentence signals the intent and the payment immediately after.