Call Bank of America's automated payment line to pay your credit card over the phone
Bank of America lets you pay your credit card bill by calling their automated phone system. You do not need to speak to a person — you enter your payment amount and confirm it through the keypad or by voice. The call is free, and the payment posts the same day if you call before the cutoff time (usually 8 p.m. Eastern on business days).
You will need your credit card number, the amount you want to pay, and a bank account to pull the payment from. The system accepts payments from any U.S. bank account, not just Bank of America accounts. If you are paying from an account at another bank, have that account number and routing number ready.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-435-0944 to reach Bank of America's automated payment system, which works 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day post the same day; payments after that time post the next business day.
- You can pay from any U.S. bank account, whether it belongs to you or someone else, as long as you have the account and routing numbers.
- The system will read back your payment details before you confirm, so you can catch mistakes before the transaction completes.
- If you need to speak to a representative instead of using the automated system, stay on the line after the greeting or press 0.
What information you need before you call
Gather these details before you dial so the call moves quickly. You will need your Bank of America credit card number (the 16-digit number on the front of your card). You will also need to know the amount you want to pay — whether that is your full balance, your minimum payment, or a custom amount.
If you are paying from a bank account, have that account's routing number and account number ready. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank; you can find it on the bottom left of a check, or call your bank to ask. The account number is usually on the bottom of your check as well, or in your online banking portal. If you are paying from a Bank of America account, the system may pull this information automatically once you log in.
Step-by-step: making a payment through the automated system
Call 1-800-435-0944. The system will ask you to enter your 16-digit credit card number using your phone keypad, or you can say it out loud. The system will then confirm the card and ask what you want to do — select the option for making a payment.
Enter the amount you want to pay. You can say the amount or punch it in on the keypad. The system will ask you to confirm the amount, so listen carefully and correct it if you made a mistake. Next, you will choose where the payment should come from. If you have a Bank of America account linked to your credit card, the system may offer that as the default source. If you want to pay from a different account, select that option and enter the routing number and account number when prompted.
The system will read back all the details: the card being paid, the amount, the account it is coming from, and the date the payment will post. Review this carefully. If everything is correct, confirm the payment. The system will give you a confirmation number — write this down or take a screenshot. The payment is now scheduled.
When the payment posts and what to expect
Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day (Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays) post the same day. If you call after 8 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, the payment posts the next business day. "Posting" means the payment shows up on your account and reduces your balance — it does not mean the money has left your bank account yet.
The money will leave your bank account within one to two business days after the payment posts to your credit card. During that window, the payment is in transit. If you are worried about overdrafting your bank account, make sure you have enough money available before you call.
Paying from someone else's bank account
You can pay your Bank of America credit card from another person's bank account — for example, if a family member wants to help you pay the bill. You will need that person's permission and their account and routing numbers. When you call, enter those numbers when the system asks where the payment should come from.
The money will be withdrawn from that person's account, not yours. This is useful if you do not have a bank account of your own, or if someone else is covering the payment. However, make sure the account holder knows the payment is coming, because the withdrawal will show up on their bank statement.
If you need to speak to a representative instead
The automated system handles most payments quickly, but if you have questions or need help, you can reach a person. When you call 1-800-435-0944, listen to the greeting and menu options. You can usually press 0 or say "representative" to skip the automated system and wait for the next available agent. Representatives are available 24 hours a day.
A representative can help if you are unsure about your balance, want to set up a recurring payment, or need to cancel a payment you just made. They can also help if the automated system is not accepting your payment for some reason — for example, if there is a fraud alert on your account.
Canceling or changing a payment you already made
If you made a mistake or changed your mind, you can cancel a payment as long as it has not posted yet. Call 1-800-435-0944 and speak to a representative. Have your confirmation number ready. If the payment has already posted to your credit card account, you cannot cancel it through the phone line — you will need to contact Bank of America's customer service to discuss a refund or reversal.
If the payment has left your bank account but you want it back, the process is more complicated and may not be possible. This is why it is important to review the details carefully before you confirm the payment on the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to pay by phone?
No. Bank of America does not charge a fee for paying your credit card through their automated phone line. The call itself is free, and there are no transaction fees.
Can I set up automatic payments by phone?
The automated phone system handles one-time payments only. To set up recurring automatic payments, you will need to use Bank of America's website, mobile app, or speak to a representative on the phone who can configure it for you.
What if my payment does not post after I got a confirmation number?
Contact Bank of America's customer service with your confirmation number. They can look up the payment and tell you whether it is still processing, if there was an error, or if it posted under a different date than expected. Keep your confirmation number until the payment appears on your account.
Can I pay a credit card that is not in my name?
You can pay the bill from your own bank account, but the credit card itself must be yours or you must be an authorized user on the account. If you are trying to pay someone else's card and you are not authorized, you will need to contact Bank of America to discuss your options.
What happens if I do not have enough money in my bank account when the payment is withdrawn?
Your bank will likely decline the payment or charge you an overdraft fee. The payment will not go through, and your credit card bill will not be paid. Make sure you have enough available funds before you confirm the payment on the phone.