What happens when you send a Chase payment
When you make a payment to Chase, the money moves from your bank account to Chase's account, and Chase credits it against what you owe. The timing depends on how you send it — online payments usually post within one business day, checks take five to seven business days, and payments made in person at a Chase branch post the same day. Chase applies your payment to your balance starting the day it arrives, not the day you send it, so timing matters if you're close to a due date.
Chase charges no fee for payments made through their website, mobile app, or by phone. If you mail a check or pay in person, there's also no fee. The only way you'll pay extra is if you use a third-party payment service (not Chase's own system) or if you miss a payment and Chase charges a late fee.
Key Takeaways
- Online and phone payments through Chase post within one business day and cost nothing.
- Mailed checks take five to seven business days to post, so send them at least a week before your due date.
- You can set up automatic payments from your bank account to avoid missing a due date.
- If you pay late, Chase will charge a late fee (the amount depends on your card terms) and may report the late payment to credit bureaus.
- Paying more than your minimum due reduces the interest you'll owe on the remaining balance.
Ways to pay Chase online or by phone
Log into your Chase account on their website or open the Chase mobile app, go to the payment section, and enter the amount you want to pay and the bank account you want to pay from. Chase will show you the date the payment will post. You can also call the number on the back of your card and make a payment over the phone — a representative will walk you through it.
Both methods are free and take about five minutes. You don't need to set up anything in advance — you can pay whenever you want, as long as you have a bank account number and routing number handy. If you're paying from a different bank than the one that issued your card, Chase may ask you to verify the account the first time you use it, which can add a day or two.
Setting up automatic payments so you never miss a due date
In your Chase account, find the "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments" section and choose the bank account you want to pay from. You'll pick a day of the month (usually between the 1st and the 28th) and an amount — either a fixed dollar amount, your minimum payment, or your full statement balance. Chase will pull that amount from your bank account on that day every month.
Automatic payments are free and remove the risk of forgetting. If you choose to pay your full statement balance each month, you'll never carry a balance and won't owe interest. If you choose your minimum payment, you'll stay current and avoid late fees, but you'll still owe interest on what's left. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account.
Mailing a check to Chase
Write the check to Chase and include your account number (found on your statement or card) in the memo line so Chase knows which account to credit. Mail it to the address on your statement — Chase has different mailing addresses depending on your card type and region, so don't guess. A check typically takes five to seven business days to arrive and post.
Because of the mail delay, send your check at least a week before your due date. If you're cutting it close, use an online or phone payment instead. If your check arrives after the due date, Chase will treat it as a late payment and may charge a late fee and report it to credit bureaus, even though the delay was in the mail.
What happens if you pay late
A payment is late if it arrives after 5 p.m. Eastern time on your due date (or the next business day if the due date falls on a weekend or holiday). Chase will charge a late fee — the amount varies by card but is usually $25 to $40 for the first late payment and up to $40 for later ones. More importantly, Chase will report the late payment to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), and it will stay on your credit report for seven years.
A single late payment can drop your credit score by 50 to 100 points, depending on your current score. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Chase may also raise your interest rate to the penalty rate listed in your card agreement, which is often 25% or higher. If you realize you're going to be late, call Chase when ready — sometimes they'll waive the fee if you've been a good customer, though they're not required to.
How much to pay and what it means for your interest
Your statement shows three numbers: your minimum payment (usually 1% to 3% of what you owe), your statement balance (everything you charged this month), and your total balance (everything you owe including previous months). You must pay at least the minimum by the due date to stay current. Paying more than the minimum reduces the balance that interest is calculated on.
If you only pay the minimum, the rest of your balance carries over to next month and Chase charges interest on it — usually 15% to 25% per year, depending on your card. If you pay your full statement balance, you won't owe interest on anything you charged this month (though you'll still owe interest on balances from previous months if you didn't pay those in full). If you pay your total balance, you'll owe no interest at all.
Paying from a bank account at a different bank
You can pay Chase from any bank account you own, even if it's at a different bank. When you set up the payment, Chase will ask for your bank's routing number and your account number. The first time you use a new account, Chase may require you to verify it — they'll make two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your account, and you'll need to tell Chase the amounts to confirm you own the account. This verification takes one to two business days.
After verification, payments from that account work the same way as payments from any other account. You can set up multiple accounts and switch between them, or set up automatic payments from one account and make occasional manual payments from another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I pay Chase from a credit card instead of a bank account?
Chase doesn't let you pay your credit card bill with another credit card through their website or app. If you use a third-party payment service to do this, you'll usually pay a fee (2% to 3% of the amount) and the payment may take longer to post. It's almost always better to pay from a bank account or with cash.
Can I pay Chase in person at a branch?
Yes. Go to any Chase branch with your card or account number and tell the teller you want to make a payment. They'll take cash or a check and the payment posts the same day. There's no fee. This is useful if you prefer to handle money in person or if you need the payment to post when ready.
What if I overpay my Chase card?
If you pay more than you owe, Chase will hold the extra as a credit on your account. You can use it toward future charges, or you can call Chase and ask them to refund it to your bank account. There's no fee either way, and the credit doesn't expire.
How do I know if my payment went through?
Log into your Chase account and check your recent transactions — the payment should show up within a few hours of sending it online. You can also call the number on your card and a representative can confirm the payment was received. Your statement will also show the payment once it posts.
Can I schedule a payment for a future date?
Yes. When you make a payment online or through the app, Chase lets you pick the date you want it to post (usually up to 30 days in advance). This is useful if you want to make sure a payment goes out on a specific day or if you're planning ahead. Automatic payments also let you pick a day of the month.