Pay your Citi credit card bill online, by phone, or by mail
You can pay your Citi credit card balance through your online account, the Citi mobile app, by phone, or by mailing a check. The fastest method is online through your Citi account — the payment posts the same business day if you pay before the cutoff time, usually 8 p.m. Eastern. Phone and mail payments take longer to process, so plan ahead if your due date is near.
Citi also lets you set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date. You can choose to pay your full statement balance, a fixed amount, or just the minimum payment each month. Automatic payments remove the risk of late fees and interest charges from missed important date.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments post the same business day if submitted before the evening cutoff, while phone and mail payments take several business days.
- You can pay your full balance, a fixed dollar amount, or your minimum payment, and you can set up automatic payments to repeat each month.
- To pay online, log into your Citi account, select the card you want to pay, enter the payment amount, and confirm the date.
- If you pay by phone, call the number on the back of your card and have your account number and routing information ready.
- Late payments trigger a fee and can raise your interest rate, so set up automatic payments if you often forget due dates.
Pay online through your Citi account
Log into your Citi account at citi.com or through the Citi mobile app. Click on the card you want to pay, then select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you want to pay — you will see your current balance, minimum payment, and statement balance so you can choose which to pay.
Select the date you want the payment to post. If you choose a date before your due date, the payment will count toward that month's bill. Enter your payment method — you can pay from a bank account (checking or savings) or another Citi card. Review the details and confirm the payment. The transaction will post the same business day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Keep the confirmation number for your records. Citi will send you an email receipt, and the payment will show in your account history when ready, even though it may take a day or two to reduce your balance on your statement.
Pay by phone with a Citi representative
Call the number on the back of your Citi credit card. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. Have your bank account information ready if you want to pay from a checking or savings account, or provide another payment method.
Phone payments typically take three to five business days to post to your account. If your due date is within a few days, paying by phone cuts it close — online or automatic payment is safer. The representative will give you a confirmation number; write it down in case you need to track the payment later.
Citi's phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can call even outside business hours. However, wait times can be long during peak hours, usually weekday mornings and evenings.
Pay by mail with a check
Write a check for the amount you want to pay and include your account number on the check itself. Mail it to the address shown on your statement or billing notice — this address changes depending on where Citi processes payments for your card type, so always use the current address from your bill.
Mail payments take seven to ten business days to arrive and post. If your due date is fewer than ten days away, mailing a check is too slow and will likely result in a late fee. Mail payments are the slowest option and should only be used if you have no other way to pay.
Keep a copy of the check or note the check number and amount in case you need to follow up. If the payment does not appear in your account within two weeks, contact Citi to confirm it was received.
Set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date
Log into your Citi account and go to "Manage Automatic Payments" or "Autopay Settings." Choose the card you want to set up automatic payments for. Select how much you want to pay each month: your full statement balance, a fixed dollar amount, or your minimum payment.
Choose the date each month when you want the payment to come out of your bank account. Most people choose a date a few days before their due date to make sure the payment posts on time. Select your bank account or payment method and confirm the setup.
Automatic payments will continue each month until you turn them off. You can change the payment amount or date anytime by logging back into your account. If you set automatic payments to your full statement balance, you will pay no interest charges as long as you do not make new purchases after the payment posts.
What happens if your payment is late
If your payment does not post by your due date, Citi will charge a late fee. The fee amount depends on your card type and how far past due you are — first late payments are usually $25 to $35, and subsequent late payments can be higher. The late fee is added to your balance and you will owe interest on it.
A late payment also triggers a higher interest rate on your card, usually your card's penalty APR, which can be 29% or higher. This rate applies to new purchases and your existing balance. The penalty rate stays in place for at least six months, even after you catch up on payments.
Late payments also show up on your credit report and can lower your credit score. If you miss a payment, pay as soon as you realize it — the sooner you pay, the less interest you will owe. Contact Citi if you are having trouble making a payment; they may be able to work with you on timing or payment arrangements.
Payment timing and when money posts to your account
Online and app payments post the same business day if you submit them before the cutoff time, usually 8 p.m. Eastern. This means if you pay on a Monday morning, your balance updates Monday evening. However, the payment still counts as received on that date even if the balance does not update until the next morning.
Phone payments take three to five business days to post. Mail payments take seven to ten business days. If you are close to your due date, online payment is the only method fast enough to avoid a late fee. Set up automatic payments well in advance so you do not have to rush.
Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a payment submitted on Friday evening may not post until Tuesday. Plan accordingly if your due date falls on a weekend or holiday — submit your payment by Thursday at the latest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Citi card with a debit card or another credit card?
Yes. When you set up a payment online or through the app, you can choose to pay from a bank account or use another card. However, paying a credit card with another credit card usually triggers a cash advance fee and higher interest rate, so paying from a bank account is cheaper.
What if I pay more than my balance?
If you pay more than you owe, the extra amount becomes a credit on your account. You can use the credit toward future purchases, or contact Citi to request a refund. Citi will mail you a check or credit the amount back to your bank account, though this takes several business days.
Do I have to pay my full balance to avoid interest?
No. You only owe interest on the balance you do not pay. If your statement balance is $1,000 and you pay $600, you owe interest on the remaining $400. However, if you pay your full statement balance by the due date, you owe no interest at all — this is called the grace period.
Can I change my due date?
Yes. Log into your Citi account and look for "Change Due Date" or "Billing Preferences." You can usually move your due date to any day of the month. Changing your due date can help you align your payment with when you get paid or when other bills are due.
What if my payment was rejected?
Payments are usually rejected because the bank account information is wrong, the account does not have enough funds, or the account has been closed. Check your email for a rejection notice from Citi. Log back into your account, update your payment method, and try again. If the problem continues, call the number on your card to troubleshoot with a representative.