Making a Discover It Card Payment
You can pay your Discover It card balance online through the Discover website or mobile app, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments set up in advance. Discover does not charge a fee for any of these payment methods. The payment must reach Discover by 5 p.m. ET on your due date to avoid a late fee — payments made after that time are recorded as received the next business day.
Your due date appears on your monthly statement and is always the same day each month. You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. If you pay less than the full balance, interest will accrue on the remaining amount at your card's APR.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments post to your account within one business day, making them the fastest option.
- Payments must arrive by 5 p.m. ET on your due date to avoid a late fee, which is typically $25 to $39 depending on your account history.
- You can set up automatic payments to pay a fixed amount or your full balance on the same day each month.
- Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to post, so send them at least two weeks before your due date.
- Phone payments are processed when ready but require you to have your account number and routing information ready.
Paying Online or Through the Mobile App
Log into your Discover account at discover.com or open the Discover mobile app on your phone. Select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Bill" from the menu. Enter the amount you want to pay and choose your payment date. If you select today's date, the payment posts within one business day. If you schedule a payment for a future date, it will post on that date.
You can pay from a checking or savings account linked to your Discover profile. The first time you link an account, Discover may ask you to verify it by confirming two small deposits, which takes one to two business days. After that, you can pay when ready. You can also pay using another Discover card, though this is not recommended because it creates a balance transfer and may trigger a fee.
The online and app methods are the most reliable because you receive when ready confirmation and can see the payment reflected in your account within 24 hours. You can also schedule recurring payments this way if you want the same amount paid on the same day each month.
Setting Up Automatic Payments
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting your due date. In your Discover account, go to "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments" and select "Set Up Auto Pay." Choose whether you want to pay your full statement balance, a fixed dollar amount, or your minimum payment each month.
Select the day of the month you want the payment to occur — this should be on or before your due date. Discover will deduct the payment from your linked bank account on that day every month. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your account, and you can make additional one-time payments whenever you choose.
If you set automatic payments to your full statement balance, your card will report a zero balance to credit bureaus each month, which can help your credit score. If you set it to a fixed amount or minimum payment, you will carry a balance and pay interest on it.
Paying by Phone
Call Discover customer service at the number on the back of your card. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. You will need to provide your bank account number and routing number, or authorize the payment using your Social Security number and date of birth.
Phone payments are processed when ready and post to your account within one business day. This method is useful if you do not have online access or prefer to speak with someone, but it takes longer than paying online because you must wait on hold and provide information verbally.
Paying by Mail
Write a check for the amount you want to pay and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address listed on your statement under "Payment Address" — this is different from the address where you receive your statement. Do not send payment to the statement address, as it will be delayed.
Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post to your account. To avoid a late fee, mail your payment at least two weeks before your due date. If you are close to your due date, use online, app, or phone payment instead. Keep a record of when you mailed the check in case you need to dispute a late fee later.
What Happens If You Miss Your Due Date
If your payment does not post by 5 p.m. ET on your due date, Discover will charge a late fee. For most cardholders, this is $25 for the first late payment and $39 for subsequent late payments within six months. The late fee is added to your balance and you will pay interest on it.
A late payment also appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score. If you miss a payment, pay as soon as you realize it. Even if you are late, paying when ready stops additional fees from accruing. If you have a good payment history and this is your first late payment, you can call Discover and ask them to waive the fee — they often will.
If you are unable to pay your full balance, pay at least the minimum amount by the due date to avoid the late fee. You can pay the remaining balance later without penalty, though interest will accrue on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a payment to show up in my account?
Online and app payments post within one business day. Phone payments also post within one business day. Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days. Automatic payments post on the date you select. If you pay on a weekend or holiday, the payment posts the next business day.
Can I pay my Discover It card from another bank's app?
Yes. Most banks allow you to set up bill payments to external accounts, including credit cards. Log into your bank's app, select bill pay, and enter Discover's mailing address and your Discover account number. The payment will be mailed as a check, so allow 7 to 10 business days for it to post.
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 this credit toward future purchases, or you can request that Discover refund it to your bank account. Call customer service or request the refund through your online account.
Do I have to pay the full balance every month?
No. You can pay any amount from the minimum payment up to your full balance. If you pay less than the full balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount at your card's APR. Paying only the minimum takes much longer to pay off your balance and costs significantly more in interest.
Can I change my due date?
Yes. Log into your Discover account, go to "Account Settings" or "Billing," and select "Change Due Date." You can choose any day from the 1st to the 28th of the month. The change takes effect on your next billing cycle. This is useful if your due date falls on a day when you do not have funds available.