The main ways to pay your Bank of America credit card
You can pay your Bank of America credit card through their website, mobile app, phone, or by mail. The fastest method is online or through the app — payments post the same day if you pay before the cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern. Phone payments take the same day if you call before 8 p.m., and mailed checks typically take 5 to 7 business days to post.
Bank of America also lets you set up automatic payments so the bill comes out of your checking account on a date you choose each month. This removes the risk of forgetting a due date, though you need to make sure your account has enough money on that day.
Key Takeaways
- Online and app payments post the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern, while mailed checks take 5 to 7 business days.
- You can pay through BofA.com, the mobile app, by phone at 1-800-432-1000, or by mailing a check to the address on your statement.
- Automatic payments remove the need to remember your due date each month and can be set up or changed anytime through your online account.
- Paying at least the minimum by your due date prevents late fees and protects your credit score from damage.
Paying online or through the Bank of America app
Log into your Bank of America account at BofA.com or open the mobile app, then navigate to your credit card account. Select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" — the exact wording varies slightly between the website and app. You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between.
Choose the payment date you want. If you select today's date and submit before 8 p.m. Eastern, the payment posts the same business day. If you choose a future date, the payment will post on that date. Bank of America does not charge a fee for online or app payments made from a linked Bank of America checking or savings account.
If you pay from an account at a different bank, Bank of America may charge a fee — check the payment screen before you confirm. The app also shows your current balance, due date, and recent transactions, so you can see exactly what you owe before you pay.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments deduct money from your bank account on the same day each month, so you never miss a due date. To set this up, log into BofA.com, go to your credit card account, and look for "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments." Choose the amount you want to pay each month — you can select the full statement balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount.
Pick the day of the month you want the payment to come out. Bank of America recommends choosing a date after you receive your paycheck so your account has the money. You can change or cancel the automatic payment anytime through the same menu, and you will receive a confirmation email each time a payment is processed.
If your account does not have enough money on the scheduled payment date, the payment will fail and you may be charged a non-sufficient funds fee by your bank. Check your balance a few days before the payment date to make sure the money is there.
Paying by phone
Call Bank of America's automated payment line at 1-800-432-1000. You will need your credit card number and a PIN or the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. The system will ask how much you want to pay and what date you want the payment to post.
Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern post the same business day. If you call after 8 p.m. or on a weekend, the payment will post the next business day. There is no fee for paying by phone from a Bank of America account, but fees may explore if you pay from another bank's account.
Paying by mail
Write a check and mail it to the address shown on your credit card statement under "Payment Address" or "Make Checks Payable To." Do not send payment to the address where you receive your bill — use only the payment address listed on your statement. Include your account number on the check so Bank of America can match it to your account.
Mailed checks typically take 5 to 7 business days to arrive and post. If your due date is coming up soon, mailing a check is risky because it may not arrive in time. Use online payment, the app, or phone payment instead if you are close to your due date.
What happens if you miss your due date
A late payment fee is charged if your payment arrives after your due date. The fee amount depends on your card and account history — Bank of America typically charges between $25 and $35 for the first late payment. A second late payment within six months may cost more.
More importantly, a late payment is reported to credit bureaus and can lower your credit score. This damage can last for years and make it harder to borrow money in the future. If you miss a payment by more than 30 days, your interest rate may increase as well.
If you realize you will miss your due date, contact Bank of America before the date passes. They may be able to waive a late fee if you have a good payment history, though they are not required to do so.
Understanding your minimum payment and statement balance
Your minimum payment is the smallest amount Bank of America requires you to pay by your due date to keep your account in good standing. This amount is shown on your statement and usually covers interest charges plus a small portion of what you owe. Paying only the minimum means the rest of your balance carries over to next month and you pay interest on it.
Your statement balance is the total amount you charged during the billing period. Paying the full statement balance by the due date means you owe no interest on those charges. If you carry a balance from month to month, interest accrues daily at your card's annual percentage rate (APR).
To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance each month. If you cannot afford the full amount, paying more than the minimum reduces how much interest you pay over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Bank of America credit card with a debit card?
No, Bank of America does not let you pay a credit card with a debit card through their website or app. You can only pay from a linked Bank of America checking or savings account, or from another bank's account using the payment system. Paying with a debit card would require calling customer service to discuss other options.
What time does Bank of America stop accepting payments each day?
Online and app payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern post the same business day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. Eastern or on weekends post the next business day. Phone payments follow the same cutoff time.
If I pay early, does it help my credit score?
Paying early does not hurt your credit score, but it does not help it either. Your credit score is based on whether you pay on time, how much of your available credit you use, and your payment history over time. Paying a few days early has no additional benefit beyond ensuring the payment arrives by the due date.
Can I set up automatic payments for more than one credit card?
Yes, you can set up automatic payments for each Bank of America credit card you own. Log into each card's account separately and create an automatic payment for each one. You can choose different payment amounts and dates for each card.
What should I do if my payment was not posted?
Check your Bank of America account online to see if the payment is pending. Pending payments usually post within one business day. If the payment shows as posted but your balance did not change, contact Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000 to investigate. Keep a record of the confirmation number you received when you made the payment.