The main number for Bank of America credit card payments is 1-800-432-1000
Call that number from any phone, any time of day. The automated system will ask you to enter your card number or the phone number on your account. You can pay your bill directly through the phone menu without speaking to a person, or press an option to reach a representative. The call is free.
Bank of America also staffs this line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Wait times are usually shortest early in the morning on weekdays. If you are calling about a payment you already made and want to confirm it posted, have your recent statement or the confirmation number from your payment ready.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-432-1000 to pay your Bank of America credit card by phone, check your balance, or speak with a representative about your account.
- You can complete a payment through the automated system without waiting for a representative, and the system accepts payments 24 hours a day.
- Payments made by phone typically post to your account within one business day, though the exact timing depends on when you call and your bank's processing schedule.
- Have your card number, account number, or the phone number on file ready when you call, and know the amount you want to pay before the system asks.
- If you need to dispute a charge or discuss a late payment, a representative can help, but you may reach a shorter wait time by calling during business hours on a weekday.
What happens when you call to make a payment
The automated system will first ask you to verify your identity. You can enter your 16-digit card number, your Social Security number, or the phone number associated with your account. The system then displays your current balance and minimum payment due.
You choose the amount you want to pay — you can pay the full balance, the minimum, or any amount in between. The system asks what account you want the payment to come from: a checking account, savings account, or debit card. You enter the routing number and account number (or card number) and confirm the payment. The entire process takes about three to five minutes.
If you want to speak to a representative instead, you can press a menu option at any point. Representatives can help you set up automatic payments, discuss a payment plan if you are behind, or answer questions about your account. They cannot lower your interest rate or waive fees, but they can explain why a fee was charged and sometimes direct you to a department that handles disputes.
When your payment actually posts to your account
Payments made through the automated phone system usually post within one business day. If you call late in the evening or on a weekend, the payment may not process until the next business day, and then take another day to show on your account. Bank of America's processing schedule treats phone payments the same way it treats online payments.
If you are calling because your payment is due today or tomorrow, ask the automated system or a representative what time the cutoff is for same-day posting. This varies by the time zone where Bank of America processes your payment. Payments received after the cutoff are treated as received the next business day.
Keep the confirmation number the system gives you. If you need to prove you made a payment — for example, if a late fee was charged and you believe you paid on time — the confirmation number is your proof. You can reference it if you call back or dispute the fee.
Setting up automatic payments instead of calling each time
If you find yourself calling to pay your bill every month, you can set up automatic payments so the money leaves your bank account on a date you choose. Call 1-800-432-1000 and ask a representative to set this up, or log into your Bank of America online account and choose the automatic payment option under "Payments and Transfers."
You can set the payment to go out on the same date every month, or you can change the amount and date each month if your bill varies. Automatic payments are free. If you set the payment to go out on or before your due date, you will never miss a payment and will avoid late fees.
What to do if you cannot pay the full amount
If you are calling because you cannot afford to pay your bill, tell the representative. Bank of America offers hardship programs for people facing temporary financial difficulty. These programs may lower your interest rate, pause late fees, or set up a payment plan where you pay a fixed amount each month until your balance is paid off.
To be considered for a hardship program, you usually need to explain what caused the difficulty — a job loss, medical emergency, or other unexpected expense — and show that you have a plan to recover. The representative cannot promise anything on the phone, but they can start the process and tell you what documents to send.
If you are behind on payments, do not ignore the bill. Calling and explaining your situation is always better than not calling. Bank of America is more likely to work with you if you reach out first than if you wait for them to contact you.
Other ways to pay besides calling
You do not have to call to pay your bill. You can log into your Bank of America account online at bankofamerica.com, go to the Payments section, and pay from there. You can also use the Bank of America mobile app to pay in seconds. Both methods work 24 hours a day and post on the same schedule as phone payments.
You can also mail a check to the address on your statement, though mail payments take longer to post — usually five to seven business days. If you are close to your due date, mailing a check is riskier because it may not arrive in time.
Some people set up a payment through their own bank's bill pay system, which sends a check from their bank to Bank of America. This also takes five to seven business days and should only be used if you have time before your due date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Bank of America credit card bill with a different card?
No. Bank of America does not accept credit card payments made with another credit card, whether by phone, online, or in person. You must pay from a checking account, savings account, or debit card. Paying a credit card with another credit card is treated as a cash advance and charged a higher fee and interest rate.
What if I call to pay but the payment fails?
If the automated system rejects your payment, it will tell you why — usually because the account number or routing number was entered incorrectly, or because the account does not have enough money. The system does not charge you if the payment fails. You can try again when ready with corrected information, or call back later.
Is there a fee to pay by phone?
No. Bank of America does not charge a fee for paying your credit card bill by phone, online, or through the mobile app. All three methods are free. If a third-party service charges you to pay your bill, that is not Bank of America's fee.
Can I pay someone else's Bank of America credit card bill?
You can pay if you have the cardholder's permission and their card number or account number. The payment will go to that account. If you are paying a family member's bill regularly, ask them to set up automatic payments instead so they do not have to rely on you to remember.
What if I paid but my payment is showing as late?
Call 1-800-432-1000 and have your confirmation number ready. A representative can look up when your payment posted and may be able to remove a late fee if the payment arrived before the due date but the system shows it as late. This sometimes happens if there is a delay in processing. Explain what you see on your statement and provide the confirmation number.