Pay your Discover bill online, by phone, or by mail
You can pay your Discover credit card bill through your online account, by calling Discover's payment line, by mailing a check, or by setting up automatic payments. The fastest method is logging into your Discover account and paying directly from there — the payment posts the same business day if you pay before the cutoff time, which is usually 8 p.m. Eastern. If you call or mail a payment, allow extra time for processing.
Discover does not charge a fee to pay your bill through any of these methods. The only cost is what you owe on your card, plus any interest if you carry a balance.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through your Discover account is the fastest method and posts the same business day if submitted before the evening cutoff.
- You can pay by phone at 1-800-347-2683, by mail to the address on your statement, or by setting up automatic payments from your bank account.
- Discover does not charge a fee for any payment method, but your payment must arrive by the due date shown on your statement to avoid late fees and interest.
- If you cannot pay the full balance, you can pay any amount above the minimum payment due without penalty.
Pay online through your Discover account
Log into your Discover account at discover.com using your username and password. On the account dashboard, look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button — the exact wording varies, but it is always visible on the main page. Click it and you will be taken to the payment screen.
Enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay your full statement balance, the minimum payment due, or any amount in between. Select the bank account you want the payment to come from — you must have already added at least one bank account to your Discover profile before you can pay this way. Choose the payment date: you can pay today or schedule it for a future date up to 15 days away. Review the details and confirm the payment.
Discover will show you a confirmation number when ready. The payment posts to your account the same business day if you submit it before 8 p.m. Eastern Time. If you submit after 8 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, it posts the next business day.
Pay by phone
Call Discover's payment line at 1-800-347-2683. A representative will ask for your card number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay from a checking or savings account, or from another Discover card. Have your bank account number and routing number ready if you are paying from a bank account.
Phone payments take one to two business days to post. The representative will give you a confirmation number before you hang up — write it down or ask them to repeat it. Keep this number in case you need to track the payment later.
Pay by mail
Write a check or money order for the amount you owe. On the front of the check, write your Discover card number in the memo line. Include your payment stub from your statement if you have it — the stub has your account number printed on it, which speeds up processing.
Mail your payment to the address shown on your statement under "Payment Address" or "Send Payment To." Do not mail it to the customer service address or the address on the front of your card. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post, so send it at least two weeks before your due date to be safe.
Set up automatic payments
Automatic payments deduct money from your bank account on a date you choose each month. Log into your Discover account and look for "Automatic Payments," "Autopay," or "Recurring Payments" in the settings or account management section. Click to set up a new automatic payment.
Choose the bank account you want to pay from, the amount you want to pay each month (you can select "full balance," "minimum payment," or a fixed dollar amount), and the date each month when you want the payment to go through. Discover will process the payment automatically on that date every month until you cancel it.
Automatic payments are useful if you want to avoid missing a due date, but make sure your bank account has enough money on the payment date. If the account is empty, the payment will fail and you may be charged a late fee.
What happens if you miss your due date
Your payment is late if it does not arrive by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date shown on your statement. If you pay late, Discover will charge you a late fee — the amount depends on your card terms, but it is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment and higher for repeat late payments.
A late payment also triggers interest charges on your balance if you were not already paying interest. Your interest rate jumps to the penalty rate listed in your card agreement, which is usually higher than your regular rate. The late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score.
If you realize your payment will be late, call Discover at 1-800-347-2683 as soon as possible. Some representatives can waive a late fee if it is your first one and you have a good payment history, though they are not required to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Discover card with another credit card?
No, Discover does not accept credit card payments. You can only pay with a bank account, check, money order, or another Discover card. Paying with another credit card through a third-party service would count as a cash advance and charge you a fee and higher interest rate.
What time does Discover stop accepting online payments each day?
Discover stops accepting online payments at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Payments submitted after that time post the next business day. If you submit a payment on a Friday after 8 p.m., it will not post until Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday).
Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay just part of it?
You can pay any amount you want, as long as it is at least the minimum payment due shown on your statement. Paying more than the minimum reduces your balance and the interest you owe, but you are never required to pay the full balance in one month.
How do I know if my payment went through?
Log into your Discover account and check your recent transactions or payment history. You should see the payment listed with the date it posted. You can also call 1-800-347-2683 and ask a representative to confirm the payment. Keep your confirmation number from when you made the payment.
Can I cancel an automatic payment if I change my mind?
Yes. Log into your Discover account, find the automatic payment in your settings, and click "Cancel" or "Delete." The cancellation takes effect when ready for future payments, but if a payment is already scheduled for today or tomorrow, it may still go through. Call Discover if you need to stop a payment that is about to process.