How to pay your credit card bill
You can pay your credit card bill through your card issuer's website or mobile app, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch if your bank has physical locations. Most issuers also let you set up automatic payments that deduct from your bank account on a date you choose — usually your statement due date or a few days before. The fastest online payments post the same day; mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days. You can pay the full balance, the minimum amount due, or any amount in between.
The method you choose affects when the payment reaches your account and whether you avoid interest charges. Paying online or by phone is when ready and free. Paying by mail is free but slow. Automatic payments are free and remove the risk of forgetting, but you need a bank account and routing number to set them up. Some issuers charge a fee if you pay by phone with a representative, though online phone payments are usually free.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments post the same day and are free, making them the fastest way to pay.
- Automatic payments deduct from your bank account on a schedule you set, so you never miss a due date.
- Paying at least the minimum amount by the due date prevents late fees and protects your credit score.
- Paying the full statement balance by the due date means you pay no interest, even if you carry a balance the next month.
- Mailed checks are free but take 7 to 10 business days, so mail early if your due date is soon.
Online and mobile app payments
Log into your card issuer's website or open their mobile app, find the "Pay Bill" or "Make a Payment" section, and enter the amount you want to pay. You will need your bank account number and routing number to link a bank account, or you can use a debit card. The payment posts when ready or within one business day, and you will see a confirmation number on screen.
Most issuers let you schedule a payment for a future date — useful if you want to pay on payday but your due date is sooner. You can also set up a one-time payment or a recurring automatic payment from the same screen. There is no fee for online payments, and you can pay at any time, including nights and weekends.
Automatic payments from your bank account
Set up automatic payments through your card issuer's website by linking your checking or savings account. You choose the payment date and the amount — either a fixed dollar amount each month or the full statement balance. The payment withdraws automatically on that date, so you do not have to remember to pay.
Automatic payments are free and eliminate the risk of a late payment. The downside is that if your balance varies, a fixed dollar amount might not cover the full balance some months, leaving you with interest charges. Setting the payment to "full statement balance" solves this, but your bank account must have enough money on that date or the payment will fail and you may face a returned-payment fee from your bank.
Phone and in-person payments
Call the number on the back of your card to pay by phone. A representative can process your payment using your bank account or debit card. Some issuers charge a fee for phone payments made with a representative — typically $10 to $15 — though paying through their automated phone system is usually free. The payment posts the same day.
If your card issuer has physical branches, you can walk in and pay in person with cash, a check, or a debit card. This is useful if you do not have online access or prefer to handle money in person. Ask whether the branch charges a fee for cash payments; most do not, but some regional banks do.
Mailed check payments
Write a check to your card issuer, include your account number on the check, and mail it to the address printed on your statement or bill. The payment takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post. Mail your check at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late payment, since the issuer does not receive it until it arrives.
Mailed payments are free, but they are slow and you have no proof of delivery. If your check is lost in the mail, you will not know until after your due date has passed. Keep a copy of the check and the envelope for your records. This method is least common now, but some people use it as a backup if their online access is down.
What happens if you miss the due date
A payment is late if it does not post by the due date shown on your statement. Most issuers charge a late fee — typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent ones within six months. You also start paying interest on the unpaid balance at your card's annual percentage rate (APR), even if you had no balance before.
A late payment also damages your credit score. Payment history is the largest factor in your credit score, and one late payment can drop your score by 100 points or more. The damage is worst in the first 30 days after the due date. After 30 days, the late payment is reported to the credit bureaus and stays on your report for seven years, though its impact on your score fades over time.
If you miss a payment by more than 60 days, your issuer may raise your interest rate to the penalty APR, which can be 25% or higher. If you miss a payment by 180 days (six months), the issuer may close your account and sell the debt to a collection agency.
Paying more than the minimum
Your statement shows a minimum payment due — usually 1% to 3% of your balance. Paying only the minimum means you carry the rest of your balance to the next month and pay interest on it. If you have a $5,000 balance at 20% APR and pay only the minimum, it will take you years to pay off and cost you thousands in interest.
Paying the full statement balance by the due date means you owe no interest, even if you use the card again the next month. If you cannot pay the full balance, paying as much as you can above the minimum reduces the interest you owe and gets you out of debt faster. Many people set up automatic payments for the full balance to avoid interest entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time of day does an online payment post?
Online payments typically post the same business day if you submit them before the issuer's cutoff time, usually 5 p.m. Eastern time. Payments submitted after the cutoff or on weekends post the next business day. Check your issuer's website for their specific cutoff time.
Can I pay my credit card bill with another credit card?
Most issuers do not allow credit card payments with another credit card. You can use a debit card, bank account, or cash. Some third-party payment services let you pay with a credit card, but they charge a fee of 2% to 3%, which makes it expensive.
What should I do if I cannot pay by the due date?
Contact your issuer before the due date and ask about a hardship program or a due date change. Many issuers will move your due date or waive a late fee if you call before you miss the payment. Paying late is better than not paying at all, but calling first gives you a chance to avoid the fee.
Does paying early help my credit score?
Paying early does not directly boost your score, but it ensures you never miss a due date and reduces the amount of interest you pay. What matters for your score is that you pay on time and keep your balance low relative to your credit limit.
Can I set up automatic payments for different amounts each month?
Most issuers let you set automatic payments for a fixed amount or for the full statement balance, but not for a custom amount that changes each month. You can change the amount manually each month through your online account, or set it to "full balance" so it adjusts automatically.