Bank of America offers five main ways to pay your credit card bill: online through their website or mobile app, by phone, by mail, in person at a branch, or through automatic payments
The fastest and most common method is online payment through your Bank of America account. You log in, select your credit card, enter the amount you want to pay, and choose the payment date. The money typically moves within one business day. If you do not have online access set up, you can call the customer service number on the back of your card to pay by phone — a representative will take your payment information and process it when ready.
For people who prefer not to use digital methods, you can mail a check to the address printed on your statement, or visit a Bank of America branch in person to pay at the teller window. Mailed payments take five to seven business days to reach the bank, so send them early if your due date is approaching. Automatic payments — where the bank withdraws money from your checking account on a date you choose — eliminate the risk of missing a payment altogether.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments post within one business day and are the fastest way to pay outside of automatic transfers.
- Phone payments work when ready and require only the card number and the amount you want to pay.
- Mailed checks take five to seven business days, so send them at least a week before your due date to avoid late fees.
- Automatic payments remove the need to remember your due date, but you must set them up in advance through your online account or by phone.
- In-person payments at a branch are processed the same day but require you to visit during business hours.
Paying online through your Bank of America account
To pay online, log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com or through the mobile app. Navigate to the credit card you want to pay, then select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you wish to pay — you can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. Choose your payment date: if you select today, the payment posts within one business day; if you choose a future date, the bank will process it on that date.
One-time online payments do not require you to save payment information or set up recurring transfers. You can pay as often as you want without any fee. If you have multiple Bank of America credit cards, you can pay each one separately or set up a single payment that covers more than one card.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payments deduct money from your checking account on a schedule you choose — weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or on a specific date each month. To set this up, log into your online account, go to the credit card, and select "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments." Choose the amount (minimum payment, full balance, or a fixed dollar amount), the frequency, and the date the payment should post.
Automatic payments are useful if you want to may support you never miss a due date, but you must have sufficient funds in your checking account on the payment date or the transaction will fail and may trigger an overdraft fee. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your online account. If you set up automatic payments for the full balance each month, your credit card will always show a zero balance after the payment posts.
Paying by phone or in person
To pay by phone, call the number on the back of your credit card. A Bank of America representative will ask for your card number, the amount you want to pay, and the date you want the payment to post. Phone payments are processed when ready and do not require you to have online access. There is no fee for paying by phone.
If you prefer to pay in person, visit any Bank of America branch during business hours. Bring your credit card or account number and the amount you want to pay in cash or check. The teller will process the payment the same day. Branch locations and hours are available on the Bank of America website or by calling customer service.
Mailing a check to Bank of America
The mailing address for credit card payments is printed on your monthly statement. Write your account number on the check, place it in an envelope with the payment coupon from your statement (if included), and mail it at least seven days before your due date. Mailed payments typically take five to seven business days to post to your account.
The main risk with mailed payments is timing: if your check arrives after your due date, you will be charged a late fee even though you sent it on time. To avoid this, send payments at least one week early. If you are close to your due date, use online payment, phone payment, or in-person payment instead.
Understanding payment posting times and due dates
Bank of America processes payments differently depending on the method and time of day. Online and phone payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time typically post within one business day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends may post the next business day. In-person payments at a branch post the same day. Mailed payments take five to seven business days from the date they arrive at the bank.
Your due date is the last day of the billing cycle on which you can pay without triggering a late fee. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the bank extends it to the next business day. Paying on or before your due date keeps your account in good standing and protects your credit score. Even if you pay late, you should pay as soon as possible to minimize additional fees and interest charges.
What to do if you cannot pay the full balance
You are not required to pay your full balance each month — you can pay any amount above the minimum payment. The minimum payment is listed on your statement and is usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance. If you pay only the minimum, the remaining balance carries over to the next month and accrues interest at your card's annual percentage rate (APR).
If you are struggling to pay your bill, contact Bank of America customer service to discuss your options. The bank may offer a hardship program, a temporary reduction in your interest rate, or a payment plan. These programs are not automatic, but the bank will explain what is available based on your situation. Paying something by your due date is always better than paying nothing, as it avoids late fees and damage to your credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to pay my Bank of America credit card?
No. Bank of America does not charge a fee for any payment method — online, phone, mail, in-person, or automatic. The only cost is the interest on any balance you carry from month to month.
How do I know if my payment went through?
Log into your online account and check your recent transactions. Online and phone payments show a confirmation number when ready. Mailed payments may take several days to appear. You can also call customer service to confirm a payment was received.
Can I pay my Bank of America credit card with a debit card or another bank's account?
You can pay online or by phone using a debit card from any bank. To set up automatic payments, you will need a checking account, which can be at any bank — it does not have to be Bank of America. The bank will ask for your routing number and account number.
What happens if I miss my due date?
A late fee (usually $25 to $35) will be added to your account. If you are more than 60 days late, the late payment will appear on your credit report and damage your credit score. Pay as soon as you realize you missed the date to minimize additional fees.
Can I change or cancel an automatic payment?
Yes. Log into your online account, go to automatic payments, and modify or delete the payment. Changes take effect on your next scheduled payment date. If you need to cancel when ready, call customer service.