The basic payment methods and where to send your money
You can pay your credit card bill by mailing a check, paying online through your card issuer's website or app, setting up automatic payments from your bank account, or calling the card company's phone number on the back of your card to pay by phone. Most people use online payment or automatic transfers because they are faster and leave a record. The payment address is printed on your monthly statement, and the due date is also listed there — that is the date your payment must arrive to avoid a late fee.
The key difference between payment methods is timing and proof. A mailed check takes 5 to 7 business days to reach the card company, so if you mail it the day before the due date, it will arrive late. Online payments and automatic transfers usually post within one business day. Phone payments are when ready but require you to have your account number and routing information ready. All methods charge the same amount — there is no fee for paying by any of these routes.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through your card issuer's website or app is the fastest and most common method, posting within one business day.
- Automatic payments from your bank account can be set up to pay on a date you choose each month, so you never miss a due date.
- Mailed checks take 5 to 7 business days to arrive, so mail them at least a week before the due date to avoid late fees.
- The minimum payment is listed on your statement, but paying the full balance stops interest charges from building up.
Paying online through your card issuer's website or mobile app
Log into your account on the card company's website or open their mobile app, then look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Bill" button — the exact wording varies by issuer. You will enter the amount you want to pay, choose the date you want it to post (usually the same day or the next business day), and confirm your bank account information. The card company will deduct the money from your checking or savings account and credit it to your card balance.
This method works when ready and gives you a confirmation number you can save as proof of payment. If you pay before the due date shown on your statement, no late fee applies. If you pay after the due date, the late fee is added to your balance even if the payment posts the next day. Most card issuers let you set up a one-time payment this way or schedule recurring payments for the same date each month.
Setting up automatic payments so you never miss a due date
Automatic payments are scheduled transfers from your bank account to your credit card on a date you choose. You set this up once through your card issuer's website or app, usually in a section called "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments." You choose the amount (minimum payment, full statement balance, or a fixed dollar amount), the date each month, and your bank account details. After that, the payment happens on its own every month until you cancel it.
The main benefit is that you cannot forget. The main risk is that if your bank account does not have enough money on the payment date, the transfer fails and you get a late fee. To avoid this, set the payment date a few days after you normally receive income, or set it to pay the minimum amount rather than the full balance if your cash flow is unpredictable. You can change the amount or date anytime by logging back into your card account.
Paying by mail with a check
Write a check to your credit card company for the amount you want to pay. On the memo line, write your account number so the payment gets matched to your account. Put the check in an envelope with the payment stub from your statement (if your card company sends one) and mail it to the address printed on your statement. Do not mail it to the customer service phone number or the website address — use only the mailing address on your bill.
Mail takes 5 to 7 business days to arrive, so if the due date is in 3 days, mailing a check now will result in a late fee. To be safe, mail checks at least 7 to 10 days before the due date. Once the check arrives and is processed, the payment posts to your account. If you need proof that you paid, keep a photo of the cancelled check or a copy of the front and back once your bank returns it.
Paying by phone
Call the phone number on the back of your credit card and follow the automated system to make a payment, or ask to speak to a representative. You will need your account number, the amount you want to pay, and your bank account or debit card information. The payment posts when ready, and you receive a confirmation number. Write down this number in case you need to dispute the payment later.
Phone payments are useful if you are away from a computer or if you have questions about your account while paying. They are not faster than online payment — both post within one business day — but they do give you a chance to ask the card company about your balance or due date while you are on the line. There is no fee for paying by phone.
The difference between minimum payment and full balance
Your statement shows a minimum payment — the smallest amount you can pay without triggering a late fee. This is usually 1 to 3 percent of your total balance, or $25, whichever is greater. If you pay only the minimum, the rest of your balance stays on the card and accrues interest at your card's annual percentage rate (APR). Over time, this interest adds up and makes the debt more expensive.
Paying the full statement balance means paying everything you charged during the billing period. If you do this by the due date, you owe no interest. This is why paying the full balance is the lowest-cost way to use a credit card. If you cannot pay the full balance, paying more than the minimum still reduces how much interest you owe. Any payment method — online, automatic, mail, or phone — works for either the minimum or the full balance.
What happens if you miss the due date
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, the card company charges a late fee, usually $25 to $40 depending on your card and how many times you have been late before. The late fee is added to your balance. If you are more than 30 days late, the card company may also report the late payment to the credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score and stay on your credit report for up to seven years.
If you miss a payment, contact your card company as soon as you realize it. Some issuers will waive the late fee if you call within a few days and have a good payment history. Paying the full amount owed plus the late fee stops further penalties. Setting up automatic payments or paying online a few days early prevents this problem entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card with another credit card?
No, credit card companies do not accept payment from another credit card. You must pay from a bank account (checking or savings), by mailed check, or by debit card. Paying with a debit card counts as a bank account payment. Trying to pay a credit card with another credit card through a third-party service usually triggers a cash advance fee and higher interest rate.
What if I pay more than my balance?
The overpayment sits as a credit on your account. You can use it toward future purchases, or you can request that the card company refund the extra money to your bank account. Most card companies let you request a refund through their website or by calling customer service.
Does paying early help my credit score?
Paying before the due date does not hurt your score, but it does not help it either. Your credit score is based on whether you pay by the due date, how much of your credit limit you use, and your payment history over time. Paying on time every month is what builds credit — paying early does not accelerate that.
Can I set up automatic payments for different amounts each month?
Most card issuers let you set automatic payments for a fixed amount or for the full statement balance each month, but not for a different amount each month. If your balance varies and you want to pay it in full each month, set the automatic payment to "full statement balance" rather than a dollar amount. You can also change the amount manually each month before the payment posts.
What if my bank account does not have enough money when the automatic payment is due?
The payment fails, and you get a late fee from the credit card company. Your bank may also charge an overdraft fee. To prevent this, set the automatic payment date a few days after you receive income, or set it to pay the minimum amount instead of the full balance. You can also manually pay the difference a day or two later to avoid the late fee.