The three ways to pay your credit card bill
You can pay your credit card bill through your card issuer's website or mobile app, by phone, or by mailing a check. Most people use the website or app because you can see your balance and due date when ready, and the payment posts within one to three business days. Phone payments work the same way but take longer to process. Mailing a check is the slowest option — allow at least seven to ten business days for the payment to reach the issuer and clear.
The payment method you choose does not affect your credit score or the interest you pay. What matters is the amount you pay and when it arrives at the issuer, not how you send it. If you are behind on a payment, any of these methods will work equally well to catch up.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments are fastest and let you see your exact balance and due date before you pay.
- You can set up automatic payments to pay a fixed amount on a set date each month, which prevents missed payments.
- Paying at least the minimum by the due date stops late fees and protects your credit score from damage.
- Paying your full statement balance each month avoids interest charges entirely.
- If you mail a check, send it at least ten days before your due date to account for postal delays.
Paying online or through the mobile app
Log into your card issuer's website or open their mobile app, then look for a link labeled "Make a Payment" or "Pay My Bill." You will see your current balance, minimum payment due, and the due date. Enter the amount you want to pay and confirm the payment method — usually a bank account you link to your card account. The issuer will show you when the payment will post, typically within one to three business days.
Most issuers let you pay from any U.S. bank account, not just the one you used to open the card. If you do not have online access set up yet, you can create an account on the issuer's website using your card number and Social Security number. This usually takes a few minutes and gives you access to your statement, due date, and payment history all in one place.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date. Go to your card issuer's website, find the automatic payment or autopay section, and choose how much you want to pay each month. You can set it to pay your full statement balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount. Then select the date each month when the payment should process — many people choose the day after they get paid or the day before their due date.
Once autopay is set up, the issuer will deduct that amount from your linked bank account on the date you chose, every month. You can change or cancel the automatic payment anytime through your account settings. Even with autopay running, check your statement each month to make sure the payment went through and your balance is what you expected.
Paying by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. A representative will ask for your card number, the amount you want to pay, and the bank account you want to pay from. They will confirm the payment amount and when it will post. Phone payments work the same way as online payments but may take slightly longer to process — usually two to four business days instead of one to three.
Phone payments are useful if you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, but they are slower than online payment. There is no fee for paying by phone through your card issuer's official customer service line. Do not use third-party services that claim to process credit card payments for you — they often charge fees and add unnecessary steps.
Paying by mail
Write a check for the amount you want to pay, write your account number on the check, and mail it to the address shown on your statement or the issuer's website. The issuer will receive and process the check, but this takes time — typically seven to ten business days for the check to arrive, plus one to two business days for the issuer to process it. If your due date is soon, mailing a check is risky because postal delays could cause your payment to arrive late.
If you must mail a payment, send it at least ten days before your due date. Include a note with your account number so the issuer can match the check to your account. Keep a record of the check number and the date you mailed it in case you need to track the payment later. Mailing is the slowest option and should only be used if you cannot pay online or by phone.
Understanding minimum payments and due dates
Your minimum payment is the smallest amount your issuer will accept each month. It is usually 1 to 3 percent of your total balance, or a fixed dollar amount like $25, whichever is greater. Paying at least the minimum by the due date — the date shown on your statement — stops late fees from being added to your account and prevents damage to your credit score.
However, paying only the minimum means you will pay interest on the remaining balance. If you carry a balance of $5,000 at 20 percent annual interest and pay only the minimum each month, it will take years to pay off and cost thousands in interest. Paying your full statement balance each month avoids interest entirely. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay as much as you can above the minimum to reduce how much interest you owe.
What to do if you miss a payment
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, your issuer will charge a late fee — typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment, and up to $40 for subsequent ones. The late fee will be added to your balance. More importantly, a late payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will damage your credit score for up to seven years.
If you realize you have missed a payment, pay as soon as possible. The sooner you pay, the less interest will accrue on your balance. Call your issuer's customer service line and ask if they will waive the late fee — many issuers will remove one late fee per year if you have a good payment history otherwise. After you pay, continue making on-time payments each month to rebuild your credit score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card with another credit card?
No, credit card issuers do not accept credit card payments. You must pay from a bank account, by check, or by cash at a physical branch if your issuer has one. Using a third-party service to pay a credit card with another card will result in fees and is not worth the cost.
Does paying early help my credit score?
Paying early 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 the 1st instead of the 15th makes no difference to your score as long as both dates are before the due date.
What happens if I pay more than my balance?
If you pay more than you owe, the extra amount becomes a credit on your account. You can use that credit toward future purchases, or you can request that the issuer refund the overpayment to your bank account. Most issuers will refund overpayments if you ask, though it may take a few business days.
Is there a fee for paying my credit card bill?
No, there is no fee to pay your credit card bill through your issuer's website, app, or phone line. Mailing a check costs only the price of a stamp. Third-party payment services sometimes charge fees, so avoid them and pay directly through your issuer instead.
How do I know if my payment went through?
After you submit a payment online or by phone, your issuer will show you a confirmation number and the expected posting date. Check your account a few days later to confirm the payment appears on your statement. If the payment does not post by the date shown, contact customer service to track it down.