The three ways to pay your credit card bill
You can pay your credit card bill by logging into your card issuer's website or app, by phone, or by mailing a check. Most people use online or mobile payment because it is fastest and you can see the payment post within one to three business days. Phone payment takes slightly longer to process but works the same way. Mailing a check is slowest — the card issuer may not receive it for five to seven business days, and you risk a late fee if it arrives after your due date.
The payment method you choose does not change what you owe or when you owe it. Your due date stays the same whether you pay online, by phone, or by mail. The only thing that changes is how quickly the payment reaches the card issuer and how much control you have over the exact timing.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile payments are the fastest and most reliable way to pay, usually posting within one to three business days.
- You must pay at least the minimum payment by your due date to avoid a late fee and damage to your credit score.
- Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe on any remaining balance.
- Set up automatic payments if you want the card issuer to deduct a fixed amount from your bank account on the same day each month.
- If you miss your due date, contact your card issuer when ready — some will waive a first late fee if you call within 30 days.
Paying online or through the card issuer's mobile app
Log into your credit card account on the issuer's website or open their mobile app. Look for a button or link labeled "Make a Payment," "Pay Bill," or "Pay Now." You will be asked to enter the amount you want to pay and choose a payment date. Most issuers let you pay when ready or schedule a payment for a future date.
Enter your bank account information if you have not saved it already. You will need your routing number and account number, which appear on the bottom left of any check from that account. The card issuer will ask whether you want to pay from a checking or savings account. Choose checking unless you have a specific reason to use savings.
Review the amount and date one more time before you confirm. Once you submit, you will see a confirmation number on screen — write it down or take a screenshot. The payment will post to your account within one to three business days, depending on your bank and the card issuer.
Paying by phone
Call the phone number on the back of your credit card. A representative will ask for your account number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. Tell them you want to make a payment and provide the amount.
The representative will ask which bank account you want the payment drawn from. Have your routing number and account number ready, or you can authorize the payment using your debit card instead. The representative will give you a confirmation number — write it down.
Phone payments take the same one to three business days to post as online payments. There is no advantage to calling instead of paying online except that a representative can answer questions about your account at the same time.
Paying by mail
Write a check for the amount you want to pay. On the memo line, write your credit card account number so the card issuer knows which account the payment belongs to. Do not write your full account number on the envelope itself.
Mail the check to the address shown on your billing statement. This address is different from the customer service number on the back of your card, so check your statement carefully. The card issuer should receive the check within five to seven business days, but mail can be delayed. If your due date is fewer than seven days away, do not rely on mailing a check — pay online or by phone instead.
Keep a record of the check number and the date you mailed it. If the payment does not post within ten business days, contact the card issuer with this information.
Understanding minimum payments and due dates
Your minimum payment is the smallest amount you can pay without triggering a late fee. It usually ranges from $25 to $35, or 1 to 3 percent of your balance, whichever is larger. Your billing statement shows both the minimum payment and the full balance you owe.
Your due date is the last day of the month (or a specific date each month) by which your payment must be received. If you pay online or by phone, allow one to three business days for the payment to post. If you mail a check, allow five to seven business days. Missing your due date by even one day triggers a late fee, usually $25 to $40 for a first offense.
Paying only the minimum keeps your account in good standing, but you will owe 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 you years to pay off the debt and you will pay thousands in interest. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe and gets you out of debt faster.
Setting up automatic payments
Most card issuers let you set up automatic payments so the same amount is deducted from your bank account on the same day each month. Log into your account online or through the app, find the automatic payment or recurring payment section, and choose the amount and date.
You can set automatic payments for the minimum payment, a fixed dollar amount, or the full statement balance. Many people choose to pay the full balance automatically so they never carry a balance and never owe interest. Others set it to a fixed amount like $200 per month.
Automatic payments reduce the chance you will forget to pay, but you are still responsible if the payment fails because your bank account does not have enough money. Check your account once a month to make sure the automatic payment posted. You can cancel or change an automatic payment at any time through your account settings.
What to do if you miss your due date
If you realize you have missed your due date, contact your card issuer by phone when ready. Explain that you want to make a payment right away. Many issuers will waive the late fee if you call within 30 days of the due date and have not missed a payment in the past 12 months. There is no harm in asking.
Make the payment over the phone while you are on the call so the representative can note that you paid when ready after noticing the miss. Ask the representative to note on your account that you called to request a late fee waiver. Even if they cannot waive it this time, a record of your call may help if you miss a payment again in the future.
A late payment will show on your credit report if it is 30 days or more past due. This damages your credit score and stays on your report for seven years. Paying as soon as you realize you are late limits the damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card bill with another credit card?
No. Credit card issuers do not accept payment from another credit card because it would create a cash advance, which carries higher interest rates and fees. You must pay from a bank account, by check, or by debit card. Paying with a debit card counts as a bank account payment.
What is the difference between my statement balance and my current balance?
Your statement balance is what you owed on the day your billing cycle ended. Your current balance includes any charges you have made since then. You can pay either amount, but if you want to avoid interest, pay the full statement balance by the due date. Any charges made after your statement date will appear on next month's bill.
Do I have to pay the full balance or can I pay just the minimum?
You can pay any amount between the minimum and the full balance. Paying only the minimum keeps your account in good standing and avoids a late fee, but you will owe interest on the remaining balance. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe. Paying the full balance means you owe no interest at all.
How long does it take for a payment to show up on my account?
Online and phone payments usually post within one to three business days. Mailed checks take five to seven business days to arrive and may take another one to two business days to process. If you are close to your due date, pay online or by phone to make sure the payment arrives on time.
What happens if I pay more than I owe?
If you pay more than your balance, the extra amount becomes a credit on your account. You can use this credit toward future purchases, or you can request that the card issuer refund the overpayment to your bank account. Contact customer service to request a refund.