The fastest way to pay your Bank of America credit card bill
You can pay your Bank of America credit card bill online through your account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch. The online method through your Bank of America account or the BofA mobile app is fastest — the payment posts the same day if you pay before the cutoff time, which is usually 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Phone payments also post same-day if you call before the cutoff. Mail and in-person payments take several business days to show up on your account.
You do not need to wait for a bill to arrive to pay. Most people pay online or by phone as soon as they want to reduce their balance, rather than waiting for the statement closing date. If you are behind on a payment, paying when ready stops late fees from adding up.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through your Bank of America account or mobile app posts the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
- You can set up automatic payments to pay a fixed amount or your full statement balance on a date you choose each month.
- Phone payments to 1-800-435-7000 also post same-day, and you can pay from a checking account at any bank, not just Bank of America.
- Mail payments should be sent at least 10 business days before your due date to arrive on time and avoid late fees.
- In-person payments at a Bank of America branch or ATM take 1 to 2 business days to post to your account.
Paying online through your Bank of America account
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com or open the mobile app. Click or tap the credit card account you want to pay. You will see a "Make a Payment" button or link, usually near the top of the account summary. Click it.
Enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay any amount from one dollar up to your full balance. Choose which account the money will come from — this can be a Bank of America checking or savings account, or an external account you have linked to your Bank of America profile. If you have not linked an external account yet, you can add one during the payment process by entering the routing number and account number.
Choose the payment date. If you select today or a date before 8 p.m. Eastern Time, the payment posts the same day. If you select a future date, the payment will post on that date. Review the details and confirm. You will see a confirmation number when ready — save this for your records.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments remove the step of paying manually each month. Log into your Bank of America account and go to the credit card you want to set up autopay for. Look for "Manage Automatic Payments" or "Autopay" in the account settings or payment section.
Choose what amount you want to pay automatically each month. You can select "Minimum Payment Due", "Statement Balance", "Full Balance", or a fixed dollar amount you set. Choose the date each month when the payment should post — most people choose a few days after payday or after their statement closing date. Select the account the payment will come from and confirm.
Bank of America will send you a confirmation email. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime by logging back into the same section. If you cancel autopay, you will need to pay manually again, so set a reminder if you do.
Paying by phone
Call Bank of America credit card customer service at 1-800-435-7000. Have your credit card number and the account you want to pay from ready. A representative will ask you how much you want to pay and which account to pull the money from. The account can be at Bank of America or any other bank — you will need to provide the routing number and account number if it is external.
The representative will confirm the payment amount, the account it is coming from, and the date it will post. Phone payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern Time post the same day. You will receive a confirmation number — write it down.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the TTY relay service by calling 1-800-695-1788.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order for the amount you want to pay. Write your credit card number on the check. Include the payment coupon from your statement if you have one — it has your account number printed on it and helps the payment post faster. If you do not have a coupon, write your name and credit card number on a separate piece of paper and include it with your check.
Mail your payment to the address on your statement or on your bill. Do not mail to the branch address — use the payment processing address listed on your statement. Mail payments should arrive at least 10 business days before your due date. If you are mailing close to the due date, the payment may not post in time to avoid a late fee, even if you mailed it before the due date.
Keep a copy of the check or a photo of it for your records. You will not receive a confirmation number for mail payments, so the copy is your proof you sent it.
Paying in person at a Bank of America branch or ATM
You can pay your credit card bill at any Bank of America branch during business hours. Bring your credit card or account number and the payment amount in cash or check. A teller will process the payment and give you a receipt. The payment will post to your account in 1 to 2 business days.
You can also pay at a Bank of America ATM by inserting your debit card, selecting "Transfers", and choosing to pay your credit card. Enter the amount and confirm. ATM payments also take 1 to 2 business days to post.
What to do if you missed your due date
If your payment is late, a late fee will appear on your next statement. The fee amount depends on your card and how late the payment is — Bank of America charges between $25 and $35 for the first late payment and up to $35 for later ones. A late payment also reports to credit bureaus and can lower your credit score.
Pay the full amount you owe as soon as you can, including the late fee. The sooner you pay, the less additional interest will accrue on your balance. If this is your first late payment, you can call Bank of America at 1-800-435-7000 and ask if they will remove the late fee as a courtesy — they sometimes do, especially if you have a good payment history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Bank of America credit card from a checking account at another bank?
Yes. You can link an external account to your Bank of America profile and pay from it online, or you can call 1-800-435-7000 and pay by phone from any account. You will need the routing number and account number of the external account. Mail and in-person payments also work from any source of funds.
What time does my payment need to post by to avoid a late fee?
Your due date is the date the payment must post to your account, not the date you send it. Online and phone payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern Time post the same day. Mail and in-person payments take several business days, so send them at least 10 business days early to be safe.
Can I pay more than my statement balance?
Yes. You can pay any amount up to your full balance, including amounts higher than your current statement balance if you want to pay down your total debt faster. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you pay and lowers your credit utilization, which can help your credit score.
Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay just the minimum?
You can pay any amount between the minimum due and your full balance. Paying only the minimum keeps you current and avoids late fees, but you will pay interest on the remaining balance. Paying the full balance avoids interest charges entirely.
What happens if I set up autopay and do not have enough money in my account on the payment date?
The payment will fail and you may be charged an overdraft fee by your bank. You will also be late on your credit card payment. Log into your Bank of America account and make a manual payment as soon as you can, or call 1-800-435-7000 to pay by phone.