The three ways to pay your credit card
You can pay your credit card bill online through your card issuer's website or app, by phone through the customer service number on your statement, or by mailing a check. Most people use online payment because it is fastest and you can schedule it in advance. Phone payment works the same day but requires speaking to someone. Mailing a check takes five to seven business days to reach the issuer, so you need to send it early enough that it arrives before your due date.
The due date is printed on your statement and is usually 21 to 25 days after your statement closes. Paying after that date triggers a late fee — typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment — and may raise your interest rate. Paying before the due date avoids both penalties.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through your issuer's website or app is the fastest method and lets you schedule payments days in advance.
- Your due date appears on your monthly statement, and paying after it costs you a late fee and may increase your interest rate.
- You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between — but only the full balance stops interest from building.
- Setting up automatic payments on the due date removes the risk of forgetting and protects you from late fees.
- Mailed checks take five to seven business days, so send them at least a week before your due date to avoid late payment.
Paying online through your card issuer
Log into your credit card account on your issuer's website or open their mobile app. Look for a button labeled "Make a Payment," "Pay Now," or "Pay Your Bill" — the exact wording varies by bank. Enter the amount you want to pay, choose the date you want the payment to be deducted from your bank account, and confirm. Most issuers let you schedule a payment up to 30 days in advance.
When you schedule a payment for a future date, the issuer will pull the money from your checking account on that date. If you do not have enough money in your account when the payment is due, the payment will fail and you will be charged an overdraft fee by your bank in addition to a late fee from your credit card issuer. To avoid this, only schedule payments you know you can cover.
Online payment is free and usually shows as processed within one business day, though some issuers post it the same day. This is the safest method because you have a record of the transaction in your account history and you can see the exact date it will be deducted.
Paying by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card or on your statement. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay, then confirm your bank account information to debit the payment. Phone payments are processed the same day and are free.
The downside is that you have no written record unless you ask the representative for a confirmation number — write it down when ready. Phone lines can be busy, especially near the due date, so you may wait on hold. If you are close to your due date and worried about mail or online delays, phone payment is a reliable backup.
Paying by mail
Write a check for the amount you owe, write your account number on the check, and mail it to the address listed on your statement under "Payment Address" or "Send Payment To." Do not mail it to the customer service address or the corporate headquarters — use only the payment processing address, which is usually a separate lockbox.
Mail takes five to seven business days to arrive, so send your check at least a week before your due date. The issuer records the payment as received on the date it arrives at the processing center, not the date you mailed it. If your check arrives after the due date, you will be charged a late fee even though you sent it on time. For this reason, mailing is the riskiest method and should be your last choice.
Full payment versus minimum payment
Your statement shows two amounts: the minimum payment and the full balance. The minimum payment is usually 1 to 3 percent of what you owe. Paying the minimum keeps your account in good standing and avoids a late fee, but you will be charged interest on the remaining balance at your card's interest rate.
Paying the full balance stops interest from building on that month's purchases. If you carry a balance from month to month, interest compounds — you pay interest on the interest — and your debt grows even if you make minimum payments. Paying in full each month is the only way to avoid interest charges entirely.
You can also pay any amount between the minimum and the full balance. Paying more than the minimum reduces how much interest you owe but does not eliminate it. If you cannot pay the full balance, paying as much as you can afford still saves you money compared to the minimum payment.
Setting up automatic payments
Most issuers let you set up an automatic payment that deducts money from your bank account on the same date each month. Log into your account, find the "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments" section, and choose the amount and date. You can set it to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount.
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting to pay and protect you from late fees. The most common setup is to have the full balance paid automatically on the due date each month. If your income or expenses vary, you can set it to pay the minimum instead and then pay extra when you have the money.
You can cancel or change an automatic payment at any time through your account settings. If you do cancel, set a reminder on your phone or calendar to pay manually, because the issuer will not remind you.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, the issuer charges a late fee — usually $25 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent ones within six months. Your interest rate may also increase, sometimes by several percentage points. This higher rate applies to new purchases and any remaining balance.
Missing a payment by 30 days or more is reported to the credit bureaus and appears on your credit report for seven years. This damages your credit score and makes it harder to borrow money in the future. If you miss a payment, contact your issuer 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card with another credit card?
No. Credit card issuers do not accept payment from another credit card. You can only pay with a bank account (online, by phone, or by mail), a debit card, or cash at a physical branch if your issuer has one. Paying with a debit card or cash is treated the same as a bank account payment.
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, not how early you pay. Paying on time every month is what builds a good score over time.
What 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 it toward future purchases or request a refund. Most issuers will refund the overpayment if you ask, though it may take a few business days to process.
Is there a fee for paying online?
No. Paying through your issuer's website or app is always free. Some third-party payment services charge a fee to pay your credit card, but you do not need to use them — your issuer's own payment system is free.
How do I know my payment went through?
After you submit a payment online or by phone, you should see a confirmation number on the screen or receive one by email. Log back into your account a few hours later to verify the payment appears in your transaction history. For mailed checks, call customer service after a week to confirm it was received.