The basic steps to pay your credit card bill
You can pay your credit card bill online through your card issuer's website or mobile app, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch if your bank has physical locations. Most people pay online because it takes five minutes and you can see the payment post within one to three business days. You will need your account number (on your card or statement) and either a bank account for an electronic transfer or a debit card to process the payment.
The payment must reach your card issuer by the due date printed on your statement to avoid a late fee. If you pay after that date, you will be charged a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for a first offense) and your interest rate may increase. Paying the full statement balance stops interest from building on that month's charges; paying only the minimum means you carry a balance and pay interest on what remains.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through your card issuer's website or app is the fastest method and usually posts within one to three business days.
- You must pay by the due date on your statement to avoid a late fee and a possible interest rate increase.
- Paying the full statement balance stops interest charges; paying only the minimum means you will owe interest on the remaining balance.
- Set up automatic payments if you want the same amount deducted on the same day each month, though you should still check your statement to confirm the payment went through.
Paying online through your card issuer's website
Log into your account on your card issuer's website using your username and password. Look for a link or button labeled "Make a Payment," "Pay My Bill," or "Payments" — the exact wording varies by bank. Click it and you will see a form asking how much you want to pay and what account the money should come from.
Enter the amount you want to pay. You can usually choose to pay the full statement balance, the minimum payment, or a custom amount. Then select the bank account you want to transfer from (you may need to add a new account the first time). Review the payment amount and date, then confirm. The payment will show as pending when ready and will post to your account within one to three business days.
Paying through your card issuer's mobile app
Open the app and log in with your credentials. Tap the account or card you want to pay, then look for a "Pay" or "Make a Payment" button. Enter the amount and select your funding source (the bank account the money will come from). Confirm the payment and you will see a confirmation number.
Mobile app payments work the same way as website payments and post on the same timeline. If you have multiple cards with the same issuer, make sure you are paying the correct card before you confirm — it is straightforward to tap the wrong one.
Paying by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. They will also ask for the bank account or debit card you want to transfer from. Confirm all the details before the representative processes the payment.
Phone payments are useful if you do not have online access or prefer to speak to someone, but they take longer than online payment because you have to wait on hold. The payment will still post within one to three business days. Some issuers charge a fee for phone payments; ask before you confirm.
Paying by mail
Write a check to your card issuer and mail it to the address printed on your statement (usually a lockbox address, not a branch). Include your account number on the check. Mail typically takes five to seven business days to arrive, so send your payment at least a week before your due date to make sure it arrives on time.
Paying by mail is slower and riskier than other methods because the check can be lost or delayed. Use it only if you do not have online access or a bank account to transfer from. Keep a record of the check number and the date you mailed it in case you need to prove you sent the payment.
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 autopay section, and choose the amount (full balance, minimum, or a fixed amount) and the date you want it to come out.
Automatic payments are convenient and help you avoid late fees, but you should still check your statement each month to make sure the payment went through and that your balance is what you expected. If your balance changes significantly or you dispute a charge, you may need to adjust or pause the automatic payment temporarily.
What happens if you miss the due date
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, your card issuer will charge a late fee (usually $25 to $40 for the first late payment, up to $40 for repeat offenses). Your interest rate may also increase, sometimes by several percentage points. The late payment will appear on your credit report and can lower your credit score.
If you realize you will miss the due date, call your card issuer when ready. Some will waive a single late fee if you have a good payment history and ask politely. Paying as soon as possible after the due date is better than not paying at all, but it does not erase the late fee or the credit report entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a credit card payment to post?
Online and mobile app payments usually post within one to three business days. Phone payments take the same time. Mail payments take five to seven business days for delivery plus one to two days to process. If you pay close to your due date, use online or phone payment to reduce the risk of being late.
Can I pay my credit card with another credit card?
Most card issuers do not let you pay directly with another credit card. If you use a third-party payment service or cash advance to do so, you will be charged a fee (often 3 to 5 percent) and may be charged interest when ready. Paying from a bank account is almost always cheaper.
What is the difference between the minimum payment and the full balance?
The minimum payment is the smallest amount you can pay without triggering a late fee — usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance. Paying only the minimum means you carry the rest as a balance and pay interest on it. Paying the full statement balance means you owe no interest on that month's charges.
Do I have to pay the full balance to avoid interest?
Yes. Interest is charged on any balance you carry from month to month. If you pay the full statement balance by the due date, you will not owe interest. If you pay anything less, you will owe interest on the remaining balance at your card's annual percentage rate (APR).
What if my payment is rejected?
A payment can be rejected if your bank account does not have enough funds, if the account information is incorrect, or if your bank flags the transaction as suspicious. Contact your card issuer to find out why the payment failed, then try again with correct information or a different funding source. Your due date does not change, so pay as soon as possible to avoid a late fee.