The main ways to pay your credit card bill

You can pay your credit card bill online through your card issuer's website or app, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch if your issuer has physical locations. Most people pay online because it is fastest and you can see the payment post within one to three business days. Phone and mail payments take longer — mail can take five to ten business days to arrive and be processed, and phone payments may charge a fee.

The payment method you choose does not change what you owe or when it is due. Your due date stays the same regardless of how you send the money. What matters is when the card issuer receives the payment, not when you send it, so mailing a check three days before the due date can still result in a late fee if it arrives after.

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.
  • Mail and phone payments take longer and may carry fees, so plan ahead if you use these methods.
  • Your payment is considered on time based on when the card issuer receives it, not when you send it.
  • You can set up automatic payments to avoid missing a due date, though you should still check your account to confirm the payment went through.
  • Paying more than the minimum amount owed reduces the interest you pay on your balance.

Paying online through your card issuer's website or app

Log into your account on your card issuer's website or open their mobile app, then look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button, usually on the account homepage or in a menu labeled "Payments" or "Account Services." You will need to enter the amount you want to pay and choose a bank account to transfer the money from. Most issuers let you link a checking or savings account once, and then you can reuse it for future payments.

When you submit an online payment, the card issuer will show you a confirmation number and a date when the payment should post to your account. Write down or save the confirmation number in case you need to prove you paid. The payment typically posts within one to three business days, though some issuers offer same-day posting for an extra fee or if you pay before a certain time of day.

Paying by phone

Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card or on your billing statement. A representative will ask for your account number, the amount you want to pay, and the bank account you want to transfer from. Some issuers charge a fee for phone payments — usually $10 to $15 — so ask before you confirm the payment.

Phone payments can take three to five business days to post, longer than online payments. Keep the confirmation number the representative gives you. If you call during business hours, you will speak to a person; if you call after hours, you may be routed to an automated system that accepts payments without a fee.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order for the amount you owe, write your account number on the check, and mail it to the address listed on your billing statement — never mail a check to the customer service phone number or the address on the back of your card, as those are not payment addresses. Use a regular envelope and first-class mail.

Mail payments take five to ten business days to arrive, and the card issuer may take another one to three business days to process it after it arrives. This means a check mailed five days before your due date can still arrive late. If you are close to your due date, do not use mail. Keep a copy of the check or a photo of the front and back for your records.

Setting up automatic payments

Most card issuers let you set up automatic payments that deduct money from your bank account on a date you choose — usually your due date or a few days before. Log into your account online, find the automatic payment or autopay section, and link a bank account. You can choose to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month.

Automatic payments reduce the risk of missing a due date and incurring a late fee, but you should still check your account each month to make sure the payment went through. If your bank account does not have enough money on the payment date, the payment may fail and you could be charged a late fee. If your balance changes significantly, you may want to adjust the automatic payment amount or turn it off for that month.

What happens if you pay late

A payment is late if the card issuer does not receive it by 11:59 p.m. on your due date. If you pay one day late, you will be charged a late fee — typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment, and up to $40 for subsequent ones. Your interest rate may also increase, sometimes significantly, if you are 30 or more days late.

If you realize you will miss your due date, call your card issuer immediately. Some will waive a single late fee if you have a good payment history and ask before the due date passes. Paying even a day or two late is better than not paying at all, because the longer you wait, the more interest accrues and the harder it becomes to catch up.

Paying more than the minimum

Your billing statement shows a minimum payment — usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance — but you can pay any amount up to your full balance. Paying more than the minimum reduces the amount of interest you owe. If you carry a balance, paying even $50 or $100 extra per month can save you hundreds in interest charges over time.

If you pay your full balance by the due date, you will not be charged any interest on new purchases made during that billing cycle. This is called the grace period. The grace period does not apply if you carry a balance from the previous month, so paying in full each month is the cheapest way to use a credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my credit card bill with another credit card?

Most card issuers do not accept credit card payments directly. Some third-party payment services will let you pay with a credit card, but they charge a fee of 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount. Paying one credit card with another credit card is usually not worth the fee unless you are trying to avoid a late fee.

What if I pay my bill twice by accident?

The extra payment will show as a credit on your account and will be applied to your next bill or returned to you, depending on your card issuer's policy. Check your account a few days after you realize the mistake and contact customer service if the credit does not appear or if you want it refunded to your bank account.

Does paying early help my credit score?

Paying early does not directly boost your credit score, but paying on time every month does. Your payment history makes up 35 percent of your credit score. Paying a few days or weeks early does not help more than paying on the due date, but it does reduce the risk of missing the date by accident.

Can I set up a payment for a future date?

Many card issuers let you schedule a payment for a specific date in the future through their website or app. This is useful if you want to pay on payday or if you are trying to time a payment to arrive by a certain date. Set the payment for at least one business day before your due date to account for processing time.

What should I do if my payment did not post?

Check your bank account to confirm the money left your account. If it did, contact your card issuer with your confirmation number and ask them to locate the payment. If the money is still in your bank account, the payment may have failed — try paying again through a different method or call customer service to find out why it was rejected.