How to pay your Citi credit card
You can pay your Citi credit card through Citi's website, mobile app, by phone, or by mail. The fastest route is the website or app — both let you make a payment in minutes and see it post within one business day. If you pay by phone, you'll speak to a representative who can process the payment immediately. Mail payments take seven to ten business days to reach Citi and post to your account.
Citi requires a minimum payment each month by your due date, shown on your statement. You can pay the full balance, the minimum, or any amount in between. If you miss the due date, Citi will charge a late fee and may report the missed payment to credit bureaus, which affects your credit score.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments post within one business day and are the fastest way to pay your Citi card.
- You can set up automatic payments through your Citi account so your card is paid on the same day each month without manual action.
- Phone payments are processed immediately but require speaking to a representative; the number is on the back of your card.
- Mail payments take seven to ten business days, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late fee.
- Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe if you carry a balance month to month.
Paying online or through the Citi mobile app
Log into your Citi account at citi.com or open the Citi Mobile App and select "Make a Payment." Enter the amount you want to pay and choose the date — you can pay immediately or schedule a payment for a future date. Citi will ask you to confirm the payment method (your bank account or debit card) and the amount before processing.
Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time typically post the next business day. If you pay after 8 p.m. or on a weekend, the payment posts the following business day. You'll receive a confirmation number immediately after you submit the payment; save this for your records.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments remove the risk of missing a due date. In your Citi account, go to "Manage Automatic Payments" and choose the amount (minimum payment, full balance, or a fixed dollar amount) and the day of the month you want it to come out. Citi will pull the payment from your bank account on that date each month.
If you set automatic payments to the minimum, you'll still carry a balance and pay interest. If you set it to the full balance, your card will be paid off each month. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account, and you'll receive a confirmation when the automatic payment processes.
Paying by phone
Call the number on the back of your Citi credit card to speak with a representative. Have your card and bank account information ready. The representative will ask how much you want to pay and confirm your bank account or debit card details before processing the payment.
Phone payments are processed immediately, but the funds may take one to two business days to leave your bank account. You'll receive a confirmation number; write it down. Phone payments are useful if you're close to your due date and need to pay quickly, or if you prefer speaking to someone rather than using the website.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order payable to Citi and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your statement under "Payment Address" — this is different from your billing address. Mail payments take seven to ten business days to arrive and post to your account, so send your payment at least two weeks before your due date.
Include only your check or money order; do not send cash. Keep a copy of the check or a photo of the money order for your records. If your payment doesn't post by the due date, Citi may charge a late fee even though you mailed it on time, so mail is the riskiest option for payments close to the deadline.
What happens if you miss a payment
If your payment doesn't post by the due date, Citi charges a late fee — the amount depends on your card terms but typically ranges from $25 to $40 for the first late payment. Citi may also increase your interest rate on new purchases and existing balances. After 30 days late, Citi reports the missed payment to credit bureaus, which lowers your credit score.
If you realize you'll miss a due date, contact Citi before the date arrives. Explain your situation; some representatives can waive a single late fee or work out a payment plan. After you've missed a payment, calling to explain won't remove the late fee or the credit bureau report, but it may prevent further action.
Understanding your payment posting and due date
Your due date is the last day Citi will accept a payment without charging a late fee. This date appears on your statement and in your online account. Your statement shows a "Payment Due" amount (the minimum you must pay) and the full balance owed.
Payments post in the order Citi receives them. If you make multiple payments in one day, they may post as separate transactions. Your available credit increases as soon as a payment posts, but the funds leave your bank account on the posting date or shortly after. If you pay more than your full balance, the extra amount becomes a credit on your account that Citi will apply to your next statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Citi card with a different bank account than the one linked to my card?
Yes. When you make a payment online or by phone, you can enter any bank account or debit card information. Citi will verify the account before processing the payment. You don't have to use the same account your card is linked to.
What's the difference between my due date and my payment posting date?
Your due date is when Citi must receive your payment to avoid a late fee. Your posting date is when the payment actually appears on your account and reduces your balance. A payment made on your due date may not post until the next business day, which is fine — Citi counts it as on-time as long as it was submitted by the due date.
If I pay online, how do I know the payment went through?
Citi shows a confirmation number on screen immediately after you submit the payment. You can also log back into your account and check "Payment History" to see the payment listed with its status. Payments typically show as "Pending" for one business day, then change to "Posted."
Can I schedule a payment for a date after my due date?
Yes, but you'll be charged a late fee if the payment doesn't post by your due date. Schedule payments for dates before your due date to avoid this. If you're scheduling a payment by mail, account for the seven to ten business days it takes to arrive.
What should I do if a payment I made hasn't posted after two business days?
Log into your Citi account and check "Payment History" to see the payment status. If it still shows as pending, wait one more business day. If more than two business days have passed and the payment doesn't appear, call the number on the back of your card to confirm Citi received it and ask when it will post.