The main ways to pay your Bank of America credit card

You can pay your Bank of America credit card through their website, mobile app, phone, or by mail. The fastest route is online or through the app — both process same-day if you pay before the cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern. Phone payments take the same day if you call before 8 p.m., and mailed checks arrive within 7 to 10 business days depending on postal time and Bank of America's processing queue.

You do not have to wait until your statement due date to pay. You can send money anytime, and Bank of America will credit it to your account immediately for online and app payments, or within one business day for phone payments. Paying early or in full before the due date stops interest charges and helps your credit score.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and app payments process the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern, while phone and mail payments take one business day to several days.
  • You can set up automatic payments to your due date, a fixed date each month, or a custom schedule to avoid late fees.
  • Paying from an external bank account takes one to three business days to show up, while paying from another Bank of America account is instant.
  • Late fees start 21 days after your due date, so paying even a few days late costs money and can affect your credit report.

Paying online or through the mobile app

Log into your Bank of America account on their website or open the mobile app, then navigate to the credit card you want to pay. Select "Make a Payment" or the payment option for that card. You will see your current balance, minimum payment, and due date. Enter the amount you want to pay and choose the account you want to pay from — this can be a Bank of America checking or savings account, or an external bank account you have already linked.

If you are paying from a Bank of America account, the money moves instantly. If you are paying from an external account, Bank of America needs one to three business days to pull the funds. The payment shows as pending right away, but does not fully post until the transfer clears. Choose your payment date — you can pay today, schedule it for a future date, or set up a recurring payment that happens automatically each month.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting your due date. In your Bank of America account, go to the credit card, select "Manage Automatic Payments," and choose how much you want to pay each month. You can pay the full statement balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount you set yourself. Pick the date each month when the payment should go out — many people choose their payday or a few days before the due date.

Bank of America will send the payment automatically on that date every month until you turn it off. If your balance is lower than the amount you set, the system pays what is owed and stops. If your balance is higher, it pays only the amount you chose, and you still owe the rest. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account settings.

Paying by phone

Call Bank of America's automated payment line at 1-800-642-6061 to pay by phone. Have your credit card number and the account you want to pay from ready. The system will ask how much you want to pay and what date you want the payment to go out. Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern process the same day; payments after 8 p.m. process the next business day.

If you prefer to speak with a representative, call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. A representative can take your payment over the phone and answer questions about your account. Phone payments from an external bank account take one business day to clear, just like online payments.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to Bank of America and mail it to the address on your statement. Include your credit card number on the check so the payment gets applied to the right account. Mail typically takes 5 to 7 business days to reach Bank of America, and processing adds another 2 to 3 days, so plan for 7 to 10 business days total before the payment shows on your account.

Mailing a payment is the slowest option and carries the risk that your check gets lost in the mail. If your payment is due soon, use online, app, or phone payment instead. Keep a copy of your mailed check or take a photo of it for your records.

What happens if you pay late

Your payment is considered late if it arrives after 5 p.m. Eastern on your due date. Bank of America charges a late fee — the amount depends on your card and account history, but typically ranges from $25 to $39 for the first late payment. A second late payment within six months costs more. Late fees appear on your next statement.

More importantly, a late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and damages your credit score. Even a payment that is one day late can be reported to credit bureaus. If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, your interest rate may jump to a penalty rate, which is much higher than your regular rate. If you know you will be late, call Bank of America before your due date to discuss options.

Linking an external bank account

To pay from a bank account outside Bank of America, you need to link it first. Log into your Bank of America account, go to "Transfer & Pay," and select "Add External Account." Enter your bank's routing number and your account number. Bank of America will send two small test deposits to that account — usually within one to two business days — and you will need to confirm the amounts to verify you own the account.

Once verified, you can pay from that account anytime. Transfers take one to three business days to clear. If you remove a linked account, you cannot use it to pay for 10 days, so set up any external accounts you might need well in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my credit card with a debit card?

No, Bank of America does not let you pay a credit card with a debit card. You can pay from a checking or savings account (at Bank of America or another bank), by check, or by phone. Paying a credit card with another credit card is also not allowed and would count as a cash advance with fees.

What time does my payment need to arrive to count as on-time?

Online and app payments must be submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern to post the same day and count as on-time if your due date is that day. Phone payments have the same cutoff. Mail and external bank transfers need to arrive by 5 p.m. Eastern on your due date, but because mail takes days, you should mail payments at least 10 days before your due date.

Does paying more than the minimum help my credit score?

Paying more than the minimum does not directly boost your score, but it lowers your credit utilization — the amount of your credit limit you are using. Lower utilization improves your score. Paying on time, every time, matters far more than the amount you pay.

Can I pay someone else's Bank of America credit card?

You cannot pay someone else's card through your own Bank of America account. The cardholder must make the payment themselves or give you their login information, which is not recommended for security reasons. Some cardholders set up a trusted contact who can make payments on their behalf, but this requires the cardholder to authorize it first.