Ally offers three main ways to pay your car loan: online through their website or mobile app, by phone, or by mail
The fastest and most common method is paying online through Ally's website or mobile app, where you can make a one-time payment or set up automatic payments from your bank account. You can also call Ally's payment line at 1-800-925-5559 to pay by phone using a debit card, credit card, or bank account. If you prefer to mail a check, you'll send it to the address printed on your monthly statement, though this method takes longer to process and post to your account.
Ally does not charge a fee for payments made from a bank account, whether online, by phone, or by mail. If you pay by credit or debit card through their website or app, Ally charges a processing fee (the amount varies). Paying by phone with a card also incurs a fee. The fee structure is designed to encourage bank account payments, which cost Ally less to process.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments from your bank account are free and process within one to two business days.
- Phone payments and credit or debit card payments online both carry a processing fee that Ally discloses before you complete the transaction.
- Setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date and removes the need to remember to pay each month.
- Mail payments take seven to ten business days to reach Ally and post to your account, so send them well before your due date.
- Your payment due date and current balance are shown on your monthly statement and in the Ally mobile app.
Paying online or through the Ally mobile app
Log into your Ally account on their website (ally.com) or open the Ally mobile app on your phone. Navigate to the payments section and select "Make a Payment." Enter the amount you want to pay and choose the bank account you want to draw from. Review the details and confirm. The payment will process within one to two business days and will show as pending in your account immediately.
The Ally app also lets you see your loan balance, due date, payment history, and remaining term all in one place. This makes it easy to check your status before making a payment or to set a reminder for your due date. If you have multiple loans with Ally, you can manage all of them from the same app.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missing a due date
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting to pay and may lower your interest rate slightly — some lenders offer a small rate discount for borrowers who enroll in autopay. To set up automatic payments, log into your Ally account online or in the app, go to the payments section, and select "Enroll in AutoPay." Choose the amount (your full monthly payment or a custom amount), the date each month you want the payment to come out, and the bank account to draw from.
Once autopay is active, Ally will withdraw the payment automatically on your chosen date each month. You can change the amount, date, or bank account at any time, and you can pause or cancel autopay if your situation changes. If a payment fails because of insufficient funds or a closed account, Ally will typically notify you and may attempt the payment again.
Paying by phone
Call Ally's payment line at 1-800-925-5559. A representative will ask for your loan number (found on your statement or in the app) and the amount you want to pay. You can pay using a debit card, credit card, or bank account. If you use a card, Ally will charge a processing fee on top of your payment amount. The representative will confirm the details and process the payment immediately.
Phone payments are useful if you need to pay quickly, have questions about your account, or prefer speaking to someone. However, they take longer than online payments because you're waiting for a representative, and the card fee makes them more expensive than paying from a bank account.
Paying by mail
Write a check for the amount you owe and include your loan number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your monthly statement under "Payment Address" or "Make Checks Payable To." Do not send cash. Mail payments typically take seven to ten business days to arrive and another few days to post to your account, so send your check at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late payment.
Keep a record of the check number and amount you sent. If you need proof of payment, you can reference the check number or wait for it to appear in your online account history. Mail is the slowest payment method and carries the highest risk of late fees if the mail is delayed.
What happens if you miss a payment or pay late
If your payment is not received by the due date shown on your statement, Ally will report it as late to credit bureaus. A single late payment can lower your credit score and may trigger a late fee (the amount varies by your loan agreement). After 30 days late, Ally may contact you by phone or mail to remind you to pay. After 60 to 90 days, your loan may be reported as seriously delinquent, and Ally may begin repossession proceedings.
If you know you will miss a payment, contact Ally before the due date to discuss options. Some borrowers can request a payment deferment, loan modification, or hardship plan that temporarily adjusts their payment schedule. These options are not may provide, but asking before you miss a payment gives you a better chance of working something out than waiting until after the fact.
Understanding your payment breakdown and loan balance
Each payment you make to Ally is split between principal (the amount you borrowed) and interest (the cost of borrowing). Early in your loan, most of your payment goes toward interest. As you pay down the loan, more of each payment goes toward principal. Your monthly statement and the Ally app both show how much of your last payment went to each category.
Your remaining loan balance is the principal you still owe, not including future interest. This is the amount Ally will tell you if you call and ask "How much do I owe?" If you want to pay off the loan early, ask Ally for a payoff quote, which includes any remaining interest through the payoff date. Paying off early can save you money on interest, but some loan agreements include a prepayment penalty — check your loan documents or ask Ally whether yours does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a payment before my due date?
Yes. You can pay any amount at any time through Ally's website, app, or by phone. Paying early reduces your principal balance and saves you interest over the life of the loan. Early payments do not change your regular due date unless you request a modification to your payment schedule.
What if I want to pay off my loan early?
Contact Ally and ask for a payoff quote. This tells you the exact amount needed to close the loan on a specific date, including any remaining interest. Some loan agreements include a prepayment penalty, so confirm whether yours does before you commit to paying it off. Once you pay the payoff amount, your loan is closed and you own the car free and clear.
Why is there a fee for paying by credit card?
Credit card processing costs Ally more money than bank account transfers do, so they pass that cost to borrowers who choose that method. Paying from a bank account is free because it costs Ally less to process. The fee is disclosed before you complete a card payment, so you can choose a different method if you prefer.
What if my payment doesn't show up in my account right away?
Online and app payments from a bank account typically post within one to two business days. Phone and mail payments take longer. If more than two business days have passed and your payment still hasn't appeared, log into your account or call Ally to confirm it was received. Provide the confirmation number or check number as proof.
Can I change my due date?
Contact Ally directly to request a due date change. They may be able to move your due date to align with your pay schedule or another date that works better for you. Changes usually take effect on your next billing cycle. This is different from making an early payment — it actually shifts when your regular payment is due each month.