Log in through Capital One's website or mobile app
To pay your Capital One credit card bill, you first need to access your account. Go to capitalone.com and click "Sign In" at the top right of the page. Enter your username and password. If you do not have an online account yet, you will need to create one by clicking "Enroll Now" and providing your card number, Social Security number, and date of birth.
Capital One also offers a mobile app for iPhone and Android. Download it from your phone's app store, then sign in with the same username and password you use on the website. The app shows your balance, recent transactions, and payment options in the same way the website does.
If you forget your username or password, click "Forgot Username?" or "Forgot Password?" on the sign-in page. Capital One will send a reset link to the email address on file. Check your spam folder if you do not see the email within a few minutes.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay your Capital One credit card bill through capitalone.com, the Capital One mobile app, or by phone at the number on your statement.
- Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on your due date will post the same day; payments after that time post the next business day.
- You can set up automatic payments from a bank account so your bill pays itself each month on a date you choose.
- If you pay by phone or mail, allow extra time for the payment to reach Capital One and post to your account.
Pay your bill after you log in
Once you are signed in, look for a "Pay Now" or "Make a Payment" button on your account dashboard. Click it to see your current balance, minimum payment due, and due date. You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between.
Choose your payment method. If you want to pay from a bank account, enter the routing number and account number. If you want to pay with a debit card, enter the card number and expiration date. Capital One does not charge a fee for payments from a bank account, but some debit card payments may carry a fee depending on how you pay.
Review the payment amount and date one more time before you submit. Capital One will show you a confirmation number after the payment goes through. Write down or screenshot this number in case you need to reference the payment later.
When your payment posts to your account
Payments made through the website or app before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day will post to your account the same day. Payments made after 8 p.m. Eastern Time or on a weekend or holiday will post the next business day. This means a payment made on Friday evening may not post until Monday.
Your due date is the date by which Capital One must receive your payment to avoid a late fee. Posting date and due date are not the same thing. A payment can post after your due date has passed, which means you could be charged a late fee even though you sent the money on time. To be safe, send your payment at least two business days before your due date.
Set up automatic payments so you do not miss a due date
You can tell Capital One to pay your bill automatically each month from your bank account. Log in, go to "Settings" or "Manage Account," and look for "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments." Choose the date you want the payment to come out each month — many people pick the date they get paid or a few days after their due date.
You can set autopay to pay your full balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed amount you choose. If you set it to pay the full balance, Capital One will charge whatever your balance is on the payment date, which means the amount will change from month to month. If you set it to a fixed amount, you will pay the same number every month even if your balance is higher or lower.
You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your account settings. If you cancel, make sure you have another way to pay your bill, or you could miss your due date by accident.
Other ways to pay if you cannot log in online
If you do not want to pay online or cannot access the website or app, you have other options. Call the number on the back of your credit card or on your statement to pay by phone. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay, then process the payment over the phone. There is no fee for paying by phone.
You can also mail a check or money order to the address shown on your statement under "Payment Address." Write your account number on the check. Mail payments take longer to arrive and post — typically five to seven business days — so send your payment earlier if you are close to your due date.
What happens if you miss a payment or pay late
If your payment does not arrive by your due date, Capital One will charge a late fee. The amount of the fee depends on your account terms, but it is typically between $25 and $40 for the first late payment. If you are late again within six months, the fee may be higher.
A late payment also affects your credit score. Capital One reports payments to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once they are 30 days late. A late payment can stay on your credit report for up to seven years and make it harder to borrow money in the future.
If you miss a payment, log in to your account as soon as possible and pay what you owe. The sooner you pay, the sooner you can stop additional fees from piling up. If you are having trouble making your payment, call Capital One to ask about hardship options or payment plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Capital One credit card bill with another credit card?
No. Capital One only accepts payments from bank accounts and debit cards. Paying a credit card with another credit card is considered a cash advance by most card issuers and comes with high fees and interest rates.
Is there a fee to pay my bill online?
No. Capital One does not charge a fee for payments made through the website or app from a bank account. Some payment methods, such as certain debit cards or third-party payment services, may have fees, but Capital One's standard online payment is free.
What if I pay more than I owe?
The extra money becomes a credit on your account. You can use it toward future purchases, or you can request that Capital One refund it to you. Log in to your account or call the number on your statement to request a refund.
How do I know if my payment went through?
After you submit a payment online, Capital One shows a confirmation number on the screen. You can also log back into your account and check your recent transactions or payment history. If you paid by phone, the representative will give you a confirmation number before you hang up.
Can I change my due date?
Yes. Log in to your account, go to "Settings" or "Manage Account," and look for "Due Date" or "Billing Cycle." Capital One usually lets you choose a due date between the 1st and the 28th of the month. Changing your due date takes effect on your next billing cycle.