Calling Discover to make a payment
You can pay your Discover card balance over the phone by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Discover's automated system accepts payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will need your card number, routing number and bank account number (or another card number) ready before you call.
The payment is processed immediately when you complete the call. Discover does not charge a fee for phone payments made from a bank account. If you pay from another card, Discover treats it as a cash advance, which means you will pay a cash advance fee and a higher interest rate from the moment the payment posts.
Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day typically post to your account the next business day. Payments made after that time or on weekends and holidays post the following business day.
Key Takeaways
- Phone payments from a bank account are free and post within one business day, but payments from another card trigger a cash advance fee and higher interest rate.
- You can call the number on the back of your Discover card anytime to make a payment using the automated system.
- Have your bank account routing number and account number ready, or another card number if you are paying from a different source.
- Payments made after 8 p.m. Eastern Time on business days will not post until the next business day.
What information you need to provide
The automated system will ask for your Discover card number first. Then you will enter the amount you want to pay. Next, you will provide either your bank account information (routing number and account number) or another card number to draw the payment from.
If you are paying from a bank account, have that information in front of you. If you are paying from another card, have that card number, expiration date, and CVV ready. The system will confirm the payment amount and the date it will post before you complete the transaction.
Paying more than the minimum
You can pay any amount over the phone, from the minimum payment to your full balance. Many people pay only the minimum to keep their monthly payment low, but this means you will pay interest on the remaining balance. Paying more than the minimum reduces the total interest you pay over time.
If you want to pay your full balance, you can ask the automated system to calculate it for you, or you can log into your Discover account online to see the exact amount due. Paying the full balance by the due date means you will not pay any interest on purchases made during that billing cycle.
When payments post and how they affect your due date
A phone payment from a bank account posts within one business day. This means the money leaves your bank account and reduces your Discover balance within that timeframe. The payment counts toward your due date as long as it posts by 8 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date itself.
If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Discover extends it to the next business day. Payments made after the extended due date will be reported as late, which triggers a late fee and may raise your interest rate. If you are cutting it close to your due date, call at least two business days before to ensure the payment posts on time.
What happens if you miss a payment
If you do not pay at least the minimum by your due date, Discover will charge a late fee. The amount of the late fee depends on your account history and state law, but it typically ranges from $25 to $40 for the first late payment. A second late payment within six months usually costs more.
A late payment also triggers a higher interest rate on your card, sometimes called a penalty rate. This rate applies to your existing balance and any new purchases you make. The rate stays in effect for at least six months, even if you make all your payments on time after that.
Late payments are reported to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and appear on your credit report for seven years. Even one late payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score and payment history.
Alternatives to phone payment
You can also pay your Discover card online through your account, by mail, or through automatic payments. Online and automatic payments work the same way as phone payments — they are free when you pay from a bank account and post within one business day.
Paying by mail takes 5 to 7 business days to post, so you need to send your payment much earlier than your due date to avoid a late fee. Discover provides a payment address on your statement and online. Automatic payments let you set up a recurring payment each month, which removes the risk of forgetting to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to pay my Discover card by phone?
No fee applies when you pay from a bank account. If you pay from another credit or debit card, Discover charges a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount) and treats the payment as a cash advance, which means a higher interest rate applies immediately.
Can I pay my Discover card by phone if I do not have a bank account?
Yes. You can pay from another credit or debit card, though you will pay a cash advance fee. Some people use a debit card to avoid the higher interest rate that applies to credit card cash advances, but the fee still applies either way.
What time should I call to make sure my payment posts by the due date?
Call at least two business days before your due date to be safe. Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day post the next business day. If your due date is a weekend or holiday, Discover moves it to the next business day, but do not count on that — call early.
What if I call to pay but the automated system does not work?
You can speak to a customer service representative by staying on the line after the automated system answers or by pressing the option for a representative. Representatives can process payments the same way the automated system does and can answer questions about your account.
Can I set up automatic payments by phone?
The automated system processes one-time payments only. To set up automatic recurring payments, you will need to log into your Discover account online or speak to a representative who can enroll you in the automatic payment program.