The main ways to pay your credit card bill
You can pay your credit card bill by mailing a check, paying online through your card issuer's website or app, setting up automatic payments from your bank account, calling the card issuer's phone number on the back of your card, or paying in person at a branch if your card issuer has physical locations. The fastest and most common method is online payment through your issuer's portal, which usually posts to your account within one business day.
Each method has different timing. A mailed check typically takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive and clear, so you need to send it well before your due date. Online and phone payments usually process the same day or next business day. Automatic payments deduct money on a date you choose each month, so you set them once and they repeat.
Your card issuer's website or app will show you all the payment methods they accept. Some issuers charge a fee for paying by phone or by certain other methods, though most do not charge to pay online or by mail. Check your account or call the number on your bill to confirm which methods are free.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment through your card issuer's website or app is the fastest free method and usually posts within one business day.
- Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days, so you must send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late payment.
- Automatic payments deduct a set amount on a date you choose each month, which prevents missed payments if you set the amount to at least your minimum.
- Some issuers charge fees for phone payments or third-party payment services, but most do not charge for online or mail payments.
- A late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and triggers a late fee, usually $25 to $40 for the first late payment.
Paying online through your card issuer's website or app
Log into your account on your card issuer's website or open their mobile app. Look for a button or menu option labeled "Make a Payment," "Pay Bill," or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you want to pay and the date you want it to post. Most issuers let you schedule a payment for a future date, which is useful if you want to pay on payday but your bill is due sooner.
You will need to link a bank account to pay online. The first time you do this, your issuer will ask for your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website. Some issuers verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) and asking you to confirm the amounts. This verification takes one to two business days.
Once your bank account is linked, you can pay immediately. The payment usually posts within one business day, though some issuers post same-day if you pay before a certain time (often 5 p.m. Eastern). Check your issuer's website to see if they offer same-day posting and what time cutoff applies.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payments deduct money from your bank account on a date you choose each month. You set this up once in your card issuer's app or website, usually in a section called "Autopay," "Automatic Payments," or "Recurring Payments." You choose the date (for example, the 15th of each month) and the amount.
You have three options for the amount: pay the full statement balance, pay a fixed amount you set, or pay the minimum payment. Paying the full balance each month means you never carry a balance and pay no interest. Paying a fixed amount lets you control your cash flow but may not cover the full balance. Paying only the minimum keeps you from being late but costs the most in interest over time.
If you set automatic payments to the full balance, make sure your bank account has enough money on the payment date. If the payment fails because of insufficient funds, your card issuer will report it as a late payment. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account settings, though you should do this before the payment date if you want to stop that month's payment.
Mailing a check or money order
Write a check or money order payable to your card issuer. On the memo line, write your account number so the payment gets credited to the right account. Include your account number and payment amount on the envelope as well, in case the check gets separated from the envelope.
Mail the check to the address listed on your bill or on your card issuer's website. Do not mail it to the address where you receive your statement, because that is often a processing center separate from the payment center. The correct mailing address is usually printed on the bill itself under "Payment Address" or "Send Payment To."
A mailed check typically takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive and clear. To be safe, mail your payment at least two weeks before your due date. If you mail it fewer than 10 days before the due date and it arrives late, your issuer will report a late payment even though you sent it on time. If you are cutting it close, use online or phone payment instead.
Paying by phone
Call the number on the back of your credit card or on your bill. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay. They will then ask for your bank account information (routing number and account number) or a debit card number to process the payment.
Phone payments usually post within one business day. Some card issuers charge a fee for phone payments, typically $10 to $15, though many do not. Ask the representative whether there is a fee before you provide your bank information. If there is a fee, you can hang up and pay online instead, which is free.
Phone payment is useful if you do not have internet access or if you need to ask questions about your account while paying. It is slower than online payment and may cost more, so use it only when online payment is not an option.
What happens if you miss your due date
If your payment does not post by your due date, your card issuer will charge a late fee. The fee is usually $25 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent late payments in the same billing cycle, though some issuers charge less. You will also owe interest on any balance you carry, calculated at your card's annual percentage rate (APR).
More importantly, a late payment stays 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. This makes it harder to borrow money in the future and can raise the interest rates on other loans and credit cards you already have.
If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, your card issuer may report it to the credit bureaus. If you miss a payment by 60 days or more, your interest rate may increase to a penalty rate, which can be much higher than your regular APR. If you miss a payment by 180 days (about six months), your issuer may close your account and send it to a debt collector.
Choosing the right payment method for your situation
If you have a stable income and want to avoid thinking about payments, automatic payments to your full balance are the simplest option. You set it once and never have to worry about being late. If your income varies month to month, automatic payments to a fixed amount or manual payments give you more control over your cash flow.
If you do not have internet access or a bank account linked to your card, mailing a check is reliable but requires planning ahead. If you need to pay urgently and do not have time to mail a check, online or phone payment is faster. If you want to avoid any fees, pay online or by mail; phone payments may charge a fee depending on your issuer.
The key is to choose a method you will actually use consistently. A payment method that is slightly slower but that you will remember is better than a faster method you will forget about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card bill with a debit card?
No, you cannot pay a credit card bill with another credit card. You can pay with a debit card, bank transfer, check, or money order. Paying with a debit card online or by phone works the same way as paying with a bank account — you provide the debit card number and the payment posts within one business day.
What if I pay more than I owe?
The extra amount becomes a credit on your account. You can use it toward future purchases, or you can request a refund. Most issuers will refund the overpayment if you ask, though it may take one to two weeks to appear in your bank account. Check your issuer's website or call to find out how to request a refund.
Does paying early help my credit score?
Paying early does not hurt your credit score, but it does not help it either. Your credit score is based on whether you pay by the due date, not how early you pay. Paying on time every month is what builds good credit. Paying early is useful only if it helps you remember to pay or if you want to lower your credit utilization ratio before your statement closes.
What is the difference between the due date and the statement closing date?
Your statement closing date is when your billing cycle ends and your bill is calculated. Your due date is when you must pay to avoid a late fee, usually 21 to 25 days after your statement closes. You can pay anytime between the closing date and the due date without penalty. Paying before the closing date lowers the balance reported to credit bureaus, which can help your credit score.
Can I set up automatic payments if I do not have a bank account?
Most card issuers require a bank account to set up automatic payments. If you do not have a bank account, you can pay online with a debit card, pay by phone with a debit card, or mail a check. Some issuers may offer other options; call the number on your card to ask what payment methods are available without a bank account.