The most common ways to pay your credit card bill
You can pay your credit card bill through your card issuer's website or mobile app, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch if your bank has physical locations. Most people use online or mobile payment because it is fast and you can see the payment post within one to three business days. The method you choose does not change what you owe — it only changes how the money gets from your account to the card issuer.
Each method has a different timeline. Online and mobile payments usually process the same day or next business day. Phone payments take one to three business days. Mail takes five to seven business days from when the issuer receives it, which means you need to send it earlier if your due date is soon. In-person payments at a branch post immediately, but only some banks offer this option.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments are the fastest and most common method, usually posting within one business day.
- Phone payments take one to three business days and require you to have your account number and routing information ready.
- Mail payments take five to seven business days after the issuer receives them, so send them at least a week before your due date.
- Set up automatic payments through your card issuer's website to avoid missing due dates, but monitor your account to make sure the payment goes through.
- Paying through a third-party bill pay service or your bank's bill pay feature works, but the payment still goes to your card issuer and takes the same time as a direct payment.
Paying online or through your card issuer's mobile app
Log into your credit card account on the issuer's website or open their mobile app. Look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button, usually on the account dashboard or in a menu labeled "Payments" or "Account Services." Enter the amount you want to pay, choose the date you want it to post, and confirm the payment method — usually a bank account you link to your card account.
The issuer will ask you to verify your bank account by routing number and account number, or by connecting through your bank's login. Once linked, you can pay immediately or schedule a payment for a future date. The payment usually posts within one business day. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email; save both in case you need to prove you paid.
If you want to avoid logging in each month, most issuers let you set up automatic payments from the same screen. You can choose to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month on a date you select. Automatic payments reduce the risk of missing a due date, but you should still check your account monthly to confirm the payment went through and that your balance is what you expected.
Paying by phone
Call the phone number on the back of your credit card or on your statement. Have your account number, Social Security number, and the bank account or debit card you want to pay from ready before you call. The automated system or representative will ask you to confirm your identity, then walk you through entering the payment amount and the date you want it to post.
Phone payments take one to three business days to post. You will receive a confirmation number during the call; write it down immediately. If you do not receive a confirmation number, ask for one before you hang up. Keep the number until the payment shows in your account.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order payable to your credit card issuer. Include your account number on the check or money order itself — write it in the memo line. Put the check in an envelope with a payment coupon from your statement if one is included, or write your account number on a separate piece of paper inside the envelope.
Mail the payment to the address listed on your statement for payments, not the general customer service address. Mail takes five to seven business days after the issuer receives it, so send your payment at least one week before your due date to be safe. If your due date is fewer than seven days away, use online, mobile, or phone payment instead.
Keep a copy of the check or money order number and the date you mailed it. If the payment does not show in your account within ten business days, contact the issuer with this information.
Paying in person at a bank branch
Not all card issuers have physical branches, and not all branches accept credit card payments. Call your card issuer first to confirm that your local branch takes payments and what hours they accept them. Bring your credit card or account number, a photo ID, and the cash or check you want to pay with.
In-person payments post to your account immediately or the same business day. You will receive a receipt showing the amount paid and the date. Keep the receipt until the payment shows in your account online.
Using your bank's bill pay service
Many banks offer bill pay through their checking account, which lets you schedule payments to any company, including your credit card issuer. Log into your bank's website or app, go to the bill pay section, and add your credit card issuer as a payee. Enter your credit card account number, the amount, and the date you want the payment to post.
Bill pay payments take the same time as mailing a check — five to seven business days after your bank sends them. The advantage is that you do not have to write a check or buy a stamp. The disadvantage is that you cannot control exactly when the issuer receives the payment, so you need to schedule it even earlier than you would mail a check to be safe.
What happens if you miss your due date
If your payment does not post by your due date, the issuer will report it as late to the credit bureaus. A payment that is 30 days late appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score. Late payments also trigger a late fee, which varies by issuer but is usually between $25 and $40 for the first late payment.
If you realize your payment will not arrive on time, contact your issuer immediately. Some issuers will waive a late fee if you call before the due date and explain the delay, especially if you have a good payment history. After the due date has passed, you can still ask for a waiver, but the issuer is less likely to grant one.
If you are more than 60 days late, the issuer may increase your interest rate to a penalty rate, which can be significantly higher than your regular rate. If you are more than 180 days late, the issuer may close your account and send it to a collection agency.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid late fees
The easiest way to avoid missing a payment is to set up automatic payments through your card issuer's website or app. You can choose to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month. Select the date you want the payment to post — many people choose a few days after payday so the money is in their account.
Automatic payments work only if you have enough money in your linked bank account on the payment date. If your account does not have enough funds, the payment will fail and you may be charged an overdraft fee by your bank in addition to a late fee by your card issuer. Check your bank account balance before the automatic payment date each month, or set up a low-balance alert on your bank account.
Even with automatic payments, log into your credit card account at least once a month to confirm the payment posted and that your balance is correct. Errors happen — a payment might fail without notifying you, or the amount might be wrong. Catching these problems early prevents late fees and keeps your account in good standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card bill with cash?
Not directly through most issuers — you cannot walk into a store and hand over cash to pay a credit card bill. You can deposit cash into your bank account and then pay from that account using online, phone, or automatic payment. Some credit unions that issue credit cards may accept cash payments at their branches; call your issuer to ask.
What if I pay more than I owe?
The extra amount becomes a credit balance 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. Check your statement to see if your issuer has a refund process on their website.
Does it matter if I pay early?
No — paying early does not hurt you. It lowers your balance faster, which can reduce the interest you pay if you carry a balance. It also reduces the risk of missing your due date. The only reason not to pay early is if you need the money in your bank account for something else.
Can I pay my credit card with another credit card?
Most card issuers do not accept credit card payments directly. If you use a third-party service to pay one card with another, you will be charged a cash advance fee, which is usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount. This is expensive and should only be done in an emergency.
What if my payment posts after the due date but I sent it on time?
If you mailed a check or used bill pay and it arrives late due to mail delays, contact your issuer and explain when you sent it. Provide the confirmation number or check number as proof. Some issuers will remove the late fee if you can show the payment was sent before the due date, though they are not required to.