The fastest way to pay is through Best Buy's website or the Best Buy mobile app
Log into your Best Buy account on bestbuy.com or open the Best Buy mobile app, then look for the credit card or payment section. You'll enter your payment amount and choose your payment date. The payment posts within one business day in most cases. You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between.
If you have a Best Buy credit card issued by Citi, you can also log into your Citi account directly at citi.com and pay from there. Both routes reach the same account, so choose whichever login you find easier.
Key Takeaways
- Best Buy's website and mobile app let you pay your bill anytime without calling, and payments post within one business day.
- You can set up automatic payments through either Best Buy or Citi so you never miss a due date.
- Paying by phone through Best Buy customer service or Citi takes about five minutes and works if you don't have online access.
- Mail payments take seven to ten business days to arrive, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late fee.
- Late payments trigger a fee and can raise your interest rate, so set a calendar reminder if you pay manually each month.
Setting up automatic payments so you don't miss the due date
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting. In your Best Buy account or Citi account, find the autopay or automatic payment section and link a checking or savings account. You choose whether to pay the full statement balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month.
The payment withdraws on the date you select, usually a few days before your statement due date. If you change your mind about a payment before it processes, you can cancel it through the same section where you set it up. Check your bank account a day or two after the scheduled date to confirm the payment went through.
Paying by phone if you don't have online access
Call Best Buy customer service at the number on the back of your card. Have your card number and the amount you want to pay ready. A representative will confirm your payment method (debit card, checking account, or savings account) and process the payment over the phone. This takes about five minutes.
Alternatively, call Citi directly at the number on your statement. Both routes reach your account, so either works. Payments made by phone post within one business day, the same as online payments.
Mailing a check or money order
The mailing address for payments appears on your monthly statement. Write your account number on the check or money order and mail it to that address. Allow seven to ten business days for the payment to arrive and post to your account.
Because mail is slow, send your payment at least two weeks before your due date. If you mail a payment fewer than fourteen days before the due date and it arrives late, you'll owe a late fee even though you sent it on time. Keep a copy of the envelope or take a photo of the check for your records.
What happens if you miss a payment or pay late
A payment is late if it arrives after your due date. Best Buy charges a late fee, usually between $25 and $39 depending on your account history. The late fee appears on your next statement.
A late payment also triggers a higher interest rate on your balance, called a penalty rate. This rate applies to new purchases and any existing balance. The penalty rate stays in place for at least six months, even if you pay on time after that. If you miss a payment by more than 30 days, the late payment appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score.
Understanding your due date and statement cycle
Your due date is printed on your monthly statement and is usually the same day each month. Your statement covers purchases from roughly the first to the last day of the previous month. The statement arrives about a week before your due date, giving you time to review charges and pay.
If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is due the next business day. If you pay online, the payment posts the next business day after you submit it, so submit it at least one day before your due date to be safe. If you're cutting it close, pay by phone or online rather than mail.
Paying more than the minimum to reduce interest charges
The minimum payment covers interest and a small portion of your balance, so paying only the minimum means you'll carry the debt for years and pay hundreds in interest. Paying more than the minimum reduces the balance faster and saves you money on interest.
If you can't pay the full balance, pay as much as you can afford. Even an extra $20 or $30 per month shrinks the balance and the interest you owe. Use an online calculator to see how much interest you'll pay at different payment amounts — most credit card websites include one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Best Buy card with a credit card or another card?
No. Best Buy and Citi only accept payments from a bank account (checking or savings), debit card, or check. Paying a credit card with another credit card typically isn't allowed by any card issuer because it counts as a cash advance and triggers high fees and interest.
What if I pay online but the payment doesn't show up?
Check your bank account to confirm the money left your account. If it did, the payment is processing and will post within one business day. If the money is still in your account, the payment may not have submitted. Log back in and try again, or call customer service to confirm.
Can I change my payment date each month?
Yes. Log into your account and update the payment date whenever you need to. If you have automatic payments set up, you can change the date there too. Just make sure the new date is before your due date so you don't miss it.
Do I have to pay the full balance or can I pay part of it?
You can pay any amount between the minimum and the full balance. Paying the full balance avoids interest charges on that purchase. Paying less than the full balance means you'll owe interest on the remaining balance at your card's interest rate.
What's the difference between the due date and the payment posting date?
The due date is when your payment must arrive to avoid a late fee. The posting date is when the payment actually reduces your balance. Online and phone payments post within one business day. Mail payments take seven to ten days to post, so they must be sent much earlier to arrive by the due date.