The fastest way to pay is through your Bank of America online account or mobile app
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com or open the mobile app, then navigate to your credit card account and select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now". You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. The payment posts immediately if you pay before the cutoff time (usually 8 p.m. ET on business days); payments made after that time or on weekends post the next business day.
You can also set up automatic payments so the same amount withdraws from your linked Bank of America checking or savings account on a date you choose each month. This prevents missed payments and late fees. You pick whether to pay the full statement balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount.
If you do not have a Bank of America checking account, you can still pay online using a debit card or bank account from another institution, though the payment may take one to two business days to post instead of posting immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Payments made through your online account or app before 8 p.m. ET on business days post the same day; weekend and after-hours payments post the next business day.
- Automatic payments prevent late fees by withdrawing a set amount on the same date each month from a linked Bank of America or outside bank account.
- You can pay by phone at 1-800-432-1000, by mail to the address on your statement, or in person at a Bank of America branch.
- Late payments trigger a fee (amount varies by card terms) and can damage your credit score, so set a reminder if you do not use automatic payments.
Paying by phone or mail if you cannot use online banking
Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card or 1-800-432-1000 to pay over the phone using a debit card or bank account. A representative will walk you through the payment and confirm the amount and posting date. Phone payments typically post within one business day.
You can also mail a check or money order to the address listed on your monthly statement under "Payment Address" or "Make Payments To". Write your account number on the check. Mail payments take five to seven business days to arrive and post, so send them at least a week before your due date to avoid a late fee.
What happens if you miss your due date
A late payment fee (typically $25 to $39 depending on your card terms) posts to your account if the payment arrives after the due date. More importantly, the late payment is reported to credit bureaus and stays on your credit report for seven years, lowering your credit score and making future loans more expensive.
If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, Bank of America may also raise your interest rate to the penalty APR listed in your card terms, which can be significantly higher than your regular rate. This higher rate applies to new purchases and sometimes to your existing balance.
If you realize you will miss a due date, contact Bank of America before the date passes. They cannot waive a late fee automatically, but they may remove it as a one-time courtesy if you have a good payment history, and discussing hardship early sometimes opens options like a temporary lower payment plan.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed deadlines
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting. Log into your account, go to "Payments" or "Manage Payments", and select "Set Up Automatic Payments" or "Autopay". Choose the account you want the payment to come from (your Bank of America account or an outside bank account), the amount (full balance, minimum, or a fixed dollar amount), and the date each month.
If you choose to pay the full statement balance automatically, the payment amount adjusts each month based on what you owe. If you choose a fixed dollar amount, make sure it is at least the minimum payment shown on your statement, or you will still be late. You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account settings.
Automatic payments from a linked Bank of America account post on the date you select; payments from outside accounts may take one business day longer. If your due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment posts on the next business day.
Understanding your statement balance, minimum payment, and due date
Your monthly statement shows three key numbers: the statement balance (everything you charged during the billing period), the minimum payment (the smallest amount Bank of America will accept), and the due date (when payment must arrive to avoid a late fee). These are not the same thing.
Paying only the minimum leaves the rest of your balance to accrue interest at your card's APR. If you carry a balance month to month, you pay interest on top of interest. Paying the full statement balance by the due date means you owe no interest on those charges. If you cannot pay the full balance, paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe.
Your due date is always the same day each month (for example, the 15th). If that day falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date moves to the next business day. Payments must post by 11:59 p.m. ET on the due date to be considered on time.
Paying from a non-Bank of America account or using a third-party service
You can pay your Bank of America credit card from any bank account, not just a Bank of America account. Log into your Bank of America credit card account and select "Make a Payment", then enter the routing and account number of the bank you want to pay from. The payment takes one to two business days to post.
Some people use bill-pay services through their own bank to send a check to Bank of America on their behalf. This works, but it is slower than paying directly through your credit card account. The check must arrive and be processed, which can take seven to ten days. Only use this method if you are paying well ahead of your due date.
Do not use third-party payment apps or services that charge a fee to pay your credit card bill unless you have no other option. Bank of America's own payment methods are free, and paying through your own bank's bill-pay is also free.
What to do if a payment does not post or you see an error
If you made a payment online or by phone and it does not show in your account within the expected timeframe (same day for online payments before 8 p.m. ET, one business day for phone payments), log back into your account and check the "Recent Payments" or "Payment History" section. The payment may still be processing.
If the payment is not listed there and the due date has passed, call 1-800-432-1000 immediately. Have your confirmation number ready (you should have received one when you made the payment). A representative can confirm whether the payment was received and, if it was not, can resubmit it or apply a courtesy waiver to any late fee that posted.
If you see a charge on your statement that you did not make, or if a payment posted twice, contact Bank of America right away. Disputed charges can be reversed, and duplicate payments can be refunded or credited to your account. You have up to 60 days from the statement date to report a billing error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Bank of America credit card at an ATM or branch?
You cannot pay at an ATM. You can pay in person at a Bank of America branch during business hours by speaking with a teller, who will process a cash or check payment immediately. This is slower than online or phone payment and is best used only if you cannot access online banking or a phone.
What is the difference between my statement balance and my current balance?
Your statement balance is what you owed on the day your billing period ended. Your current balance includes new charges you have made since then. You owe interest on any balance you carry past the due date, regardless of which number you look at. Paying the full statement balance by the due date stops interest from accruing on those charges.
If I pay early, does it lower my credit score?
No. Paying early or paying more than the minimum does not hurt your credit score. It actually helps by lowering your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your credit limit you are using), which is a factor in your score. Pay whenever you can afford to.
What happens if I pay the minimum payment every month?
You will owe interest every month on the balance you do not pay off. The interest compounds, meaning you pay interest on top of interest. A $1,000 balance at 20% APR costs about $200 per year in interest if you only pay the minimum. Paying more than the minimum reduces this cost significantly.
Can Bank of America remove a late fee if I call and ask?
Bank of America may remove a late fee as a one-time courtesy if you have a good payment history and call before or shortly after the fee posts. They are not required to do so, but it does not hurt to ask. If you have multiple late fees, they are less likely to waive them. Preventing late payments through automatic payments or reminders is more reliable than asking for a waiver later.