Bank of America offers five main ways to pay your credit card bill
You can pay your Bank of America credit card through their website, mobile app, phone, mail, or in person at a branch. The fastest routes are online or through the app — both process same-day if you pay before the cutoff time, usually 8 p.m. Eastern. Phone payments and in-person payments also post the same day. Mail takes 5 to 7 business days from when Bank of America receives it, so use mail only if you are paying well ahead of your due date.
Each method connects to the same account, so your balance updates the same way regardless of which you choose. The key difference is speed and whether you need to set up automatic payments or make one-time payments.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mobile app payments post the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern, while mail payments take 5 to 7 business days.
- You can set up automatic payments on any due date through the website or app, and Bank of America will deduct the amount you choose each month.
- Phone payments require your account number and routing information but process immediately and post the same day.
- In-person payments at a Bank of America branch post the same day but require you to visit during branch hours.
Paying online through the Bank of America website
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com, select your credit card, and choose "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." You will see your current balance, minimum payment, and statement balance. Enter the amount you want to pay and the date you want it to post. If you choose a date within the next business day, the payment posts same-day; if you choose a future date, it posts on that date.
You can pay from a Bank of America checking or savings account, or from an account at another bank. If you use an external account, you will need the routing number and account number. Bank of America stores this information for future payments, so you only enter it once.
Payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day post the same day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on a weekend post the next business day.
Paying through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America app, tap your credit card, and select "Pay" or "Make a Payment." The process is identical to the website: you enter the amount, choose the date, and confirm. The app shows your available balance and minimum payment at the top of the screen.
Mobile app payments follow the same posting timeline as online payments — same-day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day. You can also set up recurring automatic payments through the app by selecting "Set Up Auto Pay" and choosing a fixed amount and due date.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments deduct a fixed amount from your bank account on the date you choose each month. You set this up once through the website or app, and Bank of America handles the rest. Go to "Manage Auto Pay," select your credit card, and choose whether to pay the minimum, the full statement balance, or a fixed dollar amount.
If you choose to pay the full statement balance automatically, the payment posts a few days before your due date to ensure it clears in time. If you choose a fixed dollar amount, make sure it is at least the minimum payment, or you will still carry a balance and accrue interest.
You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through the same menu. If you cancel, you will need to make manual payments going forward.
Paying by phone
Call Bank of America's automated payment line at 1-800-475-5000. You will need your credit card number and the routing and account number of the bank account you are paying from. The system will confirm the amount and posting date before processing.
Phone payments post the same day if you call before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day. You can also speak to a representative by pressing the option for customer service, though this does not change the posting timeline.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order, include your credit card number on the back, and mail it to the address on your statement. Bank of America's mailing address for payments is listed on your bill under "Payment Address" — use this address, not your statement address, or your payment may be delayed.
Mail payments take 5 to 7 business days from the date Bank of America receives them. The post office adds 1 to 3 days, so plan for 7 to 10 days total from when you drop the envelope. Do not use mail if you are close to your due date; use online or phone payment instead.
Paying in person at a Bank of America branch
Visit any Bank of America branch with your credit card or account number and the amount you want to pay. You can pay with cash, check, or debit card. The teller will process the payment and give you a receipt. In-person payments post the same day.
Branch hours vary by location, so check your local branch's hours before you go. This method is useful if you prefer to hand over cash or need a receipt in hand immediately, but it is slower than online or phone payment for most people.
What happens if you miss your due date
If your payment does not post by your due date, Bank of America charges a late fee. The fee amount depends on your card and account history, but typically ranges from $25 to $39 for the first late payment. You also start accruing interest on the unpaid balance at your card's purchase APR, even if you have a 0% introductory rate.
A late payment also reports to the credit bureaus after 30 days past due, which damages your credit score. If you realize you will miss the due date, make a payment immediately — even a partial payment reduces the amount subject to interest and may reduce the late fee. Then contact Bank of America to ask whether they will waive the fee as a one-time courtesy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Bank of America credit card with a debit card?
You can pay in person at a branch with a debit card, but not online or by phone. Online and phone payments require a bank account (checking or savings) and routing number. If you want to pay with a debit card online, use a third-party bill payment service through your debit card issuer, though this adds processing time.
What time does Bank of America stop accepting same-day payments?
The cutoff is 8 p.m. Eastern on business days. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. If your due date falls on a weekend, Bank of America considers the payment on-time if it posts by the next business day.
Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay just the minimum?
You can pay any amount from the minimum to the full balance. If you pay less than the full statement balance, the remaining amount carries over and accrues interest at your purchase APR. Paying only the minimum keeps your account in good standing but costs more in interest over time.
Can I schedule a payment for a future date?
Yes. When you make a payment online or through the app, you can choose any date up to several months in the future. The payment will post on that date automatically. This is useful if you want to time the payment with your paycheck, but do not use it as a substitute for automatic payments if you want to ensure you never miss a due date.
What should I do if my payment does not post on time?
Check your account online or through the app to confirm the payment status. If the payment shows as pending, it will post within one business day. If it shows as failed, you will see an error message explaining why — usually an incorrect account number or insufficient funds. Contact Bank of America immediately to resubmit the payment or discuss a late fee waiver.