The main ways to pay your Bank of America card

You can pay your Bank of America credit card through their website, mobile app, phone, mail, or in person at a branch. The fastest route is online or through the app — both process same-day if you pay before the cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern. Phone payments and in-branch payments also post the same day. Mailed checks typically take 5 to 7 business days to reach the processing center and post to your account.

Bank of America does not charge a fee for any of these payment methods. The only time you pay extra is if you use a third-party service — a bill-pay service run by another bank, for example, or a payment processor that is not Bank of America's own system.

You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest that accrues on the remaining balance, since interest is calculated daily on whatever you owe.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and mobile app payments post the same day if submitted before the evening cutoff, while mailed checks take 5 to 7 business days.
  • Bank of America charges no fee for payments made through their website, app, phone line, mail, or branches.
  • You can set up automatic payments to the minimum, a fixed amount, or your full statement balance each month.
  • Payments made after your statement closing date still count toward that month's balance and reduce interest charges.

Paying online or through the mobile app

Log into your Bank of America account on their website or open the mobile app and navigate to the credit card account. Select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you want to pay, choose the date you want it to process (today or a future date up to 30 days out), and confirm. The system will show you the exact time the payment will post.

If you pay before the cutoff time on a business day, the payment posts the same day and reduces your balance immediately. Payments submitted after the cutoff or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. You do not need to be a Bank of America customer to pay this way — you can also pay from an external bank account by providing your routing and account number.

The mobile app also lets you set up a one-time payment or schedule recurring payments. Recurring payments can be set to the minimum amount due, a fixed dollar amount you choose, or the full statement balance.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the need to remember your due date each month. Log into your account online, go to the payment settings, and select "Set Up Auto Pay." Choose whether you want to pay the minimum amount due, a fixed amount, or your full statement balance. Pick the date each month when you want the payment to come out — this can be any day from the 1st through the 28th.

Bank of America will pull the payment from the bank account you specify on that date each month. If the date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment processes on the next business day. You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your account settings.

Automatic payments are useful if you want to avoid late fees and interest charges, but they do not prevent you from overspending. The payment only covers what you have already charged — it does not stop new transactions.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will ask for the amount you want to pay and the bank account you want it drawn from. Phone payments process the same day if you call before the cutoff time. Bank of America does not charge a fee for phone payments.

To pay by mail, write a check, include your account number on the check, and mail it to the address listed on your statement. Do not mail cash. Include only the check — do not send your card or other documents. Mailed payments take 5 to 7 business days to arrive and post, so mail your payment at least a week before your due date if you want to avoid a late fee.

You can also pay in person at any Bank of America branch during business hours. Bring your card or account number and the amount you want to pay in cash or check. In-branch payments post the same day.

What happens if you miss a payment or pay late

A payment is late if it arrives after your due date. Bank of America charges a late fee the first time you miss a payment — the amount depends on your card terms, but typically ranges from $25 to $39. If you pay late again within six months, the fee may be higher. After 30 days past due, the late payment shows up on your credit report and stays there for seven years.

Interest also accrues on any balance you carry. If you pay only the minimum, you are paying mostly interest and very little toward the principal. The longer you carry a balance, the more interest you pay overall.

If you miss a payment, contact Bank of America as soon as you realize it. Some cardholders can request a one-time fee waiver if they have a good payment history. Paying the full amount owed plus any late fees stops additional penalties from accruing, though the late payment itself remains on your report.

Understanding your statement and due date

Your statement closes on a specific date each month — this is the date Bank of America stops counting charges for that billing cycle. Your due date is usually 21 to 25 days after the statement closes. Any payment you make after the statement closes but before the due date counts toward that month's balance and reduces the interest you owe.

Your statement shows the minimum payment due, the full balance, and the due date. The minimum is typically 1 to 3 percent of your balance plus any fees and interest. Paying only the minimum means the rest of your balance carries over to next month and accrues interest at your card's annual percentage rate (APR).

If you pay after the due date, you are charged a late fee and the payment counts toward next month's balance instead. This is why the due date matters even if you plan to pay the full balance eventually.

Paying off a balance faster

The fastest way to pay off a balance is to pay more than the minimum each month. Every dollar above the minimum goes directly to reducing the principal, which means less interest accrues the next day. If you have multiple cards or accounts, focus extra payments on the card with the highest APR first — that is where interest costs you the most.

You can also make payments more than once a month. Some people pay weekly or every two weeks to match their paycheck schedule. Each payment reduces the daily balance, so interest accrues on a smaller amount. Bank of America allows as many payments as you want with no fee.

If you are carrying a large balance, contact Bank of America to ask about balance transfer options or hardship programs. These are not automatic — you have to request them — but they can lower your APR or pause interest temporarily if you are struggling to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Bank of America credit card with a debit card?

No. Bank of America does not accept credit card or debit card payments directly through their payment system. You can only pay from a bank account (checking or savings). If you want to use a debit card, you would need to transfer money from the debit card to a bank account first, then pay from that account.

What time does my payment need to be submitted to post the same day?

Payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day typically post the same day. The exact cutoff time can vary, so check your account or call the number on your card to confirm. Payments submitted after the cutoff or on weekends and holidays post the next business day.

Do I have to pay the full balance each month?

No. You can pay any amount from the minimum due up to the full balance. However, any balance you do not pay accrues interest at your card's APR. Paying only the minimum means you carry the balance forward and pay interest on it next month.

What if I pay more than I owe?

If you pay more than your current balance, the extra amount becomes a credit on your account. You can use this credit toward future charges, or you can request a refund. Bank of America will not charge you interest on a credit balance.

Can I change my due date?

Yes. Log into your account online, go to account settings, and select "Change Due Date." You can choose any day from the 1st through the 28th. The change takes effect on your next statement. This is useful if you want your due date to match your paycheck schedule.