The basic way to pay your credit card bill
You pay a credit card by sending money to the card issuer — the bank or company that issued the card to you. This money goes toward your balance, which is what you owe. You can pay online through your issuer's website or app, by phone, by mail, or sometimes in person at a branch. Most people pay online because it's fastest and you can see the payment post within one to three business days.
The issuer will tell you how much you owe and when it's due. You don't have to pay the full balance every month — you can pay just the minimum amount — but paying more than the minimum saves you money on interest. The due date is usually the same day each month, and paying after that date triggers a late fee and can hurt your credit score.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or at a branch, but online is fastest and most issuers offer it for free.
- Your payment posts within one to three business days, so plan ahead if your due date is soon.
- Paying at least the minimum by the due date avoids late fees and protects your credit score.
- Paying more than the minimum or paying in full each month saves you money on interest charges.
- Set up automatic payments if you want the issuer to deduct a fixed amount from your bank account each month.
Paying online through your issuer's website or app
Log into your credit card account on the issuer's website or open their mobile app. Look for a button or link that says "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." You'll enter the amount you want to pay and confirm your bank account information — the account the money will come from. Then you'll review the details and submit.
The issuer will show you a confirmation number and tell you when the payment will post. Most online payments post within one to three business days. If your due date is in the next few days, pay as soon as you can, because a payment that hasn't posted yet won't count as on-time if the due date passes.
Online payments are free on your issuer's own website or app. Some third-party payment services charge a fee to process credit card payments, so avoid those unless you have no other option.
Paying by phone or mail
You can call the customer service number on the back of your card or on your statement. A representative will walk you through the payment over the phone. You'll need your bank account number or debit card information ready. Phone payments are free and usually post within one to three business days, the same as online.
To pay by mail, write a check to the card issuer and mail it to the address on your statement. Include your account number on the check so they know which account to credit. Mail payments take longer — typically five to seven business days to post — so send them well before your due date. Never send cash by mail.
Automatic payments and why they matter
Most issuers let you set up automatic payments, which means the issuer pulls money from your bank account on a date you choose each month. You can usually choose to pay a fixed amount (like $100), the minimum payment, or the full balance. Automatic payments are free and remove the risk of forgetting to pay.
Setting up autopay is done through your online account or by calling customer service. You'll give the issuer permission to debit your bank account, and you can change or cancel the automatic payment anytime. If you set autopay to the full balance, you'll never carry a balance and you'll never pay interest — though you'll also never build a credit history, since credit scores reward people who borrow and pay back on time.
What happens if you miss the due date
If your payment doesn't post by the due date, the issuer charges a late fee. The fee amount varies by issuer, but it's usually between $25 and $40 for the first late payment. If you're late again within six months, the fee may be higher. A late payment also shows up on your credit report and can lower your credit score.
If you realize you're going to be late, call the issuer right away. Some will waive the late fee if you've never been late before, or if you can explain a genuine hardship. Paying as soon as you can after the due date still counts as late, but it stops the damage from getting worse — the longer you wait, the more serious the consequences become.
Paying more than the minimum to save on interest
Your statement shows a minimum payment — usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance. If you only pay the minimum, the rest of your balance stays on the card and gets charged interest. The interest rate is your card's annual percentage rate, or APR, which is listed on your statement and in your card agreement.
If you carry a balance of $1,000 at an APR of 20 percent and pay only the minimum each month, it will take you years to pay off and you'll pay hundreds of dollars in interest. Paying more than the minimum shrinks the balance faster and saves you money. Paying the full balance each month means you pay no interest at all.
You can pay more than the minimum anytime — there's no penalty for paying early or paying extra. Some people pay weekly or whenever they have money, rather than waiting for the due date.
Paying from a different bank account or debit card
Most issuers let you link multiple bank accounts to your credit card account, so you can pay from whichever account has money available. You can usually add a new account through your online settings, and the issuer will verify it before you can use it — this takes a day or two.
You can also pay with a debit card, though this is less common. Some issuers accept debit card payments over the phone or through their website. Paying with a debit card is not the same as paying with another credit card — paying a credit card with another credit card usually counts as a cash advance and triggers fees and higher interest rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does paying online cost money?
No. Paying through your issuer's website or app is free. Some third-party payment services charge fees, but you don't need to use them — your issuer's own payment system is always free.
How long does it take for a payment to show up?
Online and phone payments usually post within one to three business days. Mail payments take five to seven business days. Weekends and holidays don't count as business days, so a payment mailed on Friday may not post until the following Wednesday.
Can I pay my credit card with another credit card?
Most issuers don't allow it, and if they do, it counts as a cash advance — you'll pay a fee and a higher interest rate. It's not a useful way to pay and can make your debt worse.
What if I pay more than I owe?
The extra money becomes a credit on your account. You can use it toward future purchases, or you can ask the issuer to refund it to your bank account. Some issuers refund automatically if the credit sits unused for a certain period.
Is automatic payment safe?
Yes. You're giving the issuer permission to debit a specific amount on a specific date, and you can change or stop it anytime through your account settings. You're not giving the issuer access to your entire bank account.