The basic payment methods and where to send your money

You can pay your credit card bill through your card issuer's website, mobile app, automatic bank transfer, phone call, or by mailing a check. Most people use their issuer's online portal or app because it takes five minutes and shows your payment immediately. The card company's customer service number is on your statement or the back of your card — they can walk you through any method if you get stuck.

Your payment goes to the address or account listed in your billing statement. Never send money to a random address or phone number you find online; scammers pose as card companies. If you are unsure whether a payment method is real, call the number on the back of your card and ask.

Key Takeaways

  • Online payment through your issuer's website or app is the fastest method and shows your payment posted within hours.
  • Automatic payments (autopay) prevent late fees by charging your bank account on a date you choose each month.
  • Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to arrive, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late payment.
  • Your minimum payment is the smallest amount due; paying only the minimum leaves you with interest charges on the remaining balance.
  • Late payments trigger a fee (usually $25 to $40) and can damage your credit score within 30 days of the missed due date.

Paying online or through your mobile app

Log into your account on your card issuer's website or open their mobile app, then look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button. You will enter the amount you want to pay and choose the account to pull the money from (usually a checking or savings account). The payment posts within a few hours on the same business day, though some issuers show it as pending for a few hours first.

Online payments are free and leave a record you can screenshot or print. If you pay after 11 p.m. on a business day, the payment may not post until the next day. Payments made on weekends or holidays post on the next business day.

Setting up automatic payments (autopay)

Autopay charges your bank account on a date you choose each month, so you never miss a due date. Log into your card account, find the autopay or recurring payment section, and link your checking or savings account. You can set it to pay your full balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount.

Most people choose to pay the full balance automatically so they carry no interest charges. If you choose the minimum payment, you will still owe interest on the remaining balance. You can change or cancel autopay anytime, and you can make extra payments on top of your automatic payment without penalty.

Paying by phone or mail

Call the number on the back of your card to pay by phone. A representative will ask for the amount and the bank account to charge. Phone payments are free and post the same day if you call before the issuer's cutoff time (usually 8 p.m. Eastern). Payments made after that time or on weekends post the next business day.

If you mail a check, write your account number on the check and mail it to the address on your statement. The check takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive and clear, so send it at least two weeks before your due date. Do not mail cash. Some issuers no longer accept checks, so call first if you plan to mail a payment.

Understanding your minimum payment and full balance

Your minimum payment is the smallest amount your card issuer requires you to pay by the due date. It is usually 1 to 3 percent of your total balance, plus any fees or interest charges. Paying only the minimum keeps your account in good standing and avoids a late fee, but you will owe interest on the remaining balance at your card's interest rate (called the APR).

Your full balance is everything you charged to the card during the billing period. Paying the full balance by the due date means you owe no interest. If you cannot pay the full balance, paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe. For example, if your balance is $1,000 and your APR is 20 percent, paying only the minimum might cost you $15 to $20 in interest that month, while paying $500 would cost roughly $8.

What happens if you miss a payment

If you do not pay by your due date, your card issuer charges a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment, up to $40 for repeat late payments). Your interest rate may also increase to a penalty APR, which can be 25 to 30 percent or higher. The late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and damages your credit score immediately.

If you are 30 days late, the card issuer reports the late payment to the credit bureaus. If you are 60 days late, your interest rate usually jumps to the penalty APR. If you are 180 days late, the issuer may close your account and send it to a debt collection agency. If you miss a payment, contact your issuer as soon as possible — many will waive a single late fee if you have a good payment history and call before the account is sent to collections.

Paying off a balance faster

If you carry a balance (meaning you do not pay the full amount each month), you owe interest. The longer you carry the balance, the more interest you pay. Making extra payments beyond your minimum reduces the balance faster and saves you money on interest.

For example, if you owe $5,000 at 18 percent APR and pay only the minimum ($150 per month), you will pay the debt off in about 48 months and pay roughly $2,200 in interest. If you pay $300 per month instead, you will pay it off in about 20 months and pay roughly $700 in interest. You can make extra payments anytime without penalty, and most issuers let you pay multiple times per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my credit card bill with another credit card?

Most card issuers do not accept credit card payments directly. You can use a third-party payment service like Plastiq or PayPal to pay with another card, but they charge a fee (usually 2 to 3 percent). It is cheaper to link a bank account and pay from there.

What time of day does my payment post?

Online and phone payments made before your issuer's cutoff time (usually 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day) post the same day. Payments made after the cutoff or on weekends post the next business day. Check your account settings or call customer service to confirm your issuer's exact cutoff time.

Do I have to pay the full balance to avoid interest?

Yes. If you carry any balance into the next billing period, you owe interest on that amount at your card's APR. The only way to avoid interest is to pay the full statement balance by the due date. Some cards offer a grace period (usually 21 days) where no interest accrues if you pay in full.

What if I pay more than I owe?

If you overpay, the extra amount becomes a credit on your account. You can use it toward future purchases, or you can request a refund. Most issuers refund overpayments within one to two weeks if you ask.

Is autopay safe?

Autopay through your card issuer's official website or app is safe — the issuer controls the process and your bank account information stays with them. Never set up autopay through a link in an email or text message, as scammers use fake payment pages to steal account information. Always log in directly to your card's website or app.