The four ways to pay your Bank of America credit card bill
You can pay your Bank of America credit card through online banking, the mobile app, automatic payments, or by phone. Online banking and the app are the fastest — payments post the same day if you pay before the cutoff time, usually 8 p.m. Eastern. Automatic payments let you set a fixed amount or your full balance to pay on a date you choose each month. Phone payments go through a representative and take the same time as online payments.
Each method connects to the same account, so your balance updates the same way regardless of which you use. The key difference is speed and whether you want to set it and forget it. If you are behind on a payment or want to avoid late fees, online or phone is faster than waiting for a check to arrive.
Key Takeaways
- Online banking and the mobile app process payments the same day if submitted before the evening cutoff, while checks and mail take 5 to 7 business days to post.
- Automatic payments can be set to pay your full statement balance, a fixed dollar amount, or your minimum payment on a date you choose each month.
- If you pay after your statement closing date but before your due date, you will not incur a late fee, though interest will accrue on the unpaid balance.
- Payments made through Bank of America do not cost extra, but third-party payment services may charge a fee to process the transaction.
Paying online through Bank of America's website
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com, select your credit card, and click "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you want to pay and choose the date — you can pay today or schedule a payment for a future date up to 365 days out. Bank of America will show you the available payment dates and confirm the amount before you submit.
The payment posts immediately if you submit before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day. If you submit after 8 p.m. or on a weekend, it will post the next business day. You will see the updated balance in your account right away, though it may take a few hours for the transaction to appear in your payment history.
You can pay from a Bank of America checking or savings account linked to your profile, or from an external bank account you have added to your profile. Adding an external account requires you to verify it first — Bank of America will deposit two small amounts to that account, and you will need to confirm the amounts to prove you own it.
Paying through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America app, tap your credit card, and select "Pay Card" or the payment icon. The process is identical to the website: enter the amount, choose the payment date, and confirm. Payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day post the same day.
The app also shows your statement balance, minimum payment due, and due date on the main card screen, so you can see at a glance what you owe. You can set up a one-time payment or move to automatic payments directly from the app.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments remove the need to remember your due date each month. In online banking or the app, go to your credit card, select "Automatic Payments" or "Manage Autopay," and choose what you want to pay: your full statement balance, a fixed dollar amount, or your minimum payment. Then pick the date each month when the payment should go through.
If you choose to pay your full statement balance automatically, Bank of America will charge your linked account for whatever your balance is on your statement closing date. This means you will pay interest-free if you have not carried a balance from a previous month. If you choose a fixed amount, make sure it is at least your minimum payment, or you will still be late.
You can change or cancel an automatic payment anytime. If you cancel, you will need to make manual payments again or set up a new automatic payment. If your linked account does not have enough money on the payment date, the payment will fail — Bank of America will not retry it automatically, so you will need to pay manually to avoid a late fee.
Paying by phone
Call the number on the back of your credit card and follow the prompts to speak with a representative or use the automated system. You will need your card number and the amount you want to pay. The representative can process the payment immediately, and it will post the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day.
Phone payments are useful if you have questions about your balance or need to discuss a payment arrangement, but they take longer than online or app payments because you have to wait for a representative. If you are calling during business hours and the line is busy, you may wait several minutes.
What happens if you pay late or miss a payment
Your due date is at least 21 days after your statement closing date. If you do not pay at least your minimum payment by that date, Bank of America will report the account as late to the credit bureaus. A late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and will lower your credit score.
Bank of America charges a late fee the first time you miss a payment — the amount varies by card but is typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent ones within six months. After 30 days late, your interest rate may increase to the penalty rate listed in your card agreement, which is usually much higher than your regular rate.
If you are unable to pay your full balance, paying something before the due date is better than paying nothing. Interest will accrue on the unpaid portion, but you will avoid the late fee and the credit report damage. If you are struggling with your balance, contact Bank of America to discuss a hardship program or payment plan.
How long payments take to post
Payments made through Bank of America's website, app, or phone post the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. Bank of America does not process payments on federal holidays.
If you mail a check, it will take 5 to 7 business days to arrive and post. The payment date for your account is the date Bank of America receives and processes it, not the date you mail it. If your due date is coming up and you are paying by mail, the check may not arrive in time — use online, app, or phone payment instead.
Payments from external bank accounts may take 1 to 3 business days to transfer, depending on your bank. If you are using an external account and your due date is soon, submit the payment at least 3 business days early to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Bank of America credit card with a debit card?
No. Bank of America only accepts payments from a Bank of America checking or savings account, or from an external bank account you have verified. You cannot pay with a debit card, credit card, or prepaid card through Bank of America's payment system. Some third-party payment services allow debit card payments, but they may charge a fee.
What if I pay more than I owe?
The overpayment becomes a credit on your account. Bank of America will apply it to your next statement balance, or you can request a refund. If you request a refund, it will be sent to the bank account you paid from, and it may take 3 to 5 business days to arrive.
Do I have to pay my full balance, or can I pay just the minimum?
You can pay any amount between your minimum payment and your full balance. Paying only the minimum avoids a late fee and keeps your account in good standing, but interest will accrue on the unpaid balance. Paying your full balance avoids interest charges entirely.
Can I schedule a payment for after my due date?
Yes, but you will incur a late fee if the payment does not post by your due date. If you schedule a payment for after your due date, make sure you understand when it will actually post — online and app payments post the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern, but mailed checks take 5 to 7 days.
What if my automatic payment fails?
Bank of America will not retry the payment automatically. You will need to make a manual payment to avoid a late fee. Check your account a day or two after your scheduled automatic payment date to make sure it went through. If it failed, contact Bank of America to find out why — usually it is because the linked account did not have enough money.