The fastest way to pay your Bank of America credit card bill

You can pay your Bank of America credit card bill online through their website or mobile app, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch. The online method is fastest — payments post the same business day if you pay before the cutoff time (usually 8 p.m. ET). Phone payments take the same day. Mailed checks typically take 5 to 7 business days to post, and in-person payments at a branch post immediately.

Bank of America does not charge a fee for any of these payment methods. If you use a third-party bill pay service through your bank account, that service may charge a fee, but Bank of America's own payment channels are free.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and mobile app payments post the same business day if submitted before the cutoff time, usually 8 p.m. ET on business days.
  • You can set up automatic payments through your Bank of America account to pay a fixed amount or your full statement balance on a date you choose.
  • Phone payments (1-800-432-1000) process the same day and require your card number, Social Security number, and payment amount.
  • Mailed payments should be sent to the address on your statement and take 5 to 7 business days to post, so plan ahead to avoid late fees.
  • Bank of America charges no fee for payments made through their website, app, phone line, or branches — only third-party bill pay services may charge.

Paying online through your Bank of America account

Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com or through the mobile app. Select your credit card account, then choose "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you want to pay and the date you want the payment to post. You can pay immediately or schedule it for a future date.

If you want to pay from a different bank account, you can add that account during the payment process. Bank of America will verify the account with two small deposits, which takes 1 to 2 business days. After verification, you can pay from that account without logging into Bank of America.

Payments submitted before 8 p.m. ET on a business day post the same day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. ET or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. Your payment will show as pending immediately, but it counts as received on the day it posts.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the risk of missing a due date. Log into your Bank of America account, select your credit card, and go to "Manage Automatic Payments." Choose whether you want to pay a fixed amount each month or your full statement balance. Select the date the payment should post each month — Bank of America recommends choosing a date after your statement closes so the full balance is known.

You can change or cancel an automatic payment at any time through your account. If you cancel, make sure you have another way to pay so you do not miss your due date. If you set up automatic payments for your full statement balance, your account will show a $0 balance after the payment posts, which can help your credit utilization ratio.

Paying by phone or in person

To pay by phone, call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000. Have your credit card number, Social Security number, and the amount you want to pay ready. Phone payments process the same business day and do not cost anything. You can schedule a payment for a future date or pay immediately.

If you have a Bank of America checking or savings account, you can also walk into any Bank of America branch and make a payment at the teller window. Payments made in person post immediately to your credit card account. You do not need an appointment.

Paying by mail

Write a check payable to Bank of America and include your credit card account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your statement under "Payment Address" — this is different from your billing address. Do not send payment to your billing address, as it will be delayed.

Mailed payments typically take 5 to 7 business days to post after Bank of America receives them. The postmark date does not matter — only the date Bank of America receives the payment. If your due date is coming up, mail your payment at least 10 days early to avoid a late fee. If you are cutting it close, use online or phone payment instead.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment does not post by the due date shown on your statement, Bank of America will charge 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. A second late payment within six months usually costs more.

A late payment also appears on your credit report 30 days after the due date if it remains unpaid. This can lower your credit score. If you miss a payment, contact Bank of America as soon as possible — sometimes they will waive a single late fee if you have a good payment history.

Using third-party payment services

Some people pay their Bank of America credit card through their own bank's bill pay system. This works, but your bank may charge a fee for the service. Bank of America's own payment methods are free, so paying directly through Bank of America is usually cheaper.

If you use a payment app like Venmo, PayPal, or Square Cash to send money to someone else who then pays your credit card, you are adding an extra step and risk. Pay directly through Bank of America instead. Some of these apps also charge fees for credit card transfers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do I need to pay by for it to post the same day?

Payments submitted through the website or app before 8 p.m. ET on a business day post the same day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. ET or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. Phone payments have the same cutoff time.

Can I pay my Bank of America credit card from another bank's account?

Yes. Log into Bank of America, select your credit card, and choose "Make a Payment." Select the option to pay from an external account and enter the account details. Bank of America will verify the account with two small deposits, which takes 1 to 2 business days. After that, you can pay from that account without logging into Bank of America.

What if I pay more than my statement balance?

The extra amount becomes a credit on your account. You can use it toward future purchases, or you can request a refund. To request a refund, contact Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 or through your online account.

Do I have to pay my full statement balance, or can I pay just the minimum?

You can pay any amount between the minimum payment and your full balance. However, if you pay less than the full balance, you will owe interest on the remaining balance at your card's APR. Paying the full balance avoids interest charges.

How do I know if my payment was received?

Log into your Bank of America account and check your credit card statement. Your payment will show as "Pending" immediately after you submit it, then change to "Posted" once it has processed. You can also set up payment notifications through your account settings.