Where to Send Your Bank of America Credit Card Payment

Bank of America accepts credit card payments through several channels, and the method you choose affects when the payment posts to your account. The fastest way is to pay online through your Bank of America account or the mobile app — payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day typically post the same day. If you mail a check, allow 7 to 10 business days for it to arrive and post.

You can also pay by phone by calling the customer service number on the back of your card, or set up automatic payments from a Bank of America checking or savings account. Payments from accounts at other banks take one to three business days to clear. If you pay in person at a Bank of America branch, the payment posts immediately, though not all branches accept cash payments — call ahead to confirm.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and mobile app payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day post the same day; mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days.
  • Automatic payments from a Bank of America account are free and can be scheduled for any day you choose, but you must set them up in advance.
  • Phone payments and in-person branch payments are available but take longer to process than online payments.
  • Your payment due date is printed on your statement, and paying after that date triggers a late fee, even if the payment eventually posts on time.
  • The minimum payment covers only interest and fees — paying only the minimum leaves the full balance to accrue interest next month.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

Automatic payments remove the risk of missing a due date. Log into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app, go to the Payments section, and select "Set up automatic payment." You can choose to pay the full statement balance, a fixed dollar amount, or the minimum payment due. The payment will be deducted from your linked Bank of America checking or savings account on the date you specify.

You can change or cancel an automatic payment at any time through your account settings. If you set the payment for a date that falls on a weekend or holiday, Bank of America will process it on the next business day. Automatic payments from a Bank of America account are free and do not incur any transfer fees.

Paying Online or Through the Mobile App

To make a one-time payment online, log into your Bank of America account, select your credit card, and click "Make a payment." Enter the amount you want to pay and choose the payment date. You can pay from a Bank of America account (posts same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern Time) or from an external bank account (takes one to three business days).

The mobile app works the same way. Open the app, tap your credit card, select "Pay," enter the amount, and confirm the payment date. Bank of America does not charge a fee for online or mobile payments. If you need to pay before your statement closes, you can make a payment at any time — it will reduce your balance immediately, though your next statement will reflect only the transactions posted after your payment cleared.

Paying by Phone or Mail

To pay by phone, call the number on the back of your credit card and follow the automated prompts or speak with a representative. Have your account number and the amount you want to pay ready. Phone payments are free and can be processed immediately, but the payment will not post until the next business day.

To pay by mail, write a check payable to Bank of America and include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address printed on your statement under "Payment Address" — do not send it to the main Bank of America mailing address. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the check to arrive and post. If you are paying close to your due date, mailing a check risks a late fee if it does not arrive by the deadline.

Understanding Your Due Date and Late Fees

Your payment due date is printed on your monthly statement and is typically 21 to 25 days after your statement closes. Bank of America considers a payment late if it is not received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. If you pay online before 8 p.m. Eastern Time, the payment is considered received that day, even if it does not post until the next morning.

A late payment triggers a late fee — the amount varies but typically ranges from $25 to $40 for the first late payment in a billing cycle. A second late payment within six months can result in a higher fee. Late payments also appear on your credit report and can increase your interest rate. If you miss a payment by more than 30 days, Bank of America may report it to the credit bureaus and may freeze your account pending payment.

How Payments Are Applied to Your Balance

When you make a payment, Bank of America first applies it to fees, then to interest charges, and finally to the principal balance. This means that if you carry a balance and make only the minimum payment, most of that payment covers interest and fees — very little reduces what you actually owe. The remaining balance continues to accrue interest at your card's annual percentage rate (APR).

If you want to pay down your balance faster, pay more than the minimum. Paying the full statement balance each month means you owe no interest the following month. If you cannot pay the full balance, paying as much as you can above the minimum reduces the interest you pay over time.

What Happens If You Cannot Pay on Time

If you know you will miss your due date, contact Bank of America before the date passes. Some cardholders can request a one-time due date change or a short-term hardship arrangement, though Bank of America does not may provide approval. Calling before you miss the payment is better than calling after, because it may prevent a late fee from being assessed.

If you do miss a payment, make it as soon as possible. The longer the account remains past due, the more damage it does to your credit score and the higher the risk that Bank of America will close the account or refer it to collections. Paying the full past-due amount plus any late fees will stop the account from being reported as delinquent, though the late payment itself will remain on your credit report for seven years.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Log into your Bank of America account, select "Make a payment," and choose the option to pay from an external bank account. You will need to provide the routing number and account number. The payment takes one to three business days to clear, so do not use this method if you are close to your due date.

What time does Bank of America process online payments?

Online payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day post the same day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post on the next business day. The payment is considered received on the day you submit it, so even if it posts the next morning, it counts as on-time if submitted before the deadline.

Is there a fee to pay my credit card online?

No. Bank of America does not charge a fee for online, mobile app, or automatic payments from a Bank of America account. Phone payments are also free. The only payment method that may incur a fee is paying from an external bank account through a third-party service, which Bank of America does not operate.

What should I do if my payment was not posted after several days?

If you paid online from a Bank of America account and it has been more than one business day, log into your account and check the payment status. If you paid from an external account, allow three business days. If the payment still has not posted after the expected timeframe, contact Bank of America customer service with your confirmation number.

Can I change my payment due date?

Yes. Log into your Bank of America account, go to Account Settings, and select "Change due date." You can move your due date to any day of the month. The change takes effect on your next statement. Changing your due date does not affect payments already scheduled or past-due amounts.