The main ways to pay your Bank of America credit card

You can pay your Bank of America credit card through their website, mobile app, phone, mail, or in person at a branch. The fastest route is online or through the app — both process payments the same day if you pay before the cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern. Phone payments take the same day if you call before that cutoff; payments by mail take 5 to 7 business days to reach your account, and in-person payments at a branch post immediately.

Bank of America does not charge a fee for any of these payment methods. The only cost you might face is a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date shown on your statement, or a returned check fee if you mail a check and it bounces.

You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe on the remaining balance, since interest accrues daily on whatever you do not pay off.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and app payments post the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern; phone payments work the same way, and mail takes 5 to 7 business days.
  • Bank of America charges no fee for any payment method, but you will owe a late fee if your payment arrives after your due date.
  • You can set up automatic payments to your checking or savings account at any bank, and choose whether to pay the full balance, minimum, or a fixed amount each month.
  • If you pay less than the full balance, interest accrues daily on what remains, so paying more than the minimum saves money over time.
  • Payments made online or through the app are usually available to view in your account within minutes, though the transaction may show as pending for a few hours.

Paying online or through the Bank of America app

Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com or open the mobile app, then select your credit card account. Look for "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" — the exact wording varies slightly between the website and app, but both are on the main account page. Enter the amount you want to pay, choose the account you want to pay from (checking, savings, or another bank account you have linked), and confirm the payment date.

If you submit the payment before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day, it posts the same day. If you submit it after 8 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, it posts the next business day. The payment shows in your account as pending within minutes and clears within a few hours, though the credit card company may take up to one business day to update your available credit.

You can also set up a recurring automatic payment from the same screen. Choose whether to pay the full statement balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount, and how often — monthly, bi-weekly, or on a date you choose. Automatic payments pull from the account you select each time, so if you change banks, you will need to update the linked account.

Paying by phone or mail

To pay by phone, call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Have your account number and the amount you want to pay ready. The representative will confirm the payment date and the account it will come from. Phone payments submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day post the same day; after that time or on weekends, they post the next business day.

To pay by mail, write a check to Bank of America and include your account number on the check itself. Mail it to the address shown on your statement under "Payment Address" — do not use the general customer service address. Mail typically takes 5 to 7 business days to arrive, so send it at least a week before your due date to avoid a late fee. Bank of America recommends sending mail payments 10 days before the due date to account for delays.

If you mail a check and it bounces, Bank of America will charge a returned check fee, usually $35. The payment will not post, so your account will still be past due.

Paying at a Bank of America branch

You can walk into any Bank of America branch and pay your credit card in person. Bring your credit card or account number and the cash or check you want to pay with. The teller will process the payment immediately, and it posts to your account the same day. You do not need an appointment, though you may wait in line during busy hours.

This method is useful if you prefer to pay in cash or want a receipt on the spot. If you pay by check at the branch, it posts immediately rather than taking 5 to 7 days like a mailed check.

Understanding payment timing and your due date

Your due date is the last day Bank of America will accept a payment without charging a late fee. This date appears on your statement and in your online account. The due date is usually 21 to 25 days after your statement closing date, which is the last day of your billing cycle.

If you pay online or by phone before 8 p.m. Eastern on your due date, the payment counts as on time. If you mail a check, it must be postmarked by your due date, but Bank of America gives you a grace period — typically 5 to 7 days after the due date — before charging a late fee. However, you should not rely on this grace period; paying early is safer.

If you miss your due date, Bank of America charges a late fee. The amount depends on your card and your account history, but typically ranges from $25 to $40 for a first late payment. A second late payment within six months usually costs more. Late fees also trigger a higher interest rate on your balance, which can last for six months or longer depending on your card terms.

Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates

Automatic payments are the simplest way to ensure you never miss a due date. From your online account or app, go to "Manage Automatic Payments" or "Autopay Settings" and choose your payment method. You can set it to pay your full statement balance each month, your minimum payment, or a fixed amount you choose.

If you choose to pay the full balance automatically, the payment posts a few days before your due date, so you will never carry a balance or pay interest. If you choose a fixed amount or the minimum, the payment posts on the date you select, and any remaining balance accrues interest at your card's APR.

You can change or cancel an automatic payment anytime from the same screen. If you cancel, you will need to make manual payments going forward, or set up a new automatic payment. If you change the linked bank account, update it in your autopay settings so the payment does not fail.

What happens if you cannot pay on time

If you know you cannot pay by your due date, contact Bank of America before the date arrives. Call the number on the back of your card and explain your situation. They may offer a hardship program, a temporary lower payment, or a plan to catch up on past-due amounts. These options vary by card and your account history, and the bank is not required to offer them, but asking is worth doing.

If your payment is late, a late fee posts to your account within a few days. Your interest rate may increase, and the late payment appears on your credit report after 30 days past due. If you remain past due for 60 days, the damage to your credit score increases. At 180 days past due, the bank typically closes your account and may send it to a collection agency.

If you fall behind, paying as soon as you can limits further damage. Even one on-time payment after a late one helps, and the late payment's impact on your credit score decreases over time — after two years, it matters much less.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. When you set up a payment online or through the app, you can link an external bank account — any checking or savings account at any U.S. bank. Enter the account and routing numbers, and Bank of America will verify the account with two small deposits. Once verified, you can pay from that account anytime.

What if I pay online but the payment does not show up in my account?

Check the payment status in your online account under "Payment History" or "Recent Transactions." If it shows as pending, it will post within a few hours. If it shows as failed, the reason usually appears on the screen — often an incorrect account number or insufficient funds. You can retry the payment immediately. If you cannot find the payment in your history, contact Bank of America to confirm whether it was received.

Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay just part of it?

You can pay any amount from the minimum payment up to your full balance. The minimum is shown on your statement and in your online account. If you pay less than the full balance, interest accrues on the remaining balance at your card's APR, calculated daily. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe.

Can I set up automatic payments for different amounts each month?

No. Automatic payments must be the same amount each month, or set to pay your full statement balance or minimum payment. If you want to pay different amounts, you will need to make manual payments each month, or set up a new automatic payment with a different amount and cancel the old one.

What is the difference between my statement balance and my current balance?

Your statement balance is what you owed on the day your statement closed — usually the last day of your billing cycle. Your current balance includes new charges you have made since the statement closed, plus any interest or fees that have posted. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date, you owe no interest on those charges. If you pay less, interest accrues on everything you did not pay, including new charges.