The fastest way to pay your Bank of America credit card bill
You can pay your Bank of America credit card bill online through your account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch. The online method through your Bank of America account or the mobile app is fastest — the payment posts the same day if you pay before the cutoff time, which is usually 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Phone payments also post same-day if you call before that cutoff.
If you do not have online access yet, you can set it up in minutes at bankofamerica.com, or call 1-800-432-1000 to pay over the phone without logging in. You will need your card number and routing information for your bank account.
Key Takeaways
- Online and phone payments post the same day if made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time; mail payments take 5 to 7 business days to reach Bank of America.
- You can pay from any bank account, not just a Bank of America account, by providing your routing and account number.
- Set up automatic payments through your online account to pay a fixed amount or your full balance on a date you choose each month.
- Late fees start 21 days after your due date, so paying even a few days late costs money — set a reminder if you pay manually.
- If you cannot pay the full balance, paying at least the minimum due by the due date stops a late fee and keeps your account in good standing.
Paying online through your Bank of America account
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com or open the mobile app. Find your credit card in the accounts list, then look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button — the exact wording varies by app version. Click it and enter the amount you want to pay.
You will see a list of bank accounts you can pay from. If this is your first payment and you do not see your account, you can add a new account by entering your routing number and account number. Bank of America will verify the account with two small deposits over the next few days, then you can use it for payments.
After you choose the account and amount, you will see the payment date. If you are paying before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day, the payment posts today. If you are paying after that time or on a weekend, it posts the next business day. Confirm the details and submit.
Paying by phone without logging in
Call 1-800-432-1000 and follow the prompts to pay by phone. You will need your credit card number and the routing and account number of the bank account you are paying from. Have these ready before you call.
The automated system will ask how much you want to pay and what date you want the payment to post. If you call before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day, you can choose today as the date. After 8 p.m. or on weekends, the earliest date available is the next business day.
If you prefer to speak to a person, stay on the line after the automated prompts and a representative will help you. Wait times are usually shorter during business hours on weekdays.
Setting up automatic payments so you never miss a due date
Automatic payments remove the need to remember your due date each month. Log into your Bank of America account, find your credit card, and look for "Manage Automatic Payments" or "Autopay" in the settings. Click it and choose the account you want to pay from.
You can set the payment to go out on a specific date each month — for example, the 15th — or you can choose to pay on your statement due date. You can also choose whether to pay a fixed amount (like $200) or your full statement balance. If you choose a fixed amount and your balance is higher, you will still owe the difference, so paying your full balance is usually the better choice.
Once automatic payments are set up, you can change or cancel them anytime through the same menu. If your balance drops to zero before the payment date, Bank of America will not charge you — the system skips the payment automatically.
Paying by mail or in person
Your credit card statement shows a mailing address where you can send a check or money order. Write your credit card number on the check and mail it to that address. Mail payments take 5 to 7 business days to reach Bank of America after you mail them, so send your payment at least a week before your due date to avoid a late fee.
You can also pay in person at any Bank of America branch during business hours. Bring your credit card or card number and a form of payment — cash, check, or debit card. The teller will process the payment when ready, and it posts to your account the same day.
What happens if you pay late or cannot pay the full amount
Your due date is printed on your statement. If you pay after that date, Bank of America charges a late fee — the amount depends on your card, but it is usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment. If you are late again within six months, the fee is higher. Late payments also hurt your credit score.
If you cannot pay your full balance, pay at least the minimum due by the due date. This stops the late fee and keeps your account in good standing. You will still owe interest on the remaining balance, but you avoid the penalty. If you are struggling to pay, contact Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 to ask about hardship programs — they may be able to lower your interest rate or adjust your payment temporarily.
Understanding your statement and due date
Your statement shows your balance, minimum payment due, and due date. The balance is what you owe from purchases and interest charges. The minimum payment is the smallest amount Bank of America requires you to pay to avoid a late fee — it is usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance. The due date is the last day you can pay without a late fee.
Your statement also shows a "statement closing date," which is different from your due date. The closing date is when Bank of America stops adding new purchases to that statement — usually 21 to 25 days before the due date. Purchases made after the closing date appear on your next statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card bill from a different bank?
Yes. When you set up a payment online or by phone, you provide your routing number and account number from any bank — it does not have to be Bank of America. The payment transfers from that account to your credit card.
What time does my payment post if I pay in the evening?
Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day post the same day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. The exact time within that day varies, but the payment counts as on-time if it posts by your due date.
Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay just the minimum?
You can pay any amount from the minimum due up to your full balance. Paying only the minimum avoids a late fee, but you still owe interest on the remaining balance. Paying your full balance each month saves you the most money.
What if I set up automatic payments but want to skip a month?
Log into your account and pause or cancel the automatic payment before the payment date. You can turn it back on anytime. If you forget to cancel and the payment goes through, you can request a refund by calling 1-800-432-1000.
Is there a fee to pay my credit card bill?
No. Bank of America does not charge a fee for paying your credit card bill online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch. The only charge you may see is interest on your remaining balance if you do not pay the full amount.