Autopay lets you set up automatic monthly payments from your Bank of America checking account

Autopay is a feature that automatically sends money from your checking account to your credit card on a date you choose each month. Bank of America calls this "AutoPay" and it works with any Bank of America credit card linked to a Bank of America checking account. You decide how much to pay each month — the full balance, a fixed dollar amount, or just the minimum — and the bank handles the transfer without you having to log in or write a check.

The main reason people use autopay is to avoid late payments. If the money leaves your checking account automatically, you cannot forget. It also means you will not miss a due date because you were traveling, sick, or straightforward busy. Many people set it to pay the full balance each month, which means they never carry debt forward or pay interest charges.

Setting up autopay takes about five minutes and you can do it through the Bank of America website, the mobile app, or by calling customer service.

Key Takeaways

  • You can set up autopay through the Bank of America website, mobile app, or by phone, and it takes about five minutes.
  • You choose the payment amount (full balance, fixed dollar amount, or minimum payment) and the day of the month it should happen.
  • The money must come from a Bank of America checking account in your name.
  • You can change or cancel autopay at any time, and you will receive a confirmation email each time a payment is made.

Setting up autopay through the Bank of America website

Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com using your username and password. Once you are logged in, look for your credit card in the "Accounts" section and click on it to open the card details.

Find the "Payments" or "Pay My Bill" section — the exact name varies slightly depending on which credit card product you have, but it is always near the top of the card page. Look for a link or button that says "Set up AutoPay" or "Manage AutoPay". Click it.

The system will ask you four things: which checking account the money should come from, what day of the month you want the payment to happen, how much you want to pay (full balance, minimum, or a specific dollar amount), and whether you want to start this month or next month. Fill in each field, review the information, and click "Confirm" or "Set up AutoPay".

You will see a confirmation screen with all the details. Write down or screenshot the confirmation number, then check your email — Bank of America will send you a confirmation email within a few minutes.

Setting up autopay through the Bank of America mobile app

Open the Bank of America mobile app and log in. Tap on your credit card account to view the balance and recent transactions.

Scroll down or look for a "Payments" tab at the bottom of the screen. Tap "Set up AutoPay" or "Manage AutoPay". The app will walk you through the same four questions: checking account, payment day, payment amount, and start date. Fill in each one and tap "Confirm".

The app will show you a confirmation screen. You will also receive a confirmation email. If you do not see the email within 10 minutes, check your spam folder or log back into the website to verify the autopay was set up.

Setting up autopay by phone

Call Bank of America customer service at the number on the back of your credit card. A representative will verify your identity by asking for your card number, Social Security number, or other personal information.

Tell them you want to set up autopay on your credit card. They will ask which checking account to use, what day of the month you prefer, and how much you want to pay each month. They will confirm all the details with you before finalizing the setup.

Ask the representative to email you a confirmation, or ask for a confirmation number you can write down. You should also receive an email confirmation within a few hours.

Choosing a payment amount and payment date

Bank of America offers three payment amount options. Full balance means the entire amount you owe will be paid automatically each month — this is the option that prevents interest charges if you pay by the due date. Minimum payment means only the smallest amount Bank of America requires will be paid, which keeps your account in good standing but does not pay down the balance quickly. Fixed amount means you choose a specific dollar amount, like $200 or $500, which is useful if you want to pay more than the minimum but less than the full balance.

For the payment date, you can choose any day between the 1st and the 28th of the month. If you choose the 29th, 30th, or 31st, the payment will happen on the last day of months that do not have that many days. Most people choose a date a few days after they get paid, so the money is in their checking account when the payment goes out. If your credit card due date is the 20th and you get paid on the 15th, choosing the 18th gives you a safety buffer.

What happens after you set up autopay

Once autopay is active, the payment will happen automatically on the day you chose, every month. The money will leave your checking account and go to your credit card. You will receive an email confirmation each time a payment is made, showing the amount, the date, and the new balance on your card.

You should still check your credit card statement each month to make sure the payment went through and the balance is what you expected. Autopay is reliable, but it is good practice to verify that everything is working as planned. If a payment does not go through — for example, because your checking account did not have enough money — Bank of America will send you a notice and you will need to make a manual payment to avoid a late fee.

Changing or canceling autopay

You can change your autopay settings at any time through the website, app, or phone. Log in, go to the Payments section of your credit card, and look for "Manage AutoPay" or "Edit AutoPay". You can change the payment amount, the payment date, or the checking account the money comes from. You can also turn autopay off entirely if you decide you want to make manual payments instead.

If you cancel autopay, you will need to make manual payments to avoid late fees. Bank of America will not automatically switch you back to manual payments — you are responsible for paying your bill on time once autopay is off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my checking account does not have enough money when the autopay payment is due?

The payment will not go through and your checking account will not be overdrawn. Bank of America will send you a notice that the payment failed. You will then need to make a manual payment to your credit card to avoid a late fee on your credit card account. To prevent this, make sure your checking account has enough money a day or two before your autopay date.

Can I set up autopay if my checking account is at a different bank?

No. Bank of America autopay only works with Bank of America checking accounts. If your checking account is at another bank, you will need to make manual payments or transfer money to a Bank of America account first. Some other banks offer their own autopay features that can send money to credit cards at different banks, so check with your bank.

Will autopay hurt my credit score?

No. Autopay does not hurt your credit score. In fact, it can help your score because it makes it easier to pay on time every month. Payment history is the biggest factor in your credit score, so autopay is a tool that supports a good score.

Can I set up autopay for more than one Bank of America credit card?

Yes. You can set up autopay on each Bank of America credit card you own. Each card has its own autopay settings, so you can choose different payment amounts or dates for each one. Log into each card separately and set up autopay the same way.

What if I want to make an extra payment in addition to autopay?

You can make manual payments anytime, in addition to your autopay payment. Log into your account, go to the Payments section, and choose "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now". The extra payment will be applied to your balance right away. Your autopay will still happen on its regular schedule.