How to Pay Your Bank of America Credit Card Bill

The three ways to pay your Bank of America credit card bill

You can pay your Bank of America credit card bill through online banking, by phone, or by mail. Most people use online banking because it is fastest and you can see the payment post within one business day. Phone payments work the same day if you call before the cutoff time, usually 8 p.m. Eastern. Mail takes 7 to 10 business days, so use it only if you have no other option.

All three methods let you pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. You can also set up automatic payments so the bill pays itself on a date you choose each month. The method you pick does not change your due date or interest charges — only the amount you pay affects those.

Key Takeaways

• Online banking through BankofAmerica.com or the mobile app is the fastest way to pay, with payments posting within one business day.
• Phone payments at 1-800-CALL-BOA (1-800-225-5262) process the same day if you call before 8 p.m. Eastern, but you will need your card number and PIN ready.
• Automatic payments prevent missed due dates and let you choose whether to pay the full balance, minimum, or a fixed amount each month.
• Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to post, so plan ahead if your due date is soon.
• Late fees explore if your payment does not post by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the due date shown on your statement.

Paying online through your Bank of America account

Log into BankofAmerica.com or open the Bank of America mobile app. Click on your credit card account, then look for a button labeled "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you want to pay and choose the date — you can pay today or schedule it for a future date up to 30 days out. Review the details and confirm.

The payment will show as pending when ready, but it does not post to your account until the next business day. If you pay on a Friday, it posts on Monday. If you pay on a weekend, it posts on Monday. Bank of America does not process payments on Sundays or federal holidays, so a payment made on Sunday will not post until Tuesday.

If you are paying from a Bank of America checking or savings account, the money moves right away and the credit card payment posts the next business day. If you are paying from an account at another bank, Bank of America needs the routing number and account number, and the payment takes one to three business days to arrive.

Paying by phone

Call 1-800-CALL-BOA (1-800-225-5262) and follow the prompts to speak with a representative or use the automated system. Have your credit card number and a four-digit PIN ready — if you do not have a PIN, the representative can help you set one up. Tell them the amount you want to pay and the date, and they will process it over the phone.

Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day post the same day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. The representative will give you a confirmation number — write it down in case you need to reference the payment later.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments take the guesswork out of remembering your due date. Log into your Bank of America account, go to your credit card, and look for "Manage Automatic Payments" or "Autopay." Choose the date you want the payment to come out each month — most people pick a date shortly after they get paid or receive income.

You can set it to pay your full statement balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount you choose. If you pick "full balance," Bank of America will pay whatever you owe on your statement date, not the date the payment comes out. This means if you make new charges after the statement closes, those will not be included in the automatic payment.

You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account. If you cancel, you go back to making manual payments, so set a phone reminder for your due date so you do not miss it.

Mailing a check or money order

Write a check or money order for the amount you owe. On the back of the check, write your credit card number so Bank of America knows which account to credit. Put it in an envelope and mail it to the address on your statement — this address is different from the customer service number, so check your most recent bill.

Mail takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive, so send it at least two weeks before your due date to be safe. The payment posts on the day Bank of America receives it, not the day you mail it. If your due date is in the next week, do not use mail — use online banking or phone instead.

Do not send cash through the mail. If you have no bank account and cannot pay online or by phone, buy a money order at a grocery store, pharmacy, or post office and mail that instead.

What happens if you miss your due date

If your payment does not post by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on your due date, Bank of America charges a late fee. The amount depends on your account, but it is usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment and higher for repeat late payments. The late fee appears on your next statement.

A late payment also hurts your credit score and may raise your interest rate. If you are more than 60 days late, Bank of America may report it to the credit bureaus, which stays on your credit report for seven years. If you realize you will miss the due date, call 1-800-CALL-BOA right away — sometimes the bank can waive a late fee if you have a good payment history.

Paying more than the minimum to reduce interest

The minimum payment is the smallest amount Bank of America requires you to pay to keep your account in good standing. It is usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance, which means if you owe $1,000, the minimum might be $15 to $30. Paying only the minimum means you pay a lot of interest over time.

If you pay more than the minimum, more of your payment goes toward the balance and less goes to interest. Paying the full statement balance means you owe no interest at all, as long as you pay by the due date. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay as much as you can above the minimum — even an extra $20 or $50 makes a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Bank of America credit card bill with a debit card?

No, you cannot pay your credit card with another credit card or debit card through Bank of America's payment system. You can only pay from a checking or savings account at Bank of America or another bank. If you want to use a debit card, withdraw cash from an ATM and mail a money order, or use a third-party payment service like PayPal, though those may charge a fee.

What time does my payment need to post to avoid a late fee?

Your payment must post by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on your due date. Online and phone payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day post the same day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. Mailed payments post on the day they arrive, so mail at least two weeks early.

Can I pay my bill before my statement closes?

Yes, you can pay anytime. Paying before your statement closes reduces the balance that appears on your next statement and lowers the interest you owe. You do not have to wait for the statement to arrive to make a payment.

What if I pay too much by accident?

If you overpay, Bank of America holds the extra money as a credit on your account. Your next statement will show a negative balance, and you can use that credit toward future purchases. You can also request a refund by calling 1-800-CALL-BOA, though it takes 7 to 10 business days.

Do I need to pay my bill if I dispute a charge?

Yes, you still need to pay your bill on time, even if you have filed a dispute. Pay at least the undisputed portion of your balance to avoid late fees and interest. Bank of America will investigate the disputed charge separately, and if you win the dispute, they will credit your account.