How to Pay Your Capital One Credit Card

The main ways to pay Capital One

You can pay your Capital One credit card through their website, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments from your bank account. The fastest method is online through Capital One's website or mobile app — payments typically post the same day if you pay before the cutoff time, which is usually early evening Eastern time. Phone payments and automatic transfers also post quickly, while mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to reach Capital One's processing center.

Capital One does not charge a fee for any of these payment methods. The only cost you might face is if you pay late — that triggers a late fee and may raise your interest rate. Paying on time, even if it is just the minimum, keeps your account in good standing.

Key Takeaways

• Online payments through Capital One's website or app post the same day if submitted before the evening cutoff, making this the fastest method.
• Automatic payments from your bank account eliminate the risk of forgetting and can be set up to pay your full balance, minimum, or a fixed amount each month.
• Phone payments work 24/7 by calling the number on the back of your card, and the payment posts within one business day.
• Mailed checks take 7 to 10 business days to process, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late fee.

Paying online through Capital One's website or app

Go to capitalone.com and sign into your account, or open the Capital One mobile app. Click "Make a Payment" or the payment option in your account menu. Enter the amount you want to pay — you can pay your full balance, the minimum due, or any amount in between. Choose the date you want the payment to come from your bank account (today or a future date up to 15 days out). Confirm your bank account information and submit.

The payment posts to your account the same business day if you submit it before the cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern time. If you submit after the cutoff or on a weekend or holiday, it posts the next business day. You will see the payment reflected in your account balance when ready after submission, even though it takes a day or two for the money to actually move from your bank.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments remove the risk of missing a due date. In your Capital One account online or in the app, look for "Autopay" or "Automatic Payments" in the settings or account management section. Choose how much you want to pay each month: your full statement balance, the minimum due, or a fixed dollar amount. Select the date each month when you want the payment to come out of your bank account — many people choose a date shortly after they get paid.

Capital One will pull that amount from your bank account on the same date every month. If that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment comes out the next business day. You can change or stop automatic payments anytime through your account, and you can still make extra payments whenever you want without affecting the automatic payment schedule.

Paying by phone

Call the number on the back of your Capital One card. A representative will ask for your account number or the phone number associated with your account, then your payment amount and the bank account you want to pay from. The payment posts within one business day. This method works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it is useful if you realize your payment is due and you do not have time to pay online.

Capital One does not charge a fee for phone payments. However, if you are calling from a cell phone on an international plan, your carrier may charge you for the call. Domestic calls are free.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to Capital One. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your statement or on Capital One's website — the mailing address varies by region. Allow 7 to 10 business days for the check to arrive and be processed. To be safe, mail your payment at least two weeks before your due date.

Do not send cash by mail. If your check is lost in transit, you will have no proof of payment, so keep a copy of the front and back of your check or take a photo before mailing. If your payment does not post within 10 business days of mailing, contact Capital One to confirm they received it.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment is not received by the due date shown on your statement, Capital One charges a late fee — the amount depends on your card terms but is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment. Your interest rate may also increase. If you are more than 30 days late, the late payment appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score.

If you realize you will miss a payment, contact Capital One before the due date. They may be able to work with you on a payment plan or waive a late fee if you have a good payment history. After you miss a payment, call as soon as you can to bring your account current and ask whether the late fee can be removed.

Paying more than the minimum

Your statement shows a minimum payment due, but paying more reduces the interest you owe and gets you out of debt faster. If you pay only the minimum, most of your payment goes toward interest rather than the balance, especially if you carry a high balance or have a high interest rate. Paying the full statement balance each month means you owe no interest at all.

You can make extra payments anytime without penalty. Some people pay weekly or whenever they have extra money. Others set their automatic payment to the full balance so they never carry a balance. There is no limit to how many payments you can make in a month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do online payments post?

Payments submitted before the cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern time, post the same business day. Payments submitted after the cutoff or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. Capital One's website shows the exact cutoff time when you are making the payment.

Can I pay from a different bank account than the one linked to my card?

Yes. When you make a payment online or by phone, you can enter any bank account you have access to. Capital One will pull the payment from whichever account you specify, not necessarily the one you used to open the card.

Is there a maximum amount I can pay at once?

Capital One does not publish a maximum payment amount. If you try to pay more than your account allows, the system will reject it and tell you the limit. Contact Capital One if you need to make an unusually large payment.

What if I pay early — does it hurt my credit?

No. Paying early or paying more than the minimum has no negative effect on your credit. In fact, paying your full balance each month and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit helps your credit score.

Can I set up automatic payments to a different bank account?

Yes. When you set up autopay, you choose which bank account the payment comes from. You can change the account anytime in your account settings.