What Ally Auto Payment options are available
Ally Bank offers several ways to pay your auto loan: online through your Ally account, by phone, by mail, or through automatic transfers from a bank account. The method you choose affects when the payment posts, whether you can schedule it in advance, and what happens if a payment fails.
Online payments through your Ally account dashboard are the fastest route — they typically post the same business day or next business day depending on timing. Phone payments go through Ally's customer service line and work the same way. Automatic payments (also called autopay) withdraw money from your linked bank account on a date you set each month, which removes the step of paying manually but requires you to maintain that bank account balance.
Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach Ally and post to your account, so they are the slowest option and require you to account for that delay when timing payments near a due date. Each method has the same payment address or portal, but the timing and setup differ.
Key Takeaways
- Online and phone payments post within one business day, while mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post.
- Autopay withdraws from your bank account on a schedule you set and removes the need to pay manually each month, but requires a linked bank account with sufficient funds.
- Late fees explore if a payment does not post by the due date shown on your loan agreement, regardless of which payment method you use.
- You can change your payment method or autopay settings through your Ally account online, or by calling Ally customer service.
Online and phone payment timing and how they work
When you pay online through your Ally account, the payment enters Ally's system when ready, but it does not post to your loan balance until the next business day in most cases. If you pay after 5 p.m. Eastern time on a business day, or at any time on a weekend or holiday, the payment queues for the following business day. Payments made before 5 p.m. Eastern on a business day may post the same day, though Ally does not may provide same-day posting.
Phone payments work the same way: you call Ally's auto loan customer service number (found on your loan statement or the Ally website), provide your loan number and payment amount, and the payment is processed when ready but posts the next business day. Phone payments do not cost extra, but they require you to speak with a representative during business hours.
Both methods deduct the payment from your bank account right away, even though it takes a day to post to your loan. This means you should not assume the money is still available in your checking account after you pay online or by phone.
Setting up and managing automatic payments
Autopay links your bank account to your Ally loan and withdraws your monthly payment automatically on a date you choose. To set up autopay, log into your Ally account, navigate to the payment settings or autopay section, and enter your bank account number and routing number. Ally will verify the account with two small test deposits (usually under $1 each), which you confirm in your account within a few days. Once verified, autopay begins on the schedule you set.
You can choose the payment date (for example, the 1st or the 15th of each month) and the payment amount. If you want to pay more than the minimum, you can set autopay to a higher amount, or you can make a one-time extra payment separately. If your loan balance changes or you want to adjust the autopay amount, you can update it in your account settings at any time.
If autopay fails because your bank account does not have enough funds, Ally may attempt to retry the payment, but you are responsible for ensuring the money is there on the payment date. A failed autopay payment counts as late and can trigger a late fee. You can pause or cancel autopay at any time through your account or by calling customer service.
Late fees and what happens if you miss a payment
A payment is late if it does not post to your loan by the due date shown on your loan agreement. Late fees vary by loan agreement but typically range from $15 to $25 for the first late payment. If a payment is more than 30 days late, Ally may report the delinquency to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score.
The due date is the date the payment must post, not the date you submit it. This is why mailed payments are risky near a due date — if you mail a payment on the due date, it will not arrive and post in time. Online and phone payments are safer because they post within one business day, but you should still submit them at least one business day before the due date to be certain.
If you are unable to make a payment, contact Ally before the due date to discuss options. Ally may offer a deferment (postponing a payment to the end of your loan) or a temporary payment reduction, depending on your situation and loan terms. Missing a payment without contacting Ally first will result in a late fee and potential credit damage.
Mailed payments and payment address
If you choose to mail a payment, send it to the address listed on your loan statement or the Ally website. Include your loan number on the check or payment stub so Ally can match it to your account. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post, so you must account for that delay when planning your payment date.
For example, if your due date is the 15th and you mail a payment on the 10th, it may not arrive until the 17th or later, which means it will post late and trigger a late fee. To avoid this, mail payments at least 10 business days before the due date, or use online or phone payment instead.
Keep a record of mailed payments by noting the check number, amount, and date you mailed it. If you do not see the payment post within 10 business days, contact Ally to confirm it was received.
Changing your payment method or updating payment information
You can change how you pay your Ally auto loan at any time. If you are currently on autopay and want to switch to manual online payments, log into your account and turn off autopay, then make your next payment online or by phone. If you want to switch from online payments to autopay, go to your payment settings and link your bank account.
If your bank account changes (for example, you close the account autopay is linked to), update your bank information in your Ally account when ready to prevent a failed payment. You can also update your payment address if you move, though this does not affect online or phone payments.
If you have questions about your payment method or need help changing it, call Ally customer service. Representatives can walk you through setting up autopay, changing your payment date, or switching payment methods over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Ally post online payments?
Online payments submitted before 5 p.m. Eastern on a business day may post the same day, but Ally does not may provide same-day posting. Payments submitted after 5 p.m. or on weekends and holidays post the next business day. Check your account the next business day to confirm the payment posted.
Can I set up autopay to pay more than my minimum payment?
Yes. When you set up autopay, you choose the payment amount, which can be higher than your minimum. You can also make one-time extra payments separately without changing your autopay amount. Extra payments go toward your principal balance and reduce the total interest you pay over the life of the loan.
What happens if my autopay payment fails?
If your bank account does not have enough funds on the autopay date, the payment fails and may be reported as late. Ally may retry the payment, but you are responsible for ensuring the funds are available. Contact Ally when ready if a payment fails to discuss options and avoid a late fee.
How long does a mailed payment take to post?
Mailed payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to arrive at Ally and post to your account. Because of this delay, mail payments near a due date often post late. Use online or phone payment if your due date is within 10 business days.
Can I change my autopay payment date?
Yes. Log into your Ally account and update your autopay settings to choose a new payment date. The change takes effect on your next scheduled payment. If you need to change the date when ready, you can also pause autopay and make a manual payment, then restart autopay on a new schedule.