How to Pay Your Bank of America Credit Card by Phone
Calling Bank of America to pay your credit card
You can pay your Bank of America credit card balance over the phone by calling their automated payment line or speaking to a representative. The automated system is available 24 hours a day, and you'll need your card number, checking or savings account information, and the amount you want to pay. The call is free, and the payment typically posts to your account within one business day.
Bank of America's main credit card payment phone number is 1-800-435-7000. When you call, the automated system will walk you through entering your payment details. If you prefer to speak with a person, you can stay on the line or press the option for a representative, though wait times vary depending on the time of day and call volume.
Payments made before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time are usually posted the same business day. If you call after that time or on a weekend, the payment will post the next business day. Bank of America does not charge a fee for phone payments, whether you use the automated system or speak with a representative.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-435-7000 to pay your Bank of America credit card by phone using the automated system or by speaking with a representative.
- You'll need your card number, a bank account to pay from, and the payment amount ready before you call.
- Payments made before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time post the same business day; payments after that time post the next business day.
- There is no fee for paying by phone, and the service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- You can pay your full balance, a minimum payment, or any amount between the two.
What information you need before calling
Have your Bank of America credit card in front of you when you call. The automated system will ask for your 16-digit card number, which appears on the front of your card. You'll also need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity.
You'll need access to a checking or savings account to pay from—this can be any bank, not just Bank of America. Have the account number and routing number ready. If you don't know your routing number, you can find it on the bottom left of a check, or you can ask your bank. The system will also ask what date you want the payment to be taken from your account, so know whether you want it pulled today or on a future date.
How the automated payment system works
When you call 1-800-435-7000, the automated system will prompt you through a series of questions. First, it will ask whether you're calling about a credit card, and you'll confirm that you are. Then it will ask for your card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Next, the system will read back your account information and ask you to confirm the payment amount. You can pay any amount from your minimum payment up to your full balance. After you enter the amount, you'll be asked to provide the bank account number and routing number you want to pay from, and the date you want the payment taken. The system will confirm all details before processing the payment.
If at any point you're unsure or want to speak with a person, you can press 0 or say "representative" to be transferred. Wait times to speak with someone vary, but you won't be charged for the call.
When your payment will show up
Bank of America posts phone payments based on the time you make the call and the date you request. If you call before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day and request the payment for that same day, it will post to your account by the end of that business day. If you call after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time or on a weekend or holiday, the payment will post the next business day.
If you schedule a payment for a future date, it will post on that date (or the next business day if that date falls on a weekend or holiday). This matters if you're close to your due date—a payment scheduled for the 15th will post on the 15th, not before. If your due date is the 15th and you call on the 14th to schedule a payment for the 15th, it should post in time, but calling the same day is safer.
Paying by phone versus other methods
Phone payments are one of several ways to pay your Bank of America credit card. You can also pay online through your Bank of America account, through their mobile app, by mail, or in person at a Bank of America branch. Online and app payments work the same way as phone payments—they're free and post within one business day. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post, so they're only useful if you're paying well ahead of your due date.
Phone payments are useful if you don't have internet access, prefer not to enter payment information online, or want to speak with someone about your account. They're also a good option if you need to make a payment outside of business hours, since the automated system runs 24/7. If you have questions about your account balance, recent charges, or your due date, speaking with a representative over the phone can answer those questions at the same time you make your payment.
What to do if your payment doesn't go through
If the automated system rejects your payment, it will tell you why. Common reasons include an incorrect account number or routing number, insufficient funds in the account you're paying from, or a mismatch between the name on the credit card and the name on the bank account. If this happens, you can try again with corrected information, or you can call back and speak with a representative who may be able to help troubleshoot the issue.
If you made a payment and it doesn't appear in your account within two business days, call 1-800-435-7000 again and speak with a representative. Have the date and time you made the payment ready, along with the amount. The representative can look up the payment in the system and tell you whether it posted, is pending, or failed to process. If it failed, they can help you make the payment again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's Bank of America credit card by phone?
No. The automated system requires the cardholder's Social Security number to verify identity, so you must be the person whose name is on the card. If you're an authorized user on someone else's card, you can call and speak with a representative to discuss payment options, but they may not allow you to make a payment without the primary cardholder present.
What if I don't have a bank account to pay from?
Phone payments require a bank account. If you don't have one, you can pay online using a debit card, pay in person at a Bank of America branch, or pay by mail. You can also set up a payment plan with Bank of America if you're having trouble paying your balance.
Can I set up automatic payments by phone?
No. Phone payments are one-time only. To set up automatic recurring payments, you'll need to use your Bank of America online account or mobile app. Automatic payments let you choose a payment amount and date each month, and the payment is taken automatically without you having to call.
Is there a limit to how much I can pay by phone?
Bank of America does not publish a specific limit for phone payments, but very large payments may trigger fraud detection. If your payment is declined for this reason, speak with a representative over the phone or pay online instead. You can also call ahead to let Bank of America know you're making a large payment.
What happens if I pay after my due date?
If your payment posts after your due date, Bank of America will report the late payment to credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. You'll also be charged a late fee, usually between $25 and $35 depending on your card terms. To avoid this, make sure to call several days before your due date, not on the due date itself.