How to Make a Credit Card Payment
The basics of sending money to your credit card
A credit card payment moves money from your bank account to your card issuer—the bank or company that issued your card. You are paying down the balance you owe, not paying the card company a fee. Most payments arrive within one to three business days, though the exact timing depends on which method you use and when you send it.
The card issuer needs to know three things before they can accept your payment: how much you are sending, which account it is coming from, and which card it is going to. You provide this information when you make the payment, and the issuer processes it through the banking system.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay online through your card issuer's website or app, by phone, by mail, or through your bank's bill pay system—each method has different timing and fees.
- Payments made before your statement due date reduce the interest you owe; payments after that date trigger a late fee and may raise your interest rate.
- The minimum payment is the smallest amount the issuer will accept, but paying only the minimum means you pay far more interest over time.
- ACH transfers and wire transfers are two different banking methods; ACH is slower and cheaper, while wire is faster and costs more.
- If you miss a payment, contact your issuer immediately—many will waive a single late fee if you call within a few days.
Online payment through your card issuer's website or app
This is the fastest and most common way to pay. Log into your account on the card issuer's website or mobile app, find the payment section, and enter the amount you want to send. You will be asked to choose a bank account to pull the money from—this is usually a checking account you have already linked to your card account.
The issuer will show you a confirmation screen with the payment amount, the account it is coming from, and the expected arrival date. That date is usually one to two business days away. Once you confirm, the payment is scheduled and you will receive a confirmation number. Save this number in case you need to prove you sent the payment.
Most card issuers do not charge a fee for online payments made from a linked bank account. However, if you pay using a debit card or another credit card, the issuer may charge a fee—usually 1 to 3 percent of the payment amount. Check your issuer's payment page to see whether a fee applies to your chosen method.
Paying by phone or mail
You can call the customer service number on the back of your card and make a payment over the phone. A representative will ask for the amount, the bank account you want to pay from, and your authorization to process the payment. Phone payments typically arrive within one to three business days.
Mailing a check or money order is slower but still an option. Write the check to the card issuer, include your account number on the check itself, and mail it to the address listed on your statement or the issuer's website. Mail payments usually take five to seven business days to arrive, and the issuer may not post the payment until several days after they receive it. This means a mailed payment can take up to two weeks to show up on your account.
Neither phone nor mail payments typically carry a fee, but both are slower than online payment. Use these methods only if you cannot pay online or if you prefer not to link a bank account to your card account.
Using your bank's bill pay system
Many banks offer a bill pay feature in their online banking or app. You can set up your credit card as a payee, then schedule a payment from your checking account to your card. The bank sends the payment on your behalf, usually through the ACH system (Automated Clearing House), which is a network that moves money between banks overnight or over a few days.
Bill pay is free at most banks and gives you control over the exact date the payment is sent. However, you need to account for processing time—if you schedule a payment for today, it may not leave your bank account until tomorrow, and it may not arrive at the card issuer for another one to two days. Plan ahead so the payment arrives before your due date.
Bill pay is especially useful if you want to set up recurring payments. You can schedule the same amount to go to your card every month on a date you choose, which helps you avoid missing a due date.
Understanding due dates, minimum payments, and late fees
Your statement due date is the deadline to pay without penalty. This date appears on your monthly statement and is usually 21 to 25 days after your statement closing date. If your payment arrives on or before this date, you avoid a late fee and do not trigger a higher interest rate.
The minimum payment is the smallest amount the issuer will accept. It is usually 1 to 3 percent of your total balance, or a fixed amount like $25, whichever is higher. Paying only the minimum keeps your account in good standing, but you will pay a large amount of interest over time because the balance stays high.
A late payment is one that arrives after the due date. The issuer will charge a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for a first offense) and may raise your interest rate. Some issuers offer a grace period of a few days, but do not count on it—pay by the due date to be safe.
What happens if you cannot pay on time
If you realize you will miss your due date, contact your card issuer before the date passes. Explain your situation and ask whether they can waive the late fee or extend your due date. Many issuers will do this once, especially if you have a good payment history. Even if they cannot extend the date, calling shows good faith and may help if you need to negotiate later.
If you do miss a payment and are charged a late fee, you can call and ask the issuer to remove it. Some issuers will reverse a single late fee if you ask within 30 to 60 days of being charged. This is not may provide, but it is worth asking—the worst they can say is no.
Missing multiple payments or paying very late (30 days or more) will damage your credit score and may result in the issuer raising your interest rate significantly or closing your account. If you are struggling to pay, look into hardship programs that your issuer may offer, such as a lower interest rate or a temporary pause on payments.
ACH transfers versus wire transfers
ACH transfers are the standard way money moves between bank accounts. They are processed in batches overnight or over a few days, are free or very cheap, and are secure. When you pay online through your card issuer's website or use your bank's bill pay, you are usually using ACH. This is the method most people should use for credit card payments.
Wire transfers are faster—money can arrive the same day or the next day—but they cost money (usually $15 to $30) and are harder to reverse if you make a mistake. Wire transfers are useful if you need to pay urgently, but they are not necessary for most credit card payments because the due date is usually at least a week away.
Some card issuers accept wire transfers, but you will need their wire instructions, which you can find on their website or by calling customer service. Do not use a wire transfer unless you have a specific reason to pay faster than ACH allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I pay more than I owe?
The issuer will hold the extra money as a credit on your account. You can use it toward future purchases, or you can request a refund. Most issuers will refund the overpayment if you ask, though it may take a few business days to process.
Can I pay my credit card with another credit card?
Most card issuers do not allow this, and if they do, they charge a fee of 2 to 3 percent. Paying one credit card with another also counts as a cash advance on the second card, which means you start paying interest immediately. Avoid this method.
How do I know if my payment went through?
Check your account online or in your app a few days after you send the payment. You should see the payment listed in your transaction history and your balance should be lower. If you do not see it after the expected arrival date, contact customer service with your confirmation number.
What if I want to pay early?
You can pay at any time, even before your statement closing date. Paying early reduces the interest you owe and lowers your credit utilization ratio, which can help your credit score. There is no penalty for paying early.
Do I have to pay the full balance every month?
No. You only have to pay the minimum to stay in good standing. However, any balance you do not pay will be charged interest at your card's interest rate, which is usually 15 to 25 percent annually. Paying the full balance avoids interest entirely.