How to pay your credit card bill
Depending on your credit card issuer, you might be able to pay your credit card bill online, through the issuer’s mobile app, over the phone, by mail or in person. You may also be able to set up automatic payments to help you avoid late or missed payments and help you keep your account in good standing.
What you’ll learn:
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Paying your credit card bill online or through your card issuer’s mobile app is often the easiest, quickest option.
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You can mail a check or money order to pay your credit card bill, but you may need to allow extra time to ensure it arrives before your bill due date.
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Setting up automatic payments or reminders, requesting a specific payment due date and sticking to a budget could help you manage your credit card payments.
How to pay your credit card online
To make a credit card payment online, start by signing in to your account on your card issuer’s website or mobile app. From there, you can set up a one-time payment or a monthly automatic payment using a linked bank account.
Capital One cardholders can learn about their payment options, including how to change due dates and set up automatic payments, by visiting the Help Center.
There may be other benefits to using your issuer’s mobile app to manage your account. For example, the Capital One Mobile app lets you lock your card if it’s ever lost or stolen. Then if you find it, you can unlock it just as fast.
How to use other credit card payment methods
While paying online is typically the quickest, easiest way to pay your credit card bill, you may have some other options, depending on the issuer. These might include paying:
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By phone: You can typically find your card’s customer service number on the back of your card or on your credit card statement. If the issuer lets you pay bills over the phone, you can call that number to get started.
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By mail: You may be able to pay your bill by mailing a check or money order. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says that the issuer needs to receive the payment by the due date for it to be considered on time.
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In person: Some issuers may let you pay your credit card bill in person by visiting a local branch or ATM. But Experian® notes that this option isn’t always available.
Tips for paying your credit card bill on time
Paying a credit card bill by the due date helps you maintain healthy credit and keep your credit card account in good standing.
Here are some ways to help you keep up with your credit card payments and use your credit card responsibly.
1. Automate payments
With automatic payments, you’ll ask your credit card issuer to automatically take money from your bank account to pay your credit card bill. The issuer can withdraw the minimum payment, the entire balance or a prespecified amount on a prespecified date. This can ensure your bill is paid on time. Just make sure you have enough money in your bank account before the automatic payment goes through.
2. Set up payment alerts
Sometimes, it can be tricky to predict whether money will be available in your bank account for automatic payments on the same day each month. In these cases, you can set up text or email alerts that notify you when a payment due date is coming up. When you see the reminder, make a payment using the method that works best for you.
3. Request a date that works for you
Some card issuers, like Capital One, let cardholders pick their due date. This can help you streamline your payments if you’re managing multiple credit cards and other bills. You can usually do this by calling your card issuer or requesting a payment due date online.
4. Create a budget
Based on your take-home pay and ongoing expenses, it may help to figure out how much you can afford to charge to a credit card each month. Creating a budget could help you figure out how to pay off your full balance each month and avoid interest charges.
How to pay your credit card bill FAQ
Paying your credit card bill on time every month can help you build good credit and keep your account in good standing. Still have questions? Here’s some more information about how and when to pay your credit card bill.
When should you pay your credit card bill?
Credit card billing cycles typically last about a month. At the end of the billing cycle, your issuer will send you a credit card statement that lists your account activity, the minimum payment and the due date. Credit card issuers are required by law to give you at least 21 days between the date your statement is mailed or delivered and the date your payment is due. As a result, you won’t pay any interest during this time.
Making at least the minimum payment by the due date can help keep your account in good standing and help you avoid late fees. You’re also allowed to make several payments throughout the month. After you reach the minimum payment, any additional payments could help decrease your balance and reduce potential interest charges.
Should you pay off a credit card balance in full?
The CFPB recommends paying your credit card balance in full every billing cycle. But if you can’t, the CFPB still recommends paying as much as you can: “The higher the balance you carry from month to month, the more interest you pay.”
What’s the best way to pay a credit card bill?
Paying your credit card bill on time each month is the most important thing. Whatever method helps you do that consistently is the best way to pay your bill.
Can you pay a credit card bill with another credit card?
Generally speaking, you can’t pay off one credit card with another. But a balance transfer lets you move credit card debt from one issuer to another. It might even be possible to find a balance transfer card with a 0% introductory APR.
Key takeaways: How to pay a credit card bill
You likely have several options for paying your credit card bill, including paying online or using the issuer’s mobile app.
Paying your bill on time every month can help you build and maintain good credit. And if you’re able to pay off your statement balance in full each month, you may be able to avoid interest charges.
If you’re considering a balance transfer, check out Capital One’s balance transfer credit cards.
