How to pay your credit card bill

Most credit card issuers let you pay your bill by phone or through an online account, mobile app or mail. You may also be able to pay in person.

Staying on top of your credit card bill is important because it can help keep your account in good standing. It’s also a big part of building healthy credit. Here’s what to know about how to pay credit card bills and why it’s important.

What you’ll learn:

• Paying your full credit card balance on time each month could help you improve your credit scores and avoid paying interest.

• Many credit card issuers offer the ability to pay your credit card bill online, through a mobile app, or by cash or check.

• Setting up automatic payments or reminders, requesting a specific payment due date, and sticking to a budget could help you stay on top of your credit card payments.

Depending on your credit card issuer, you may be able to pay your credit card bill via Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer, cash, check, a mobile app or an online portal. Take a closer look at each.

1. ACH transfer: ACH payments let you transfer funds directly from one account to another. You can usually make this transfer online using your bank’s mobile app or website. But you may also be able to pay in person or by calling the phone number on the back of your credit card. You’ll likely need to provide your credit card account, bank account and routing numbers.

2. Cash: If your credit card issuer has a location nearby, you may be able to pay in person with cash.

3. Check: If your issuer accepts this form of payment, you can drop off a check in person. You can also follow your credit card statement instructions and mail a check. Remember to allow plenty of time for your payment to reach the issuer before the due date.

4. Mobile bill pay: Some credit card issuers offer a mobile app you can use to pay your bill. You’ll just need your payment account details.

5. Online bill pay: Sign in to your credit card account and provide your bank account details to make an online credit card payment.

Every credit card has a billing cycle that typically lasts 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 due and a due date—that due date will be the same every month.

Credit card issuers are also required to give you at least 21 days between the date your statement is mailed or delivered and the date your payment is due. You’ll want to make at least the minimum payment by the due date to keep your account in good standing and to avoid late fees.

Paying your bill on time may have a positive impact on two factors that are used when determining your credit scores:

1. Payment history: Making on-time payments shows responsible credit card use and may help you improve your credit. 

2. Credit utilization ratio: Another factor that impacts your credit scores is your credit utilization ratio, which measures how much available credit you use. Paying down your balance may help you improve your credit score because it lowers your credit utilization ratio. Paying off your entire balance lowers that ratio even more and can help you avoid paying credit card interest.

Every card issuer has its own reporting schedule, so it’s best to ask your issuer about its practices. If you can find out when your card issuer reports your account activity, consider making at least a minimum payment before it’s reported as late. Doing so can help you avoid late fees or penalty annual percentage rates (APRs).

Remember that paying only the minimum amount may leave you with interest charges on the outstanding balance—and may cost you more in the long run.

It can be easy to miss a credit card payment, especially if you’re juggling multiple bills every month. However, 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:

With automatic payments, you’ll ask your credit card issuer to automatically take money from your bank account to pay your credit card. 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.

Sometimes, predicting whether money will be available in your bank account for automatic payments on the same day each month can be tricky. 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.

Some card issuers, like Capital One, allow cardholders to pick their due date. This can help you streamline your payments if you have multiple credit cards and other bills. You can usually do this by calling your card issuer or requesting a payment due date online.

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. Try to stick to a budget so you can pay off the balance in full and avoid interest. When you plan ahead, you’re more likely to pay your credit card bills on time.

If you have a Capital One credit card, there are a few ways you can pay your bill:

1. Make a payment online.

2. Make a payment with the Capital One Mobile app.

3. Make a payment by mail.

4. Make a payment by phone at 1-877-383-4802. 

5. Make a payment at your local Capital One location.

If there’s a day that works best to process your payment, you can change your payment due date online. Keep in mind that it takes two billing cycles for the change to take effect.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about paying your credit card bill:

The most important thing to remember is to make at least the minimum payment on your credit card by the due date every month. Consistently paying your bill on time can help you maintain good credit, keep your account in good standing and reduce how much you pay in interest.

If you’re considering a balance transfer credit card to help you manage your credit card payments, check out Capital One’s balance transfer credit cards to find one with the benefits and rewards that suit your financial needs.