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 a mobile app or over the phone with an ACH payment or digital transfer. You might also be able to mail a check or pay in person with cash or a check.

Making timely payments can help you keep your credit card account in good standing. It’s also a big part of building credit.

What you’ll learn:

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

• A grace period typically gives you 21 days where you may not be charged interest on credit card purchases.

• 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.

Paying a credit card bill online is a popular choice because it’s generally fast and easy to do. To make a payment online, you sign in to your account on your financial institution’s website or mobile app. From there, you can set up a one-time payment or a monthly automatic payment using a linked 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.

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 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.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (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’re able: “The higher the balance you carry from month to month, the more interest you pay.”

If you only make the minimum payment on your credit card, your credit card issuer may charge interest on the remaining balance and any new purchases. Plus, it could take much longer to pay off your debt, potentially costing you more in interest over time.

Generally speaking, you can’t pay off one credit card with another. But you may consider a balance transfer that allows you to move debt from one issuer’s card to another. It might even be possible to find a card with a 0% introductory APR.

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, 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.

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.

When paying a credit card bill, your options could include paying online, by phone and more. 

Paying your bill on time every month can help you build and maintain good credit and keep your account in good standing. If you’re able to pay off your statement balance 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.