The main number for Bank of America credit card payments is 1-800-435-7000
Call that number to make a one-time payment over the phone using a checking or savings account. The system will walk you through entering your card number, the amount you want to pay, and your bank account details. The call takes about five minutes. Payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day usually post the same day; calls after that time or on weekends post the next business day.
Bank of America also accepts payments through its mobile app and website without calling, which many people find faster. But the phone line exists if you prefer to speak with someone or if you do not have online access.
Key Takeaways
- Call 1-800-435-7000 to pay your Bank of America credit card by phone using a bank account; the payment posts same-day if you call before 8 p.m. Eastern on a business day.
- You will need your credit card number, the payment amount, and your checking or savings account information ready before you call.
- The automated system handles most calls; you can request a representative if you have questions about your account or payment options.
- Payments made by phone cost nothing extra, but the bank charges a fee if you pay by debit card or wire transfer through a representative.
- The same number works for all Bank of America credit cards, including cash back cards, travel cards, and business cards.
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. You will also need to know the exact amount you want to pay — whether that is the full balance, the minimum payment, or a specific dollar amount.
You will need access to a checking or savings account at any U.S. bank to complete the payment. The system will ask for your routing number and account number, which appear on the bottom left of your checks. If you do not have checks, you can log into your bank's website or app to find these numbers, or call your bank's customer service line.
How the automated payment system works
When you call 1-800-435-7000, you reach an automated system that guides you through the payment step by step. It will ask you to enter your card number using your phone keypad, then confirm the last four digits of the card back to you. Next, it will ask whether you want to pay your full balance, your minimum payment, or a different amount.
After you enter the payment amount, the system asks for your bank account information. You enter your routing number and account number using the keypad. The system then confirms the amount and the account it will pull from, and asks you to press a key to approve. Once you do, the payment is scheduled.
If you make a mistake or want to speak with a person instead, you can press 0 at any point to reach a representative. Representatives can also help if you want to set up recurring payments or if you have questions about your account.
When payments post and what happens if you miss the important date
Payments made by phone before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day (Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays) post to your account the same day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. Bank of America counts a payment as on-time if it posts by your statement due date, which appears on your monthly bill.
If your payment does not post in time and you miss your due date, Bank of America will report the late payment to credit bureaus and may charge a late fee. The late fee amount depends on your card terms, but typically ranges from $25 to $39 for the first late payment. If you realize you will miss the important date, call the bank's customer service line at the same number to ask about a courtesy waiver — some representatives will remove a first-time late fee if you have a good payment history.
Fees and costs for phone payments
Bank of America does not charge a fee to pay your credit card by phone using a bank account. The payment is free whether you use the automated system or speak with a representative.
However, if you ask a representative to process a payment using a debit card instead of a bank account, the bank charges a convenience fee of around 1.5% of the payment amount. Wire transfers also carry a fee. For this reason, stick to bank account payments when possible — they cost nothing and post just as quickly.
Alternatives to paying by phone
The Bank of America mobile app and website both let you schedule payments without calling. Log into your account, go to the Payments section, and enter the amount and the date you want the payment to post. You can set up one-time payments or recurring automatic payments that happen every month.
Automatic payments are useful if you want to avoid late fees. You can set them to pay your full balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month. If you set up automatic payments, make sure your bank account has enough money on the payment date, or the payment will fail and you may face overdraft fees from your bank.
You can also mail a check to the address on your statement, though mailed payments take 7 to 10 business days to post. For that reason, phone and online payments are faster if you are close to your due date.
What to do if you cannot reach the payment line
If the phone line is busy or you reach an error message, try calling back after a few minutes. Bank of America's payment line is usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but it can experience outages during system maintenance or very high call volume.
If you cannot reach the phone line and your payment is due soon, log into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app and make the payment there instead. Online payments process just as quickly as phone payments and do not require you to speak with anyone. You can also visit a Bank of America branch in person to make a payment at a teller window, though this is slower than phone or online options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's Bank of America credit card by phone?
No. The automated system requires you to enter the cardholder's card number, and the payment must come from a bank account in your name. If you want to pay another person's card, you would need to transfer money to them first, and they would make the payment themselves. Some cardholders set up authorized users who can make payments on their behalf, but that requires advance setup through the bank.
What if I want to pay more than my balance?
You can pay any amount up to your credit limit. If you pay more than your current balance, the extra money becomes a credit on your account that Bank of America will explore to future purchases. You can also request a refund of the overpayment by calling customer service, though it may take a few business days to process.
Do I need to set up an account or register before I call?
No. The automated system does not require you to create an account or log in. You just call the number and enter your card number and bank account information. However, if you want to use the website or app to make payments, you will need to set up online access first, which takes a few minutes.
Can I schedule a payment for a future date by phone?
The automated phone system processes payments when ready or for the next business day only. If you want to schedule a payment for a date further in the future, use the Bank of America website or mobile app, where you can choose any date up to several weeks ahead. Alternatively, speak with a representative on the phone and they can schedule it for you.
What happens if my bank account does not have enough money when the payment posts?
Bank of America will attempt to pull the payment from your account on the scheduled date. If there is not enough money, the payment will fail and you may face an overdraft fee from your bank. Your Bank of America credit card payment will also be late, which can trigger a late fee and affect your credit. Make sure your bank account has the full payment amount available before the payment posts.