Making a payment to Ally Financial for your auto loan
Ally Financial (formerly GMAC) lets you pay your auto loan through their website, mobile app, phone line, or by mail. The fastest way is online or through the app — both process when ready and show your payment right away. You can set up a one-time payment or recurring automatic payments, and you can pay more than your minimum due if you want to pay down the loan faster.
Before you make your first payment, you'll need your loan number and online account login. If you haven't set up an online account yet, you can create one on Ally's website using your Social Security number and loan details. Once you're logged in, the payment screen walks you through the steps and shows your current balance, due date, and minimum payment amount.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay Ally through their website, mobile app, by phone at 1-800-925-5399, or by mailing a check to the address on your statement.
- Online and app payments process the same day and are the fastest way to confirm your payment went through.
- You can set up automatic payments from your bank account so you never miss a due date.
- Paying more than your minimum due each month reduces the total interest you pay over the life of the loan.
- Your payment history with Ally is reported to credit bureaus, so on-time payments help build your credit score.
Paying online or through the Ally mobile app
Log into your Ally account on their website or open the Ally mobile app (available on iOS and Android). From your dashboard, select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now." Enter the amount you want to pay — it can be your minimum due, a larger amount, or a partial payment. Choose the date you want the payment to come out of your bank account (usually the same day or next business day).
You'll need to link a bank account to pay online. Ally accepts payments from most U.S. banks and credit unions. The app also lets you see your payment history, view your loan details, and set up automatic recurring payments without logging in each time. Payments made before 8 p.m. Central Time on a business day usually post the same day.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments mean your payment comes out of your bank account on the same day each month, so you don't have to remember to pay. You can set this up through your online account or the app. Choose whether you want to pay your minimum due, a fixed amount you set, or a variable amount (which adjusts if your minimum changes).
You can change or cancel automatic payments anytime through your account settings. If you want to skip a payment or adjust the amount for one month, you can do that without affecting your recurring schedule. Ally will send you a reminder email before each automatic payment goes through.
Paying by phone or mail
To pay by phone, call Ally's customer service line at 1-800-925-5399. A representative can take your payment over the phone using your bank account or debit card. Phone payments are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time. Have your loan number and bank routing number ready.
To pay by mail, write a check payable to Ally Financial and include your loan number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your monthly statement or payment coupon. Mail payments take longer to process — typically 5 to 7 business days — so send your check early if your payment is due soon. Do not send cash through the mail.
Understanding your payment and how it's applied
Each payment you make goes toward interest first, then toward the principal (the amount you borrowed). This means early in your loan, most of your payment covers interest. As you pay down the principal, more of each payment goes toward reducing what you owe. Your statement shows exactly how much of each payment went to interest and how much to principal.
If you pay more than your minimum due, the extra amount goes straight to principal and reduces the total interest you'll pay. For example, paying an extra $50 per month can save you hundreds in interest over a five-year loan. Your loan payoff date moves up each time you make an extra payment.
Late payments and what happens if you miss a due date
Your payment is due on the date shown on your statement each month. If you miss the due date, Ally charges a late fee (the amount varies by state and your loan agreement). A late payment also shows up on your credit report and can lower your credit score. If you're more than 30 days late, Ally may contact you about the missed payment.
If you know you'll miss a payment, contact Ally before the due date. They may be able to work with you on a new payment date or discuss other options. Paying as soon as you can after a missed payment helps limit the damage to your credit, though the late payment will still appear on your report for seven years.
Paying off your loan early
You can pay off your entire loan balance at any time without penalty. There's no prepayment fee with Ally, so paying extra each month or making a lump-sum payment saves you money on interest. To find out your exact payoff amount, log into your account or call customer service — the payoff amount includes any interest accrued up to the date you want to pay.
If you're planning to pay off the loan, ask Ally for a payoff quote that's good for a specific number of days (usually 10 days). This gives you the exact amount to pay and the important date for that amount to be valid, since interest continues to accrue daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do online payments process?
Payments submitted before 8 p.m. Central Time on a business day usually post the same day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. Your bank may take an additional day to debit your account, but Ally records the payment when it's received, not when your bank processes it.
Can I change my payment due date?
Yes. Log into your account or call 1-800-925-5399 to request a new due date. Ally typically allows you to move your due date within a certain range. Changing your due date doesn't affect your loan terms or interest rate — it just changes when your payment is due each month.
What if I pay my loan off early — do I owe a penalty?
No. Ally does not charge prepayment penalties, so you can pay off your loan in full at any time without extra fees. Paying early saves you money because you pay less interest overall. Contact Ally for a payoff quote to know the exact amount needed to close your loan.
How do I know if my payment went through?
Log into your online account or app to see your payment history and current balance. Ally also sends a confirmation email after each payment is processed. If you paid by mail or phone, allow a few business days for the payment to appear in your account.
Can I pay someone else's Ally auto loan?
Yes, but you'll need the loan number and the account holder's permission. You can make a one-time payment online or by phone without having login access to the account. For automatic payments, the account holder typically needs to set that up themselves or authorize you to manage the account.