Guide to Paying Your Credit Card Bill Online
4 Min Read | Published: April 25, 2025
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Learn how to pay your credit card bill online using your issuer’s website, mobile app, or autopay, plus tips to keep your credit in good standing.
At-A-Glance
- You can pay your credit card bill online through your card issuer’s website or mobile app, or through autopay.
- Setting reminders, choosing a strategic due date, and paying more than the minimum can help you avoid late fees and interest charges.
- Missing a payment can result in fees, a lower credit score, and higher interest rates, but paying as soon as possible may minimize the impact.
Getting a credit card is an exciting step toward building credit and laying a healthy financial foundation. As a responsible card holder, you know that you need to make monthly payments on time. But if you’re managing a credit card for the first time, you might not yet know how to pay your credit card bill online.
Let’s explore the various ways to make a payment online, including actionable tips to help you take advantage of the convenience of online payments while avoiding missed due dates.
How to Pay Your Credit Card Bill Online
There are several ways to pay your credit card bill, depending on your card issuer, and paying your bill online can be considered the most convenient, easiest, and safest method. Setting up easy payment options can help you make this monthly bill part of your financial routine.
- Pay Your Credit Card Through an App
If you use the credit card issuer’s app to manage your card activity, you may be able to pay your bills easily through the app. Once you log into your account, look for an option that says, “Pay Bill” or “Payments.” Be sure to confirm the amount you’re paying covers the minimum balance due and that the payment will be processed on or before your card’s due date to avoid potential late fees. - Pay on the Card Issuer’s Website
Most credit card issuers offer a dedicated online payment portal, where you can schedule one-time or recurring payments. If you haven’t set up an online account, you may be able to create one online or by contacting customer service for support. Once in your account, look for an option that says, “Pay Bill” or a section called “Payments.” Ensure the payment amount covers the minimum payment due and that it will be processed on or before your payment due date. - Pay Your Credit Card Via Autopay
Autopay is an automated way to ensure your credit card is paid on time each month. You can enable autopay through your card issuer’s website or banking app or by calling your card issuer on the phone.
You’ll choose a payment amount, like the minimum balance due, the total balance due, or a set amount, and then which day you want the autopay to send. Once you set up autopay, the transaction happens automatically each month until you decide to stop or change it.
Best Practices for On-Time Payments
Missing a credit card payment can be damaging to your credit score. There are a few steps you can take to ensure timely payments when you’re paying online.
- Change the payment due date to the day that you’ll definitely have money in the payment account, like the 1st or 15th of the month, if that aligns with your work pay schedule.
- Set up reminders or notifications on your phone or computer, wherever you’re most likely to see them. You can also use alerts provided by your banking app, many of which allow you to customize payment reminders via email, SMS, or push notifications. Some digital assistants (like Google Assistant or Siri) can also remind you.
- Enroll in autopay, if available, and be sure there will be sufficient funds in the payment account every month.
- Automate payments through third-party budgeting apps. Some apps allow you to schedule bill payments alongside your budget.
What Should You Do If You Miss a Payment?
If you miss a credit card payment, here's what to do:
- You might be charged a late payment fee by your card issuer, so log into your card issuer’s website or app immediately. Some issuers allow a grace period where you can pay without penalty.
- Call customer service or initiate an online live chat, if available. Some issuers may waive the late fee if you have an established history of responsible payments.
- Make a full payment on the card as quickly as possible. If you don’t have the full amount, be sure to pay as much as you can realistically manage.
After a missed payment, it’s important to take steps to reduce potential damage to your credit score. You may notice your score drop by a few points if the payment is late for more than 30 days.1
Did you know?
A legitimate late payment can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years, but you may be able to request to remove a late payment from your credit report if it was done in error.
Tips for Paying Your Credit Card Bill
In addition to making timely payments, there are other strategies for paying your credit card bill online that can help keep your credit in good shape.
- Pay More Than the Minimum
Making the minimum payment on your card can help you avoid late fees and potential damage to your credit score. However, any credit card balance you carry beyond the minimum is subject to interest. You can save money on interest by paying more than the minimum balance due, even if you don’t have enough to cover the bill in full. Using online payments can help you easily change the amount you put toward the bill each month. - Make Multiple Payments
Some people find success in making multiple smaller payments throughout the month instead of one lump sum. Doing so may help reduce your balance while managing cash flow more effectively. Using an online or automated payment system can help incorporate these into your routine. - Create a Budget
If you struggle to make payments due to high balances on the card, building a monthly budget can be an effective tool to help you get spending under control. Zero-based budgeting and the 50/30/20 rule are two popular approaches to consider.
The Takeaway
The most common ways to pay your credit card bill online are through your card issuer’s website, using a mobile app, or by setting up autopay. Pairing online payments with strategies like automated notifications and paying more than the minimum balance may help you avoid late payments and potential damage to your credit score.
1 “When Do Late Payments Get Reported?,” Experian
Brooke Joly is a writer on a mission to unravel the mysteries of personal finance and make them accessible to the everyday reader. When she’s not behind the keyboard, you can find her enjoying the outdoors in Charleston, SC.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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