How to set up autopay on your Bank of America credit card
Bank of America lets you set up automatic payments through their online banking portal, mobile app, or by phone. The fastest route is the mobile app or website — you can choose to pay your full balance, a fixed amount, or a minimum payment on a date you pick each month. Once autopay is active, the payment posts automatically on your chosen date, which means you stop having to remember to pay manually.
You can change or cancel autopay at any time, and you can set up multiple payment methods if you want different rules for different cards. The key is making sure your bank account has enough funds on the payment date — if it doesn't, the payment will fail and you'll face a late fee.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app, find your credit card, and select "Set up autopay" from the payment options menu.
- Choose your payment type: full balance, fixed amount, or minimum payment, and pick the date each month when you want the payment to go through.
- Make sure your linked bank account has enough money on the payment date, or the payment will fail and trigger a late fee.
- You can pause, change, or cancel autopay anytime through the same menu where you set it up.
- Bank of America sends a confirmation email after you set up autopay, so check your inbox to verify the details are correct.
Setting up autopay through the Bank of America website
Go to bankofamerica.com and sign into your account with your username and password. Once you're logged in, click on the credit card you want to set up autopay for, then look for a link or button labeled "Set up autopay" or "Manage autopay" — this is usually in the payment section of your card details page.
Click that link and you'll see a form asking you to choose your payment method. Bank of America offers three options: pay your full statement balance each month, pay a fixed dollar amount you choose, or pay the minimum payment due. Select the one that fits your budget and payment plan.
Next, pick the date each month when you want the payment to come out of your bank account. Most people choose a date shortly after they get paid, so the money is there. Enter or confirm the bank account you want the payment to come from — this must be a checking or savings account linked to your Bank of America profile. Review all the details, then click confirm. You'll get an email confirmation within a few minutes.
Setting up autopay through the mobile app
Open the Bank of America mobile app and tap on your credit card. Scroll down to the payment section and tap "Set up autopay" or "Manage payments." The form is the same as the website version: choose your payment type (full balance, fixed amount, or minimum), pick your payment date, and confirm the bank account the money will come from.
The mobile app is often faster than the website if you're setting this up on your phone. You'll still receive an email confirmation, and you can check that autopay is active by going back to the same card and looking at the payment section — it will show your autopay details and the next scheduled payment date.
Setting up autopay by phone
If you prefer to set up autopay over the phone, call the customer service number on the back of your credit card. Tell the representative you want to set up automatic payments and have ready: the date you want payments to go out each month, your bank account number and routing number, and whether you want to pay your full balance, a fixed amount, or the minimum.
The representative will walk you through the setup and confirm everything before the call ends. You'll receive a confirmation email or letter in the mail within a few business days. This method takes longer than online or app setup, but it's useful if you have questions or run into technical issues.
Choosing the right payment date and amount
Your payment date should fall after you normally receive income — whether that's a paycheck, business income, or a regular transfer. If you choose a date before money hits your account, the payment will fail and Bank of America will charge you a late fee, usually $25 to $35 depending on your account history.
If you choose to pay your full statement balance, the payment will cover everything you charged that month, and you'll pay no interest. If you choose a fixed amount, make sure it's at least the minimum payment due — if it's less, you'll still owe interest on the remaining balance. Paying the minimum keeps you out of default but costs you more in interest over time. Many people set autopay to their full balance to avoid interest charges altogether.
You can change your payment date or amount anytime by logging back into your account and editing your autopay settings. Changes usually take effect within one business day.
What happens if autopay fails
If your bank account doesn't have enough money on your payment date, the payment will fail. Bank of America will typically try again a few days later, but if it fails a second time, you'll be marked as late. A late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score by 100 points or more.
If you know your account will be short on a particular month, log in and pause autopay for that month, then make a manual payment when you have the funds. This is better than letting the payment fail. You can also lower your autopay amount temporarily — for example, switch from full balance to a fixed amount — and make up the difference manually when you can.
Bank of America will send you an email if a payment fails, so check your inbox. If you see a failed payment notice, contact customer service right away to reschedule the payment or discuss options.
Pausing or canceling autopay
To pause autopay for one month, log into your account, go to your credit card's payment section, and look for an option to "Skip this payment" or "Pause autopay." This stops the next scheduled payment without canceling the whole setup. Autopay will resume the following month on your normal date.
To cancel autopay entirely, go to the same menu and select "Cancel autopay" or "Turn off autopay." You'll be asked to confirm, and then autopay stops. You can set it up again anytime by following the same steps. Canceling autopay doesn't affect your credit card account — you'll just need to make manual payments going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up autopay for multiple Bank of America credit cards?
Yes. You can set up autopay separately for each card you own. Log into each card individually and set up autopay with different payment dates and amounts if you want. This is useful if you want to spread payments across the month or use different payment methods for different cards.
What if I want to pay more than my autopay amount in a given month?
You can make an extra manual payment anytime without affecting your autopay schedule. Log in, go to your card, and select "Make a payment." Enter the extra amount and the date you want it to post. Your autopay payment will still go through on its regular date, so you'll pay both amounts that month.
Does autopay work if I use a different bank's account?
Yes. You don't have to use a Bank of America checking account. You can link any U.S. bank account to your Bank of America credit card for autopay. Make sure the account is in your name and that you have the correct routing number and account number when you set it up.
How long does it take for autopay to start after I set it up?
Autopay usually starts on the date you choose in the following month. If you set it up on the 15th of the month and choose the 1st as your payment date, the first autopay payment will come out on the 1st of the next month. You'll see it listed in your account as a scheduled payment.
Can I change my autopay payment date after I set it up?
Yes. Log back into your account, go to your autopay settings, and select "Edit" or "Change payment date." Pick a new date and confirm. The change takes effect within one business day, and your next payment will come out on the new date you chose.