If you use a credit card and have a balance, you’ll likely have a payment to make every month. Paying your credit card bill on time is important to keep your account in good standing.
Deciding how to make your credit card payments
Capital One has several options that allow you to choose a payment method that is convenient for you.
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AutoPay: A convenient option to help avoid late payments, enrolling in AutoPay allows you to select your payment options for your Capital One credit card account on a recurring basis.
- Make or schedule a one-time payment online: Paying online is convenient and secure, and usually the fastest and easiest way to make payments.
- Pay by phone: To make a one-time payment by phone, call the number on the back of your card or on your statement. Our automated voice system is convenient, safe and accessible.
- Pay by mail: Send a check or money order by U.S. mail or express overnight shipping. If you mail your payment, it is the date we receive it—not the date mailed/postmarked—that determines whether the payment is on time or late. Mailing a payment can take a number of days, so plan accordingly to make sure we get it on time. Making payments online is usually fastest and easiest.
Managing payments online
Sign in to your account to:
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Delete or change a payment account on file
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View your scheduled payments
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Cancel a payment that has not been processed yet
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View processed and posted payments
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View your minimum payment due
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Review your past payments
- Scheduling payments: You may have as many as 3 pending payments scheduled at one time. To view scheduled payments, including online, mobile, phone and AutoPay payments, look at your payment activity. From here, you can also cancel a payment before it is in process.
Understanding what’s due and when
Your due date is the date by which your payment must be received. At Capital One, we must receive your payment by 8 p.m. ET on your payment due date in order to credit it to the current billing cycle.
You’ll need to make at least the minimum payment by the due date to keep your account in good standing and avoid late fees.
Your due date is the same every month. You have the option to choose or change your payment due date for more control over your finances.
If you change your due date, your new due date will be updated in the next billing cycle, so your new date will take effect within 4-6 weeks. Until then, pay at least your minimum payment by the due date on your statement to avoid late fees and associated charges.
Paying off your credit card every billing cycle
Paying your credit card bill on time and in full can help you avoid interest charges on purchases and late fees. This means you pay less in interest than if you carry over your balance month after month.
Interest paid on your charges may carry over after your billing cycle or statement date. Even if you pay off the full balance of your credit card for one month, you may still see an interest charge the next month because interest is calculated daily.
If you pay off your balance in full for at least two consecutive months, you will avoid any interest charges in the following month.
Usually, your available credit increases immediately when you make a payment, but sometimes can take longer. If you’re making a large purchase, it’s a good idea to check your available credit beforehand.
Want to find out what it will take to get your balance paid down? Use our credit card payoff calculator.
What is AutoPay and how does it work?
A convenient option to help avoid late payments, enrolling in AutoPay allows you to select your payment options for your Capital One credit card account on a recurring basis.
Setting up AutoPay allows you to pay:
- Your minimum payment: This amount is the least you can pay to avoid a late payment fee. You will see it each month on your monthly statement. If you choose to pay a fixed amount less than the minimum payment, make an additional payment to keep your account up-to-date.
- Your last statement balance: This amount is your total balance as of the date your statement was issued, as shown on your monthly statement. AutoPay will adjust to no more than your current balance as of 1-2 days before your due date.
- A fixed monthly payment: This is an amount you set. The minimum monthly fixed amount is $35. If your current balance is less than $35, we will only process the payment for the amount you owe.
Extra payments:
You can make extra payments on your account and it won’t cancel or change any scheduled payments. AutoPay payments still occur unless you cancel them or have $0 balance. Sometimes this can lead to you paying more than you intended for the month.
How many online payments can I schedule?
You may schedule up to 3 online payments by adding the bank account information to use for those payments. If you’d like to schedule more than 3 payments, consider setting up AutoPay.
Can I use another credit card to make payments on my Capital One account?
No, you won’t be able to use another credit card to pay off or make a payment on your Capital One credit card.
Will making my payment free up more credit?
Usually, your available credit increases immediately when you make your payment, but sometimes that can take longer.
If you’re making a large purchase, it’s a good idea to check your available credit beforehand.