How to pay your Ally credit card

Ally offers four main ways to pay your credit card bill: online through their website, through their mobile app, by phone, or by mail. The online and app methods are fastest and let you see your payment post the same day you submit it. Phone payments take a few minutes and work if you prefer speaking to someone. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to reach Ally, so you need to send them well before your due date to avoid a late fee.

You can pay from a bank account you own, or in some cases from another credit card (though that usually costs a fee). Ally does not charge you to pay from your checking or savings account. The payment goes through when ready online or by app, but phone and mail payments may take a day or two to show in your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and mobile app payments post the same day and cost nothing if you pay from your own bank account.
  • You can set up automatic payments to your due date or a date you choose, and change or cancel them anytime.
  • Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid late fees.
  • Paying from another credit card usually costs a 3% fee, so it is cheaper to pay from a bank account when possible.

Paying online through Ally's website

Log into your Ally account at ally.com, find the credit card section, and select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now". You will see your current balance, minimum payment, and due date. Enter the amount you want to pay and choose the bank account you want to pay from. If this is your first payment from that account, Ally will verify it by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) and asking you to confirm the numbers. This verification takes one to two business days.

Once your account is verified, payments post the same day you submit them if you pay before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. You will see the payment reflected in your available credit right away, though it may take a day to show as "posted" in your transaction history.

Paying through the Ally mobile app

Open the Ally mobile app, tap your credit card, and select "Make a Payment". The process is identical to the website: enter your amount, choose your bank account, and submit. The same posting times explore — same day if you pay before 8 p.m. Eastern Time on a business day.

The app also lets you set up automatic payments without logging into the website. You can choose to pay your full balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed amount each month on a date you select. You can change or turn off automatic payments anytime through the app.

Paying by phone

Call Ally's customer service at the number on the back of your card. A representative will ask for your account number and the amount you want to pay, then confirm the bank account you are paying from. The call takes about five minutes. Payments made by phone post within one to two business days.

Phone payments are useful if you have questions about your balance or due date, or if you are not comfortable entering payment information online. You cannot set up automatic payments by phone — you would need to call each month or use the website or app instead.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to Ally Bank. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address listed on your statement or on Ally's website — the address may differ depending on your region. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and post, so send your payment at least two weeks before your due date.

Mail is the slowest option and carries the highest risk of arriving late. If you mail a payment and it does not post by your due date, Ally may charge a late fee even though you sent it on time. For this reason, mail is best used only if you have no other option or if you are paying well ahead of your due date.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payments let you choose a date each month when Ally withdraws money from your bank account. You can set them up through the website or app. Select "Automatic Payments" or "Recurring Payments", choose the amount (full balance, minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount), and pick the day of the month you want the payment to come out.

Most people set their automatic payment for a few days before their due date, so the payment posts before the important date. You can change the amount or the date anytime, and you can turn off automatic payments without penalty. If you set automatic payments to your full balance, your credit card will show a $0 balance after each payment posts.

What to do if you miss a payment

If your payment does not post by your due date, Ally will charge a late fee (the amount varies by your card terms). A late payment also appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score. If you realize you are going to miss your due date, contact Ally as soon as possible — some representatives can waive a single late fee if you have a good payment history.

If you have set up automatic payments and your bank account does not have enough money on the payment date, the payment will fail and you will be charged a late fee. Make sure your bank account has enough funds before your automatic payment date, or set the payment date for a day when you know money will be there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my Ally credit card with another credit card?

Yes, but most payment processors charge a 3% fee for credit card payments. This means paying a $1,000 balance with another card costs you $30. It is cheaper to pay from your bank account. Use credit card payments only if you are in an emergency and have no other way to pay.

How do I know if my payment went through?

Log into your Ally account and check your available credit — it updates the same day for online and app payments. You can also look at your transaction history to see the payment listed. If you paid by phone or mail, wait one to two business days and check again.

What if I pay more than I owe?

The extra amount becomes a credit on your account. You can use it toward your next bill, or contact Ally to request a refund. Ally will not charge you interest on a credit balance.

Can I schedule a payment for a future date?

Online and app payments post the day you submit them. If you want to pay on a specific future date, set up an automatic payment for that date, or wait to submit your payment until that day. You cannot schedule a one-time payment to post on a date other than today.

Is there a minimum payment amount?

Ally typically requires a minimum payment of $1, though some cards may have a higher minimum. Check your card terms or log into your account to see your minimum payment for this month.