How To Pay Your Credit Card Bill With Cash

Paying your credit card bill with cash may seem old-fashioned, but it can be a convenient option for some Whether you get paid in cash tips, want to stick to a cash budget, or just don’t have a bank account, paying credit card bills with physical dollars and coins is possible This guide will walk through when paying in cash makes sense, how to pay at a branch or ATM, using money orders, and more.

When Paying Credit Card Bills With Cash Is Smart

Paying credit card bills in cash can be a smart move in certain situations:

You are unbanked If you do not have a checking account, you cannot set up automatic payments or pay your bill online. Paying in cash at a branch or ATM allows you to make on-time payments
You want to stick to a cash budget. It’s easy to pay right from your earnings if you use a cash envelope budget or get paid mostly in cash.
Your connection is spotty. Going to a branch to pay in cash will keep you from having to pay late fees if you lose power or internet when a bill is due.
You need to pay immediately. To avoid interest, paying off your bill ASAP in cash can make sense.

For these reasons having the cash pay option can provide confidence you can always pay on time.

Paying at a Bank Branch

One easy way to pay credit card bills with cash is to visit your card issuer’s local branch.

You can walk in and visit a teller. Let them know you want to make a cash payment on your credit card account. They will guide you through the simple process.

Typically, you will just need to provide:

Your credit card account number
Your ID
Your cash payment

After confirming your details, the teller will process the transaction and provide a receipt showing your new account balance.

This is one of the most straightforward ways to pay credit card bills with physical cash. No need to have an account at that bank or fill out deposit slips. Just hand over your payment.

Using an Issuer ATM to Pay

In addition to branches, some credit card issuers also have their own ATMs you can use to deposit cash payments.

You’ll want to look up locations for your card issuer’s ATMs in your area. Major banks like Chase and Citibank tend to have ATMs all over.

To pay at the ATM:

Insert your credit card into the ATM as if it were a debit card
Select the “Make a Payment” or similar option
Follow prompts on the screen and insert your cash into the designated slot
Keep your receipt to verify the payment went through

This can provide 24/7 access to pay in cash whenever needed. Just be aware that business credit cards may not be supported at ATMs.

Paying With a Money Order

If your card issuer does not have local branches or ATMs available, another option is to pay with a money order.

To do this:

Take out cash that covers your bill from an ATM or bank teller
Bring this cash to a supermarket, post office, Walmart or other outlet that sells money orders
Fill out the money order with your card issuer’s mailing address, account number, and payment amount
Mail this money order to your card issuer so they receive it by the due date

While less instant, this still allows you to pay your balance using cash alone. Just be sure to mail a few days early to account for any postal delays.

Tips for Paying Credit Card Bills in Cash

If you plan to routinely pay credit cards with cash, keep these tips in mind:

Get small bills. Using smaller denominations makes it easier for tellers and ATMs to count your payment correctly.
Bring your latest statement. Having this handy ensures you pay the right amount and can answer any account questions.
Keep the receipt. Whether you pay at a branch or ATM, hold onto the receipt as proof your cash payment went through.
Pay a few days early. Mailing a money order? Make sure to mail it so they receive the payment a couple days before the due date, just in case.
Set reminders for yourself. To avoid forgetting to pay in cash months you don’t autopay, set calendar reminders on your phone.

Pay Off The Full Balance When Possible

One final tip when paying credit card bills with cash is to pay off your statement balance in full whenever possible.

Paying just the minimum due means you’ll accrue interest on the remaining balance. This increases the total you end up paying over time.

Paying in full each billing cycle avoids interest fees altogether. It also keeps your credit utilization low, which can boost your credit score.

So take advantage of the chance to pay in cash by putting enough physical dollars towards that statement balance to cover it completely.

Cash Can Keep You Current

While not as popular as setting up automatic payments, paying credit card statements with cash can be convenient for those without bank accounts or who stick to cash. Paying at a local branch or via money order enables you to make on-time payments and avoid late fees.

Just be sure to keep payment receipts and pay early enough to account for mail time. And whenever possible, make the cash payment large enough to pay off your full monthly balance so you don’t rack up interest charges. This helps maximize the benefits of paying credit card bills with physical dollars and coins.

Ways to pay your credit card bill

Depending on your credit card issuer, you may be able to pay your credit card bill via ACH transfer, cash, check, a mobile app or an online portal. Take a closer look at each.

ACH transfer: Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments let you transfer funds directly from one account to another. You can usually make this transfer online using your bankâs mobile app or website. But you may also be able to pay in person or by calling the phone number on the back of your credit card. Youâll likely need to provide your credit card account, bank account and routing numbers.
Cash: If your credit card issuer has a location nearby, you may be able to pay in person with cash.
Check: If your issuer accepts this form of payment, you can drop off a check in person. Or you can follow the instructions on your credit card statement to mail a check with your credit card bill. Just remember to allow plenty of time for your payment to reach the issuer before the due date.
Mobile bill pay: Some credit card issuers offer a mobile app you can use to pay your bill. Youâll just need your payment account details.
Online bill pay: Sign in to your credit card account, and provide your bank account details to make a payment online.

Strategies for making on-time credit card payments

It can be easy to miss a credit card payment, especially if youâre juggling multiple bills every month. But paying a credit card bill by the due date helps you maintain healthy credit and keep your credit card account in good standing.

Here are some ways to help you keep up with your credit card payment and use your credit card responsibly:

Automate payments. With automatic payments, youâll ask your credit card issuer to automatically take money from your bank account to pay your credit card. The issuer can withdraw the minimum payment, the entire balance or a prespecified amount on a prespecified date. This can ensure your bill is paid on time. Just make sure you have enough money in your bank account before the automatic payment goes through.
Set up payment alerts. Sometimes it can be tricky to predict whether money will be available for automatic payments on the same day each month. In these cases, you can set up text or email alerts that notify you when a payment due date is coming up. When you see the reminder, make a payment using the method that works best for you.
Request a due date that works for you. Some card issuers like Capital One allow cardholders to pick their due date. This can help you streamline your payments if you have multiple credit cards and other bills. You can usually do this either by calling your card issuer or making a request online.
Create a budget. Based on your take-home pay and ongoing expenses, it may help to figure out how much you can afford to charge to a credit card each month. Try to stick to a budget so you can pay off the balance in full and avoid interest. When you plan ahead, youâre more likely to pay your credit card bills on time.

BEST Day to Pay your Credit Card Bill (Increase Credit Score)

FAQ

Can you pay a credit card with cash at an ATM?

At a financial center or ATM To pay at an ATM using checks or cash, insert your credit card into the ATM, then select Make a Payment and follow the instructions (please note that payments to business credit cards are not supported at ATMs at this time).

Can I pay my Capital One card with cash?

You can pay your Capital One credit card bill with cash or a debit card when you bring your bill stub and account number. Payments for credit cards will be charged a fee (prices vary by location). Payments can be posted the same day or in up to three business days, depending on what payment options are available.

Can you pay a Chase credit card with cash at ATM?

Pay your Chase bill at select ATMs Skip the lines and pay your Chase credit card, mortgage or home equity bill with cash or from your Chase checking or savings account.

Can I deposit cash for credit card payment?

If your credit card issuer is a bank with a physical office, you can walk into the nearest branch and make your credit card payment by depositing cash. Simply walk into the respective bank branch, fill-in the deposit slip with your credit card details and the bill amount and submit it at the counter.