Credit card payments are typically due on the same date every month. But knowing the right time to pay your bill can require a bit of time and thought. Sometimes, the due date is not so clear. And you may wonder whether to pay on that date or before.
With this guide, you’ll learn how to find your due date plus the ins and outs of paying your bill. You’ll also get some smart insights and tips on managing your credit card responsibly.
Key Points
• Paying credit card bills on or before the due date avoids late fees and can help maintain your credit score.
• Paying early reduces interest charges, frees up credit, and can build your credit score.
• Review your credit card bill monthly to track spending and catch fraudulent charges.
• Set reminders or automate payments to ensure timely payments and avoid late fees.
• Understanding and managing payment due dates is crucial for maintaining your credit score.
When to Make a Credit Card Payment
There are many different kinds of credit cards available. Once you have one or more in your wallet, you can enjoy the ease of paying with plastic and possibly earning some credit card rewards.
But how do you find your credit card due date? Unlike other sorts of bills, credit cards aren’t always due on a regular date like the first of the month. The exact due date will vary depending on your credit card billing cycle and may fall on a seemingly random date.
To find your credit card due date (because paying on-time is part of using a credit card wisely), you can check your billing statement. The due date, along with the minimum payment due, will likely appear close to the top of your written statement.
You can find the due date and payment information depending on how you access that statement: in app, online, or via an old-school paper statement.
Or you can call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask a representative when your payment is due. Most cards also allow you to make payments over the phone, either through an automated system or with a live customer service agent.
How to Pay Your Credit Card on Time — and Why it’s Important
To pay your card on time, you’ll pay at least the minimum amount listed by the credit card payment due date. Generally, the cutoff time is 5pm on the day the payment is due, but you may want to reach out to the issuer directly to get exact details.
That said, it may be a better idea to avoid cutting it so close, if you can help it. You can make your credit card payments before the due date typically, both online and by phone. Doing so can help ensure the payment has time to post to your account before the cutoff.
Paying your credit card on time will help you avoid paying late fees, for one thing — which, when added to interest payments, can make your credit card debt spiral.
But on-time payments can also help build your credit history since they’re reported to the major credit bureaus, and your payment history (including timeliness) is the single biggest contributor to your FICO® score.
The Grace Period
It’s helpful to understand that practically all credit cards offer a grace period: the time between your statement closing date and the due date in which the purchases you’ve made during that billing cycle do not accrue interest. (Not accruing interest can be a very good thing, given that credit card interest rates are typically high compared to, say, mortgage rates.)
By law, if offered the grace period must be at least 21 days. This means you get a three-week window to pay your card off in full without being responsible for any finance charges. (This may not be true in the case of balance transfers or cash advances, and interest may accrue immediately.)
But it’s possible to use a credit card on a regular basis without paying interest. All you have to do is pay it off on time and in full each and every month.
Recommended: Guide to Lowering Your Credit Card Interest Rate
Paying Your Credit Cards on Time
Even if you only have one or two different types of credit cards, chances are you have a lot on your plate in any given month.
Between making rent, shelling out your car payment, and actually keeping the job that lets you pay for all this stuff, keeping tabs on your credit card due dates may feel like just another task in a long list of chores. Here’s advice on managing your credit card payments.
What Happens If I Pay Late?
Life happens, and sometimes many people pay their credit card late, whether due to an oversight or lack of funds. Typically, when you miss a payment deadline on your credit card bill, here’s what can happen:
• You may be assessed a late payment fee. These usually range from about $15 to $40 per instance, although there is a movement afoot to cap these at $8 for large lenders. Check with customer service at your credit card issuer for details.
• Your credit card issuer could raise your interest rate to what is known as a penalty rate. In most cases, the issuer must give you 45 days notice. The penalty rate is something you are likely to want to avoid, as it can be around 27% to 30%.
• Your late payment can be reported to the big three credit reporting bureaus and show up on your credit history. Late payments could translate into a lower credit score and having to pay more to borrow in the future or even being denied credit.
Can I Change My Credit Card Bill’s Due Date?
Some credit card issuers will allow you to change your statement due date. Check with your issuer to see if they offer this; be aware that there may be a cap on how many times a year you can do so.
Changing your credit card bill’s due date can be a helpful move. You might be able to shift it to better sync up with your payday or at least move the date so it’s not, say, right at the same time as when rent is due.
Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?
Benefits of Paying Your Credit Card Early
Here’s another angle on paying your credit card: Instead of thinking about the damage that can be done by paying it late, look at the benefits of paying your bill early. The pros include:
• Paying your credit card bill early may help establish and build your credit score.
• It helps free up your line of credit. It’s wise to keep your card’s balance at 30% of your limit at the very most. It’s a financially healthy move to make, and it could free up your available line of credit for an upcoming large purchase.
• Paying your bill early lowers the amount of interest you will accrue. That means you owe less.
• The sooner you pay off bills, the sooner you get out of debt, which is a desirable thing for most people.
• By paying a bill early, you know it’s taken care of and you don’t have to worry about forgetting to send funds to your card issuer.
Tips for Managing Your Credit Card Bill
If you’re new to having a credit card or find yourself facing challenges managing your credit card usage, consider these helpful strategies:
• Prioritize paying your bill when (or before) it’s due. That will be a positive step in your use of credit and minimize the interest and charges that can accrue.
• Review your credit card bill every month. Not only will this help you get a handle on your spending, you can identify any incorrect charges or ones that might indicate fraudulent activity.
• Try to pay more than just the minimum every month. Also educate yourself about what that minimum is. It’s not a helpful recommendation; it’s the lowest possible limit you can pay on the bill.
• Work to keep your credit utilization ratio low; no more than 30% at most can be a good guideline.
• If you are feeling as if your credit card debt is too high and/or you feel you need help eliminating it, it may be a smart financial move to take out a personal loan to pay off a credit card fully. Depending upon the term length you choose, you may end up saving money if the interest rate you’re offered is lower than the one offered by the credit card.
Or you could consult with a no- or low-cost credit counselor on solutions to your situation.
Recommended: Understanding Purchase Interest Charges on Credit Cards
The Takeaway
Credit cards have many benefits, but it can be important to stay on top of your payments so your debt doesn’t accrue and your credit score is maintained. Understanding when your credit card payment is due, whether by looking at your statement or contacting your card issuer, is a smart move. It can also be wise to request your due date be moved, if possible, to better sync up with your cash-flow needs.
Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.
FAQ
How do I know when my credit card payment is due?
You can usually find your credit card payment due date on your monthly billing statement or by logging into your bank’s online or mobile banking platform. Contacting customer service is another option.
Is it better to pay a credit card early or on the due date?
Paying your credit card bill on or before the due date is crucial to avoid late fees and protect your credit score. However, paying early can offer advantages like potentially reducing interest charges and lowering your credit utilization ratio.
Are credit cards due every 30 days?
Credit cards usually have a billing cycle of around 30 days. Billing cycles can, however, range from 28 to 31 days depending on the timing and the card issuer. To comply with federal regulations, your card issuer must use equal billing cycles.
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