You should always pay your credit card bill by the due date, but there are some situations where it's better to pay sooner.
For instance, if you make a large purchase or find yourself carrying a balance from the previous month, you may want to consider paying your bill early. It seems like a small change, but it can have a significant effect on your overall finances and help protect your credit score.
CNBC Selectexplains when it makes sense to pay your credit card balance early and how the timing of your payment affects your credit score.
When to pay your balance early
While you're required to make at least the minimum payment on your statement balance by the due date to keep your account current, you should always aim to pay it off in full each month.
However, that's not always possible, especially now due to coronavirus-related layoffs and record unemployment rates.
As a result, you may carry a balance month-to-month. Depending on the size of your balance, this can cause you to incurthousandsof dollars in interest charges if you only make the minimum payment. But if there's a month that you have extra money left over after essential expenses, you should use it to pay your credit card bill early, rather than waiting until the due date.
When you pay the bill early, you save yourself some interest, says Beverly Harzog, credit card expert and consumer finance analyst for U.S. News & World Report. Card issuers charge daily compounded interest (which is interest charged on interest), and it grows pretty quickly. Even if you pay just a few days early, you can knock off some of those charges and save.
When to make multiple payments on your credit card bill
If your credit card bill is higher than usual because you've made a large purchase, such as new workout equipment or office furniture, yourcredit utilization rate, or the percentage of your total credit you're using, will go up. This is most noticeable when you have a lower credit limit.
The change in your balance can potentially lower your credit score since utilization is the second most important factor of your credit score. It's important tomaintain a low credit utilization rate below 30%, and ideally 10% if you really want a good credit score.
In these situations — and any time you have a higher-than-normal balance — it can be a good idea to make multiple payments during your billing cycle or simply pay the entire balance before your due date.Paying your balance more than once per month makes it more likely that you'll have a lower credit utilization rate when the bureaus receive your information. And paying multiple times can also help you keep track of your spending and cut back on any overspending before you fall into debt.
On the other hand, waiting until your billing cycle closes to make one large payment makes it more likely that the bureaus will see the high balance, since it's reflected on your statement.
Let's say your billing cycle ends on the 10th of every month, and your card issuer reports to the credit bureaus on the 11th. If you typically spend $1,000 on a card with a $5,000 credit limit, your utilization is 20%. But if you make an additional $2,000 in charges for home renovations on the 1st, on top of the $1,000 you usually spend, your utilization would increase to 60%.
However, you can reduce your utilization by paying some of your balance before your billing cycle ends on the 10th. You could pay off the extra $2,000 in charges on the 2nd, and lower your utilization back to 20% by the time your billing cycle ends. The simple action of paying part of your balance early can reduce any potential negative impacts to your credit score.
When card issuers report your balance to the bureaus
Your credit card balance is reported to the credit bureaus at varying times throughout your billing cycle, depending on each lender.If you're unsure when your balance will be reported to the bureaus, call your card issuer to ask the exact date, Harzog recommends.
"Very often, it's the day after the closing date on your statement, but not always," she says. "Find out when that is so you can strategically make your payments."
The dates will probably differ based on the billing cycle for each card. Most lenders calculate your utilization rate based on yourstatementbalance instead of the current balance.
When you should change your bill due date
If you struggle to have cash on hand when your due date rolls around, most card issuers allow you to change the day your payment is due. This allows you to select a day that works best for you (maybe adjust it closer to the days you get paid), which could help you make full payments every month.
On the other hand, if you can't pay in full because of overspending, consider cutting back on non-essential expenses, such as streaming subscriptions or gym memberships.
And if you're falling behind on payments because of a temporary layoff or cut-back on your working hours, you may want to consider using a 0% APR cardso you can pay off debt over time with more flexibility on when the entire balance is due.
Cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card can help you finance new purchases with 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (after, 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable APR; balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5 (see rates and fees). Keep in mind that this card requires good or excellent credit. And while it can help you temporarily avoid interest charges, you'll still need to make minimum payments during the no-interest period.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
FAQs
You should pay your credit card bill in full before the due date to avoid racking up expensive interest charges that compound when you carry a balance from month to month.
What is the best time to pay credit card bill? ›
To avoid paying interest and late fees, you'll need to pay your bill by the due date. But if you want to improve your credit score, the best time to make a payment is probably before your statement closing date, whenever your debt-to-credit ratio begins to climb too high.
What is the best advice for paying your credit card? ›
- Pay on time. Paying your credit card account on time helps you avoid late fees as well as penalty interest rates applied to your account, and helps you maintain a good credit record. ...
- Stay below your credit limit. ...
- Avoid unnecessary fees. ...
- Pay more than the minimum payment. ...
- Watch for changes in the terms of your account.
Credit card companies report your balance to the credit bureaus every month, typically at the end of each billing cycle. If you make your payment shortly before your statement date, it could help reduce your credit utilization, which can help you increase your credit score or maintain good credit.
Is it better to pay early or on due date? ›
Most people are just fine as long as they pay by the due date. But if you're looking to bolster your credit or reduce your interest costs, consider paying earlier. Paul Soucy has led the Credit Cards content team at NerdWallet since 2015 and the Travel Rewards team since 2023.
When should you pay your credit card to avoid interest? ›
Paying off your monthly statement balances in full each month is the path to avoiding credit card debt. As long as you pay off your statement balance in full, your grace period kicks in and you can make purchases on your credit card without paying interest until the next statement due date.
Is it bad to pay credit card too early? ›
Paying your credit card bill early is not intrinsically good or bad, but it can help you avoid negative habits such as high credit utilization and late payments. Paying your credit card early won't directly influence your credit score, but it can help in creating good financial habits down the line.
What's the smartest way to pay off a credit card? ›
The debt snowball approach is an accelerated payoff strategy that can save you both time and money. To get started, make the minimum payment on all of your credit cards. Then, if you can put additional money toward your debt each month, apply it to the card with the lowest balance.
Can I pay my credit card the same day I use it? ›
Yes, you can pay the credit card bill immediately after purchase. But, this has both benefits and disadvantages. You Don't Have To Remember The Due Date: By paying off the credit card bill immediately after making the purchase, you do not have to remember the credit card due date.
Can I pay half of my credit card bill before due date? ›
Make a full or partial payment before the billing cycle ends. Pay off any remaining charges once the card's billing cycle closes but before the payment deadline. This period is known as the grace period. Make at least the minimum payment by the due date.
When you have a credit card, most people usually make one payment each month, when their statement is due. With the 15/3 credit card rule, you instead make two payments. The first payment comes 15 days before the statement's due date, and you make the second payment three days before your credit card due date.
How can I raise my credit score 100 points in 30 days? ›
For most people, increasing a credit score by 100 points in a month isn't going to happen. But if you pay your bills on time, eliminate your consumer debt, don't run large balances on your cards and maintain a mix of both consumer and secured borrowing, an increase in your credit could happen within months.
Which on time payment will actually improve your credit score? ›
One factor they look at is how much credit you are using compared to how much you have available. In the case of a credit card, they look at the balance you owe compared to your available credit. Consistently paying off your credit card on time every month is one step toward improving your credit scores.
What is the best day to pay your credit card? ›
With the 15/3 rule, you make two payments each statement period. You pay half the credit card balance 15 days before the due date and the second half three days before the due date. This method ensures that your credit utilization ratio stays lower over the duration of the statement period.
What happens if you pay a credit card before a statement? ›
If you pay off your credit card balance before your statement ends or before the due date, that sends a positive signal to credit reporting agencies. Having a strong payment history will boost your credit, which will in turn help your likelihood of being approved for future loans or credit applications.
Is it bad to pay off a credit card immediately? ›
By paying your debt shortly after it's charged, you can help prevent your credit utilization rate from rising above the preferred 30% mark and improve your chances of increasing your credit scores. Paying early can also help you avoid late fees and additional interest charges on any balance you would otherwise carry.
What is the 15 3 rule on credit cards? ›
What is the 15/3 rule? The 15/3 rule, a trending credit card repayment method, suggests paying your credit card bill in two payments—both 15 days and 3 days before your payment due date. Proponents say it helps raise credit scores more quickly, but there's no real proof.
What time is too late to pay credit card bill? ›
Credit card payments are due the same day and time every month, often 5 p.m. or later. A credit card payment can't be considered late if it was received by 5 p.m. on the day that it was due, according to the CARD Act. Some card issuers may set a later due date if you pay your bill online, giving you even more time pay.
Is it better to pay off credit card sooner or later? ›
You should always pay your credit card bill by the due date, but there are some situations where it's better to pay sooner. For instance, if you make a large purchase or find yourself carrying a balance from the previous month, you may want to consider paying your bill early.
Is it better to pay your credit card once or twice a month? ›
Making two payments a month helps your credit score in the sense that it will keep your credit utilization down.
