Question 1

Why should you change your credit card due date?

Accepted Answer

Since payment history typically makes up 35 percent of your FICO® Score1, you never want to miss a credit card bill. For peace of mind, you may want to plan to pay your credit card bill around the time your paycheck comes in. Say you get paid on the first and fifteenth of every month, you might choose to schedule payment on or immediately after either date. That way you know the money will be in your account and you can prioritize paying on time. This also lets you stagger deadlines for other expenses if you're paid twice a month. For example, if other bills—phone, internet, car insurance, etc.—are all due around the time you get your first monthly paycheck (say, the first of the month), you may be able to move your credit card due date closer to your second one (maybe around the fifteenth or shortly thereafter).

Question 2

How do you change your due date?

Accepted Answer

While not all issuers allow you to move this date, it's still worth asking if you think moving the payment due date will help you be able to pay on time.

Question 3

What if you can't change your credit card due date?

Accepted Answer

If you can't change your due date, all is not lost. While it may be easier to pay on time by moving your due date, there are smart budgeting techniques that may also help. If you have a credit card bill that's due a week or more away from a paycheck, consider making your payment a week or two before your statement due date when you have the funds available. Or, you might consider setting up a separate bank account where you automatically transfer your credit card's minimum payment after your paycheck lands in your account. This can help prevent you from using those funds for anything else. You can typically do this online and could be one solution if you're on a tight budget.

Should I Change My Credit Card Due Date?

Key Takeaways

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