5 Tips to Avoid Credit Card Late Fees

Having a credit card is incredibly useful when you want a manageable way to keep track of your expenses. Although credit cards are convenient and rewarding, there are some downsides.

Keep reading to see the top 5 tips on how to avoid them.

Editors Note: If you don’t already have a credit card, check out our Best Credit Card Categories master post to browse which one is right for you!

5 Tips on Avoiding Late Credit Card Fees

• Pay Early
  • If you can’t pay your whole credit card bill, try to pay at least the minimum amount due, and make sure the payment process before the established due date.
  • Leave plenty of time for the company to process your payment if you mail in a check to pay your bill.
  • Important to allow some processing time even if you use the credit card issuer’s website to pay your bill online.

• Sign Up for Reminders
  • Sign up for payment reminders from your credit card company.
  • Certain companies will send you texts and emails to remind you that your minimum payment is due, and it’ll let you know when your payment has posted.
  • If not, just put reminders in your calendar or phone to make sure that you don’t forget.

• Use Auto Pay
  • If you can, sign up for auto payments so you don’t have to even worry about remembering to make your payments.
  • You can usually choose from options like making just the minimum payment, paying a specific dollar amount, or paying your balance in full each month.

• Change Your Credit Card Due Date
  • Your new due date should align with your financial schedule.
  • If the main problem is remembering when the bill is due, you might avoid late fees by choosing a new due date that coincides with another important bill, like your rent or mortgage payment, or is easy to remember, like the first or last day of the month.

• Ask for the Fee to Be Waived
  • In the event that you do miss your credit card due date and are charged a late fee, as a last resort you could call your credit card company and ask for the fee to be waived.

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Author’s Verdict

Overall, there are several different ways to cancel or prevent a late fee. While late fees can be cumbersome, they are most definitely preventable.

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