Key takeaways
- The two most important credit card dates to know are your statement closing date and payment due date.
- Tracking due dates, grace periods, and promotional offers helps you maximize rewards, minimize interest charges, and avoid late fees.
- Remembering important dates can help you improve your score and save money.
Credit cards are a great asset. You get to make purchases and pay for them later. And you might even get to earn rewards. To make the most of them, you have to remember key dates.
Knowing important credit card dates will help keep your account in good standing, avoid late fees and penalty APRs, and even skip out on interest payments.
We’ll explain the credit card dates you need to know, what each means, and how the knowledge can help you.
Billing cycle
A credit card’s billing cycle is the period between one statement closing date and the next. All transactions made during this period appear on your credit card statement and contribute to your balance. In other words, the billing cycle is the length of time transactions count toward a single monthly bill.
When does the credit card billing cycle start?
The new billing cycle starts the day after the previous cycle closes. The closing date credit card issuers set determines when the next cycle begins. The start date varies from month to month but is always close.
How long is a billing cycle?
The billing cycle typically lasts 28 to 31 days, depending on your issuer. The exact number of days can fluctuate month to month since not all months are the same length. The billing cycle must remain as equal as possible. To be more exact, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau states that billing cycles cannot vary by more than four days from the regular day or date. The regular day or date could be the first Monday of each month or the sixth of each month.
How do I know my credit card billing date?
You can find your billing date by checking your monthly statement, online account, or mobile banking app. The billing start and end dates are typically listed on the first page of your statement near the balance.
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Statement closing date
The credit card statement closing date is the last day of your billing cycle. This is when the issuer finalizes your monthly statement, summarizing all transactions, fees, and payments made during the billing period. Any purchases made after this date will appear on your next statement. When the statement period closes, you will receive a bill for the amount you owe.
After the statement closing date, you have a grace period. This is the time between the end of your billing cycle and when your bill is due. If you pay the balance in full during this period, you won’t have to pay interest. Credit card grace periods are typically 21 to 25 days long.
Payment due date
The due date is the most important credit card date to remember. It is the last day you can pay and be considered on time. After this date, your payment is late. Your provider may charge you a late fee and impose a penalty APR (annual percentage rate) higher than normal.
The due date must remain the same each billing cycle, per the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009. The act also requires that the due date be at least 21 days from the end of the billing cycle. The 21 days are to give you time to budget your monthly payment.
Most financial institutions require payment by 5 p.m. on the due date. Check your cardholder’s agreement or account for details, such as the time zone of your issuer.
If you cannot pay your credit card bill by the due date, contact your provider. They may be able to put you on an affordable payment plan.
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Can you change the credit card payment due date?
Many companies will let you change your payment due date to one that better aligns with your cash flow. It’s in their best interest to help you make on-time payments. There are restrictions. You cannot adjust your due date every month. It takes time for the new due date to take effect, usually one or two billing cycles. When you adjust your due date, your billing cycle may also shift.
Credit card closing date vs. due date
Understanding the due date vs. statement date is essential.
The statement date on a credit card marks the end of your billing cycle. It is the last day transactions may be posted to that statement.
The due date is usually 21 to 25 days after the credit card closing date. It is when your bill must be paid to avoid late fees and interest.
The grace period falls between these dates, allowing you to pay your bill without interest.
Example of key dates
Imagine you buy a $300 television with your credit card on February 10. Your billing cycle is February 1 to 28th. Your closing date is February 28. Your due date, when at least the minimum payment is due, is March 20. That means your grace period is from Feb. 28 till March 20. Pay your outstanding balance in full before March 20, and you won’t owe any interest on your new TV.
Any items you purchase starting March 1 will go on your next billing statement, as that’s how billing cycles work.
Transaction date
The transaction date is when your transaction took place. A transaction is any activity that concerns your account. It includes purchases, payments, credit to your accounts, card transfers, and cash advances. Transactions are almost always listed chronologically.
The transaction date may differ from the posting date, especially if transactions occur on weekends or holidays. The posting date is the day the transaction appears on your credit statement.
Expiration date
The credit card expiration date is printed on the front or back of your card in the form of a month and year. At the end of the month, your card will be unusable, but your account will remain open. All cards have expiration dates to ensure they remain in good working order.
Companies usually send a replacement card before the old one expires. Activate your new card immediately upon receiving it and destroy your old one. This ensures you always have a working card. If you haven’t received your new card, ask your issuer for one.
Remember to update any automatic payments. While the expiration doesn’t affect your account standing, a new card may have a different CVV code, requiring updates to recurring payments.
Annual fee due date
Certain high-end cards come with annual fees. The issuer automatically adds the fee to your credit card statement balance as a lump sum charge. It happens once a year on or around the anniversary of when you opened your account. Some issuers waive the fee for the first year.
Knowing the date can help you prepare for the extra charge on your statement. If you don’t want to pay the fee, you have a few options. You can cancel the card, request a downgrade to a card without an annual fee, or ask if they’ll waive the fee for this year.
Welcome bonus date
Rewards cards often come with a welcome or sign-up bonus. The bonus is a one-time incentive to use the card in exchange for points, cash-back, or miles. You typically have three to six months to meet a certain spending threshold. Make qualifying purchases by the deadline, and you’ll get your rewards.
Two things to keep in mind are that the clock starts ticking the day you’re approved, not when you receive your card. Second, pending transactions likely won’t count. The transaction must be posted to your account by the deadline.
Intro APR offer dates
If you secured a card with a promotional 0% APR offer, you need to mark your calendar for the end of the introductory period. The promotional period will last anywhere from six to 21 months, depending on the card. Once the intro period ends, you will be charged a regular APR on the remaining balance. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, credit card interest rates are high, averaging 21.47% APR. Paying your balance before this date is essential to avoid interest charges and credit card debt.
To find the exact date your intro APR ends, look at your credit card statement, log into your online account, or call customer service.
Some transfer cards waive balance transfer fees for the first 60 days after account opening. If you have this perk, mark that date and pay the fee before it’s too late.
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How important credit card dates affect your score
Your credit card company will report your balance and payment history to the major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – once per month. The data is used to calculate your credit score. Most issuers report at the end of your billing cycle, close to or on your statement closing date.
High balances at this time increase your credit utilization ratio and lower your score. Your credit utilization is how much you spent vs. your credit limit. Keep your ratio below 10% – under 30% is the bare minimum. In other words, you need a low balance at the end of your billing cycle to improve your credit score.
For example, if you have a $5,000 balance and a $10,000 limit, your utilization rate is 50%. Pay at least $2,000 before the closing date to lower your usage to 30% and preserve your score.
Your payment due date is also very important. You have to pay on time every month. Late, partial, or missed payments will negatively affect your credit score. A single missed payment can drop your score by 20 to 100 points.
The good news is that most credit card companies will not report payments as late until they are 30 days past due. You’ll still face late fees and possible penalty APRs.
Try to pay your entire credit card balance in full by the due date. You’ll pay on time, won’t owe interest, and not carrying a balance helps your usage remain low.
Frequently asked questions
1. When should I pay my credit card bill to increase my credit score?
The best time to make a credit card payment is before your due date. Paying your balance in full during the grace period ensures you are not late and won’t pay a dime in interest. If your balance is high at the end of your billing cycle, the best time to pay your credit card bill is before your closing date. Paying down your balance before it’s reported to the bureaus will help increase your score. Always pay at least the minimum by the due date. Consistently paying on time is the best thing you can do.
2. How often are credit card payments due?
Credit card payments are due once per billing cycle, typically every 28 to 31 days. Your card issuer sets the payment due date. It usually falls 21 to 25 days after the statement closing date.
3. Does every credit card have a grace period?
No, not all cards have a grace period. Most major credit card companies provide a grace period of 21 to 25 days from the end of the billing cycle to when the payment is due. If you always carry a balance or don’t pay on time, you may lose your grace period and start accruing interest immediately on new purchases.
4. What is the statement balance on a credit card?
The credit card statement balance is the total amount you owe at the end of your billing cycle. It includes all purchases, fees, and interest accrued during that period.
5. What is statement credit?
A statement credit is a refund or reward applied to your account that reduces your current balance. It can come from cash-back rewards, refunds, promotional offers, or dispute resolutions. Unlike a regular payment, a statement credit is not a minimum payment. You still have to pay by the due date to avoid penalties.
6. Do credit cards expire at the beginning or end of the month?
Credit cards expire at the end of the month printed on them. For example, if your card expires on 06/27, it is valid until the last day of June 2027.
Bottom line
Staying on top of important credit card dates is the best way to avoid unnecessary fees and build credit. When you know your billing cycle and statement closing dates, you can pay down your balances and achieve a low utilization ratio. Mark your payment due date in your calendar or set up autopay so that you never miss a bill. If you have a card with an annual fee, note down when it’s charged so you’re not surprised by a hefty bill. If your card comes with a promotional low APR or welcome bonus, keep track of the dates to make the most of these offers. Missing key dates can result in interest charges, late fees, and damage to your score.
Stay organized and remember how credit card billing cycles work. Your card can work for you, not against you. Good financial habits improve your score and leave more money in your pockets.