Can I pay the credit card bill immediately after purchase? - CreditMantri (2024)

FAQs

Can I pay the credit card bill immediately after purchase? - CreditMantri? ›

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.

The short answer is yes, there can be benefits to paying your credit card early. But there's more to understanding how making credit card payments could help you boost your credit scores. Paying your credit card early means paying your balance before the due date or making an extra payment each month.

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.

Save money on interest

If you have to carry debt into the next month, you don't need to wait until the next billing cycle ends to pay the balance. Most credit card issuers charge interest daily based on your annual percentage rate (APR), so the earlier you pay the balance, the less you'll pay in interest.

But you may also be able to pay in person or by calling the phone number on the back of your credit card. You'll likely need to provide your credit card account, bank account and routing numbers. Cash: If your credit card issuer has a location nearby, you may be able to pay in person with cash.

If you make a payment in your online credit card account before the end of the business day, your payment may be posted as early as the next business day—and, in some cases, the same business day. However, payments made in the evening could take an additional day to post.

Minimises Interest Charges

By paying your credit card bills early, you reduce the amount of time your outstanding balance accrues interest. This can lead to lower overall interest charges and save you money in the long run.

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.

Find your due date or statement date on your credit card statement or your online account. Subtract 15 days from this date. Make a payment on that date—either the minimum amount due or more. Subtract three days from your due date.

By making a credit card payment 15 days before your payment due date—and again three days before—you're able to reduce your balances and show a lower credit utilization ratio before your billing cycle ends. That information is reported to the credit bureaus.

Is it better to pay off credit card immediately or wait for statement? ›

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.

Try the snowball method

With the snowball method, you pay off the card with the smallest balance first. Once you've repaid the balance in full, you take the money you were paying for that debt and use it to help pay down the next smallest balance.

Whenever possible, paying off your credit card in full will help you save money and protect your credit score. Paying your entire debt by the due date spares you from interest charges on your balance.