TPG reader question: Does it hurt to pay off your card balance before the billing cycle ends? - The Points Guy (2024)

FAQs

TPG reader question: Does it hurt to pay off your card balance before the billing cycle ends? - The Points Guy? ›

If you pay your balance before the end of the month, your credit card will report a lower number for the amounts owed to the credit bureaus, and your utilization ratio will remain low, improving your credit score over time. If you're not in a financial position to pay your bills early, don't worry.

By making an early payment before your billing cycle ends, you can reduce the balance amount the card issuer reports to the credit bureaus. And that means your credit utilization will be lower as well, which can boost your credit scores.

Paying early also cuts interest

Not only does that help ensure that you're spending within your means, but it also saves you on interest. If you always pay your full statement balance by the due date, you will maintain a credit card grace period and you will never be charged interest.

Do you still get points if you pay your credit card early? Yes. If you have a rewards card that earns points based on your spending, those points won't be lost if you pay your credit card bill early.

Save money on interest

If you are unable to pay your credit card in full, you will be carrying a balance over from one billing cycle to another. That balance will start accruing interest. Paying early in the next billing cycle will help to lower the total amount of interest that you will pay on this balance.

Paying off your credit card balance every month is one of the factors that can help you improve your scores. Companies use several factors to calculate your credit scores. One factor they look at is how much credit you are using compared to how much you have available.

With most credit scores, any damage from a high credit card utilization goes away when credit bureaus have up-to-date information on your new, lower balances. However, it's still smart to make a habit of keeping balances relatively low.

Can I pay credit card bill amount before its monthly bill is generated ? Of course you can! If the bill was paid before the billing statement is generated, your credit limit will be renewed and the statement may show zero due amount.

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.

You make one payment 15 days before your statement is due and another payment three days before the due date. By doing this, you can lower your overall credit utilization ratio, which can raise your credit score. Keeping a good credit score is important if you want to apply for new credit cards.

Is there a disadvantage to paying credit card early? ›

While paying your credit card bill early isn't inherently bad, there are a few potential drawbacks to be aware of. For instance, you don't want your credit utilization ratio to drop too low. 10% utilization is recommended as it shows lenders and credit card issuers that you actively use your card.

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.

If your statement balance is lower than your current balance, you might opt to pay only your statement balance because it's the minimum amount you can pay to avoid interest without tying up more cash than is necessary. That said, you may opt to pay your current balance to avoid debt or reduce your credit usage.

Make multiple payments.

If you're trying to pay down credit card debt, making extra credit card payments can help you whittle down your balances and lower your monthly interest charges. Since credit card interest compounds, each additional payment you make now could save you a lot of money later.

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.

As long as you pay your statement balance in full every month before your grace period ends, you won't have to worry about paying interest on any of your purchases.