How many days late can you be on a credit card payment?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on January 26, 2026
30 days
If you missed a credit card payment by one day, it’s not the end of the world. Credit card issuers don’t report payments that are less than 30 days late to the credit bureaus. If your payment is 30 or more days late, then the penalties can add up.
What happens if you are 1 day late on a credit card payment?
If you pay your credit card bill a single day after the due date, you could be charged a late fee in the range of $25 to $35, which will be reflected on your next billing statement. If you continue to miss the due date, you can incur additional late fees.
Is there a 5 day grace period for credit card payments?
Grace periods generally last between 21 and 25 days after you receive your credit card bill. As mandated by the CARD Act of 2009, the due date that any payment is considered late can be no shorter than 21 days after the customer is issued the bill.
Is my credit card payment late if I pay on the due date?
Credit card payments are due the same day and time every month, often 5 p.m. or later. A credit card payment can’t be considered late if it was received by 5 p.m. on the day that it was due, according to the CARD Act. Some card issuers may set a later due date if you pay your bill online, giving you even more time pay.
How much does one late payment affect credit score?
If you do make a late payment, there are three factors that determine how much it will affect your credit score. According to FICO’s credit damage data, one recent late payment can cause as much as a 180-point drop on a FICO FICO, +0.11% score, depending on your credit history and the severity of the late payment.
What happens if you make a late payment on a credit card?
Late credit card payments usually aren’t reported to the credit bureau until after 30 days. In other words, if you make a payment after the due date but within this initial 30-day period, it won’t show up on your credit report, but you may have to pay a late fee. 60 Days Past Due
When do you have to report late payments to credit bureaus?
A late payment may be reported to the credit bureaus once it hits 30 days past the due date. Some creditors may not report it at all, especially if you’ve generally been a good client. Others may wait until you close your account to report any late payments.
When do I have to pay my credit card bill?
Here’s how the process generally works: On the account closing date, your statement or bill is generated. Then comes your payment due date, which is shown on your bill or statement. It’s the date by which you should make at least the minimum payment to avoid late fees or incur interest charges.
What happens to my credit if I pay 30 days past due?
30 Days Past Due Late credit card payments usually aren’t reported to the credit bureau until after 30 days. In other words, if you make a payment after the due date but within this initial 30-day period, it won’t show up on your credit report, but you may have to pay a late fee. 60 Days Past Due