The Takeaway
The 15/3 credit card payment rule is a strategy that involves making two payments each month to your credit card company. You make one payment 15 days before your statement is due and another payment three days before the due date.
Making multiple payments is not essential but rather beneficial for positively affecting your credit score. It is important to note that while making regular monthly card payments may help raise our credit score, it will not immediately impact it.
If you have no balance on your credit cards, your credit utilization ratio is zero, which could negatively impact your credit score. The exact impact on your credit score will depend on various factors such as your overall credit history and the other factors that go into calculating your credit score.
While a 0% utilization is certainly better than having a high CUR, it's not as good as something in the single digits. Depending on the scoring model used, some experts recommend aiming to keep your credit utilization rate at 10% (or below) as a healthy goal to get the best credit score.
Making on-time payments to creditors, keeping your credit utilization low, having a long credit history, maintaining a good mix of credit types, and occasionally applying for new credit lines are the factors that can get you into the 800 credit score club.
It's a common myth that carrying a balance and paying off your credit card debt over time will benefit your credit score. In fact, paying off your bill every month, on time, and keeping your balance low throughout the month is best for your score.
Credit cycling is the practice of charging your credit card to its limit, paying the balance down, then charging more within the same billing cycle. There are legitimate reasons to cycle your credit, but there are risks, too.
The three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—all update credit scores at least once a month. However, there isn't a specific day of the month when your credit report is guaranteed to refresh. Instead, credit score updates depend on when creditors report your payments to the credit bureaus.
If you missed a payment because of extenuating circumstances and you've brought account current, you could try to contact the creditor or send a goodwill letter and ask them to remove the late payment.
It's a good idea to pay off your credit card balance in full whenever you're able. Carrying a monthly credit card balance can cost you in interest and increase your credit utilization rate, which is one factor used to calculate your credit scores.
There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.
Make a credit card payment 15 days before the bill's due date. You might be told to make your minimum payment, or pay down at least half your bill, early. Make another payment three days before the due date. Then, pay the remainder of your bill—or whatever you can afford—before the due date to avoid interest charges.
Late or missed payments can cause your credit score to decline. The impact can vary depending on your credit score — the higher your score, the more likely you are to see a steep drop.
Debit cards don't usually allow you to build credit. That's because debit card activity isn't typically reported to the credit bureaus. But some new checking accounts may offer the ability to use your debit card to build credit.
The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024.
While the term "deadbeat" generally carries a negative connotation, when it comes to the credit card industry, it's a compliment. Card issuers refer to customers as deadbeats if they pay off their balance in full each month, avoiding interest charges and fees on their accounts.
If done right, making biweekly mortgage payments leads to less interest paid over the life of your loan, saving you money and whittling your balance down sooner. However, you must confirm that the extra payments are being applied to the principal and that you're not subject to prepayment penalties.
The 15/3 rule, a trending credit card repayment method, suggests paying your credit card bill in two payments—both 15 days and 3 days before your payment due date. Proponents say it helps raise credit scores more quickly, but there's no real proof. Building credit takes time and effort.
What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.
Perhaps the most obvious drawback of using a credit card is paying interest. Credit cards tend to charge high interest rates, which can drag you deeper and deeper in debt if you're not careful. The good news: Interest isn't inevitable. If you pay your balance in full every month, you won't pay interest at all.
Overall, Credit Karma may produce a different result than one or more of the three major credit bureaus directly. The slight differences in calculations between FICO and VantageScore can lead to significant variances in credit scores, making Credit Karma less accurate than most may appreciate.