You're absolutely right. Making multiple payments or paying off purchases immediately doesn't directly impact your credit score. What matters most is that you make your payments on time and in full each month. This demonstrates responsible credit management and helps build a positive credit history over time.
Credit card issuers assess interest based on your average daily balance, not your balance at the end of the month. Paying more than once per month — say, every two weeks — will reduce that average balance and, with it, your interest charges.
When possible, it's best to pay your credit card balance in full each month. Not only does that help ensure that you're spending within your means, but it also saves you on interest.
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.
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.
The only drawback to paying your credit cards early is reduced liquidity. Pay your full outstanding balance when you can to avoid interest charges and lower your credit utilization ratio. Consider making payments early to avoid late charges. These habits may help your credit score and improve your financial health.
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.
It's possible that you could see your credit scores drop after fulfilling your payment obligations on a loan or credit card debt. Paying off debt might lower your credit scores if removing the debt affects certain factors like your credit mix, the length of your credit history or your credit utilization ratio.
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.
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.
In most cases, the highest credit score possible is 850. You can achieve the highest credit score by taking a variety of essential steps. Still, for many people, it's difficult considering the range of factors that dictate the highest credit score possible.
Americans collectively owe over $1 trillion in credit card debt. But one generation carries the most, on average: Gen X. The average credit card balance for Gen Xers, defined at those between the ages of 43 and 58, rose to $9,123 in the third quarter of 2023, according to Experian's latest available data.
Credit cards operate on a revolving credit system, which means that as you pay off your balance, your credit limit becomes available again for future purchases. So, if you have a credit limit of $5,000 and a balance of $2,000, you still have $3,000 available for new purchases even after the due date has passed.
Keeping a low credit utilization ratio is good, but having too many credit cards with zero balance may negatively impact your credit score. If your credit cards have zero balance for several years due to inactivity, your credit card issuer might stop sending account updates to credit bureaus.
Credit cycling is when you charge your credit card to its limit, pay the balance down, and then charge more within the same billing cycle. This can come in handy in certain situations, but isn't without its risks.
A FICO® Score of 650 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 650 FICO® Score is lower than the average U.S. credit score. Statistically speaking, 28% of consumers with credit scores in the Fair range are likely to become seriously delinquent in the future.
Using more of your credit card balance than usual — even if you pay on time — can reduce your score until a new, lower balance is reported the following month. Closed accounts and lower credit limits can also result in lower scores even if your payment behavior has not changed.
You're not limited to a single monthly payment. Smaller, more frequent payments can reduce your interest charges and provide other benefits.
Paying early can offer a safety net when you're near your credit limit and interest charges could push you over the limit. If that happens, you may incur an over-the-limit fee from your credit card company.
Making multiple payments throughout the month helps ensure you don't miss any due dates or incur late fees for missed payments, which can lower your credit score significantly.
You'll be in good shape if you can pay off your credit card by the due date, especially if you pay your entire balance. Paying at least part of your bill before the closing date could be even better if you want a good credit score.
A 700 credit score is considered a good score on the most common credit score range, which runs from 300 to 850. How does your score compare with others? You're within the good credit score range, which runs from 690 to 719.
INTEREST. Most credit cards carry an interest rate. While some may have introductory deals and offer 0.00% APR for a set period, at some point interest will start accruing. You definitely don't want to rack up a balance and then begin getting interest charged!