What does it mean if you have a minimum payment due?

Asked by: Leanna Daugherty I  |  Last update: January 19, 2026
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Your minimum payment is the lowest amount you must pay toward your monthly credit card statement balance in order to keep your account current. If you don't make your minimum payment on time, your card issuer may charge a late fee and penalty interest.

Should I pay the minimum payment due?

If you don't make your minimum payments, you'll likely be charged late fees, and could see an impact to your credit score. Eventually, after so many missed payments your account could possibly be reported as delinquent and closed by the issuer.

What happens if I pay only the minimum due?

A: Paying only the minimum amount due leads to prolonged debt due to accumulated interest and a higher credit utilisation ratio and can result in paying significantly more over time due to interest and fees.

Should I pay the statement balance or minimum amount due?

It's a good idea to pay more than the minimum payment — ideally the full statement balance — each month, if you can. You'll save on interest, lower your balance and avoid debt.

Should I pay minimum due or last billed due?

It's important to make at least the minimum payment so your account stays current and you don't incur late fees, penalty APRs or hurt your credit.

Credit Card Minimum Payments Explained

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What is the disadvantage of minimum due?

Disadvantages of Paying Minimum Amount Due

Interest on Outstanding Balance: When you pay the minimum amount, the lender will charge interest on the outstanding balance. This is not applicable if you pay your dues in full.

Is it better to pay on due date or before?

The best time to pay your credit card bill to avoid interest is on or before the due date. That's because you'll pay more in interest if you miss a credit card payment since you'll continue to accrue interest charges on your past due credit card balance.

Will my credit score go down if I only pay the minimum?

If you only pay the minimum due on your credit card, the remaining balance may accrue interest and increase your credit utilization, which could negatively affect your credit scores and make it harder to get out of debt.

How much interest will be charged if I pay the minimum payment?

Let's say your credit card balance is ₹20,000, and your interest rate is 18% p.a. (1.5% per month). If you only pay a ₹800 minimum each month, it will take you 32 months to repay the debt. Further, you'll pay ₹5,411 in interest!

Which is the best strategy for paying your credit card bill?

Use the debt snowball method

In order to use this method, list all of your credit card debts from lowest balance to highest balance. Now start concentrating on wiping out the credit card with the lowest balance while still making the minimum payments on the other cards. The point of this strategy is to build momentum.

Do I have to pay if my minimum payment due is 0?

If your credit card statement reflects a zero minimum payment due - even if you have a balance on your card - it is because of recent, positive credit history. A review of your recent credit history and determination to waive your minimum monthly payment allows you to skip your monthly payment for a statement cycle.

What happens if I do minimum payment?

If you only pay the minimum each month, the interest charges can snowball. The additional interest and any other fees are added on to your balance and can increase a lot over time.

Does paying minimum amount due affect your credit score?

The answer to this question, is yes, it does. Paying barely the minimum amount due can have long-term repercussions on your credit health.

What is the minimum payment on a $500 credit card?

Percentage method: Some credit card issuers calculate the minimum payment as a percentage of your outstanding balance. This percentage typically falls within the range of 1% to 3% but can vary. For example, if your outstanding balance is $500 and the minimum payment percentage is 2%, your minimum payment would be $10.

Should I pay off my credit card in full or leave a small balance?

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.

How can you avoid paying interest?

Pay your monthly statement in full and on time

Paying the full amount will help you avoid any interest charges. If you can't pay your statement balance off completely, try to make a smaller payment (not less than the minimum payment).

What if I pay only the minimum amount due?

"When you pay only the minimum amount due, you can avoid late payment charges, but the remaining unpaid balance starts attracting finance charges, which can go up to 42% p.a. Moreover, when there is unpaid balance in your account, all new purchases become ineligible for the interest-free period, which means they will ...

Is minimum payment illegal?

What is the minimum card payment law? There is no minimum card payment law, which means that there's nothing stopping businesses from setting a minimum spending limit. However, there are rules set out by card networks which state that any merchant accepting their cards cannot set a maximum or minimum limit.

Do I get charged interest if I pay minimum payment?

Yes, if you pay the minimum payment on your credit card statement, you could still get charged interest. By paying the minimum you keep your account in good standing but you do not avoid accruing interest. The exception to this is if you have a card with a 0% introductory APR, which usually is for a set period of time.

Why is my minimum payment so high?

If you typically carry a low outstanding balance, you'll usually have a low minimum payment amount; a higher outstanding balance will usually result in a higher minimum payment due. Review your credit card's terms and conditions to understand how your credit issuer calculates your minimum payment.

What is a good credit score?

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.

What is the 15-3 rule?

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 day is best to pay a credit card?

The best time to pay your credit card bill is before the last day of the billing cycle. That's before the credit card companies can send a monthly update to the credit bureaus.

Is it OK to pay after due date?

In a recent move, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks to charge late fee only if the payment has been due for more than three days after the due date. However, it is better not to take chances when it comes to paying off your credit card dues.