Due date
The deadline to pay your statement. Pay at least the minimum to stay current; pay the full statement balance to keep your purchases interest-free.
It usually falls about three weeks after the statement date, not the same day.
On time protects your account. In full protects your grace period.
Common questions
What happens if I only pay the minimum by the due date?
Your account stays current and you avoid a late fee, but you lose your grace period. The unpaid statement balance starts accruing interest, and new purchases usually begin accruing from the day they post instead of being interest-free. Paying the minimum protects your record, not your wallet.
Should I pay the statement balance or the current balance?
Pay the statement balance in full by the due date. That is the amount the grace period is measured against, so paying it is what keeps new purchases interest-free. Paying the higher current balance is fine and lowers reported utilization, but it is not required to avoid interest.
What happens if I miss a credit card due date?
You typically owe a late fee and lose your grace period, so interest starts accruing. A payment 30 or more days late can also be reported to the credit bureaus, which is far more damaging than the fee. If you are only a few days late, pay immediately and ask for the fee to be waived.