Credit Card eZine - News and Articles about Credit Cards

Move the Due Date on Your Credit Card Deals

2007-09-21

It's a headache for most cardholders to pay all their bills on time. Like it or not, from time to time this situation is quite familiar to all of us. No one wants to be late with the payment, that's why we do our best to settle up our accounts. And if you have to pay rent, or a car payment not to mention your credit card bills...you must have a substantial sum of money to pay off. Generally, this problem bothers us at the beginning or in the middle of the month. So, it becomes rather tough to pay all our bills almost at once. A good way out is to change the due date on your credit card deals.

We must accept that managing the budget is a great gift. Not all of us can schedule payments and do everything on time. Though, it is very essential if you want to succeed in financial matters. And if you cannot? For some credit card owners it is a troublesome problem. "It was so harsh, for all my credit card bills became due at the beginning of the month," says Karen Tarbox, 31. "To scrape together enough money for all the bills in due time is a stiff task."

First and foremost, don't be scared to take steps and solve the problems concerning your credit card deals. Some credit card issuers are ready to help you and move your due dates. Bear in mind, communication is the key. Call the customer-service number and explain the situation. Most probably, you will get a favorable reply. But before it, do a little housework and try to figure out, what will be the best due date for you.

It would be naive to think that a phone call is the only thing you should do. Changing the due date doesn't mean that you do not have to pay your credit card bills at all. It's just the way to set your money to rights. So, make sure you will be able to pay them at the day of your choice. Otherwise, you will get into another mess, i.e. late-payment charges.

There are also some important points to remember. Take into consideration the fact that not all credit card companies are ready to grant you this service. Citibank cardholders will have no difficulties. There is no need to call anyone, they can easily do it online. Chase and Discover clients are also free to move their due date. And for American Express and Sears you will have to call and see if it possible.

Choose a new date very carefully, for some credit card companies will not allow you to change dates very often. Generally, it's once every year. Some issuers can allow you to move a due date within 5 days of your current due date. If five days are very significant for you, go ahead! Pay attention to the statements after changing your due dates. Make sure that everything was done the way you wanted.

It must be said that this method is not a universal panacea from your credit card problems. It will work only if you have proper organizational skills, and can manage your budget. For absent-minded cardholders whose excuse is "I forgot", this changing will definitely have no effect, because they scarcely know a PIN code for their plastic.

I have five credit cards and before I changed the due date it had been really troublesome to pay all the biils. But now when I don't have these problems any more life became much easier.

Yeah, movement of the due date makes one's life easier. But you should carefully choose a new due date, I chose a wrong date and I have the same difficulties with paying bills as I had before. Now I'm looking forward for the day my bank let me change the due date again....