Know your limit. Exceeding your limit is usually considered a violation of your account agreement and may result in additional fees or penalties, or the freezing or cancellation of your account.
Pay on time. Whether you choose to make the minimum payment or to pay the total outstanding balance, your payment must reach the financial institution or business by the payment due date. Otherwise, you will incur late fees, and you may damage your credit history.
Stay in good graces. Most payment cards offer a grace period where you can pay off the total balance of your account and avoid any finance charges. In a way, it's like an interest-free loan for up to 30 days, because purchases paid off during the billing period, during which they were incurred, do not accrue interest. In fact, many consumers pay their balance in full during this period.
Get to know your APR. Because different institutions often use different systems for computing finance charges, your APR (annual percentage rate) is a valuable number to know. If you plan to carry a balance on your account often, it may make sense to shop around for a lower APR, even if you must pay a higher annual cardholder fee.
Keep in touch. If you change your name, address, or job, notify your lending institution immediately. Your payment could turn into a late payment in the time it takes for a statement to be forwarded to your new address by the postal service. Also, contact your lender if you cannot make a payment on your account for any reason. Special payment options or agreements may be arranged that will satisfy both you and your lender, while keeping your good credit history intact.
