What's a Credit Card Grace Period?

Make sure you know what a credit card grace period is, and whether your credit card has one.

By , J.D. · University of Baltimore School of Law

If you make a purchase on a credit card, you might have a window of time to pay off the new balance without paying finance charges. This period is called a "grace period." The grace period runs from the end of a billing cycle to the next payment due date. If you pay off the new balance in full before the due date, then you don't have to pay additional interest or other finance charges.

Limits on Grace Periods

Credit card companies don't have to provide you with a grace period. But if your creditor offers you a grace period—and many usually do—then the details of that grace period should be clearly described in your credit card agreement. This includes the length of time you have to pay off the balance before incurring new finance charges.

Many credit card issuers don't give you a grace period if you don't pay off the balance each month. If you're carrying a running balance each month, grace periods are effectively meaningless for you. If you don't pay off the new balance in full, then interest and finance charges will usually run from the date you first made the charge. Interest charges on new purchases may start to accrue immediately if you have an unpaid balance on your credit card.

Even if the credit card company provides a grace period for credit card charges, it might not provide one for cash advances or balance transfers. In that case, you would need to pay those charges off immediately, and before the due date, to avoid finance charges.

Payment Due Dates Under the CARD Act of 2009

Effective February 22, 2010, under the Federal Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act of 2009), you have at least 21 days to pay your new bill. This means that the credit card company must mail or deliver your bill to you at least 21 days before your next payment is due. If you have a grace period, you are entitled to at least 21 days from the time you receive your bill to pay off the new balance before incurring finance charges.

The payment due date must be the same every month. The credit card company can't change it. You're allowed to make the payment up until at least 5 p.m. on the due date. The creditor can't cut it short. In addition, if your payment due date falls on a weekend or holiday, you have until the next business day to make that payment.

For more information on the CARD Act of 2009, visit the Federal Reserve Board's website.

More Information

For more information on credit cards and how to get out of debt, get Solve Your Money Troubles: Strategies to Get Out of Debt and Stay That Way, by and (Nolo).

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