Video by John Liang
BEST Day to Pay your Credit Card Bill (Increase Credit Score)
This video by John Liang explains the best day of the month to pay your credit card bill in order to boost your credit score. Learn how payment timing affects your credit utilization ratio and what simple changes you can make to see real improvements in your score.
What you’ll learn
- How credit card issuers report your balance to the credit bureaus and when it happens
- What a statement closing date is and why it matters for your credit score
- The difference between your statement closing date and your payment due date
- How paying before your statement closes can lower your reported utilization ratio
- Why credit utilization is one of the most impactful factors in your credit score
- A simple strategy to time your payments for maximum credit score benefit
- How to find your statement closing date on your credit card account
The companion guide
A closer look.
Introduction: Why Payment Timing Matters (00:00)
John introduces the concept that when you pay your credit card bill can be just as important as whether you pay it, and previews the credit score boost this strategy can provide.
Understanding Credit Utilization (01:15)
A breakdown of what credit utilization is, why it makes up approximately 30% of your credit score, and how even small reductions in utilization can move your score meaningfully.
Statement Closing Date vs. Due Date (02:30)
John clarifies the difference between the statement closing date and the payment due date, explaining that most people only focus on the due date and miss a key optimization opportunity.
How Issuers Report to Credit Bureaus (03:45)
An explanation of how and when credit card companies send balance information to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — typically on or around the statement closing date.
The Best Day to Pay Your Bill (05:00)
John reveals that paying your balance before the statement closing date causes a lower balance to be reported, directly reducing your utilization ratio and boosting your score.
How to Find Your Statement Closing Date (06:20)
Practical steps for locating your statement closing date through your online account portal or by contacting your card issuer, so you can immediately apply this strategy.
Recap and Final Tips (07:10)
John summarizes the strategy, encourages viewers to apply it across all their credit cards, and shares a reminder that consistency with on-time payments remains essential for long-term credit health.
Keep these in mind
- 1. The best day to pay your credit card is before your statement closing date, not just before the due date, so a lower balance gets reported to the credit bureaus.
- 2. Credit utilization — how much of your available credit you are using — accounts for roughly 30% of your FICO score, making it one of the biggest levers you can pull.
- 3. Paying your balance down before the statement closing date means your issuer reports a lower utilization rate, which can lead to a noticeable credit score increase.
- 4. You can find your statement closing date by logging into your credit card account online or calling your card issuer directly.
- 5. Even if you cannot pay the full balance, making a large payment before the statement closes will still reduce your reported utilization and positively impact your score.
This guide reflects the saved video and its publication date. Card benefits and offers can change. Check current issuer terms. Our editorial policy.
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