re: Real life conversation with Credit Card Girl

I like to pay my credit cards off every month as well. I typically do it on-line. I usually get the bill in the mail, open it, review it, and then go on-line to pay it immediately.

A few months back, I didn't get my paper bill and I never went on-line. I had only charge something like $30 the previous month.

The next month I get the paper bill and I was charged a $35 late fee (on a $30 balance).

I called, explained the situation, and girl credited my account because she could see I had been paying it in full every month for the past four or five years on-line, two or three days after the billing date.

She told me that I should set up an automatic payment on-line so that they will always take out the minimum due each month. That way, I never have to worry about a late fee if something happens to my paper bill and I "forget".

I don't want to pay the entire amount automatically just in case I get charged something fraudulently. I can then challenge the fraudulent charges. But, by automatically paying the minimum, I never have to worry about late fees.

Oh, and I've never paid the minimum because I've always paid the entire amount before the minimum was due. But, at least I'm protected.