How Do I Keep Track of Credit Cards Payments and Due Dates?
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
TPG reader Steven messaged me on Facebook to ask:
"Could you tell us how you manage your credit cards in terms of payment due dates and making sure you don't miss a payment?"
Maintaining a pristine credit score is crucial if you plan to get multiple credit cards in order to earn a lot of points and frequent flyer miles. However, it can become dizzying having to pay lots of different cards with different due dates.
Personally (here's a little self-promotion!), I use the TPG To Go App, which links up to all your different credit card accounts and alerts you when it's time to pay your bills.
Another option is to set up auto-pay for all of your bills (which I also do). This works because I only spend what I can afford to pay off every month, and that's important because if you get slammed with high interest fees, then you're negating the value of any rewards you earned, and I'm all about maximizing the value of your points and miles and minimizing fees and out-of-pocket costs.
The TPG To Go app is free; however, there's a premium version that will actually track your credit card spend as well as category and spend bonuses (like the British Airways Travel Together ticket on the British Airways Visa Signature Card). The app will actually let you know if you're on track to hit your bonus, and alert you if you'll be late on any of your bills or payments.
Another service I've used for years is Mint.com. It's a great website for visualizing your money from a high level. Between all these resources, you should be able to ensure that your bills are paid on time. If you want to maintain a high credit score, make sure not to miss a payment, because paying your bills on time is one of the most important factors of your FICO score.
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook, or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
[card card-name='British Airways Visa Signature® Card' card-id='22129607' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.