How to Change the Billing Cycle of a Credit Card

A credit card billing cycle is the period during which your transactions are recorded and compiled before a statement is generated. While typically lasting between 28 and 31 days, its specific start and end dates can vary by issuer and even by individual card. It is sometimes possible to adjust this cycle to better suit your needs.

Understanding Your Credit Card Billing Cycle

All purchases, payments, and other transactions made within this period are summarized on your monthly statement. It is important to distinguish the billing cycle from the payment due date; the due date is 15 to 25 days after the billing cycle closes, providing a grace period to pay your balance without incurring interest charges.

You can locate your credit card’s current billing cycle information on your monthly statement, which lists both the start and end dates. This information is also commonly available through your online banking portal or mobile application. Knowing these dates is important before considering modifications.

Requesting a Billing Cycle Change

Changing your credit card billing cycle involves contacting your credit card issuer directly. Many issuers allow you to request a due date change, which in turn shifts your billing cycle. This request can be made by calling the customer service number on the back of your card, or through your online account’s secure message center or mobile app.

When you contact the issuer, have your account number available and be prepared to state your desired new billing cycle closing date or payment due date. While you might be asked for a reason, a brief explanation focused on aligning it with your income schedule is often sufficient. Not all issuers permit changes, or they may have restrictions, such as allowing only one change within a certain period, like every three billing cycles. After making the request, confirm the effective date of the change and understand its impact on your next statement.

Post-Change Considerations

After your credit card billing cycle has been changed, monitor your first few statements to confirm the adjustment was implemented correctly. The initial billing cycle following the change may be shorter or longer than usual as the account adjusts to the new schedule. Your payment due date will also shift accordingly, remaining 15 to 25 days after the new statement closing date.

Update any automatic payments or reminders to align with your new payment due date to avoid late fees. A change in your billing cycle can also temporarily affect how your credit utilization is reported to credit bureaus. Credit card issuers generally report your balance and credit limit at the end of each billing cycle, so a new cycle can result in a different reported balance, which influences your credit utilization ratio. Maintaining a low utilization rate, typically below 30%, is beneficial for your credit score.