Missing a credit card payment might not seem like a big deal, but even a small delay can have serious effects on your credit score, finances, and reputation with your bank. Whether you missed the payment by a few days or completely forgot for a month, it’s important to understand what happens next — and how to fix it quickly.
Let’s break it down step by step.
The first thing that happens when you miss a payment is a late payment fee.
Most banks charge a fixed penalty depending on your outstanding balance. For example:
| Outstanding Amount | Late Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|
|
₹0 – ₹500 |
No fee |
|
₹501 – ₹5,000 |
₹500 |
|
₹5,001 – ₹10,000 |
₹750 |
|
Above ₹10,000 |
₹1,000 or more |
These charges are added to your next bill, increasing your total due amount.
If you don’t pay your total due amount, the bank will start charging interest on the unpaid balance.
Credit card interest rates can be high — usually between 30% to 42% per year — and it compounds daily. That means the longer you delay payment, the more you’ll owe.
You’ll also lose your interest-free period (usually 45–50 days) until you clear all dues.
Your payment history is one of the biggest factors in your credit score — making up about 35% of it. Even a single missed payment reported to credit bureaus (after 30 days of non-payment) can lower your score by 50–100 points.
A lower score can make it harder to:
Missing payments can also lead to losing reward points, cashback offers, and special privileges like interest-free EMIs or airport lounge access.
Banks may also reduce your credit limit or temporarily block your card if payment delays continue.
If you continue missing payments for more than 90 days, your account may be marked as a default. The bank can report it as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) and may start recovery proceedings. This can seriously damage your credit history for years.
If you’ve already missed a payment, don’t panic — you can still recover.
Step 1: Pay the minimum amount due immediately to stop further penalties.
Step 2: Clear the full outstanding balance as soon as possible.
Step 3: Call customer care and request a fee waiver (some banks may offer this if it’s your first delay).
Step 4: Set up auto-pay or payment reminders to avoid future delays.
Step 5: Check your credit report after a few months to ensure your payments are updated correctly.
Missing a credit card payment can seem small but can quickly grow into a major financial issue if ignored. Late fees, high interest, and a drop in your credit score can all follow.
The good news? Paying on time, setting reminders, and maintaining discipline can easily prevent these problems. If you’ve already missed a payment, act fast — take responsibility, pay off your balance, and get back on track.
Responsible credit card management is the key to maintaining financial stability and a healthy credit score.