Missed a Credit Card Payment? What to Do Next
Missing a credit card payment can feel bigger than it is, especially when you spot the due date after the fact. The most useful next step is usually simple: check the account, make a payment if you can, and contact the provider early if you cannot.
A late payment does not always lead to the same outcome. It can depend on how late the payment is, the card's terms, whether this has happened before and when the provider updates credit reference agencies. What matters now is acting promptly and avoiding a second missed payment while you work out a realistic plan.
Start with the account, not assumptions
Log in or check your latest statement and look for the amount due, the due date, any charge or interest added, and the next payment date. Do not rely on memory or an old email. The details on your account tell you what is outstanding and what needs attention first.
If you can pay the overdue amount without missing rent, food, energy or other essentials, make the payment as soon as possible. If you cannot clear it, paying something may still be better than ignoring the account, but it is important to speak to the provider about what you can afford rather than promising an amount that will leave you short next month.
The card's terms may allow a fee or extra interest after a missed payment. Citizens Advice explains that credit cards can include charges and interest when payments are missed, so check the exact terms for your own card instead of assuming every provider treats it the same way. See Citizens Advice's guide to credit card charges.
| Check now | Why it matters | Useful next step |
|---|---|---|
| The overdue amount | It shows what needs dealing with, rather than what you think you owe. | Pay what you can afford, then confirm what remains. |
| Your next due date | A second missed payment can make a difficult month harder to recover from. | Add a calendar reminder or set up a Direct Debit you can maintain. |
| Charges and interest | They may affect the total you need to repay. | Read the card terms and ask the provider to explain anything unclear. |
| Your wider budget | A card payment has to fit alongside essentials and other commitments. | List income, essential bills and every minimum payment before agreeing to a plan. |
Will a missed payment affect your credit file?
It can, but it is not helpful to guess. A payment that is a day or two late may be handled differently from a balance that remains unpaid into the next reporting cycle. Your provider's processes and the information already on your credit file both matter.
Experian's UK guidance explains that late payments can affect a credit score and that you should check your report for accuracy. If something appears that you believe is wrong, contact the provider first, keep your records and ask the credit reference agency to investigate if needed. Read Experian's guide to late payments.
Avoid making several new credit applications in reaction to a missed payment. A rushed application can add pressure without solving the immediate problem. If you later need to understand how applications may affect your file, read our guide to how credit card applications can affect your credit score.
Contact the provider early if the payment is not affordable
A difficult payment is easier to discuss before it becomes several difficult payments. Contact the card provider, explain what has changed and ask what help or arrangements may be available. Keep the conversation factual: say what you can pay, when you can pay it and which essential costs you still need to cover.
Do not wait until you have the perfect explanation. A provider cannot assess what support may be suitable if it does not know you are struggling. Citizens Advice recommends contacting the credit card company if you cannot pay what is requested and discussing what you can afford. Get Citizens Advice guidance for struggling card payments.
Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke to and what was agreed. This is not about building a case against the provider. It simply helps you keep track of the next step, especially when you are already dealing with bills, work and family life.
What to say when you contact the provider
It is normal to feel embarrassed about making the call. You do not need special wording. Start with the facts: you have missed a payment, you want to bring the account up to date, and you need to discuss what you can realistically pay. Have your latest statement nearby so you can confirm the balance and payment date without guessing.
Before you call, write down your regular income, essential household costs and other payments due before your next payday. That makes it easier to explain why a particular amount is realistic. It also helps you avoid agreeing to a payment that looks manageable during the call but leaves you unable to cover food, travel or energy later in the month.
Ask the provider to explain any charge, interest or change to your account in plain language. Ask what will happen next, when the next payment is due, and how the arrangement will be recorded. If you do not understand an answer, say so. The point of the conversation is to leave with a clear next step, not to rush through it.
If a Direct Debit did not go through
A missed payment can happen because a Direct Debit failed, a bank balance was lower than expected or an old card was saved as the payment method. Check the reason before setting up the same instruction again. If the payment date no longer works with when you are paid, ask whether it can be moved rather than hoping the timing will somehow improve next month.
Once you know what caused the problem, choose a back-up that matches your routine. That could be a reminder a few days before the payment date, a lower but sustainable Direct Debit where the provider agrees, or a regular time to check your banking app. Small practical changes beat good intentions when life is busy.
Do not use new borrowing as a quick fix
Taking out another card or loan just to cover an overdue payment can move the pressure rather than reduce it. It may make sense in some very specific circumstances, but it is not a first response when your budget is already stretched. Check whether the new repayment would genuinely be affordable after fees, interest and your other commitments.
If you were considering moving an existing card balance, understand the difference between a normal payment and a balance transfer. Our guide to paying a credit card with another credit card explains what a transfer does, what it can cost and why it is not a payment holiday.
MoneyHelper advises people who are already missing payments to deal with priority bills and seek support rather than carrying on as though the debt is manageable. That is why an honest budget and an early conversation are usually more useful than an urgent application for more credit. Read MoneyHelper's advice on reducing borrowing.
Make the next payment easier to remember
Once the immediate issue is dealt with, make a small change that reduces the chance of it happening again. For some people, that means a calendar alert a few days before the due date. For others, a Direct Debit for at least the agreed payment may work better. Choose a reminder system you will actually notice, not one that looks tidy for a week and then disappears under a pile of notifications.
It also helps to keep the card payment in the same place as your rent, utilities and other regular commitments. A one-page list or a simple note on your phone can be enough. The aim is to see the full month before you spend, not to create an elaborate budget you will never open again.
If your repayment dates and balances are becoming difficult to track, our money guidance hub has practical articles to help you get a clearer picture of borrowing and household money.
When to get free debt advice
Get free debt advice if you are missing more than one payment, using credit to cover essentials, receiving collection letters, or regularly choosing between bills. You do not need to wait until the situation feels extreme. An adviser can help you see the full picture and decide which payments need attention first.
MoneyHelper explains that a debt adviser can help people who are struggling with missed payments and can sometimes speak to creditors on their behalf. Talking to someone early can make the choices clearer and may stop you feeling that another credit application is the only option. Find MoneyHelper's guidance on talking to creditors.
If you have a question about an existing 118 118 Money account, use the customer support page for the right contact route. For general credit-card questions, you can also visit our credit card FAQs.
Take the next step calmly
Check the account, make a realistic payment plan and contact the provider early if you need help. The goal is to get back on track, not to solve everything in one frantic day.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I missed a credit card payment?
Check your account, pay what you can as soon as you can, and contact the card provider if you cannot clear the overdue amount. Ask what has happened to your account and what support may be available.
Will one missed credit card payment affect my credit score?
It can, but the effect depends on the provider's reporting timetable and your wider credit history. Check your account and credit report after the next update, and challenge any entry that is genuinely wrong.
Can my credit card provider charge me for a missed payment?
Your credit agreement may allow a late-payment fee or extra interest. The exact cost depends on the card, so check your statement and the card's terms rather than assuming all providers charge the same.
Should I take out more credit to cover a missed card payment?
Do not rush into more borrowing just to cover an overdue payment. First check what you can afford, speak to your provider, and get free debt advice if you are struggling with essential bills or more than one payment.
What if the missed payment was a mistake?
Contact the provider promptly and keep a record of the payment and conversation. If a credit report later shows information you believe is inaccurate, ask the provider and credit reference agency to investigate it.
