Tips on avoiding late fees

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Tips to avoiding late fees

By Lucy Lazarony• Bankrate.com

Once you settle on a card, do everything you can to play by the rules. Bankrate.com offers the following tips for avoiding late payment fees.

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Follow payment guidelines as outlined by the issuer on the back of each credit card bill.

Use the preprinted envelope provided by the credit card company.

Include the billing coupon, and be sure to write the amount being paid in the box provided.

Make sure checks are legible and the payment amount is correct.

Sign the check. Write the credit card account number on the check.

Send payment with proper postage at least one week in advance of the due date to the payment address requested by the issuer.

Consider online bill paying. Issuers, including Discover, American Express and First USA, accept online payments.

If the due date is looming, consider sending the payment by express mail or wiring the payment with Western Union. These express services may prove cheaper than paying a late fee.

Bankrate.com's corrections policy

-- Posted: Jan. 12, 2005

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