Being late is going to cost you, big time.

With credit card late fees at $39, this is no time to be the least bit tardy with your card payment.

1. Mind those payment rules

When it comes to processing credit card payments, all these little details are incredibly important.

Payment guidelines may include everything from a specific payment address to the time of day by which the payment must be received to be credited that day. Many issuers also stipulate that payments must arrive in the preprinted envelope sent to the customer.

While the Fair Credit Billing Act requires issuers to credit payments the day they are received, each issuer is allowed to set specific payment guidelines. If any of the guidelines are not met, the issuer can take as many as five days to credit the payment.

An on-time payment could easily become "late" during that five-day period, so follow those payment guidelines carefully.

To ensure your payment gets credited immediately:

• 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 to the payment address requested by the issuer. It's a good idea to mail your payment at least one week in advance of the due date. Ten days to two weeks prior to a due date is even better.

2. Pay minimum immediately