{
  "id": 8082903,
  "title": "What happens if you pay less than the minimum on your credit card?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/what-happens-if-you-pay-less-than-the-minimum-on-your-credit-card",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-17T18:56:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-happens-pay-less-than-minimum-credit-card/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "If you owe less than the minimum amount due on your credit card, making a partial payment will not be considered a timely payment. This is because credit card payments are categorized as late if they don't meet the minimum requirement by the due date. Consequently, your issuer may charge you a late fee and continue accruing interest on the outstanding balance. Additionally, if the delinquency persists for a period of 30 days or more, your credit card issuer may report the missed payment to the credit bureaus, negatively impacting your credit score. If you're regularly unable to meet the minimum payment, it is advisable to reach out to your credit card company as soon as possible. They may offer hardship programs that can help you lower your interest rate or monthly payment, providing temporary relief. If the issue persists across multiple credit cards or is a long-term concern, you may want to consider debt consolidation loans, debt management plans, or even debt settlement as viable options to alleviate your financial burden.",
  "summary": "Paying something toward your credit card bill may seem better than doing nothing, but it comes with consequences.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}