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Fees

What is Late Fee?

Credit Card Glossary · Updated April 2026

A charge applied when you fail to make at least the minimum payment by the due date. As of 2026, the CFPB has capped credit card late fees at $8 (previously $30-$41). Late payments can also trigger a penalty APR and negatively impact your credit score.

Frequently asked questions

What is Late Fee?

A charge applied when you fail to make at least the minimum payment by the due date.

What does Late Fee mean on a credit card?

A charge applied when you fail to make at least the minimum payment by the due date. As of 2026, the CFPB has capped credit card late fees at $8 (previously $30-$41). Late payments can also trigger a penalty APR and negatively impact your credit score.

What terms are related to Late Fee?

Closely related concepts include Due Date. Each of these helps clarify different aspects of the same topic.

Where does Late Fee apply?

Late Fee is a fees concept. It typically appears in the context of fees, APR, and how much a card costs to carry.

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