What is Payment History?
Credit Card Glossary · Updated April 2026
A record of whether you've made payments on time across all credit accounts. Payment history is the most important factor in your FICO score (35%). Even a single late payment (30+ days) can significantly damage your score and remain on your credit report for 7 years.
Frequently asked questions
What is Payment History?⌄
A record of whether you've made payments on time across all credit accounts.
What does Payment History mean on a credit card?⌄
A record of whether you've made payments on time across all credit accounts. Payment history is the most important factor in your FICO score (35%). Even a single late payment (30+ days) can significantly damage your score and remain on your credit report for 7 years.
What terms are related to Payment History?⌄
Closely related concepts include Credit Score, Late Payment. Each of these helps clarify different aspects of the same topic.
Where does Payment History apply?⌄
Payment History is a credit score concept. It typically appears in the context of credit bureaus, FICO scoring, and credit-building.
More credit score terms
Full glossary
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