How to check your credit card balance
Managing your credit card balance is an important step in developing good financial habits and health. Your balance includes charges, balance transfers, or cash advances you have made, as well as interest and fees. It's significant for the simple fact that it is the amount of money you owe your credit card company.
Your credit card issuer covers your debt to the merchant, and you should pay the issuer at least a minimum payment each month. When you owe money, your balance is a positive number. When you don't owe money, your balance will appear as zero.
In this article, we'll discuss where to find your credit card balance, including how to check it online and on your phone or mobile device.
Use your bank's mobile app
In most banking apps, you'll find your credit card balance posted rather prominently, and your account activity will be close by—maybe a click or tap away. Of course, you'll have to sign in to view this sensitive information.
When you sign in to your banking app, your accounts should be identified clearly on your home screen. Your credit card's current balance might also be listed. If it isn't, look for a label or menu option to see the details of your credit card account. From there, you can probably view your balance and account activity.
Check your account online
Online account portals can make managing your credit card fast and easy, and viewing your balance is no exception. You'll have to provide your login information to check your account balance online.
After signing in with your username and password, you should see all your accounts with that institution. The home screen may show brief details for your accounts, such as the last 4 digits of your credit card and the current balance. Usually, you can select an account to view and manage it in more detail.
Call your credit card company
Your financial institution's customer service specialists and automated phone systems can usually provide your credit card balance. Refer to the number on your credit card statement or the back of your card when asked for your account number.
When checking your credit card balance by phone, you'll need to verify your identity. You may need to provide your card number and some other personal information, likely your address and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
If you're faced with an automated phone system, don't worry—it can have several benefits:
- You don't have to wait for a specialist.
- The automated system accesses the same information you can view after signing in to your mobile app or bank website.
Just call the number on the back of your credit card to see if it’s possible to obtain your credit card balance.
Check your statements
Paper and digital copies of your billing statement are identical, and both show your credit card balance. You'll also find a list of transactions and, when applicable, interest charges and fees for the statement period.
At this point, it's worth noting that your credit card's statement balance and current balance are not always the same amount. Your statement balance is what you owe on your credit card at the end of your last billing cycle. Your current balance shows the amount you owe at the time you're viewing it or at the time it was printed if you are viewing a paper statement.
When compared with the other options for viewing your credit card balance, checking your billing statement has another benefit. You can usually see how long paying off the balance will take if you pay only the minimum amount due each month, as well as the interest you'll accrue.
The importance of checking your credit card balance
When you have visibility into your balance, you can have control of your financial decision-making. The same is true for all the ways you can manage your credit card to help your credit score, such as paying your bill on time each month. If you want to keep a closer eye on your credit, you can do so with the free tool Chase Credit Journey®.
Recap
Our digital era of banking offers several simple options for checking your credit card balance at your convenience. Besides a mobile app or online account portal, calling your credit card company can be another way to check your balance. Knowing how to check your credit card balance can be a good sign you understand how credit cards work. This is a meaningful step in maintaining your financial health.
