Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Check your balance online
• Method 2 of 3: Call your bank for your balance
• Method 3 of 3: Check your credit card statement
• Warnings
• Tips

If you're about to make a purchase but can't quite remember whether you have enough credit available, there are several ways to access this information and put yourself at ease. The best way to check your balance depends on two things: the amount of information you want and the connectivity and resources you have available. It can be stressful not knowing how much credit you have available on your card, but with one of these methods you can find out quickly and easily.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Check your balance online

1. Go online if possible. If you have access to the internet, your best option is to access your balance online. Most credit card issuers offer online banking or billing that not only allows you to see your balance, but also initiate balance transfers or pay your credit card bill online. This can be done via a computer or smartphone.
2. Go to your credit card provider's website or open the provider's app on your smartphone. If you have a computer, simply go to the company's website. It should be on the back of your credit card. If you have a smartphone, download the app from your credit card provider if they have one. Otherwise, you will have to use the web browser on your phone.
3. Create an online account if you don't have one yet. If you've never signed up for online banking with your credit card provider before, you should be prepared to provide identifying information such as your full credit card number, date of birth, and billing address.
   • You must choose a username and password for your new online account. Choose a username and password that you can remember without writing it down, but that no one else can guess. It's a good idea to use different usernames and passwords for your different online accounts, so don't use the same ones you use for other online accounts.
   • Many financial websites will ask you to link your account to an email address. To create your account, the credit card provider will send you an email with a link to create your account.
4. Log in to your account. To do this you will need to enter your username and password whether you are using the app or a computer. Once you are signed in, find the link for "Balance" and click on it. Here's everything you're looking for - current account balance, recent transactions, and anything pending that could affect available credit.
   • If you are going to make payments online, you will also need to provide information about the bank account from which payments will be withdrawn.
   • Some online services also let you view archived statements so you can compare your credit card balances over time.

Method 2 of 3: Call your bank for your balance

1. Find a phone to use. If you have access to a phone and are only interested in getting your balance, your best bet is to call your card customer service.
   • The advantage of calling is that you can speak to a live representative and access the information you need.
   • The downside is that the waiting time to reach a representative can be long.
   • Another downside is that if you have math questions about past transactions and their effect on your balance, it can be difficult to track over the phone.
2. Gather the information you need before you call. You need a few pieces of information. First, the customer service representative needs personal information to verify your identity. This includes, for example, your Social Security number, date of birth, and answers to security questions you have made, such as your mother's maiden name.
   • Second, make sure the card you are asking for is available. You may be asked for the account number of the card you are calling about.
3. Call your bank's customer service number. The number you want to call is on the back of your card. The vast majority of customer service numbers take you through an automated system that automatically tells you your balance, or gives you the option to hear your balance before reaching a representative.
4. Verify your identity. If you talk to a real person, they will ask you questions to verify your identity. If you are connected to an automated service, you must enter answers to security questions using the buttons on your phone.
5. Indicate that you would like to hear your balance. An automated system will walk you through the steps to get your balance. You will likely be asked to enter numbers on your keyboard to match any choices you have made. If you talk to a representative, they can share the balance with you and answer any other questions you have.
   • You may have to navigate through different menus to get your balance information. The first menu may ask you to enter a specific number for the account you want to access. For example, if you want to check your business credit card, you have to press number 2. The next menu will usually ask you what type of information you want about that account, in this case it's your credit card balance.
   • If for any reason you cannot access balance information through the automated system, a representative can provide you with the same information. You can usually be transferred to a representative by pressing the zero key in an automatic menu.

Method 3 of 3: Check your credit card statement

1. Dig out your credit card statements. If you are not asking questions about fraud or disputing a transaction, the best way to answer questions related to past or ongoing activity is to review your monthly paper statement.
   • Some people choose to receive their credit card statements electronically. If this is the case for you, you should check your credit card account online or check all statements emailed to you.
2. Find the balance on your statement. It should be in a clear and well-marked place on your statement.
   • You can also view the dates covered by the summary to see if you have made any more purchases since the summary was created.
   • The benefit of checking your credit card statements is that you can view additional information such as your total credit limit, remaining credit available for purchases, default interest rate, and remaining credit available for cash advances.
3. Add the total of all purchases you've made since the end of the billing period to your statement balance. The summary you have on hand may not match your most recent purchases.
   • If you can't remember whether you made any more purchases, it might be wise to check your balance in another way.
   • The downside to checking your statement is that since there is about a month between statements, the information doesn't reflect any of the transactions that have been made since your last statement.
   • A statement also gives you a number of other information, including purchases, the default interest rate, and the remaining credit available for cash advances.

Warnings

• Keep in mind that however you access your balance information, any recent purchases that have not yet been credited to your account will not be included in the reported balance.

Tips

• If you keep a ledger of your credit card purchases in between statements, you can use a checkbook-style ledger so you don't have to worry about doing last-minute checks on your credit card balance.
• If you're close enough to your maximum limit to check your balance at the last minute, you've probably used more than 50 percent of that credit card's spending limit. While the specific numbers vary, experts recommend keeping your balance on each card below 30 to 50 percent of your spending limit. If your balance exceeds that limit, your credit score may drop.
• Keeping up to date with how much you owe is a sobering way to remind yourself the importance of living within your means and paying off your debts as quickly as possible.
• Checking the balance of prepaid credit cards should be similar to checking the balance of credit cards that are not. Find the phone number or website where you can check your balance on the back of your card.