How can you avoid paying a late fee on a credit card?

To avoid paying a late fee on a credit card, it's essential to make at least the minimum payment by the due date. This ensures that you meet the basic requirement set by the credit card issuer, thereby avoiding incurring a late fee, which is charged when payments are not received on time.

Paying at least the minimum payment demonstrates responsible credit behavior and keeps the account in good standing. It's important to note that while paying the full balance at any time can help you avoid interest charges and contribute positively to your credit utilization, it doesn't directly address the possibility of missing a due date if not done on time.

Using the card for emergencies only may help you manage your usage, but it doesn't directly relate to the obligation of making payments on time. Additionally, setting up automatic payments after the due date would not prevent a late fee; instead, it would result in just that—a late payment—thus leading to the very fee you're trying to avoid. Therefore, making the minimum payment by the due date is crucial to avoiding any penalties associated with late payments.