How to Get a Credit Card Late Fee Waived

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated August 2026
The short answer: Call your issuer, explain it was a one-time slip, and ask them to waive the late fee; many grant a courtesy waiver, especially for a first or rare occurrence with a good history. Separately, if the payment was reported late, ask for a goodwill adjustment, since the fee waiver alone does not undo credit damage.

Just ask, promptly

A late fee is one of the easiest charges to get reversed: call the number on the back of the card, explain it was an honest one-time miss, and ask for a courtesy waiver. Issuers frequently say yes for cardholders who usually pay on time, and some have an automatic first-time forgiveness policy. Asking soon after the fee posts, in a friendly tone, gives you the best odds.

The fee and the credit hit are separate

Reversing the fee does not necessarily fix your credit. A payment is only reported to the bureaus once it is 30 days past due, so a payment a few days late usually brings just the fee. But if it was reported late, separately ask the issuer for a goodwill adjustment to remove the mark, which matters far more to your score than the fee itself.

Prevent the next one

The reliable fix is to never miss again: set autopay for at least the minimum so a due date can never slip past you, and add a calendar reminder for the full payment. A waived fee is a one-time favor; autopay makes it a non-issue. See credit card fees explained.

Frequently asked questions

Will my credit card company waive a late fee?
Often, yes, especially for a first or rare late payment with an otherwise good history. Call and ask for a courtesy waiver soon after the fee posts; some issuers even have automatic first-time forgiveness.
Does waiving a late fee fix my credit?
Not by itself. If the payment was reported 30-plus days late, separately ask for a goodwill adjustment to remove the mark. A payment only a few days late usually is not reported, so only the fee applies.

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Bryce Casson

Written by Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. About the author and how we rank cards.