Autopay reduces the chance of missed payments because it automatically executes the scheduled payment on the due date, which typically prevents late fees and late payment marks on credit reports. For many people autopay is a straightforward, low-friction way to maintain on-time payment history — the single biggest driver of credit scores. By preventing forgetfulness, autopay helps preserve credit access and avoids penalty fees that compound debt. That said, autopay is not a free pass; you must ensure the payment source has sufficient funds to avoid overdraft or returned-payment fees, and autopay can keep a subscription or service active that you no longer use unless you review recurring charges.

Combine autopay with active monitoring: set a calendar reminder to review recurring payments monthly or quarterly, check account statements for unexpected charges, and set low-balance alerts so autopay won’t trigger overdrafts. For credit cards, consider setting autopay to pay the statement balance to avoid interest on new purchases; if that’s not feasible, at least pay the minimum to keep accounts current while you address cash flow. For subscription services, pair autopay with an annual audit so you don’t keep paying for unused services. In short, autopay is an effective tool to avoid late fees and maintain payment history — just pair it with periodic reviews and safeguards so it serves convenience without costing you in other ways.