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Free Money? Find Out if Your Credit Card Will Forgive Those Tiny Balances!
Published on January 16, 2026, 2:21 AM

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Ever notice a random charge of 50 cents or a dollar on your credit card statement and think, "Ugh, I have to pay that?" Well, good news! Some banks actually have a "small balance waiver" policy where they'll forgive balances, usually under a dollar, because it's not worth the hassle of processing the payment.

Why does this matter to you? Because you might be able to strategically use this to your advantage! While you won't get rich, you could save a few bucks a year by charging small amounts to cards with this policy. The article lists a comprehensive breakdown of which banks offer this waiver and up to what amount. For example, Apple Card (Goldman Sachs) waives up to $.99, while others like Chase and Bank of America offer nothing.

The article even suggests a clever trick: reload your Amazon account with a small amount (like $.99) each month on cards that offer the waiver. Over time, those little credits can add up! Just be aware that policies can change, so it's always good to double-check with your bank. Happy savings!

Why This Matters for Your Strategy

News in the points-and-miles world moves fast, and promotional changes often have a short window. If this announcement affects a card or program you hold, log into your awardtrail dashboard to check your current benefit usage, bonus progress, and whether a transfer or redemption makes sense right now — before terms change.

As a general rule: transfer points only when you have a specific redemption in mind — transfers are almost always one-way and non-reversible. If you're unsure of the value, check our redemption guides before acting.

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