Confused about how your credit card autopay interacts with your manual payments? You're not alone! Many of us rewards enthusiasts like to strategically pay down our balances throughout the month to free up credit or manage our credit utilization (the amount of credit you're using compared to your total credit limit, which impacts your credit score). But what happens when you've already made a payment, and then autopay kicks in? Will you get hit with a double charge?

It turns out, the answer varies WILDLY by bank. Amex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Discover, Synchrony and Wells Fargo will generally adjust your autopay to reflect any payments you've already made. However, Bank of America, Barclay's, US Bank and Target will proceed with the full autopay amount, even if you've paid some or all of the balance. This is CRITICAL to know to avoid overdraft fees! Some banks like Bank of America might cancel your autopay altogether if you make a payment before the due date.

So, what's the takeaway? Be aware of your bank's specific policy. If you're with a bank that doesn't adjust autopay, make sure you have enough funds in your account to cover the full statement balance on the autopay date. Or, you can do what the author does and ditch autopay altogether! Knowing these nuances can save you from unexpected fees and keep your finances (and travel hacking) on track.