Automatic payments are not the same as internet payments, even automatic internet payments.  This sounds strange, but let me explain.  Most issuers allow you to pay your credit card bill using the internet.  Payments post anywhere from later the same day to 2 or 3 days later.  Some charge extra for same day service, exploiting the procrastinators among us who wait until the due date to make a payment.  Some issuers let you set up automatic payments on the internet, letting you schedule a fixed payment amount every month.  This is usually a safe bet for a card on which you are paying down debt.  If you are actively using a card, an automatic internet payment gives false assurance, as your payment changes every month.

 True automatic payments differ from internet automatic payments in that you can tell the issuer to pay the minimum amount every month, regardless of what that amount turns out to be.  The down side is that issuers