Quick summary
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Grace period | None — prepaid; small 1-day buffer |
| Late fee | $0 (no late fee — service suspends) |
| Service suspension | Immediately at end of paid month |
| Account termination | After ~60 days of inactivity |
| Reconnection fee | None — pay current month to restore |
| Credit reporting | No — prepaid model |
| Source verified | May 2026 |
How Cricket Wireless billing works
Cricket Wireless is a prepaid carrier owned by AT&T, using AT&T’s network. Cricket bills work on a monthly auto-pay or manual top-up model — you pay for the next month of service before that month begins.
There is no “bill due date” in the postpaid sense. You either have an active paid month, or you don’t.
Source: Cricket Wireless Terms and Conditions — cricketwireless.com/terms-and-conditions
What happens when payment fails
- Payment fails (auto-pay declined): Cricket attempts to charge again for a short window
- Service suspended: If payment cannot be collected by the renewal date, your service stops — no calls, texts, or data
- ~60 days without payment: Your account may be deactivated and your phone number released
- After deactivation: You may need to set up a new account (and may lose your phone number)
Cricket does not impose a postpaid-style late fee because there is no postpaid balance.
Reconnection
To restore Cricket service after suspension, simply pay for the current month’s plan through the myCricket app or by calling Cricket’s automated payment line. There is no separate reconnection fee — you just pay for the month of service you missed.
If your account has been fully deactivated (typically after ~60 days), you may need to start a new account, and your previous phone number may no longer be available.
Credit reporting
Cricket Wireless does not report prepaid non-payment to credit bureaus. Because Cricket is a prepaid carrier with no outstanding balance, there is nothing to report when you fail to pay.
Exceptions:
- Device financing through third-party partners (e.g., Affirm) is reported by the financing partner, not Cricket
- Outstanding charges from add-ons or features that were not collected could theoretically be sent to collections, but this is uncommon
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my Cricket phone number if I don’t pay? Your number is at risk if your account stays inactive for around 60 days. To keep your number, restore service before this window expires.
Does Cricket have a grace period? Cricket does not advertise a formal grace period. Service typically suspends on the day your paid month ends if payment hasn’t been received. Some accounts may have a 1-day buffer before full suspension.
Can I switch to a cheaper Cricket plan if I can’t afford my current one? Yes — Cricket allows plan changes between billing cycles. You can downgrade through the myCricket app to reduce your monthly cost rather than letting service lapse.
Sources: Cricket Wireless Terms and Conditions (cricketwireless.com). Last verified: May 2026. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cricket Wireless or AT&T. See our disclaimer.