Believe it or not, there are still certain credit card issuers that are willing to take off fees if the customer asks. This assumes that you are a customer in good standing. In other words, you have no late payments, and your balances are not hitting up against your limit, etc.
Ask and be persistent. When approaching your credit card company to ask for leeway in waiving certain charges, you must be persistent. You might even have to ask more than once. There are certain rules to which 'front line' customer service representatives must adhere. Or they simply lack authority to do certain things in dealing with customers. Whatever the case, you must be bold enough to ask or leniency and then if you are rejected, ask nicely to speak with a supervisor. These personnel have more authority to make decisions such as the removing of charges on your account.
Give them a reason. The requirement here is to use your past history as a good reason to grant your request. If you pay consistently, use that information and keep it in front of them to help bolster your case. This helps them realize that they are not dealing with a dead-beat customer, but one who is valued. Avoid making threats and angry outbursts towards them. This is a sure way to get nothing from them. The only time that indignation is appropriate is when they make outright errors on your account. Then, you can be demanding and upset. It is easier to get your way if they are in the wrong.
Here is a technique that can help you avoid that monthly late fee. Auto pay your monthly minimum. Some credit card companies are now offering an autopay system for making the monthly minimums. Caution is in order in using this because giving automatic access to your bank accounts is not a good idea. However, you might consider having a separate bank account from which money can be pulled that is there only to satisfy online payments. That way, no company has the account number and bank routing number to your primary accounts.
Balance pay down. Once you have established the auto pay system above, then you can make your payments towards the balance reduction on your own initiative and time, and they will not be considered late.
Your account credibility is too important to manage in a haphazardly manner. You need to be on top of the changes and charges that are being added to your accounts. If the credit card issuers that you currently have accounts with have email notifications, be sure to use those as well to help you keep informed with account changes. That way, you can respond sooner to changes that you find are made to the terms.
Author: Paul Stabler
About the author:
Paul Stabler, Associate Editor for CreditCardFlyers.com
CreditCardFlyers.com is known for it's leading resources of credit cards and balance transfer credit cards. We provide valuable information in one convenient place so consumers can easily search and compare balance transfers and apply instantly online.
Article source: Free Credit Articles.