Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rates

Word Count:
517

Summary:
When you pay a lower interest rate more of your monthly payment goes towards the principal balance. This is because your finance charges are lower on your account. You may also see your payment amount decrease. However, you should continue to pay as much as possible towards your credit card debts.


Keywords:
credit cards


Article Body:
When planning to eliminate your credit card debt, you need to find the lowest possible interest rate. Whether you have your current rates lowered or you transfer your balances to a different credit card, you will save money.

When you pay a lower interest rate more of your monthly payment goes towards the principal balance. This is because your finance charges are lower on your account. You may also see your payment amount decrease. However, you should continue to pay as much as possible towards your credit card debts.

Credit card companies don't usually offer to reduce your rates. However, some card issuers have started offering their good customers temporary rate decreases in order to entice them to spend more.

Get your last credit card statement and a few of the credit card offers you have received. Set aside a time when you can sit and talk on the phone for at least thirty minutes. Make sure you have a pen to write down who you talk with and what they say.

If you are a credit card holder in good standing, all you simply need to do is call your credit card company. Simply tell them that you have received several card offers in the mail from other credit card companies that have lower APRs. Remind them that you have been a good customer and would like to see a lower interest rate on your credit card. If you don't get a lower rate, you just might have to cancel your card and switch companies.

Be persistent. Ask to speak with a supervisor if you are initially turned down. Or you can ask to be transferred to the retention department. You can always try another day. But let them know that you will close your account if your rate is not lowered.

Keep it simple and straightforward when talking with the representative. Ask them what they can do to help you. You may even quote an interest rate offer and ask if they can do any better for you.

If your credit card company won't work with you to lower your rate, simply start shopping for a lower-rate credit card. Follow through on your threat to close the account andd transfer your balance to a lower-rate card.

Most card holders with great account histories will have little trouble getting a lower interest rate. If you have held your account for a long time and currently have a low balance due, you will have a pretty good shot. But regardless of your situation, it never hutrs to ask. At the worst, they will tell you no. You haven't been hurt at all. You are paying the same rate you were. But if they do happen to say yes, you will be paying hundreds of dollars a year less in interest payments.

By lowering your interest rates on your credit cards you will be able to pay your debt off quickly. Take the time to manage your accounts wisely. With a solid repayment plan and the proper management, you can control your debt, instead of it controlling you.