CALL NOW:

(844) 845-4219
2 people on a trapeze signing a contract (illustrated)

How To Negotiate Lower Credit Card Interest Rates

Debt.com » Credit Card Debt » How To Negotiate Lower Credit Card Interest Rates

Updated

Published


If you want to get out of credit card debt, there’s one big thing that will stand in your way—high interest rates. Credit cards have interest rates that usually run over 20% APR. With rates that high, more than half of every minimum payment you make will get eaten up by accrued monthly interest charges.

That can make paying off your credit card debt difficult, if not downright impossible. So, the first priority as you work to become debt-free needs is to call your creditors and negotiate lower interest rates on your credit cards. This guide will teach you everything you need to know to do that successfully.

How a Lower Interest Rate Can Help You

Even though a credit card issuer is under no obligation to reduce your interest rate, many will oblige if you go about asking them the proper way. And “proper” really is the keyword because the credit card company makes the final decision.

Credit card interest rates explained

But before we begin, let’s define “interest rate.” Interest rate indicates the interest charged on a loan or credit card. It is specified as a percentage and it doesn’t take any other expenses into account. For example, a creditor may offer an introductory rate of 0% APR for 12 months and then raise the rate after that period.

On the other hand, an annual percentage rate or APR includes the interest rate and all other costs or fees associated with acquiring loans from banks or other creditors. Right now, the average credit card APR is around 17 percent, but it fluctuates often. So, make sure you check the average before you call your creditors.

In his book Power Up, Debt.com chairman Howard Dvorkin advises, “Always read the fine print on your credit card contract. By law, credit card companies must show your interest rate, but many people don’t pay attention and they end up paying outrageous rates.”

Why minimum payments and high interest are a bad mix

When you start paying only the minimum monthly payment on your credit card, trouble soon ensues. And here’s why: As you only pay off the minimum amount, your interest charges keep compiling. Very soon, you may not be paying off the balance at all and the time it takes for you to fully pay off the debt keeps rising. If this occurs on more than one card, you’ll find that your debt may grow faster than you can possibly control.

Take this example: A $5,000 credit card debt paid back on a 2% minimum payment schedule (where the minimum payment equals 2 percent of your balance).

Percentage RateTime to Pay Off BalanceTotal Interest Paid
At 12% APR21 years, 7 months$4,544.92
At 15% APR27 years, 7 months$7,517.67
At 18% APR39 years, 4 months$13,396.67
At 20% APR56 years, 5 months$22,126.00

You’ll notice that once the interest goes above 12 percent on a $5,000 debt, the interest charges will be greater than the original debt if you only make the minimum payments. The outcome is a financial situation where you feel like you make payments forever but get nowhere fast.

“Paying only the minimum amount each month puts you on a ‘debt treadmill’ and it exhausts you financially, physically and emotionally,” says Dvorkin. “Pay more than the minimum amount if possible but if you can’t, it’s time to call to your creditors.”

How to Avoid Paying Interest on a Credit Card

If you want to avoid paying any interest, Dvorkin says you should pay off your balance in full each month. As long as you pay off the balance before the end of your grace period, no interest charges apply. The grace period is usually between 21 and 27 days. Credit card companies must mail your statement earlier, so you have time to take advance of the grace period. You can usually find the grace period listed on your credit card agreement.

Even if a credit card has no grace period, you can still use the card interest-free. Simply pay off the balance in-full by the due date. If you do this every month, interest charges never apply.

How to Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate in 7 steps

Negotiating a lower interest rate is almost an art form. It takes finesse, knowledge, and patience. But it’s worth mastering this art form, especially since the reward is a lower interest rate and monthly payment. It can also reduce the amount of time it takes for you to pay off the creditor.

Dvorkin has mastered this art and provided us with these tips.

1. Preparation is key

Before you contact your lenders about your accounts, have all the relevant information recorded in one place. This includes:

  • your current credit card terms, including details such as the grace period
  • statement due date
  • your existing balance
  • your current APR

Review your credit, too. If you have strong credit, you’ll gain some leverage. You should also review your budget, so you know how much you can afford to pay your creditors each month. If you’re negotiating more than one card, focus first on the cards with the highest interest rates. And compare your rates with the rates that others are paying. This will help you determine whether you’re getting fair offers from your creditors.

2. Get credit healthy

Credit card companies will be more favorable about lowering your interest rate if you have a healthy credit history. If you have missed payments or maxed out cards they may not play ball.

“You can’t go to the negotiation table without some leverage,” says Dvorkin. “If your credit score is low because you missed payments or have some other black marks on your credit history,y most lenders won’t help you out.”

Your credit card company will look for:

  • The amount of time you’ve owned the card
  • What your credit limit is
  • The amount you owe on the card compared to the credit limit
  • The amounts you owe on all your cards compared to their credit limits
  • If you’ve made any late payments in the past

If you don’t meet their requirements, take at least six months to make your payments on time and lower your balance. Once your creditors see that you’ve made a serious effort and changed your bad habits, negotiating gets easier.

3. Find competing offers

Credit card companies and banks want to make money. And they won’t make it if they don’t have customers. And customers like the best deals. “Shop around and find the most competitive rates and products available,” says Dvorkin. “Once you find these cards, make certain you know all the details about them, such as the terms, the card’s name and the company. As the negotiation progresses, you can use this information as leverage.”

If the creditor won’t negotiate or offer you a fair deal, at least you have other options. Don’t leave yourself at the mercy of the credit card company. Empower yourself by doing your due diligence. You don’t owe your creditors any loyalty!

4. Stress a short-term solution

Let the creditor know if you are having temporary problems keeping up with your debt payments. Also, reassure them that you are improving your financial situation. For example:

  • you are living on a budget
  • you stopped using credit cards
  • you’ve sold items to help with your payments and savings
  • you’ve gotten a second job

“Explain that you want to repay your debt, but you must lower the amount you’re paying each month,” says Dvorkin. “Let the creditor know exactly how much you can afford to pay. Also, make certain you get the name and title of the person you’re speaking with.”

5. Speak with a supervisor

If you speak with a representative that’s not cooperative, simply ask for a manager. Customer service representatives may not have the power to modify an account. But their direct supervisor probably will, especially if you have a sensible reason for lowering your interest rate. Dvorkin says, “If you’re denied on your first try, hang up and try again at a later date. Some reps are more responsive than others, but asking for a supervisor is essential.”

6. Be polite and patient

Dvorkin has spoken with many clients regarding debt and other financial situations. And one thing he’s noticed is that many people are stressed and impatient. Some people are even vindictive. Don’t be that person. If you want assistance, be polite and courteous.  A cool and collected manner isn’t guaranteed to help you reach your goal. But being nasty or abrupt will definitely damage your chances.

7. Don’t be afraid to walk away

Once you do all your homework and have a few other competing cards that offer great rates and perhaps rewards, call your creditors. If you’re a good customer of several years who always pays on time and they still won’t negotiate, walk away.

“If your creditor won’t cooperate, play hardball,” recommends Dvorkin. “Simply tell them that you have other options and you’ll have no problem making monthly payments to them.”

Negotiating a lower interest rate with a credit card company isn’t hard but it does take diplomacy and some work on your behalf. Just follow Dvorkin’s tips and you can start paying less on your credit cards this month.

Tips for Successful Negotiation

Negotiating a lower APR on your credit card or loan can be a smart way to reduce your financial burden. The key to successful negotiation lies in preparation and strategy. Firstly, you need to understand your current financial standing. Knowing your credit score is crucial, as it significantly influences your bargaining power. A higher credit score typically indicates to lenders that you’re a low-risk borrower, which could lead to more favorable APR terms.

Research is your ally. Look up the prevailing APR rates for similar credit profiles. This information equips you with a benchmark, making your negotiation more fact-based. Websites that compare credit card offers or loan rates can be invaluable resources here.

When you approach your lender, be clear and confident about your request. Explain why you believe a lower APR is justified in your case. Perhaps your credit score has improved since you first received your card or loan, or maybe you’ve been a loyal customer with a solid history of timely payments.

It’s also effective to mention that you’re exploring other options. Lenders are often more willing to negotiate if they believe they might lose your business. However, it’s crucial to do this tactfully; expressing this as a possibility rather than a threat can lead to a more positive outcome.

Remember, negotiation is a two-way street. Be open to counter-offers, and don’t shy away from asking questions. Sometimes, the lender might not lower your APR but could offer other benefits like waiving certain fees.

In essence, successful APR negotiation boils down to being informed, understanding your value as a customer, and communicating effectively. With the right approach, you can potentially save a significant amount of money over time.

What to do if credit card companies won’t negotiate

If your creditors are not willing to work with you to reduce credit card APR, then you need to seek alternate means of debt relief. There are other ways to reduce or eliminate interest charges if your creditors won’t play ball. Depending on your credit, debt, and overall financial situation, you can:

  1. Transfer your credit card balances
  2. Consolidate with a personal loan
  3. Enroll in a debt management program

FAQ About Lower Credit Card Interest Rates

Q:

How do you avoid paying interest on a credit card?

500

You can avoid interest charges by paying the full balance each billing cycle. Just be aware that to avoid interest charges, you must start and end the billing cycle with a zero balance. So, pay off your balances, then pay off new transactions every month. That way, you can use credit interest-free.

Another solution is to use a balance transfer. Transfer your existing balances to a card that offers 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. This will give you time to pay off the balance interest-free. Most balance transfer credit cards offer 0% APR for anywhere from 6 to 24 months, depending on your credit score.

Q:

Can you negotiate your credit card interest rate?

500

Absolutely! Most credit cards have variable interest rates, which can rise and fall for different reasons. You can use this to your advantage. Just be aware that results can vary and some factors are completely out of your control. For example, this year the Federal Reserve has raised benchmark interest rates. As a result, issuers have increased credit card interest rates as well. This may make it harder to negotiate lower APR.

Q:

Can you negotiate with credit card companies?

500

Yes. There are two basic types of credit card negotiation:

  1. Interest rate negotiation like what we describe above is best used when you are current with your payments. In this case, you simply want a better deal as you pay off your debt.
  2. There is also debt negotiation, where you negotiate to pay off your balance in a way other than the standard minimum payment schedule. You can either set up a repayment plan or negotiate debt settlement, so you get out of debt for less than you owe. Debt negotiation is generally used when you’re falling behind.

How Much Could You Save?

Just tell us how much you owe, in total, and we’ll estimate your new consolidated monthly payment.