How to Get a Credit Card Fee Waived

No matter how good your intentions are when it comes to paying your monthly credit card bill, there may come a time when you are late enough making your payment that the issuing bank or credit card company levies a late fee. If you are a customer in good standing, there is a likelihood that the lender will agree to waive the fee one time.

Things You'll Need

• Lender's customer service phone number
• Copy of the bill showing the fee.

Instructions

1. Call the customer service number located on your credit card statement or on the back of your credit card and politely let the representative know why you are calling. According to Scott Bilker, founder of DebtSmart.com, most banks will say yes to a one-time waiver, if asked nicely.

2. Briefly explain how and why the error occurred and let the representative know that it will not happen again. Have them look up your account or otherwise point out that you are a customer in good standing.

3. Ask to be transferred to a supervisor if the person who answered the phone won't help you. Someone higher in the company may be more willing to waive the fee.

4. If you cannot get the fee waived, remind the representative that you are a customer in good standing, that you typically pay your balance off each month as reflected by your record. Let him know that you may cancel your account in favor of a different credit card or company. Scott Bilker says, "It takes $300 in marketing costs to get one profitable customer, so they will probably not want to lose you."