How to Get Credit Card Fees Waived

Most credit card fees can be waived if you know how to deal with them. Banks and credit card lenders will not waive credit card fees associated with accounts that are sixty days or more past due on their payments, but in most other cases you can save money on your credit cards by following these simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check your credit card statements to understand what fees are being charged by your lender. Any kind of additional credit card fee can be challenged and potentially removed, even overdraft and late fees.

2. Call the bank or lender that issued the credit card. You want to speak to somebody in customer service, not the automated response. Make sure you get through to a credit card customer service specialist.

3. Politely request that they remove the fee from your credit card account. You can ask to remove overdraft fees, late fees, and other kinds of credit card fees.

4. If you are told no, ask again. If you are again told no, ask to speak to a supervisor. It may be that the person you speak to first is not authorized to waive that kind of credit card fee. Ask for the person is can help you.

Tips & Warnings

• Be persistent. 85% of credit card fees can be waived.
• Act immediately, as soon as you discover a credit card fee that you feel should be waived. The longer you wait, the more likely your request will be denied.
• Don't be rude. Politeness helps in getting what you want. Saying "please" and "thank you" can't hurt, and will be greatly appreciated by the credit card customer service specialist.
• Credit card fees for extremely late payments will not be waived. If you are over 30 days late in the past 6 months, or over 60 days late in the past 12 months, your request will probably be denied.

Resources

• How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously