This article is part of the Personal Debt Series, where we offer practical strategies to pay off debt, achieve financial freedom, and find the emotional support you need along the way.

Here are 20 questions you can ask your credit card company to potentially lower your payments or increase your credit score. To help you get the best deal, I’ve categorized and prioritized a checklist. This allows you to ask multiple questions in one call, maximizing your chances of securing a favorable outcome. Bundling questions into one conversation saves time and increases the chance of getting everything you need without needing multiple calls. Companies appreciate efficiency, and combining requests allows them to address several needs at once. If the customer service representative isn’t able to accommodate one request, you can quickly pivot to alternative options that may still benefit you. Also, if the representative you speak to denies your request, consider asking to speak to a supervisor. Sometimes, higher-level agents have more flexibility in making decisions. Calling when the company is least busy, typically mid-week and mid-morning, can increase your chances of getting a helpful representative.

INTEREST RATES AND PAYMENT TERMS:

1. Can you lower my interest rate? Lowering your interest rate directly reduces your payments and can significantly lower the amount of interest you pay over time. Many credit card companies are willing to lower interest rates, especially for long-term customers with good payment histories. Over 70% of people who request a lower APR are successful.

   
   

2. Can you offer a promotional balance transfer rate? A 0% or low-interest balance transfer offer can be a game-changer for paying off existing debt faster and reducing interest payments. Issuers often offer 0% or low-interest balance transfer promotions to attract new customers or retain existing ones. If you have an existing balance with the company, this request has a higher chance of approval.

1. Can you adjust my APR for cash advances or purchases? Lowering the APR for cash advances and purchases will reduce your overall debt, especially if you frequently carry balances. APR reductions for cash advances are harder to negotiate, but some issuers may offer lower rates for certain types of purchases, especially for customers with a history of timely payments. However, be cautious with cash advances, as they often come with high fees and immediate interest accrual, making them a risky way to access funds. This tip is especially useful for those who’ve already made the decision to take out a cash advance and are looking to mitigate the impact.

   
   

2. Can you offer a hardship program to lower my payments? If you qualify for a hardship program, it can provide significant relief by reducing your payments or interest rates temporarily. Credit card companies are more likely to approve a hardship program if you’re experiencing financial difficulty. About 30% of cardholders have been offered a hardship program when they’ve requested one due to financial challenges.

   
   

CREDIT LIMITS AND CREDIT SCORE IMPROVEMENT:

5. Can you increase my credit limit? A higher credit limit can improve your credit utilization ratio, which is one of the most significant factors in boosting your credit score. If your credit score is in good standing and you’ve shown responsible usage, many card issuers will approve a credit limit increase. Nearly 50% of credit cardholders receive an automatic increase, and requesting one can be successful with good credit. In fact, instead of waiting for automatic increases, you can request a higher credit limit shortly after being approved for a new card, sometimes within the first few months, without affecting your credit score. If you request it, some issuers will even increase your credit limit without a hard pull on your credit, which doesn’t impact your score.
   

6. Can you remove any negative marks from my credit report? Having negative marks removed from your credit report can significantly improve your credit score, especially if they are inaccurate or unfair. If you notice a hard inquiry that you believe was unauthorized or if you didn’t get the credit card you applied for, you can request that issuers remove that hard inquiry from your credit report. Credit card companies may also agree to remove late payments or other marks in certain situations, especially if you have a strong history and the mark was due to an isolated issue. Keep in mind, If you miss a payment by a day or two, some issuers may not report it to the credit bureaus right away, giving you time to correct the issue before it affects your credit score.
   

7. Can you provide a credit score update or a report showing where I can improve? A credit score update can help you understand your standing, but it doesn't directly affect your payments or credit score. Many credit card companies offer free credit score updates as a standard service, especially if they partner with a credit reporting agency. They may also provide tips on improving your score.
   

FEES AND PAYMENTS:

8. Can you waive late payment fees or finance charges? Waiving fees for late payments or finance charges directly impacts the total amount you owe and can improve your payment history. Many companies will waive late fees, especially if it's your first time missing a payment. Around 70% of people who asked for a fee waiver got it, particularly if they had a strong payment history.
   

9. Can you waive the annual fee? Waiving the annual fee lowers the cost of having the card, which is beneficial in the long term. Waiving the annual fee can be negotiated, especially if you're a long-time customer or if you're considering switching to a competitor. The success rate increases if you have a good payment history.
   

10. Can you offer a refund on any fees I’ve paid in the past? While this can provide some immediate relief, it's less likely to have a significant long-term impact on your payments or credit score. Refunds are sometimes possible, especially for fees that were charged due to an error or miscommunication.
    

11. Can you review my payment history for potential fee reductions? If you have a good payment history, you may be able to negotiate a reduction in certain fees. If you've been consistently on time with payments, credit card companies may be willing to reduce or eliminate certain fees as a goodwill gesture.
    

FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS AND DUE DATES:

12. Can you set up a lower minimum payment plan for me? A lower minimum payment gives you more flexibility to manage your finances and pay off the debt at a comfortable pace. If you have a solid payment history, and are facing temporary hardship, credit card companies may offer more lenient payment terms.
    

13. Can you offer a grace period on my payment due date? A grace period allows you more time to make your payment, potentially preventing missed payments and late fees. It is often negotiable, especially if you're a long-term customer. If you have a history of on-time payments, there’s a good chance that they will offer flexibility on your payment due date.
    

14. Can you give me an extended payment period to pay off my balance? Request a longer repayment plan to reduce monthly payments, giving you more time to pay off the debt. This type of request involves negotiating a new arrangement where you may be granted additional months (or even years) to pay off your outstanding balance, which would lower your monthly minimum payment. Credit card companies may agree to this option, especially if you’re facing financial difficulties. It’s important to note that extending the term of your loan may result in paying more interest over time. Some credit card companies might also charge a fee for restructuring your repayment plan.
    

15. Can you offer a more flexible payment plan for emergencies or unexpected events?Flexible plans can provide relief when you're facing financial hardship and help you stay current with your payments. Most credit card companies offer some form of emergency assistance, especially for customers facing unforeseen events such as medical emergencies. Flexibility in payment terms is often part of these programs.
    

16. Can you provide me with an alternate due date that better fits my payment cycle? Credit card companies may be flexible with your payment due date if it helps you avoid late payments. However, the company’s ability to accommodate such a change may vary.
    

BILLING CYCLES AND ALERTS:

17. Can you help me set up automatic payments or alerts to avoid late fees? Setting up alerts or automatic payments prevents future late fees but doesn’t directly affect your credit score or reduce existing debt. Setting up automatic payments is a common feature that credit card companies offer to ensure on-time payments. Alerts are also easy to set up and widely available.
    

18. Can you change my billing statement to monthly rather than weekly or bi-weekly? A monthly billing cycle gives you more time to pay your bill and may help avoid late payments or cash flow issues. Credit card companies generally prefer their customers to follow the default billing cycle, but some flexibility can be granted, especially if you're facing a cash flow issue.

    
    

COMPETITOR OFFERS AND CREDIT TERMS:

19. Can you match or beat any competitor's offers, such as lower interest rates or rewards programs? Credit card companies offer many rewards structures, which can be worth negotiating. On average, about 30-50% of cardholders who request a change to better terms or rewards successfully secure a more favorable account. Ask for a no-hassle upgrade to a better card with rewards that match your spending. If you’ve seen offers from competitors that include better rewards or lower fees, mention this during the call. Leveraging competitive offers can help secure a better deal, especially if you’re considering switching to a different card.
    

20. Do you have any special promotions or retention offers? 0% of credit cardholders who called to ask about promotion offers were able to negotiate a better deal. And 1 in 3 cardholders who threaten to cancel their credit card received a retention offer. If you're contemplating canceling your credit card, it can be effective to ask about any special promotions or retention offers they might have for customers who are considering leaving. This could include reduced APRs, waived fees, or even bonus points. If the representative doesn’t offer a good deal initially, don’t hesitate to ask for more. For example, if they offer a 0% APR for six months, ask if they can extend it for a year or if they can waive fees for the next year. Sometimes they can go further than initially stated, but you need to ask. Also, many people don’t realize that after a promotional 0% APR period ends, you can ask your issuer to extend the 0% rate or negotiate a lower rate, especially if you've been a responsible cardholder.

BONUS SECRETS:

1. You can use points to pay off debt: Some credit card companies allow you to use rewards points to offset your statement balance, reducing the amount you owe without spending extra cash.
   

2. You can get a refund on unused benefits: If you haven’t used perks like travel credits or insurance, some issuers will refund the cost of the card’s annual fee.
   

3. You can transfer balance between your own cards: If you have multiple cards from the same issuer, you can often transfer balances between them without triggering a balance transfer fee.
   

4. You can apply payment to you highest interest balances first: If you carry multiple balances, you can request your credit card issuer to apply your monthly payments to the highest interest rate balance first, helping reduce interest charges faster.
   

5. You can pool rewards from multiple cards with the same issuer: If you have multiple credit cards from the same issuer, you may be able to combine your rewards points into one account. This can help you reach higher redemption thresholds faster and unlock better rewards or travel perks. Many issuers allow this but don’t always advertise it.

   
   

Read More:

1. Credit Cards or Alternatives: Choosing the Right Financial Tool for Your Needs

2. 10 Alternatives to Payday Loans

3. From Snowballs to Avalanches: Finding the Right Debt Repayment Strategy

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