About 10 years ago I was closing some CC's that I never used (this was long before I knew that was a bad thing as far as credit scores go) and was on the phone with Discover. I was asked if there was anything they could do to keep me as a customer. Without even thinking I said "how about a 0% balance transfer for the life of the transfer?". Needless to say I was shocked when he said OK. I then asked if they would increase my CL too and he asked "how much?". I said "$20k?" (about double the CL on the card at the time) to which they agreed. There was one catch....I had to charge at least $1 every billing period to keep the 0% or it would go up to their standard rate. I'm sure they were thinking that I would continue to use the card at the high rate and they could apply only pennies every month to paying that part off or that I would forget and not use the card. But they were wrong. Every month, on the first of the month, I got the card out of my drawer, stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way to work at bought myself a small coffee. Sometimes I would reward myself by going to McDonalds and buying two $1 value meal items for lunch instead. I did that every month for 9 years...NINE YEARS. I've paid that card down from $20k to about $4k in that time and I don't think I've ever exceeded $5 a month in interest charges. Discover gave me a $20k loan for 10 years and has made less than $400 on the deal 
. Finally they gave up and a few months ago I got a letter in the mail saying that I no longer had to make the $1 monthly purchase. I'm sure it had something to do with the new credit card law but I prefer to think that they finally yelled Uncle and gave up.
Not sure I have a point but I think banks think their customers won't be able to follow their rules, are bound to **bleep** it up and that's when they'll stick it to you. With a little discipline you can beat them at their own game.
@Anonymous wrote:About 10 years ago I was closing some CC's that I never used (this was long before I knew that was a bad thing as far as credit scores go) and was on the phone with Discover. I was asked if there was anything they could do to keep me as a customer. Without even thinking I said "how about a 0% balance transfer for the life of the transfer?". Needless to say I was shocked when he said OK. I then asked if they would increase my CL too and he asked "how much?". I said "$20k?" (about double the CL on the card at the time) to which they agreed. There was one catch....I had to charge at least $1 every billing period to keep the 0% or it would go up to their standard rate. I'm sure they were thinking that I would continue to use the card at the high rate and they could apply only pennies every month to paying that part off or that I would forget and not use the card. But they were wrong. Every month, on the first of the month, I got the card out of my drawer, stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way to work at bought myself a small coffee. Sometimes I would reward myself by going to McDonalds and buying two $1 value meal items for lunch instead. I did that every month for 9 years...NINE YEARS. I've paid that card down from $20k to about $4k in that time and I don't think I've ever exceeded $5 a month in interest charges. Discover gave me a $20k loan for 10 years and has made less than $400 on the deal
Not sure I have a point but I think banks think their customers won't be able to follow their rules, are bound to **bleep** it up and that's when they'll stick it to you. With a little discipline you can beat them at their own game.
Hahahaha!!! You gave me a great laugh!!! I totally agree and am equally as stubborn. Good for you!!
Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear of someone who beat them at their own game 