topic Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover in Credit Cards

Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:53:58 GMT

I've been trying with Chase since last year and everytime they say no. One of the times I asked if I could talk to someone else about it (supervisor, etc) but again they said no, they said they are the ones that decide. Other times I'm told that my rate is the lowest they currently offer. Right now it's at 12.99%.

My rate on my Discover card is 16.99% and I'll be asking them for a reduction for the first time.

Any tips on what I can do?

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Creditaddict — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:59:55 GMT

depending what kind of Chase card you have. 12.29 might be lowest.

Discover seems a little high, but in the past when I did have discover I never was successful at a lower rate.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

MidnightVoice — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:09:26 GMT

Rewards cards are typically much higher APRs than non reward cards. My Chase is about 13% now I think. I have a non rewards CU card with a low fixed rate for emergencies when I might need to carry a balance.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:11:25 GMT

I have an Amazon Chase card. Can't they lower the rate anyways? If I enroll in a program with Take Charge America, wouldn't Chase lower the rate for them?

I hope I have better luck with Discover

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:06:50 GMT

Be happy with what you got If you call them you might get CLD or Rate Jacked.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:08:37 GMT

USAA is giving out 4% right now guess the credit crisis isn't hurting them thank god !!

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:17:32 GMT

Seriuosly, they have done that? o_0

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:51:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I'm told that my rate is the lowest they currently offer.

Chase is lying if they are telling you that, my Disney visa rate just got lowered to 5.54%.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:29:34 GMT

I have a Chase card that is 13.99% for purchases. I called them to see if they would lower the APR on this card. They informed me that is the lowest they could provide based on the type of card that I have. So, they are not lying when they inform you that is the best they can do.

You could apply for another Chase card with lower APR's and do a balance transfer depending on your current balance and the amount of credit limit you receive with the newer card.

Check out their Web Site on the various cards that they issue.

I did it and with no problems.

Just a suggestion.

Message Edited by Cleanmachine on 12-18-2008 05:29 PM

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:40:55 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have a Chase card that is 13.99% for purchases. I called them to see if they would lower the APR on this card. They informed me that is the lowest they could provide based on the type of card that I have. So, they are not lying when they inform you that is the best they can do.

You could apply for another Chase card with lower APR's and do a balance transfer depending on your current balance and the amount of credit limit you receive with the newer card.

Check out their Web Site on the various cards that they issue.

I did it and with no problems.

Just a suggestion.
Message Edited by Cleanmachine on 12-18-2008 05:29 PM

You can go under the advertised rate. I have the Chase Freedom Signature Visa The last publised rate advertised was 13.99%. My APR is less.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

haulingthescoreup — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:43:33 GMT

armywifey85 wrote:

USAA is giving out 4% right now guess the credit crisis isn't hurting them thank god !!

FWIW, I just got a letter from them yesterday saying that they were raising the basic rate on all their cards to 11.99%, and that it was unrelated to the status of one's individual credit.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:21:47 GMT

I called both today to request lower rates. We paid off all of our cc debt about 6 months ago and I thought it was time to try for lower rates. Chase went from 18.99% to 12.99 % no problem ($200 balance on $3600 limit). She did say that was the lowest rate right now. Discover went from 18.99% to 1.9% for 6 months ($0 balance on $2500 limit). I will have to call in 6 months to check on rates again because it will revert to 18.99%, but I have no problem with calling again.

On a side note, I also called HHBank and they lowered the rate from 17.99% to 9.99%.

Good luck, they really seem willing to work with you! Maybe the holiday spirit??

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

CreditAble — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:46:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

If I enroll in a program with Take Charge America,
wouldn't Chase lower the rate for them?

If Chase thinks you are in financial trouble
you might get your rate jacked.

Be careful.

Do you have high utilization?

Message Edited by CreditAble on 12-19-2008 04:46 AM

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

JRInWA — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:29:43 GMT

When I requested a CLI for my ChaseFreedom Visa in September (opened 6/2007), I also requested a rate reduction from 13.99% Variable Rate and 21.99% Cash Advance Rate. They increased my CL and gave me two options:

9.99% Fixed Rate 19.99% Cash Advance Rate

7.99% Variable Rate 19.99% Cash Advance Rate

I took the fixed rate.

Also, when I requested a CLI for my Chase BP Visa last month (opened 8/2008), I also requested a rate reduction from 16.99% Variable Rate and 22.99% Cash Advance Rate. They increased my CL and reduced my rate to:

6.99% Fixed Rate 19.99% Cash Advance Rate

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

itsjustmeibe — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:39:44 GMT

You can't balance transfer from one Chase card to another Chase card.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:13:34 GMT

Yes, they reduced my credit limit but even before that I already had a high balance.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:14:09 GMT

So how do you request a rate reduction? Just ask nicely? Are there some keywords I should use?

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:58:53 GMT

OP, in order to get an APR reduction from Discover, your account has to be open for at least a year. Then they send you a form in the mail where you request it officially, as well as write your explanation on the area provided.

They sent me the form, but I never sent it back since my account has been opened for a year. The CSR didn't inform me of that. It was the first thing printed on the form.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

CreditAble — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:53:00 GMT

javi84 wrote:
So how do you request a rate reduction? Just ask nicely? Are there some keywords I should use?
I would just ask nicely.

I would not give any signs that I am having trouble making payments. If your credit line is having the CL decreased as you pay down the balance, (chasing the balance), that could suggest that the company considers you somewhat of a risk. The CCC might consider giving you an interest rate reduction if it feels that it will motivate you to pay down the balance faster.

Key words to CSR: "You can see by my record that I have been paying down my balance". I would like to make even bigger payments. Is it possible to get an interest rate reduction so that more of the extra payments will help reduce the principle?"

You did say that you have reduced the balance already? Promise to reduce it much faster if you get some help with the interest rate. The answer will give you some insight about how the creditor views your account status.

Of course if you do get the reduction you should make the effort to make bigger payments. A few months later you can rinse and repeat.

Key words:
"Notice how much I paid the balance down since my last interest rate reduction. I want to pay down the balance even faster. BTW, can you lower the interest rate even further?"

Javi,

I call my plan "chasing the interest rate down" as they "chase the balance down". Actually Debt Management Companies get interest rates lowered by suggesting that company will get more of its money back by helping the consumer avoid complete default.

The idea I am proposing is basically doing the same thing. You simply are not admitting that you are in financial trouble, and you won't have your credit score trashed.

Banks are worried about defaults. Make them give you lower interest rates in exchange for your assurance that you will not default. That is why you should reward the act of lowering interest rates by raising your payments. It might be a little tough to do, but it should be very financially rewarding in the long run.

Other Key words: I really like your credit card and I would like to use it more frequently after I get the balance paid off and I start PIFing every month.

Be positive and avoid words like I will "try". If you have already reduced your balance. You have earned the right to say that you will do something and expect that they will believe. Stand on your record as you make future commitments. Then stand on that new record to gain more concessions.

Re: Any tips on how to get a rate reduction from Chase and Discover

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:02:41 GMT

@CreditAble wrote:

I would just ask nicely.

I would not give any signs that I am having trouble making payments. If your credit line is having the CL decreased as you pay down the balance, (chasing the balance), that could suggest that the company considers you somewhat of a risk. The CCC might consider giving you an interest rate reduction if it feels that it will motivate you to pay down the balance faster.

Key words to CSR: "You can see by my record that I have been paying down my balance". I would like to make even bigger payments. Is it possible to get an interest rate reduction so that more of the extra payments will help reduce the principle?"

You did say that you have reduced the balance already? Promise to reduce it much faster if you get some help with the interest rate. The answer will give you some insight about how the creditor views your account status.

Of course if you do get the reduction you should make the effort to make bigger payments. A few months later you can rinse and repeat.

Key words:
"Notice how much I paid the balance down since my last interest rate reduction. I want to pay down the balance even faster. BTW, can you lower the interest rate even further?"

Javi,

I call my plan "chasing the interest rate down" as they "chase the balance down". Actually Debt Management Companies get interest rates lowered by suggesting that company will get more of its money back by helping the consumer avoid complete default.

The idea I am proposing is basically doing the same thing. You simply are not admitting that you are in financial trouble, and you won't have your credit score trashed.

Banks are worried about defaults. Make them give you lower interest rates in exchange for your assurance that you will not default. That is why you should reward the act of lowering interest rates by raising your payments. It might be a little tough to do, but it should be very financially rewarding in the long run.

Other Key words: I really like your credit card and I would like to use it more frequently after I get the balance paid off and I start PIFing every month.

Be positive and avoid words like I will "try". If you have already reduced your balance. You have earned the right to say that you will do something and expect that they will believe. Stand on your record as you make future commitments. Then stand on that new record to gain more concessions.

Thanks, I gave it a try and Chase gave me the usual "we're sorry but that's the lowest we can offer, call back in a few months". Discover was more helpful, they lowered it from 16.99% to 14.99%. Not a whole lot but definately helpful.