Demand A Better Credit Card Deal

Five years ago, it was unheard-of for a credit card company to give a lower rate to a customer who asked for one. Now it's commonplace. If you pay your bills on time, an issuer may lower your rate by 2% to 5% at your insistence.

Here's how: Call the customer-service department and politely tell the representative you are going to close your account because of the high interest rate. Then say you would consider keeping it if the issuer were to give you a lower rate. If the first person you speak with is not helpful, ask to speak to a supervisor. Don't be intimidated. The credit card business is extremely competitive, and most issuers are struggling to keep customers.

Consolidate Your Credit Cards
Here's how: Call the credit card company to which you want to transfer your balances (in this case, the Visa issuer) and...
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Rack Up The Credit Card Freebies
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Open Your Mail
Problem:If you use an introductory rate to pay off balances on higher-rate credit cards, keep in min...
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