How to Use your Credit Card Services Department

If you have a credit card, you have certainly seen the number on the back for assistance or help. When you dial that number, you will be connected with your credit card services department, sometimes referred to as customer service or customer care departments. The purpose of these departments are to make sure the customer has everything they need in regards to the card, from discussing your interest rates and payment information to changing your address or making transfers. Knowing how to utilize your card services department can be a benefit and greatly improve your credit card experiences.

One of the things your credit card services department can help with is a late payment. If you know, for certain, that a payment is going to be late, don't be afraid to give them a call. They very well may be able to give you a small grace period or help you with another option so you don't have a black mark on your credit report or pay a late fee. If you do get a late fee, you may be able to call and see if the company will remove the fee. Many major credit card companies will do this for a customer, especially if it has just happened one time. This can also help if you have gone over the limit. If you are able to pay a large amount to them today to get the limit down, they may gladly remove the over limit fee.

Another thing your credit card services department can assist with is called re-aging your account. This is basically a service that may be reserved for those customers who have had a run of excellent payments or no late fees or over limit fees in a set amount of time. For example, you may have had a late fee last year, but since then, you have paid on time and been an excellent customer. A simple call to the card services department can turn back the hands of time and have that late fee and late payment removed from your account forever. This can be helpful if you are trying to clean up your credit report in order to get a home or auto loan.

A third thing you can use card services for is to lower your interest rates. For example, once a year you should contact your credit card companies and ask for a lower interest rate, especially if you have had a good record of payment. They may only lower it slightly, but it can save you money in the long run, especially if you keep the account for years. Though card companies are not required to do this at all, it never hurts to ask and can look better for you on your credit report.

Even a simple call to the credit card company to make sure your information is correct can be helpful. Verifying your name, address and phone number should be done annually as well, especially if you have moved in the last year. Keeping your credit in top shape can save you a lot of money and it can all start with a call to your card services department.