Credit cards can be useful tools or they can be problematic if you've racked up more debt than you can afford to repay. Fortunately, there are options for dealing with credit card debt, including negotiating lower interest rates with your creditors and refinancing credit cards to reduce monthly payments.
Why creditors are willing to negotiate
When consumers default on their credit card debt, there are a couple of consequences that can come up for the creditor:
- They write off that debt, meaning they’re declaring the money uncollectible in exchange for being able to report it as a loss on their taxes
- They sell the debt to collections, typically for pennies per dollar owed (read: it’s a massive loss)
Expert insight: “By negotiating the debt, the creditor may recover at least a portion of the amount owed, while the debtor can potentially avoid costly legal fees associated with debt collection. This process can ultimately provide a mutually beneficial outcome for all parties involved,”
— Markia Brown, certified financial education instructor and board-certified credit score consultant.
Negotiating your debt could also help you avoid things like wage garnishment and other negative marks on your credit report, such as closing a long-standing account and having a defaulted debt on your record.
It can also help you secure credit in the future by preserving your credit score. And, of course, if you can negotiate the repayment amount down, that can help you get out of debt faster and more easily.
Steps to negotiate your credit card debt
- Assess your financial situation: In order to come up with a solution that fits your needs, you need to understand exactly what kind of deal will be affordable for you based on your outstanding balance, interest rate, minimum monthly payment, as well as your income and other financial obligations. You’ll also want a backup plan, in case your original plan is rejected.
- Review your options for negotiating: There are several options for negotiating, including hardship agreements, lump-sum settlements, and a workout agreement. (More on those later.)
- Research your creditor's policies and negotiation practices: Some creditors may have policies in place that will limit your ability to negotiate, so familiarizing yourself with those beforehand can help you work within their practices to reach a good outcome.
- Negotiate with your credit card company and explain your terms: Armed with all of the above information, you can contact your creditor’s debt settlement department, begin the negotiations process, and present your plan. Remember: Politeness is key here.
- Take notes and make sure to follow up: There will likely be a lot of new information provided during negotiations, so you’ll want to take notes — especially regarding any repayment terms and potential penalties, and whether or not any follow-up is necessary to finalize things.
- Finalize and record your agreement: Once you and your creditor have agreed to terms, you’ll be able to finalize the agreement, which may be accomplished via email or by signing a form. Be sure to make a copy of this and save it in an accessible format. This will help you avoid any potential hiccups later on.
3 options for negotiating debt settlements and agreements
If you have a large credit card balance, you might be able to negotiate a debt settlement or agreement with your card issuer to manage it.
But before you contact your credit card company, it’s important to compare your negotiating options so you can decide which one is best for your financial situation.
Here are three strategies to consider when negotiating a debt settlement or agreement:
1. Hardship agreement
Best for:
- Long-time credit card users who have a good history with their card issuer
- Borrowers who need emergency, short-term assistance
- Borrowers who want to maintain a decent credit history
Several credit card companies offer hardship programs for borrowers facing financial difficulties. For example, you might be able to reduce your monthly payments, lower your credit card interest rate, have fees waived, or agree to a repayment plan that better suits your needs.
Keep in mind that assistance options vary by company as well as by your individual hardship. You’ll need to contact your card issuer to see what help is available to you.
Drawbacks:
- New cardholders might not be eligible
- Could extend the amount of time you remain in debt
- Might be hard to get back on your feet financially before a short-term relief plan ends
2. Lump-sum settlement
Best for:
- Borrowers whose credit card accounts have been delinquent for a long period of time
- Borrowers with enough cash to make a reasonable offer
- Borrowers whose credit has already been damaged
If you are quite far behind on credit card payments and don’t see a way out, you could consider asking about a lump-sum settlement. This is when you settle with your credit card company for a percentage or portion of your outstanding debt rather than the full amount.
How much you might be able to settle for will depend on your card issuer, how much you owe, how many payments you’ve missed, and how much you’re able to reasonably pay back.
Drawbacks:
- Third-party companies offering debt settlement could be running scams
- Low success rate unless you’re particularly far behind on payments
- Can be difficult to negotiate before your account is charged off and sent to collections
3. Workout agreement
Best for:
- Borrowers that haven’t missed a payment yet (or aren’t too far behind on payments)
- Borrowers who want to work with a credit counselor to come up with a repayment plan
- Borrowers who are facing long-term financial hardship but can afford to make at least partial payments each month
Another potential strategy is a workout agreement. With this option, you’ll negotiate a structured repayment plan with your creditors where you’ll pay off your credit card debt over a period of time.
You can also ask to modify your terms to make it easier for you to repay your balance in a shorter amount of time. For example, your card issuer might be willing to waive fees, lower your interest rate, or reduce your monthly payment.
Drawbacks:
- Can keep you in debt for a longer period of time, as you’ll still need to pay off your balances
- Card issuers might cut off access to your cards so you can no longer use them
- Loss of credit could negatively affect your credit score by increasing your credit utilization ratio
Other credit card debt solutions
While negotiating a settlement or other agreement with your card issuer might be a good choice in some cases, it isn’t right for everyone. Here are a couple of other options that could help you get out of credit card debt.
Balance transfer card
With a balance transfer, you’ll move your credit card balance from one card to another. Balance transfers are best used with a 0% APR introductory offer — which means you could avoid paying interest if you can repay your balance before the promotional period ends.
However, if you can’t pay off the transferred amount in time, you could get stuck with hefty interest charges. You'll also be assessed a balance transfer fee initially, which could be up to 5% of the amount you transfer and is added to your balance. If you’re considering this option, be sure to carefully read the fine print so there are no surprises down the line.
Balance transfer card pros and cons
Pros
- Might be able to avoid paying interest through a 0% APR introductory period
- Some cards offer perks or rewards, such as cash back or travel points
- Could help you rebuild your credit if you keep the card open
Cons
- Typically charge a balance transfer fee from 3% to 5%
- Could be tempting to rack up a balance again
- Often not suitable for large amounts of debt
Compare: Debt Consolidation vs. Balance Transfer
Debt consolidation loan
Another option is using a personal loan to consolidate your debt — leaving you with just one loan and payment to manage. Personal loans typically range from $600 to $100,000 or more, depending on the lender.
Additionally, these loans often have lower interest rates than credit cards, which means you might be able to save money on interest and potentially pay off your debt faster.
Debt consolidation loan pros and cons
Pros
- Lower average rates than credit cards
- Consolidate multiple types of debt
- Long repayment terms are available
- Suitable for large debt amounts
Cons
- Hard to qualify without good credit
- Might have origination fees
- Total interest costs could be higher if a long repayment term is selected
Debt consolidation loan lenders
Check Out: Best Personal Loans for Debt Consolidation
Credit counseling and debt management plans
Credit counseling organizations are typically nonprofits that might be able to help you in a variety of ways, either for free or at a low cost. Common services include helping you create a budget, offering financial education, and setting up a debt management plan (DMP).
A DMP offers a strategic approach to repaying your debts. Your credit counselor can often negotiate lower interest rates, lower monthly payments, and/or reduced fees with your creditors. However, you pay the counseling agency directly (instead of your creditors), which then remits payments to those creditors. You often aren't able to use any credit cards you have enrolled in the plan. Unlike debt settlement, you'll still need to pay the full principal balance. These plans typically run from three to five years.
Debt management plan pros and cons
Pros
- Can protect and possibly improve your credit
- You don't need good credit to qualify
- Low cost
- Administered by licensed credit counseling agencies
- Negotiates lower rates, longer repayment terms, or reduced fees
Cons
- You'll need adequate income to qualify
- Can't use credit cards that are in the DMP
- Could last up to 5 years
- May be ineligible for new credit while enrolled
Bankruptcy
There are two types of bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 requires you to sell non-exempt assets to pay your debt. Any amount left is typically discharged (with some exceptions). You'll need to meet income requirements to qualify for Chapter 7.
Chapter 13 doesn’t require you to sell assets. Instead, you'll agree to a repayment plan (ranging from three to five years.) Anything left after you've successfully completed the plan is eligible to be discharged.
Given the legal and sometimes complicated nature of bankruptcy, it's best to consult with an attorney before pursuing in order to fully understand the implications, consequences, and benefits for your situation.
Bankruptcy pros and cons
Pros
- Filing stops all collection activity
- Can provide a partial or full debt discharge
- Isn’t contingent on credit to qualify
Cons
- Will impact your credit for 7 to 10 years
- Social stigma
- You may need to liquidate non-exempt assets
- Attorney and filing fees
Compare: Debt Consolidation vs. Bankruptcy
Other debt relief options
There are also companies that offer to help with credit card debt. However, while credit card debt can feel overwhelming, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of seeking assistance from these companies first.
Debt settlement companies
These are typically for-profit companies that will negotiate with your creditors to reduce the amount you owe. In most cases, you’ll have to pay money into an escrow-type account, which they’ll use to negotiate the settlement on your behalf.
These companies typically charge a fee if they successfully settle even a portion of your debt — usually 15% to 25% of your total debt.
Keep in mind that debt settlement companies often ask you to stop making your monthly payments during the negotiation, which can lead to fees and severe damage to your credit, as well as possible legal action. Additionally, your card issuer(s) might not accept any settlement.
Important
Use caution if considering a debt settlement company. You could face severe credit damage, creditor phone calls, and possibly lawsuits.
FAQ
Can negotiating credit card debt have an impact on my credit score?
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How can I determine if my credit card company is open to debt negotiation?
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Can credit card debt negotiation help me avoid bankruptcy or other debt management solutions?
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