How to Negotiate Credit Card Debt

Negotiating credit card debt can be daunting, but it can also help you get back on track. According to TransUnion, American credit card debt reached $1.115 trillion, with the average American owing $6,295 as of January 2024. The average APR (annual percentage rate) hit 22.63% in February 2024, according to the Federal Reserve.

More people than ever are looking for a way out. Negotiating with credit card companies for lower monthly fees or settling balances can feel like the only option. Before you go this route, it’s important to understand how the process works, the potential consequences, and what you can negotiate for.

Why credit card issuers agree to negotiate

Credit card debt is unsecured. This means that when you can’t pay your bill, the credit card company cannot seize your assets. Yes, there are consequences, but they don’t affect your immediate well-being. So, when money is tight, these bills are typically the first to go.

Companies know this and want to get paid. The more bills you miss, the less likely you are to pay. Creditors can take legal action or sell accounts to collection agencies, but both options are costly. It can be in their best interest to negotiate with you and recoup a portion of the amount owed rather than nothing at all.

Customer retention is another reason. Financial institutions prefer to maintain positive customer relationships and avoid negative publicity associated with aggressive collection practices.

What is credit card settlement?

Credit card settlement is when you pay off your balances for less than you owe. Either you or a debt settlement company negotiates with the issuer to pay a reduced amount at once or set up a repayment plan. The idea behind both is to pay off your balance for less than the full amount owed.

How much you can negotiate for varies widely. Typically, settlements range from 30% to 70% of the total due. The exact amount depends on factors like your financial situation, the account’s age, and the creditor’s policies.

Credit card settlement options

Learning how to settle credit card debt can provide significant financial relief and help you regain control of your finances. There are three main types of settlement. You can negotiate a lump sum payment, workout agreement, or hardship plan.

Lump sum payment

A lump sum settlement for credit card debt is when you settle your balance by making one big payment for less than the total amount owed. This is also known as paying off a credit card at a full discount. You can either negotiate yourself or hire a debt settlement company to do it for you.

Often, the credit card company will agree to accept the principal amount and forgive the accumulated interest and fees. For example, say you owe $8,000. The card issuer may agree to a settlement of $6,500 (the actual money you spent) and forgive the rest.

For the creditor to accept a settlement, you must have the cash on hand. They will want to receive the money immediately in exchange for agreeing to a lower payment.

It can be appealing to negotiate a settlement and pay off your balances for less. The problems are that you must have a substantial amount of cash saved, your score will suffer, and the forgiven amount is considered taxable income.

Workout agreement

A workout agreement is when you permanently negotiate terms to make monthly payments more manageable. Your creditor may agree to lower your interest rate or waive it altogether. They may reduce the minimum monthly payment or forgive past late fees. They also may lower the amount of available credit you have or even close your account.

Workout agreements are beneficial if you have a steady income but struggle to keep up with the monthly payment due to accruing interest charges or fees.

Negotiating a workout agreement can be beneficial to your credit score, as long as you make your newly negotiated payments on time.

Hardship program

A hardship program, also known as a forbearance, is an option if you’re experiencing financial difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances. Job loss, medical emergencies, divorce, or other significant life changes qualify. If you happen to be in this situation, please call your credit card issuer right away and ask what you can do before you start missing payments.

You may be able to negotiate lower interest rates, suspend fees, or reduce the minimum payment temporarily. Some may even let you skip a few payments.

Hardship plans have a deadline. They are short-term solutions lasting anywhere from six months to a year. To qualify, you will need to provide documentation of your financial hardship. These programs can prevent your account from going into default, your score from suffering, and relieve stress.

Negotiate reduced payments vs. debt settlement

When you want to negotiate with creditors, you have two main options: reduced payments or settlement.

Reducing your monthly bills can make them manageable and set you on the right track to paying off your balances. This is a good route if you have a track record of on-time payments or are facing temporary financial hardship. Creditors are more willing to lower interest rates or waive fees if they know you are highly likely to pay them.

Settlement is a more drastic solution. You will only be able to negotiate this if you are already behind on your payments and creditors are desperate to be paid something.

If you choose to negotiate a settlement, you will likely save money but hurt your score. Negotiating lower costs is the better solution if you can afford consistent payments.

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How to negotiate credit card debt settlement yourself

Knowing how to negotiate with credit card companies to reduce your balance can help you pay what you owe effectively and potentially save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. To get started:

1. Gather your documents and prepare
2. Know what you want to ask for
3. Call your issuer
4. Get everything in writing

Let’s go over how to negotiate.

Assess your debt

Take a close look at your personal finances. Gather all your statements and calculate the total amount owed, your monthly income, and essential expenses. Confirm your interest rates and fees. Then, figure out what you can realistically afford to pay.

Next, decide what form of relief you want to negotiate for. Knowing “how much can I settle a debt for” can give you the confidence to enter negotiations and seek the best possible terms.

Call your creditor

Now it’s time to contact your credit card company. Be prepared to explain your situation and why you cannot meet the current terms. Stay calm, polite, and persistent. You may have to call back several times or ask to speak with a supervisor.

If you’re thinking about bankruptcy, let them know. It may make them more willing to negotiate.

Take detailed notes of each conversation. Write down the names of the representatives you speak with and the specifics of what was discussed.

Ask about hardship programs

Many companies offer programs for customers experiencing financial difficulties. You may be able to reduce interest charges, waive fees, or lower your monthly payments temporarily. Ask your card issuer if you qualify.

Negotiate a payment plan

If you don’t qualify for a relief program or the available programs don’t meet your needs, request a more manageable payment plan. This could involve extending your repayment period, reducing your interest rate, or negotiating a settlement if you have some funds available.

Get everything in writing

Once you reach a verbal agreement, ask for documentation. For the deal to be legally binding, you must get it in writing. Also, ask about the consequences of missed payments. Some companies will revoke a deal if you’re late with a payment.

If negotiating on your own feels overwhelming, consider having a third party negotiate on your behalf. Credit card debt settlement services negotiate with your card issuer to reduce the total amount owed. These companies can often secure more favorable terms due to their negotiation experience and established relationships with creditors.

Alternatives to debt settlement

If you’re wondering how to lower credit card payments but don’t want to negotiate, you do have other options. Two popular choices are consolidation loans and debt management plans.

Debt consolidation

A consolidation loan involves taking out a new personal loan and then using that to pay off multiple credit cards. You end up with one monthly payment, ideally with a lower APR.

A similar solution is a balance transfer card. This is when you consolidate balances onto one card with a low promotional APR. If you have a good credit profile, you may be eligible for balance transfer offers.

Consolidating your balances can be a powerful tool for credit card reduction, making payments easier and more affordable.

Debt management

A debt management plan (DMP) involves working with a credit counseling agency. The agency will negotiate with creditors on your behalf for a lower interest rate and waived fees. You then make one lower monthly payment to the agency that distributes the money to your creditors. A DMP will help you pay what you owe over three to five years and establish a positive credit history. One catch is that you will have to close your credit accounts and rely on cash or a debit card.

Debt management program vs. debt settlement

The best way to resolve credit card debt depends on your personal finances. If you can afford to pay a reduced amount each month for a DMP, then this is the better option. You will save money and do less damage to your score.

Settlement is tempting but costly. Most debt settlement companies ask you to stop making payments. This will damage your score greatly, plus there are tax implications and potential fees. Debt settlement companies charge fees of 15% to 25% of the original amount owed, eating into your savings.

Choose the method that fits your finances and negotiation skills.

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How settlement affects your credit

Workout agreements and hardship plans do not hurt credit scores much as they depend on continuous, on time payments. Your score may suffer initially if the creditor closes an account or lowers your limit.

A lump sum settlement is a different story. For the company to accept a reduced amount, you must be behind in your payments. Missing a single payment can drop your score by as much as 100 points. Stopping paying altogether will significantly hurt your score. A note will also be added to your credit reports showing that the account was “settled for less.” This negative mark will stay on your credit reports for seven years. Additionally, any forgiven debt over $600 is considered taxable income by the IRS.

Bottom line

Credit card debt can be overwhelming, but avoiding it will only worsen it. High interest card balances can easily escalate and grow out of control. The best way to settle credit card debt depends on your personal finances. Before you pick up the phone to negotiate, get credit counseling. A credit counselor can help assess your personal finances and point you in the right direction.

If you decide to negotiate with your card issuer, know what you want and come prepared. Once you have your agreement, honor it. Negotiating can be stressful, and it’s not without risks; it can bring sweet relief.