Did you know? Credit card companies give you one free hit.

MSE_Martin · 31 January 2005 at 12:21PM

Credit card companies aren't renowned for being generous beasts. There are whole stacks of fines piled up for different things. Miss a repayment - they fine you. Go over your credit limit - they fine you. Miss paying off the card in full by just a few pence - they effectively fine you the months interest.

However, don't just settle for this. Most card companies tend to have a loose 'one mistake rule'. In other words, if you're usually a good customer or have just started an account. If you make a mistake, such as paying late, call it up and tell them "it was a mistake, i didn't realise, is there any chance you can wipe the fine this time?"

Most times they'll say yes, so always call up and ask. If they so no, calmly try and persuade them and speak to a superviser. There are no hard fast rules but more often than not it works.

Click reply to discuss.

divadee · 31 January 2005 at 12:31PM

Has happened to my dad, he sent the payment for the full balance(as he always clears it every month) in but they claim they didnt receive it, so they fined him, he called them up, and said ok cancel the card i will pay it all off now again over the phone, but they cancelled the fee and sent my mum a bunch of flowers to say sorry

InsuranceLiability · 31 January 2005 at 12:38PM

Just remember its 'tend to give' and not 'give' - they are perfectly within their rights to not do it.

Margaret_Millne · 31 January 2005 at 1:31PM

My son went overlimit accidentally last month with Egg, first time since he took the card out nearly 2 years ago, and he has always paid on time. They refused to waive the £20 fee.

sleepless_saver · 31 January 2005 at 2:07PM

Every time I've done this - 3 times with credit cards, and once with an accidental overdraft - it has worked. It's definitely well worth trying if it's the first time, and even if you've done it before but it was a long time ago.

Martinslovechild · 31 January 2005 at 6:32PM

It worked for me too. I didn't even ask them - I casually explained that i'd been abroad and had just noticed looking at my online statement that i'd gone over my limit.

The lady said "No problem, I can remove the charge for you on this occasion".

funkymonkey · 31 January 2005 at 8:55PM

i had made a couple of authorisations on my card which would have put me over my overdraft so rang halifax who increased it for me - great!

TREVORCOLMAN · 31 January 2005 at 9:05PM

It helps to be polite when you call them as you are in the wrong. But once it happened to me and I called them - it was Virgin a while ago and once I explained they looked at my history and saw it was a one off and did not charge me. Its always worth a try!

Gillby1 · 2 February 2005 at 6:38PM

I've been charged a few times (I must be more careful!), and I always call the company in question and explain my mistake. They often refund charges, at least partially. Most recently, Capital One refunded half of a £20 charge incurred.

monki_man · 2 February 2005 at 7:33PM

I've recently was late paying my sainsbury's CC bill. They told me I have to wait until next month's statement where there will be a charge of the late payment fee.

If next month shows the £25 fine and the I am successful in removing this fine, will Sainsburys report to Experian thats I've missed a payment? i'm just scared this will hurt me in the long run although this isn't one of my stozzing card.

Reaper · 2 February 2005 at 7:40PM

Yes it will get reported, but a single late payment will make absolutely no difference to your credit rating. If you keep doing it though that's a different matter.

I suggest you set up a direct debit to pay off either the minimum amount or the whole balance each month so you don't have to worry about it.

Did you know? Credit card companies give you one free hit.

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