Ways of getting lower card rates balances

mikeg1

I have posted elsewhere on this site, about my specific debt issues. The debts are due to cards - and I am now at last facing full details and working towards options to sort debts. I yesterday spoke to CSSS who were very helpful. I am also looking at other options.

My wife and I both have embarrasing cards debts, and I wondered what the consequences would be of asking the Card companies to reduce the rates on balances. (I can imagine the reply).

Q: Would doing this create any issues on my credit score.

Also if I directly advised the card companies of my difficulty in maintining the huge payments I have, would they listen (heard bad thins about Barclaycard) and offer an interest freeze etc. Again what would this do to my credti score.

My cards are (I have to check my wifes details):

Barclaycard Platinum - £7k - limt £12k - 18.9% apr
Egg - £3k - limt £15k - 19.9% apr
Virgin - £4k - limit £10k - 20.9%apr
MBNA - £7k - limt £7.8k - TBA apr
Lyoyds - £4k - limit £6k - 19.164%

I have done balance transfer before, and can see I might also have some I can do here - any points would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for so many posts.

mikeg1

Further to this, and I can recall historically seeing some similar replies elsewhere assumung on going I want to reduce credit card use is it in my interests should I clear some cards by moving balances cancelling then. Thus having less cards - but the ones I do have wiht less available credit. If someone could suggest a link it would be great. Thanks.