CC late payment fee refundable? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

scansinboy · 03-17-2004, 12:30 AM

My story: I have two credit cards, and use one for online purchases only.(Discover) Anyway, I always pay it off in full electronically, but this time it slipped my mind and missed the due date by a day and a half. As a result, I incurred a $25 late payment fee and $9 in finance charges on the balance.

I know it may seem trivial to some, but I pride myself on the fact that the credit card compaies never make any money off of me, since I never carry a balance, and the fact that I slipped up and cost myself nearly $40 that I didn't have to spend just pisses me off. My other CC (Citibank)automatically deducts the full balance from my checking account so I never have to worry about even accidentally forgetting to pay.

My question is, given my history of timely payment and ALWAYS in full, is it worth it to try and ask the CC company to remove (in this case refund, since I sumbitted payment) the late penalty and finance charge? Should I threaten to cancel the account? My credit limit with the Discover card is $7000 and only $3000 with the Citibank.

Any thoughts or input are appreciated.

onetime2 · 03-17-2004, 03:18 AM

Give it a try the worst they can do is say no. I wouldn't threaten to cancel the card but I would tell them that it's something that really bothers you and that you would have expected a little more leeway given your outstanding payment history.

Cynthetiq · 03-17-2004, 08:49 AM

it can never hurt to ask. it may just save you some $

Redlemon · 03-17-2004, 09:09 AM

Be polite, and come up with some reason why it ended up late. I did this once (with Citibank), and they said "OK, but just this one time".

mojobojo · 03-24-2004, 11:14 PM

Ya i had the same thing with my capital one card. I had gone on vacation and forgot to pay the bill before i left. When i called to make a payment they said if i paid the bill plus the late fee they would then credit me back the late fee once it cleared.

macmanmike6100 · 03-28-2004, 11:40 AM

i agree with onetime. the fact that you're reliable is a good thing

I'm a Slacker · 04-13-2004, 05:38 PM

They always say 1 time but I've done it about 5 times on one of my cards.

subz · 05-09-2004, 08:17 PM

I actually work customer service for a bank. Most of the time you are able to get courtesy refunds every so often. Like 1 every 6 months or 12 months. Depends on how much business you are bringing through.

So, if this if your first late payment I'm quite confident you could get it refunded. I probably wouldn't try to tell a story. Just call, verify yourself, and say something to the term of "I recently slipped up and got my payment in a bit late. Considering my flawless history is it possible for you to waive that fee as a courtesy?". That way the rep (who has a goal talk time on the phone) doesn't have to hear an excuse and it sounds very professional. They can tell you yes, and get you off the phone quickly.

Lastly, don't be afraid to ask. Like it was mentioned previously, the worst that can happen is they say no.

03-17-2004, 12:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
scansinboy Insane Location: Milwaukee	CC late payment fee refundable? My story: I have two credit cards, and use one for online purchases only.(Discover) Anyway, I always pay it off in full electronically, but this time it slipped my mind and missed the due date by a day and a half. As a result, I incurred a $25 late payment fee and $9 in finance charges on the balance. I know it may seem trivial to some, but I pride myself on the fact that the credit card compaies never make any money off of me, since I never carry a balance, and the fact that I slipped up and cost myself nearly $40 that I didn't have to spend just pisses me off. My other CC (Citibank)automatically deducts the full balance from my checking account so I never have to worry about even accidentally forgetting to pay. My question is, given my history of timely payment and ALWAYS in full, is it worth it to try and ask the CC company to remove (in this case refund, since I sumbitted payment) the late penalty and finance charge? Should I threaten to cancel the account? My credit limit with the Discover card is $7000 and only $3000 with the Citibank. Any thoughts or input are appreciated. __________________ Don't blame me... I voted for Kodos!

03-17-2004, 03:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	Give it a try the worst they can do is say no. I wouldn't threaten to cancel the card but I would tell them that it's something that really bothers you and that you would have expected a little more leeway given your outstanding payment history. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

03-17-2004, 08:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	it can never hurt to ask. it may just save you some $ __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

03-17-2004, 09:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Be polite, and come up with some reason why it ended up late. I did this once (with Citibank), and they said "OK, but just this one time". __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

03-24-2004, 11:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
mojobojo Upright	Ya i had the same thing with my capital one card. I had gone on vacation and forgot to pay the bill before i left. When i called to make a payment they said if i paid the bill plus the late fee they would then credit me back the late fee once it cleared.

03-28-2004, 11:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
macmanmike6100 High Honorary Junkie Location: Tri-state.	i agree with onetime. the fact that you're reliable is a good thing

04-13-2004, 05:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
I'm a Slacker Upright	They always say 1 time but I've done it about 5 times on one of my cards.

05-09-2004, 08:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
subz Upright Location: Portland, OR	I actually work customer service for a bank. Most of the time you are able to get courtesy refunds every so often. Like 1 every 6 months or 12 months. Depends on how much business you are bringing through. So, if this if your first late payment I'm quite confident you could get it refunded. I probably wouldn't try to tell a story. Just call, verify yourself, and say something to the term of "I recently slipped up and got my payment in a bit late. Considering my flawless history is it possible for you to waive that fee as a courtesy?". That way the rep (who has a goal talk time on the phone) doesn't have to hear an excuse and it sounds very professional. They can tell you yes, and get you off the phone quickly. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask. Like it was mentioned previously, the worst that can happen is they say no.