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For most who hold credit cards, an annual fee is usually involved. While the amount may be a pittance to some, we typically do not want to pay for the service. The arguments against paying the annual fee becomes even more apparent with the rise in Free-For-Life credit cards where there are no annual fees involved. So how then does one go about escaping this charge? How should we go about getting the fees waived? Surprisingly, the process is not as difficult as some would like to think.

What NOT to do
First things first, there is little point calling the credit card company and threatening to terminate you subscription. This is by far the worse approach that one can take. For one, it is a stressful process, for another, it usually leaves a bad aftertaste. Especially when your threats fall on deaf ears and get tossed out with yesterday’s garbage. People should realise that threats do not work. What makes anyone think that the person on the other end of the line gives a damn whether or not you stay with the service or not. To them, you’re just another person out to get a free ride. They have to deal with a thousand such threats on a daily basis. The standard operation procedure would be to accept your termination, log it, and sign off.

Secondly, when you do eventually call the credit card company about the annual fee, don’t go about it sheepishly. You know you want the fee waiver. They know you want the fee waiver. The credit company is prepared to give you the fee waiver. Don’t beat around the bush. Be straight and blunt about it. The person in the call centre will appreciate your not wasting their time.

How to go about it
As I have mentioned, it is not that difficult to get your fees waived. Before calling up the credit card company, be sure that you have all the necessary details. They’ll very likely ask you for your credit card number as well as some personal questions for verifying your identity. Make sure you know the answers. It would be suspect if you didn’t know your mother’s maiden name. Some companies employ a telephone pin system for their call centres and helpline. If you have not registered for it, do so before calling in. It makes life easier for everyone.

Once you have everything on hand, give them a call. Request to speak with an operator. Tell them that you’re calling regarding your annual fees and ask them if you may get it waived. Because it is such a usual occurance, practically every credit card company worth its salt should have a Annual Fee Waiver Department to process such requests. Get the call centre to patch you through. Be nice, get the name of the person on the other end of the line and be friendly to them. Its also useful to have names in case the company decides to screw you over.

Once you’ve managed to get through to the fee waiver department, there’s little else that you need to do. They already know what you want, and they already have all your details. Some idle banter with the officer on the line at this time works best. Once again, get their names and wish them a good day. It is nice to deal with easy customers. Despite popular belief, they are human beings who get a buzzy feeling when they’ve done right by someone. Build a rapport with them. It also makes fee waivers easier to come by for subsequent years. For all you know, you might be talking to some hot guy or chiq on the other end, and may even get lucky.

But the point of the matter is that once you get pass the call centre to the department that approves the fee waivers, you’ve basically got yourself a done deal. They rarely turn down a request for waiver, especially if your account is good. People often don’t realise that such a department exists, go about it the wrong way, and come out of the encounter feeling disappointed and with their panties in a twist.

At the end of the day, the credit card company wants to keep your business. It’s the people that handle your case who you should have to worry about. Turn on some of that charm and you’ll get your way 99% of the time. The other 1% being that you are pug ugly (directly translated from the chinese phrase ‘lei yong sui’). Good luck and have a nice day.