Stop Paying Pesky Fees And Save Hundreds Of Dollars A Year

You can save hundreds of dollars a year if you beat back these irksome charges.

- Lisa Gerstner And Kim Lankford

Fees aren’t just annoying—they’re expensive. A few monthly surcharges can add up to hundreds of dollars a year. That’s money you could use to save for retirement, give to charity, or enjoy a really nice dinner or two. The good news is that most of these fees are avoidable, especially if you’re willing to make a couple of phone calls and threaten to take your business elsewhere.

CREDIT CARDS

ANNUAL FEES. The simplest way to bypass annual fees—which often run between $50 and $100 but can go much higher—is to choose cards that don’t charge them. Plenty of great rewards cards, which offer cash back, miles or points on your purchases, come with no annual fee; CITI DOUBLE CASH MASTERCARD and PENFED PATHFINDER REWARDS AMERICAN EXPRESS are among our favorites. Cards that carry annual fees typically offer heightened rewards, and the fee may be worth paying if you gain enough in rewards and benefits to make up for it. But if you’re not getting enough bang for your buck, the issuer may cut you a break. A recent CreditCards.com survey showed that 70% of those who asked had the annual fee lowered or waived. Some cards waive the annual fee the first year, so you can try out the card free.

LATE-PAYMENT FEES. You may be charged up to $27 the first time you make a late payment and up to $38 for another overdue bill within the next six billing cycles. Plus, the issuer may increase your annual percentage rate. Consider signing up for automatic payments to ensure you pay the bill on time. If you slip up and pay late, it’s well worth asking the issuer to waive the fee. CreditCards.com says more than 80% of those who made the request had the fee waived. DISCOVER