Reply #11: Did you just get the card? [View All]

Or do you have debt on it already? 27% sounds like a default rate, although those may have gone up. A customer service phone person is not the bank though - they really do not know, but they can, if they choose a) take you off the default rate, or b) try for a lower rate. I did the first more than once (not sure how my company felt about it, at least I was not told I was fired for that). In the second case, they are limited by the rates the computer gives them. They have no power over that. You can a) ask for a supervisor who will know more and be able to do more or b) say you are closing your account because (insert competitor) has offered you a better rate and either customer service will be able to match it, or they will send you to the retention department which will be able to give you a better deal. Or, OTOH, they may just pull a plaidder and say 'see ya'. Also, these tips are the way MY bank, where I worked, handled things. Those procedures may have changed, or they may not apply at your bank (YMMV).