Finally got DMB back to the interest rate I was paying two years ago. I brought the increase on myself, long before CN and understanding "the rules". Had a gym membership that was kicking me overlimit twice. A few months later, they raised me from 11.74% to 17% and then 19%. I kept calling, asking, and getting no response to asking for my APR to be lowered. I called every month. I also paid off my balance, as you can see in the table below. My lessons: 0) it does NOT hurt to ask for them to lower your rate. Once or twice I got a $20 credit because the CSR felt bad about not being able to help me. 1) it takes very little time to raise your rate. 2) it takes MUCH longer to lower it, and only slightly 3) paying off the balance *probably* helped, but perhaps time alone would have worked just as well. I'm not sure if this means anything, but I have not placed a charge once I "got" the overlimit thing. I am hoping this sends a message - "I won't use your card at these rates" - but I have no way to measure. 07/01 11.74% 0 07/02 16.99% +5.25% 10,055 11/02 18.99% +2.00% 9,432 06/03 18.49% -0.50% 9,028 10/03 15.49% -3.00% 2,960 11/03 13.74% -1.75% 1,916 12/03 12.24% -1.50% 1,599 12/03 10.99% -1.25% 1,499
