The Interest Rate

• Your credit card is a negotiable contract in that you can always ask your creditor to change the terms of your credit agreement, such as lowering your card's interest rate. According to the Chicago Tribune's website, negotiating your interest rate can be difficult without a competing offer from another company. Since the credit crisis of 2008, banks and other credit card companies are hesitant to change the terms of any credit card agreement unless they're at risk of losing business. Going into a discussion with a credit representative with a better interest rate offer from another company can go a long way to helping your negotiations.
  
  

Your Credit Limit

• You can also negotiate the credit limit on any credit you have with your credit card issuer. If you have been using your card responsibly and pay your balance off each month, your creditor is more likely to agree to an increase in your spending limit. Your creditor is less likely to increase your spending limit if you maintain high revolving balances and are just looking for a couple extra hundred dollars to put towards maxing out your card again.
  
  

Temporary Changes

• Changes to your credit card agreement don't necessarily have to be permanent. There's nothing wrong with contacting your credit card company and asking for a temporary reduction in your interest rate to help pay down your balance and make the previous rate more manageable. If you leave the door open for reevaluation at a later date and continue to make timely payments that exceed the minimum requirement, you may be able to secure a permanent lower interest rate.
  
  

Debt Settlement

• Even what you owe a credit card company can be negotiable. If you are carrying a large amount of credit card debt and are on the verge of bankruptcy, your credit card company may be more receptive to discussing a settlement. This means you pay only a portion of the debt you owe and your credit card company forgives the rest. Your credit card company will of course close your account if you reach a debt settlement with them, so this strategy is only useful if you're simply looking to get rid of the debt and aren't worried about having available credit.