Union Plus Home Page

Skip Navigation

Three Ways to Beat Credit Card Fees

Revised May 21, 2010

Credit cards not only allow you to buy something now and pay for it later, but they also offer stronger fraud protection than any other payment method. (You’re 100% protected in the case of most fraudulent credit card purchases.)

But convenience can carry a price. Interest and fees can quickly add up if you’re not careful. Here are tips for avoiding unnecessary fees:

1. Pay your bills on time. With late fees averaging $35, you’ll want to make sure you pay your bills on time, consistently. (This also helps protect your credit rating.)

If you send your payments by mail, use the preprinted envelope that comes with your bill and allow at least 7 days for a payment to reach your issuer.

One way to ensure that you always pay your bill on time is to automate your monthly payments through online bill pay. Most card issuers' websites allow you to set up your payments months in advance. If you pay your balance in full and the amount varies each month, find out if you can at least get payment reminders by text message and/or email.

2. Know your limit. Thanks to the Credit CARD Act that went into effect in early 2010, your credit card issuers cannot charge over-limit fees unless you have “opted in,” or agreed to allow purchases that will put you over your limit. If you aren’t sure whether you have agreed to these fees, check with your card issuer.

To avoid a situation where your purchase is turned down because your balance has hit the limit on your card, ask your issuer if it offers free e-mail or online alerts that will warn you when you are approaching your credit limit.

3. Watch for hidden fees. Foreign transaction fees may be charged if you make a purchase outside the country – or if you make a purchase online or by telephone with a company headquartered outside the U.S. Ask your card issuer the amount it charges for foreign transactions, and when this fee applies.

Some card issuers are starting to experiment again with annual fees, especially for customers who don’t charge a lot and pay their balances in full each month. You may be able to get an annual fee waived if you ask. And, finally, if you transfer a balance from one card to another, be sure to ask what the balance transfer fee will be. In some cases, it can total as much as 4% of the amount you transfer.

Looking for a union member friendly credit card? Be sure to check out the Union Plus Credit Card.

Member Comments

Union Benefits Locator

Target

Union Plus benefits are for union families. Select your union and you’ll see the Union Plus programs your union offers. Why?

Select Union

Most AFL-CIO and Change-to-Win unions participate in most Union Plus benefits, but some international unions elect not to offer all the programs. So in order to access all of the programs your union participates in, select your union from the drop down menu.

You can start using your union’s Union Plus benefits today! (No membership in Union Plus or the Union Plus Credit Card is required.)

Either Select a Union

I am a Union Plus Credit Cardholder (?)

Union Plus Credit Card

Union members are automatically eligible for their union's Union Plus benefits and you do not need to be a Union Plus Credit Cardholder in order to access your union's Union Plus benefits.

But - if you are a Union Plus Credit Cardholder, you could be eligible for additional discounts.

Find Benefits

Or Find Your Union by Occupation

  • Not a union member? Find out how to join one.
  • Help if you do not know your union

    Help if you don’t know your union

    Your union membership dictates which Union Plus benefits you are eligible to use.

    1. What your national union’s name (not just your local number)? Scroll through the list we have to see if you recognize your union.
    2. What type of work do you do (select your occupation)?
    3. Do you have a union member card or union publication/letter that shows the name of your union? Find something with the name of your union, not just a local number.
    4. Is there a shop steward or work colleague you can ask what the name of your union is? You can even ask your human resources department to tell you the full name of your union?
    5. Do you have a Union Plus Credit Card? If so, the name and logo for your international union should appear on the front of the card.
    .

Explore Union Plus

En Español

Copyright ©2012 Union Privilege. All rights reserved. Union Plus benefits are for participating union members, retirees and their families.

Union Privilege, 1125 15th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005