Source: Curtis Arnold, Card Ratings

The good news is that banks do refund late fees… as long as you’re not habitually late. The key is to be proactive.

“If you normally do not pay late, but had a glitch [in making your payment], call your card issuer and ask them to waive the late fee,” explains Ruth Susswein, director of consumer protection for Consumer Action. “If you have no history of paying late, mention that and if you’re a long-term cardholder, mention that too!”

Such proactive approaches are often successful and only take a few minutes. Be aggressive, but polite and professional.

Read Full Article: Tips to avoid credit card late fees