The Delta Gold Card annual fee is $0 intro 1st yr, $99 after. Delta Gold Card’s $99 annual fee, which starts the second year, is higher than the average annual fee among new credit card offers right now. It’s not the only fee you need to worry about with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, either.
The easiest way of getting your credit card annual fee waived would be to pick a credit card that waives the annual fee during the first year as a promotion, or one with no annual fee at all. Alternatively, you can call the issuer’s retention line, but it is not guaranteed that it will work. Beyond that, you’re unlikely to get your credit card’s annual fee waived unless you’re an active-duty member of the military. Still, it never hurts to ask, even if success is a long shot.... read full answer
Being well-informed about your rights and alternative credit card options definitely will help your chances. And you can find the most important info below.
Here’s how to get a credit card annual fee waived:
If you’re employed full-time by the U.S. military, call your issuer and tell them you’d like your SCRA benefits. Exactly how the process works differs by company, but they will ask you to prove your active military status. For example, you might provide a copy of your active duty orders. Once you send the issuer proof, they should waive your annual fee as well as reduce your interest rate. When applying for a card, there’s sometimes a box you can check to indicate your military status, too.
Call the retention line and ask your card’s issuer to waive or lower its annual fee. Long-time customers and high-spenders with great credit who always pay in full likely have the best chance.
It’s a common credit card promotion to waive the annual fee for the first year your account is open. This will be noted on the offer when you apply, though. It’s not something you have to ask for.
If you really want to avoid fees, get a no annual fee credit card. Hundreds are available, including cards with rewards and 0% APRs. You might be able to get a better deal overall by paying an annual fee for more rewards.
If you’re having difficulty paying your annual fee due to unforeseen financial difficulty, you might be able to apply for a financial relief/ hardship program with the issuer. This way, you could potentially have your annual fee waived. Or you might receive other assistance such as lower monthly payments or lower interest rates.
Since annual fees help pay for the benefits credit cards provide, issuers aren’t eager to waive them. But there’s no penalty for asking. And if you’re in the military, you should definitely take advantage of the waiver you’ve earned with your service.
It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 14 days to get approved for the Delta Gold Card.
Certain applicants may be approved instantly if they match the Delta Gold Card’s exact criteria. However, not being approved immediately after applying doesn’t mean you won’t have a shot after your application is reviewed in closer detail. You will be informed of the issuer’s final decision within 14 days from applying.... read full answer
You can also check your Delta Gold Card application status online or by calling customer service at (888) 826-3471. You will need to provide some personal information such as your Social Security number and your home ZIP code.
Keep in mind that the Delta Gold Card requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. So applicants need good credit or better to have decent odds of approval. If you don’t know where you stand, you can check your credit score for free, right here on WalletHub.
Other factors such as income, existing debts and your general ability to make credit card payments will also be taken into consideration. You can check to see if you pre-qualify for the Delta Gold Card and other offers on the issuer’s dedicated web page. Checking for pre-qualification does not affect your credit score, as it’s based on a soft pull on your credit report. Just bear in mind that getting pre-qualified indicates you have good odds of approval, but it does not guarantee it.
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