Interest Rates

• A low interest rate on your credit card helps reduce the minimum payment and you'll pay less interest over the life of the account. Paying attention to your interest is key to getting a lower rate. Rates in the high teens or 20 percent range can greatly increase your payments. Ask creditors for a better rate and take steps to ensure that they comply with your request. This includes maintaining a history of timely payments.
  
  

Low Balances

• Maintaining low, manageable balances is key to avoiding huge debt and this tactic helps increase your credit score. Myfico.com mentions the correlation between high balances and lower credit scores. The amount owed accounts for 30 percent of credit scoring. Keeping balances within a reasonable range involves only charging what you can afford to pay off within a month. Completely paying off balances shows that you can manage credit and this simple move will greatly increase your personal rating.
  
  

Payment History

• Improve your payment history on your credit card accounts and watch your credit score increase. Sending payments late or missing payments due to money issues hurts your score. A history of lateness on your credit report can stop future credit applications because these lenders or creditors may see you as a risk. Start paying on time to help fix your bad credit history. Several methods can help payments reach creditors by the due date. Rather than wait until a few days to mail in a payment, send the payment one or two weeks early. Schedule automated withdrawals from your bank account or schedule payments online for immediate credit.
  
  

Keep Accounts Open

• Plans to pay off your credit card balance may include closing the account to avoid new charges. While this strategy may seem effective, canceling or closing a credit card account can have serious consequences. Ten percent of your credit score is based on the length of your credit history. Opening your first credit card account 10 years ago gives you a credit history that's a decade old, which benefits your credit score. However, canceling this older account will shorten your credit history and decrease your score. Keep older accounts open; if you are determined to close some credit cards, start with your newest accounts.