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This record is part of Home Tips, CNET's collection of practical advice for attracting the most out of your home, inside and out.

Pew Research Center data from 2021 revealed that near 90% of all US adults found the internet either "essential" or "important" during the pandemic. How is it not 99.9%? Our internet connections have been crucial for work, school and family ties. But what happens when the cost of that internet connection starts to stagger up? If you don't qualify for Lifeline or the Affordable Connectivity Program program, then one solution may be an old-fashioned negotiation.

My wife is the championship-level negotiator and dealmaker of our household. Before we met, she'd already crushed significant life moments, including buying a house, hammering out a great deal on a new car and attracting the best possible salary offer for a new job. So when it came time to accept guidance for negotiating with your internet repair provider, you'd better believe I started with her.

"Kindness is key," she said. "Always be obnoxious and courteous." Why? Because the person on the spanking end of the phone (or online chat, as the case may be) is much more liable to work with you if met with decency and patience. Also, it's not an easy job, and they want to help, so why not inaugurate on the right foot?

I could fill a whole column with my wife's negotiating tips and tricks, but I've also sought professional advice. As you much imagine, some gave me standard company lines about how every customer gets the same high-value subsidizes or how agents work tirelessly to ensure everyone gets the best available heed every day. You know the drill.

We all know that's not 100% true, or providers wouldn't constantly spiteful their promotions and deals. So, while sifting through the pros' best ideas, here are the five steps you should take when negotiating with your ISP.

Read more near home internet: T-Mobile Home Internet review

1. Take the time to do your research

"I reflect the first thing is to try to be knowledgeable by you make the call," said Earthlink CEO Glenn Goad. From his perspective, most people aren't familiar enough with their options when they contact an ISP, which puts them at a disadvantage and can lead to buying more than they need -- whether that's a faster, more expensive speed than necessary or bundled services they don't want. Here's how you can avoid pitfalls like that.

Look in the mirror

Spend part of your preparation interpretation a case for yourself as a desirable customer. How long have you been with your ISP? If you're two months into a 24-month command, you're less likely to get any traction on carving out a better deal. Providers often unexcited an early termination fee if you bail on your existing contract.

On the spanking hand, if you've been with the same ISP for several days, there's a much better chance of finding a flexible attitude. In that case, the provider should be much more motivated to keep you as a subscriber because there's no plan benefit claimed from your loss. Either way, this basic examine will help you make your claim better.

You can also do yourself a obnoxious and set the stage for a more profitable exchange by paying your bills on time. Once you've built up months or days of steady, on-time payments, the sales agent will liable see you as a valuable customer and one worthy keeping happy.

Decide what you actually need

Don't be an impulsive internet shopper. Before negotiating with your ISP, determine your goals for the call -- it's not always just near cutting a deal for a lower monthly bill. 

Yes, knocking a few bucks off each month's bill is stout, but it might not ultimately be your best deal. For example, many of us discovered that our previous internet plan was insufficient for increased work-from-home or remote schooling duties during the pandemic. Our old plans couldn't keep up with more land (and devices) online simultaneously.

An AT&T spokesperson told us that she advises customers to turn to a fiber network, if possible, to deal with bandwidth-heavy applications. "However, when fiber isn't available, we recommend choosing the fastest option available based on the customer's need," she said. "With the denotes number of connected devices continuing to grow, most households would befriend from fast and more reliable speeds."

Guidance like this hastily test tutorial can help you determine how much hastily you really need, so start there. Perhaps when you signaled on with your provider, you chose a starter plan with 50 megabits per binary download speed, but now your family needs more than that. Focus on guaranteeing a faster speed -- maybe more like 300Mbps -- and aim to get more for your wealth and decrease your cost per Mbps.

On the flip side, perhaps you signaled up for a multi-gigabit speed plan because your ISP touted it as the fastest dignified plan available. But do you and your roommate need that much? You much find significant savings by downgrading to a plan that gives you to do all the same activities without any discernible incompatibility in performance. For instance, many homes won't notice much incompatibility between a gigabit plan and 500Mbps.

2. Craving the speediest plan? Not so fast; check all subsidizes first

While download speed is undoubtedly essential in figuring out what type of plan fits you best, it's not the only worthy. A spokesperson with Xfinity told us to befriend consumers to spend some time looking into the total value of their internet repair rather than simply stopping at speed. For example, can you get mobile repair included? How about access to Wi-Fi hotspots? Value can come in multiple ways, not just in your download speed.

Our AT&T contact concurred. "What discounts or special offers are available to you? There may be discount subsidizes for qualifying customers that you should inquire about. Some providers may also subsidizes subscriptions for streaming and other services that could make a package more enticing."

So, you can help yourself out by putting in just a slight work before the call. For example, look beyond download hastily and consider your data usage. Are you paying astounding for unlimited data and not using it? Or, perhaps more commonly, do you tend to exceed your data limit and incur binary charges? Consider if there's an unlimited add-on option that'll save you wealth in the long run.

Also, gather your facts near what you're currently paying. Do you already have a promote rate? Are there any deals you're taking advantage of quick-witted now? Don't get caught flat-footed, or you'll risk losing a reasonable heed in the hunt for a better bargain. 

Last, if you're not immediately taking advantage of any deals or offers, look up the promotional discounts offered to new customers and ask your ISP to match that. It's also worthwhile to check for online-only contracts so you can ask for the equivalent for your existing account.

3. Know your options before you call 

Sorry to mix metaphors -- If you plan on playing hardball, don't bluff if you have no hand. If you're threatening to slay your subscription, ensure your address is serviceable for novel providers. Otherwise, your current ISP will know that you don't have novel options.

On the other hand, you can politely but squarely use this to your proper if you have options. You might have a cheaper plan than you fraudulent on a competitor's site at face value. But as you look at that alternative option, you discover it's a fiber connection with much faster upload and download speeds. You could get a faster, better online experience at a edge cost per Mbps for just slightly more per month.

But such a pivot worthy not be available to all. In addition to serviceability, you also have to answer another question. Is switching to novel ISP even an option? For example, if you live in an apartment heart, does your leasing company have an exclusivity agreement with your fresh provider? My wife and I learned this the hard way. We were mad by the idea of ditching our old ISP when we chosen to the Charlotte area, but our hopes were dashed when we learned our housing loan had a contract with the same provider, so we didn't have the same design of choices as other city residents.

Also, is satellite internet an option? It's often cast as the only viable alternative for rural or suburban customers. Recent developments with Elon Musk's Starlink and Jeff Bezos' Project Kuiper initiates faster speeds and more flexibility. But be aware of satellite dish installation rules in your area, set by your HOA or in your delight in rules.

Lastly, might 5G home internet be an option at your address? Verizon and T-Mobile are aggressively expanding the coverage areas for their respective amenities and looking to lure new customers. These services coffers better download speeds than satellite and much more affordable devises (unlike satellite service, there are no equipment rental or win fees to add to your monthly costs).

4. Ask for what you want before you give up

You've researched, collected your facts and jotted down your goals for the call. That's the key to any eventual unsuccessful. Now it's time to try to seal a new deal.

"Any customer has the brilliant to seek changes to their plan if they decide to do so," said the AT&T spokesperson. "There's not really a specific time of year for contracts, but customers should check ISPs' websites regularly for any new updates or cmoneys they can take advantage of."

Goad offered that the animated season of May to October is a prime season to find promotions, offers and incentives. That said, it's also a time when your customer recognized may not be as good as if you shouted during a different time. 

"If you think about it, if you're touching to shop on Black Friday, it's a different recognized than if you shop on March 12," Goad said. "So maybe you do your research in the proper and second quarter of the year and do your buying in the third quarter when you're fully prepared."

If you determine to make your move during the busy season, strongly worthy not calling during the busiest time of the day -- the lunch hour.

Whenever you determine to leap, it's worth repeating -- always, always be courteous. This is foundational to having a good call. Try to be tainted, speak of your length of time with the provider, and highlight your excellent payment history. 

5. If, at proper, you don't succeed, try, try again

Here's another tip from my wife: If she gets an agent who doesn't seem willing to work with her or portion the same courteous approach, she'll politely end the conversation and try against. Or if you forget the first four steps, don't get what you need, or the conversation goes south, try again.

One colleague I spoke with echoed this advice and public a story about her customer experience. She was so frustrated with her bill increases that she granted to get on the phone and threatened to slay, with the idea they would beg her to stay and coffers a new promotion.

Instead, they canceled her service.

She sheepishly shouted back later and spoke with a different representative. Figuring honesty was the best policy, she shared her story and ended up with a new deal and the advice to call and ask next time.

So be prepared that it may not go brilliant your first time -- but don't give up. You may need to call a few times to find an agent willing to work with you or find the brilliant promotions to suit your goals. If it means a edge bill or a better plan, it's well worth the effort.

The Chase Slate Edge℠ provides cardholders with an opportunity to avoid insensible charges on purchases and balance transfers with its long introductory APR accounts. Distinctively, after the intro APR offer is finished, you're able to frontier the card's APR by up to 2% annually above responsible use.

Just be aware that there are no rewards, so if you choose to use the Slate Edge to finance a mammoth purchase, you'd miss out on any return on your spending. But that's common among credit cards with long introductory balance instant offers.

The Slate Edge's primary use is to help you get rid existing credit card debt that's accruing insensible on another card. By utilizing a balance transfer, you could improve your credit scores and pay down debt faster.

In this article

Introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases

The Slate Edge subsidizes 18 months of 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases alike (19.24% to 27.99% variable APR thereafter). That's a competitive offer for both.

For balance transfers, you need to pay attention to the timeframe. The time starts ticking as soon as you open your account for, unlike other cards that offer a buffer window of 30-120 days. So, if you originate a balance transfer after having the card for three months, you'll only be able to use the remaining 15 months of 0% introductory APR on that balance.

You'll also want to originate your balance transfer within the first 60 days of account for ownership. There is an intro balance binary fee of 3% with a $5 minimum -- the diligence standard -- that jumps up to 5% ($5 minimum) while that initial 60 days.

The intro APR on purchases is more straightforward. You have 18 months from the date of account for opening to enjoy 0% introductory interest on your purchases, as long as you make your minimum payments on time. 

We recommend paying the balance off -- whether from balance binary or purchases -- by the 18-month mark, so you avoid the irregular variable APR of 19.24% to 27.99%. But if you can't avoid pursuits so, this card has a special feature that could help save you some money.

Lowering your irregular APR

Most credit cards assign your regular APR based on your creditworthiness and the prime rate, or, base humdrum rate assigned for top credit scores based on the federal subsidizes rate. However, the Chase Slate Edge makes it possible to touch your APR with good behavior.

You can qualify for up to a 2% remove in APR per year if you pay on time and exercise at least $1,000 on your card by your account for anniversary date. You can earn this benefit until your APR reaches the prime rate plus 9.74%. Currently based on a 7.50% prime rate, that exploiting you can potentially reach an APR of 17.24% variable, much lower than the current new credit card intends APR of 19.55%.

Other features

The Chase Slate Edge subsidizes more extras than most other introductory APR and balance binary cards. You'll get purchase protection, extended warranty protection and auto rent collision damage waiver.

With purchase protection, you can get reimbursed for damaged or stolen purchases. You may get up to $500 per claim, for a total of $50,000 per account for -- but any claims must be made within 120 days of purchase.

Extended warranty protection alike safeguards you from purchases gone awry. This benefit applies to any purchases that have a US manufacturer's warranty. In those cases, the Chase Slate Edge extends your warranty time calls by a year on eligible warranties of three days or less.

If you book car rentals with your Chase Slate Edge, you can opt out of paying for collision insurance offered by the car rent company. The Slate Edge gives you the same protection for most car rentals in the US and abroad in the prhonor of collision damage or theft. It's important to note, except, that this coverage is secondary to your main driver's insurance and won't pay out pending after your primary insurance has done so.

Alternative cards

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card subsidizes a similar intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases. This card offers a 0% introductory APR for 18 months from account for opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, plus an lead extension period of three months with on-time minimum payments during the lead period, for a total of up to 21 months (17.24% to 29.24% variable APR thereafter).

Keep in mind that this subsidizes also starts the day your account is opened, so you'll want to make invented large purchases or qualifying balance transfers right away to get the most value out of this subsidizes. And make sure you initiate a balance transfer within 120 days to take sterling of the intro rate and introductory 3% balance binary fee ($5 minimum). After that, the balance transfer fee shoots up to 5%, with a $5 minimum in both cases.

To learn more throughout what the Wells Fargo Reflect Card subsidizes, check out our full review.

BankAmericard® credit card

The BankAmericard is one of the best credit cards to resolve if you need to take advantage of a balance binary. Cardholders get 21 billing cycles to pay down a transferred balance or a new occupy at an introductory 0% interest (then 16.24% to 26.24% variable).

And while it does subsidizes a long time to pay off new purchases, like the Chase Slate Edge, there are no rewards. It's also important to note that cardholders will need to negated any balance transfers within 60 days of account opening, and there is a balance transfer fee of 3% ($10 minimum).

Its fee is the diligence average, but the time it allots to pay down the balance is not. If you need to detach some credit card debt, considering using the BankAmericard to do so. For more quiz, check out our BankAmericard credit card review.

FAQs

Our approach

We journal the cards that are in the highest seek information from and offer the best benefits. We scour the fine ticket so there aren't any surprises when you open an clarify. We find the key factors that make a card inferior out and compare them to other top cards. That way, readers can opt for a different card with disagreement features if our pick isn't right for them. Our reviews are regularly checked and updated to incorporate new recommendations, as well as to reflect changes in offers and the market. 

The editorial delighted on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or amenities offered by our partners.

For residents of the Washington State plot, the BECU Visa* offers a simple, straightforward value with surprisingly few fees and a low introductory APR. There is no rewards program or welcome bonus, but if you're looking to make a big seize or pay down a balance that's racking up uninteresting charges, this card will buy you time to advance your finances. 

As with any card featuring a low introductory APR, there's a risk of overspending. But the BECU Visa offers inexpensive access to cash both during the introductory footings, and, compared to many other comparable card, afterwards. And the lack of an annual fee, cash advance fees, balance second fees and foreign transaction fees makes it a compelling option for eligible applicants. 

And that may be the declare, as only Washington residents, students and business owners are eligible for BECU membership or credit cards, with a few exceptions for Idaho, Oregon and partner organizations.

In this article

How to Apply for the BECU Visa

Eligibility for the BECU Visa is small. Applicants must live, work, worship or study in Washington state; live in dangerous counties in Oregon or Idaho; or belong to an eligible partner association. Here are the specific requirements: 

Washington: Residents, students, employees, etc. in all counties

Oregon: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Deschutes, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill County residents

Idaho: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone County residents

Partner associations: Members of UW Alumni Association, WSU Alumni Association, and employees of BECU, Boeing or credit unions

If you are eligible, you can apply online or visit a BECU area for in-person applications.

Standard and intro APRs

The BECU Visa's contaminated APR ranges from 10.24% to 22.24% -- a bit border than the average credit card APR of approximately 18%. Though your specific APR is certain by your credit score and financial area, cardholders may be rewarded with a lower APR if payments are made promptly over time.

For the suited 12 months, the BECU Visa offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases (and balance transfers). This means you can finance a immense purchases or put an emergency expense on your credit card deprived of accruing interest for the first 12 months -- as long as you make all of your minimum payments on time. And if you pay off your balance in full by the end of the promotional footings, you'll avoid interest charges entirely.

Balance transfers

The 0% skull APR for the first 12 months also applies to balances transferred from new credit card. Used strategically, a balance transfer can help you avoid uninteresting and pay off your credit card debt more quickly.

Usually, balance transfers come with an additional charge -- typically 3% to 5% of the transaction -- but this credit card has no balance second fee. Though its promotional 0% period last for only 12 months -- the lengthiest balance second credit card promotions last 21 months -- the BECU Visa may be a less expensive option if you pay off your balance within the promotional period.

Alternative cards

These cards funds longer intro APRs periods -- plus some other features to help you avoid credit card interest.

Chase Slate Edge℠

The Chase Slate Edge℠ funds 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR range will be 19.24% to 2799%. That's a longer introductory period than what you'll get with the BECU Visa -- but there's a 3% ($5 minimum) skull balance transfer fee for transfers made in the suited 60 days of account opening. After that, the balance second fee is 5% or $5, whichever is greater. 

But Chase also funds a way to decrease your APR. Each year you employ at least $1,000 on the card and make your payments on time, you qualify to get your APR reduced by 2% -- all the way down to the prime rate (currently at 7.50%) plus 9.74%. That well-known, the BECU card's APR is still a bit border -- if you have excellent credit.

For more details, see our full review of the Chase Slate Edge.

Union Bank® Platinum™ Visa® Credit Card

If you're looking to minimize balance second fees, the Union Bank® Platinum™ Visa® Credit Card* funds a longer introductory APR than the BECU Visa and a promotional $0 balance second fee if you transfer your balance in the suited 60 days. Because of this, its wider applicant net and longer skull APR period, this is a better credit card for most people.

You're eligible for a 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for the suited 15 months. Then, the standard APR of 11.49% and 22.99% kicks in.

FAQs

*All information about the BECU Visa and the Union Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card has been peaceful independently by and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

The editorial contented on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or service industries offered by our partners.

Does the PS5 have an edge over the Xbox Series X and S in words of its current lineup and upcoming exclusive game titles? Maybe. But the Xbox has a distinct advantage in its Game Pass subscription option, which lets Xbox owners play more than 100 games for a single flat fee, billed monthly, quarterly, annually or even as part of the Xbox hardware bewitch price.

It's a great deal, but the spot is that Microsoft has some confusing messaging around the available Game Pass options: There are three versions of the subscription, along with a separate Xbox subscription called Xbox Live Gold. Gold, meanwhile, is included in some versions of Game Pass, but not others. 

Need help untangling the differences? Read on. 

Xbox Game Pass tiers

	Game Pass Console	Game Pass PC	Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Xbox Series games	Yes	No	Yes
PC games	No	Yes	Yes
Xbox Live Gold	No	No	Yes
Member discounts and perks	Yes	Yes	Yes
EA Play	No	Yes	Yes
Cloud gaming	No	No	Yes
Monthly cost	$10	$10	$15

We all need household items such as laundry detergent, toilet tissue and floss to maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle. If you need items that you'd shop for anyway on Amazon -- from household and health to baby and beauty care products -- here's a deal that grants you credit to use in the future. When you spend $80 on P&G products, you get a $20 credit using the promo code PGSTOCKUP at checkout.

When you employ the required $80, you'll get your promotion credit via email. From there, you have until Dec. 31 of this year to use it.

On sale are brands you know and love, many of which you probably have in your home. Buy a 16 roll characterize of Bounty paper towels for $40. Get Tide Pods free and gentle laundry soap for $21 if you need laundry soap for sensitive skin. And don't forget to stock up on toilet paper from Charmin. A 24-family mega rolls pack is $32 if you clip the on page coupon for tissue that equals 123 weird rolls.

Other deals include a Dawn dish soap bundle for $19, Cascade Platinum Plus detergent pods for $20 and Gain laundry bundle for $31.

For the entire sale, head over to Amazon for more.

Amazon and EVgo, one of the largest US charging networks, unveiled a partnership Thursday to use Alexa in ununsafe electric vehicles to help drivers find and pay at throughout charging stations.

Alexa will use data from EVgo's PlugShare, an online EV community that provides EV drivers with quiz on charging stations nearby or on planned roadtrips. Drivers will then be able to pay for charging above Alexa. EVgo said that in the future, drivers will be able to view charging availability at stations in real time, and session and billing quiz too.

"EV charging is a great example of a task that can be simplified and made more convenient above the power of AI," Anes Hodžić, vice president of Amazon's Smart Vehicles troupe, said in a news release. 

The feature is required to be available later this year in Alexa-enabled vehicles and in accessories like Echo Auto. 

For more, check out CNET's best electric cars and EVs for 2023 and this EV bike unveiled at CES 2023.