Is negotiating with your credit card issuer for better terms an oxymoron in today's credit environment?

You might think so, given that credit card issuers are raising interest rates and cutting credit lines to reduce their risk.

Getting a better deal, though, is still possible. But you must argue from a strong position to get one.

"If you want to negotiate, you need to have some leverage to negotiate with," said Todd Mark, vice president of education at Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas. "For people with good credit, yes, you can still negotiate."

But what's considered good has changed drastically in the last few months, he said.

The traditional rules of paying your bills on time and not using more than 30 percent of your credit limit still hold. But the numerical dividing lines between what's considered good credit and poor credit are widening, Mr. Mark said.

The prime measuring stick is your credit score, which is a number that summarizes your credit risk, based on a snapshot of your credit report at a particular point in time. The score helps lenders estimate the chances of your repaying a loan.

The most widely used is the FICO score developed by Fair Isaac Corp. It ranges from 300 to 850.

The higher your credit score, the better deal you'll get on credit card interest and other loans.

Six months ago, if you fell in the 680 to 720 range, you were eligible for good loan deals, Mr. Mark said.

"Now, a credit score of 730 and above is needed to guarantee that you're attractive for whatever product they're offering," he said. "It's been swift and sudden – our credit standards have changed."

What's more, to get in on even the least attractive interest rates, your credit score must be at least 600, compared with 500 six months ago, Mr. Mark said.

Here are some tips for negotiating with credit card companies.

Don't stay silent if you don't like the terms of your card account.

"The credit card market is still very competitive," said Peter Garuccio, spokesman for the American Bankers Association. "If consumers are not happy with their credit card, they are free and are encouraged to seek other options, other choices in the marketplace."

Before you plead your case with your credit card company, pull your credit report and credit score so you know the current state of your credit.

You are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three national credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

Your credit score isn't on your credit report, though, and you typically have to pay to see your score.

"Call up and say you've been a good customer and, 'I'm noticing this rate increase. Can you reverse this?' " said Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com, a credit card information Web site. "You take a courtesy approach and give them the benefit of the doubt. Because the industry is hurting, the last thing they want you to do is to take your business to one of their competitors."

Most credit cards give you the choice of opting out of changes in account terms.

"Opting out is the first line of defense for the consumer," Mr. Arnold said.

Consider what to do if you're turned down. If you've had many late payments and are almost maxed out on your card, don't expect your card issuer to be accommodating.

"They may not miss you," Mr. Arnold said.

If you threaten to take your business elsewhere, be prepared to walk. However, remember that in today's stingy credit climate, you might not be able to get new credit.

Here's what some other card issuers are doing:

•Citigroup said last month that it's raising interest rates on some credit-card customers by an average of three percentage points.

Not every card holder will see an increase, only those who haven't had a rate increase in at least two years.

Customers may opt out of the changes and continue to make purchases on their card under the current terms until their card expires, and then their account will be closed.

Once the account is closed, customers will be able to pay off the bill under the current terms as well.

•American Express Co. just announced that it's raising rates on some customers by two to three percentage points and cutting credit lines.

Whether card holders can negotiate for lower rates depends on the person's credit history with American Express, said Marina Hoffmann, American Express spokeswoman.

"We do evaluate rates on a case-by-case basis and work with card members on an individual basis," she said.

In deciding whether to raise or cut a card holder's credit line, American Express looks at the person's total debt level, Ms. Hoffmann said.

"It is important to give creditworthy card members the capacity to spend," she said. "It is equally important to reduce exposure with card members whose credit profile has worsened.

"Our intent is to strike the right balance between accommodating our card members' spending needs and, at the same time, prudently managing credit risks for us and for our card members."

So always pay your bills on time and pay off your credit card every month. If you carry a balance, always pay more than the minimum payment and don't use more than 30 percent of your credit line.