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If paying on time and more than the minimum due on your credit card is not getting you the interest rate you desire, it's time to change up your credit card game plan. I'm Kristin Arnold with your Bankrate.com Personal Finance Minute.

The first thing to beat the credit card game is to not carry a balance. Now, that's easier said than done ... and if you do carry a balance, try to pay it off as quickly as possible. Many issuers have moved to a variable interest rate, which fluctuates with whatever interest rate index it's tied to.

If your interest rate is moved too high, think about transferring your balance to a lower fixed-rate account. Be sure to read the fine print about transfer fees and minimum charges.

Finally, don't carry a balance each month. Credit cards were not meant to carry balances for long periods of time. Before you ring up a large purchase on your card, be sure you can pay it off in a set amount of time and then follow through.

For more information about mastering credit cards, log onto Bankrate.com. I'm Kristin Arnold.