Your story is a familiar one.
Call up the credit card company and very politely tell them that you are a good customer and you would like the interest rate lowered. If they will not lower your rate look for a card company that will give you a better rate and transfer your balance there. Look at many cards and whta they have to offer.
The credit card company needs you as much as you need them. Credit cards are a commodity product and Chase is charging you a premium price. The credit card company spends a lot of money to get an individual to sign up with them. The CC company does not want to lose you.
Closing old CC cards may have hurt your FICO score. It would have been better to leave some of the older accounts open. No sense crying over spilt milk now though.
Remember to call and ask for a lower rate. Look for cards with lower rates. Finally, keep older cards open to help your FICO score.
Good Luck. I have been there. Check out Bankrate.com
