What is Credit card balance transfer
A credit card balance transfer is the transfer of the outstanding debt in a credit card account to an account held at another credit card company. This process is encouraged by most credit card issuers as a means to attract customers.
What is Balance transfer
A balance transfer is the transfer of the balance in an account to another account, often held at another institution. It is most commonly used when describing a credit card balance transfer.
What to consider when choosing a balance transfer credit card
Balance move Mastercards can be perfect for taking care of your Mastercard obligation, yet they accompany heaps of expected gambles. Attempt to take a gander at choices with long 0% APR introduction periods that will allow you the best opportunity to take care of your full equilibrium — and try to investigate the agreements of your proposal prior to applying.
How balance transfers work
While the exact process for balance transfers can vary widely, here are the steps you generally have to take when working with major issuers:
1. Apply for a card with an introductory 0% APR offer on balance transfers or use an offer on a card you already have. To qualify for the best offers, you generally have to have good or excellent credit (typically, FICO scores of at least 690). Something to keep in mind: Same-issuer transfers generally aren’t allowed. For example, if you want to transfer a balance from a Citi card, you can’t transfer it to another Citi card.
2. Initiate the balance transfer. If you’re doing this online or by phone, you’ll need to provide information about the debt you’re looking to move, such as the issuer name, the amount of debt and the account information.
Sometimes, balance transfers can also be initiated using convenience checks, or the checks issuers send you in the mail. Before using one, though, read the terms to find out if it will count as a balance transfer and what your interest rate will be.
3. Wait for the transfer to go through. Once the balance transfer is approved, which could take two weeks or longer, the issuer will generally pay off your old account directly. That old balance — plus the balance transfer fee — will show up in your new account.
4. Pay down the balance. When that balance is added to the new card, you’ll be responsible for making monthly payments on that account. And if you pay it down during the introductory 0% APR period, for example, you could potentially save a bundle.
Should I do a balance transfer?
If you can manage to pay off a balance in three months or sooner, or you can't qualify for a good 0% APR offer, paying off your debt as quickly as possible might be the best, most cost-effective option. And if you want a higher limit and don't mind paying some interest, a personal loan could be a good match; you can pre-qualify for one to see how much you could borrow and what interest rate you could get before accepting an offer.
But in general, a balance transfer is the most valuable choice if you need months to pay off high-interest debt and have good enough credit to qualify for a card with a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Such a card could save you plenty on interest, giving you an edge when paying off your balances.
Good balance transfer cards
The goal of a balance transfer is saving money, so you want to choose a card that helps you minimize your costs. The ideal balance transfer credit card comes with three big zeroes:
A 0% introductory APR offer for balance transfers.
A $0 annual fee.
A $0 balance transfer fee (or a way to avoid paying such a fee).
With such a card, you could potentially pay off your debt without spending a penny on interest and fees. Cards without transfer fees are rare nowadays, however, so you're likely to find only two out of three. Still, a card with no annual fee and a 0% introductory offer on balance transfers is quite valuable. Interest charges add up quickly and are often far more costly than a one-time 3% to 5% fee.
An important note: Some 0% APR offers apply only to purchases. To save money when moving over debt, you'll need one with an introductory 0% APR promotion on balance transfers. Make sure the card you apply for offers this.