Balance Transfers Introduction



Credit card balance transfer involves using a credit card to pay off the amount outstanding on one or more credit/store cards. The total debt then moves to one card.

The main benefit of balance transfer is a money-saving one. In the competitive credit card market an increasing number of companies are offering a 0% interest rate for a fixed period on balance transfers made by new customers. This allows new cardholders to make considerable savings in interest repayments. Interest free periods vary and certain credit card issuers extend the 0% interest rate offer to cover new purchases, it is worth taking great care to compare balance transfer offers well before deciding which one to choose.

Some companies offer lower than average interest rates on transferred balances for the life of the balance transfer. This may be good news for card users who are not planning to pay back credit card debt in the short term.

Transferring credit card balances is usually a simple process. Once a card application is approved it usually involves a phone call to the new card issuer to transfer the balance(s) from the other card(s). Many credit card companies also offer an on-line service, making it even easier to transfer balances via the Internet.

There is usually a window of time after a new card is approved during which balance transfers attracting the promotional interest rate must be made.

A word of caution regarding balance transfers. Minimum monthly payments still need to be made. Fall behind with minimum payments and fines can be made and interest free offers withdrawn. The same can happen if credit limits are exceeded.

In a market full of balance transfer deals, offers vary greatly. It is important to double-check the details carefully before signing on the dotted line. For example:

  • Are there any additional fees to be paid when balances are transferred?
  • Do I need to make a minimum monthly spend using the new card to qualify for the promotional balance transfer rate?
  • How soon after my credit card is approved do I need to make the balance transfer?
  • What interest rate is charged on new purchases made using the card? In particular, 'Balance transfer for life' cards often put payments towards clearing the low interest balance transfer and not the recent purchases that attract higher interest
  • Do I get charged interest on new purchases from the time the purchase is made?
  • What does the interest rate revert to after the promotional period has finished

Before taking up a balance transfer offer, also take time to consider the amount you need to move and how much you intend to pay off and purchase each month. That way you can be sure that you choose the right card for you.


The latest balance transfer offers in the UK at the moment can be seen at www.1st-uk-credit-cards.co.uk/summary_by_Transfer_Rate.html


Phil Edwards is a Business analyst in the city of London, freelance writer for several finance magazines and websites and co-owner of 1st UK Credit Cards and 1st UK Loans



RELATED LINKS

Accept Credit Card Payment Online

Accept credit card payment online and increase sales by 400% or more.... Find out how ...

 

Advanta Credit Cards

Apply for an Advanta credit card with 0% APR, rewards and cash back.

 

American Express Credit Card Application

Apply online for a new AMEX rewards credit card. See special offers.

 

Best Airline Miles Credit Card

Earn Frequent Airline Miles for Every Dollar Spent with No Annual Fee.

 

Best Cash Back Credit Card

Earn Up to 5% Cash Back on Every Day Purchases. Apply for Yours Today.

 

Best Reward Credit Card

Compare & Apply for the Best Reward Credit Cards with Up to 5% Cash Back Rewards and more.

 

Business Credit Card Online Application

Compare Business Credit Cards from All Major Banks. Apply Online Now

 

Chase Credit Card Application

Find Credit Card Applications from Chase & Apply Online in Seconds.

 

Citi Credit Card Application

Citibank offers credit cards that have 0% APR balance transfer options, Rewards, Cash Back, and much more

 

Credit Card Application For Bad Credit

Great card for bad credit just got better. 8.9% APR, instant decision.

 

Credit Card Balance Transfer Deal

Great Rates: Balance Transfers and Purchases. Capital One Credit Card

 

Debit Cards

Control Your Spending with a debit card. Guaranteed Approval.

 

Discover Credit Card Offer

Discover Credit Card Offers with 0% for 12 months, no fees & cash back.

 

Gas Credit Card Application

Save money at the gas pump with a new gas credit card. Apply now.

Fast Easy Payday Loan

Get the fast cash you need with an easy payday loan. Compare and apply

 

Hotel Rewards Credit Card

Earn Free Stays with a Hotel Rewards Credit Card. Apply Online Now.

 

HSBC Credit Card Application

Get 0% Intro APR, No Annual Fee, Great Service, Benefits. Apply Now.

 

Low Interest Credit Card List

Compare & Apply for Credit Cards w/ 0% Intro APR for Up to 15 Months

 

Master Card Application

Apply for MasterCard Credit Cards with 0% APR, Cash Back & No Fees.

 

No Annual Fee Credit Card

0% APR with No Annual Fee. Compare No Fee Credit Cards & Apply Online.

 

Online Car Loan Application

Loans and Refinancing for New and Used Cars. Online Approval.

 

Online Debt Consolidation Services

Consolidate your debts today - ease the strain of monthly bills.

 

Online Foreign Currency Trading

FOREX is a serious game. Play it with the pros. Start with just $50. The best trading platform available today. Start Trading and see why.

 

Online Mortgage Application

Apply online for a mortgage for your home. It's fast and easy. Great Rates!

 

Online Visa Credit Card Application

Compare & Apply for Visa Credit Cards with 0% APR and No Annual Fee.

 

Prepaid Credit Card

Get a Prepaid Credit Card with Free Direct Deposit. No Credit Check.

 

Shopping Reward Credit Card

Shopping Reward Credit Card. Fast Online Credit Card Application ... You have found the best shopping reward credit card site on the Internet!

 

Student Credit Card Application

Pay 0 Interest for 6 Months & Earn Rewards with a Student Credit Card.

 

Travel Rewards Credit Card

Compare Frequent Flyer Credit Cards Apply Now and Start Earning Miles.


MORE RESOURCES:

Palm Beach Post

Trichet Pushes for Transparency Around Credit Default Swaps
BusinessWeek
The European Union may consider banning “purely speculative naked” credit default swaps, European Commission President Jose Barroso said on March 9. ...
ECB's Trichet Warns of Swaps MisuseABC News
Trichet calls for more transparency in CDS marketsMarketWatch
ECB's Trichet Calls For Greater Transparency In CDS MarketsNASDAQ
Financial Times -Reuters -Forexyard
all 161 news articles »


NY1

Receive an IRS income tax credit for 2009 and reduce your taxes – IRS income ...
Healthy Financial Habits
Unlike a tax deduction, a tax credit will directly reduce the amount that you pay in taxes. Income tax credits are more favorable when compared to tax ...
Claim The Homebuyer Tax Credit Before It ExpiresSan Francisco Chronicle
Recipients of 2008 homebuyer credit must repay fundsThe Star-Ledger - NJ.com
IRS wants paperwork to prove you deserve home buyer creditDetroit Free Press
Royal Oak Daily Tribune -NY1 -Gadsden Times
all 44 news articles »


Globe and Mail

Robert Morris gets excellent credit rating
Boston Globe
“I give these guys tremendous credit,'' said Robert Morris coach Mike Rice. “They really believed, not just in each other, but the system and what we do and ...
Don't credit refs in 'Nova winmsnbc.com

all 906 news articles »


MTR Gaming Group Enters into $20 Million Credit Agreement
MarketWatch (press release)
The new credit agreement provides for a $20 million senior secured delayed-draw term loan credit facility, $10 million of which the Company has drawn today. ...

and more »


NuWire Investor (blog)

Fitch Says Credit Profiles of AAA Countries Have Deteriorated
BusinessWeek
March 19 (Bloomberg) -- The global financial crisis and recession have triggered a deterioration in the credit profiles of AAA-rated ...
Corporate Debt Is the New Safe HavenPortfolio.com (blog)

all 6 news articles »


US Money Talk News

Can I Do A Refinance Loan For Debt Consolidation On Credit Cards?
US Money Talk News
You would then have the money you need for debt consolidation on credit cards. A better option may be to just get an equity loan if you have paid a ...
Multiple Debt Bad Credit Consolidation—How To Avoid Paying Too Much In InterestRed, White, and Blue Press (blog)
Online Credit Card Debt Consolidation Loans - Important Aspects of Credit Card ...PR-inside.com (press release)
Credit Card Debt Consolidation: Get Started GuideBigNews.biz (press release)
LoanSafe -BatchBuzz (satire) -Subprime Blogger (blog)
all 56 news articles »


Seattle Post Intelligencer

House committee to probe how scammer got $9.1 million tax credit
Detroit Free Press
19 application for the MEGA tax credit, Short outlines a vague and ambitious plan to manufacture modular systems that would provide electricity, water, ...
Lawmakers Fuming Over Tax CreditWLNS
Embezzler's tax credit prompts changesWOOD-TV
APNewsBreak: Convicted embezzler gets tax creditBusinessWeek
The Flint Journal - MLive.com -WILX-TV -Detroit Free Press
all 351 news articles »


Finance Bonds Pull Ahead as JPMorgan Sells Debt: Credit Markets
BusinessWeek
Bond sales yesterday by JPMorgan, the second-largest US bank by assets, and Zurich-based Credit Suisse drove global financial debt issuance this month to at ...

and more »


Credit Suisse AG NY sells $1.5 bln 5-year notes
Reuters
NEW YORK, March 18 (Reuters) - Credit Suisse AG's New York branch on Thursday sold $1.5 billion of five-year notes, said IFR, a Thomson Reuters service. ...
Shell International Finance sells $4.25 bln in 3 partsReuters
Shell Intl Finance launches $4.25 bln debt sale-IFRReuters

all 20 news articles »


CREDIT MARKETS: Hartford Deal Illustrates Market Buoyancy
Wall Street Journal
Meanwhile, JP Morgan and Credit Suisse each shopped around $1.5 billion in new debt. "It's been a food fight for new deals," said Mirko Mikelic, ...

and more »

Google News

home page | article index | site map
Credit  |  Currency Trading  |  Debt Consolidation  |  Debt Relief  |  Insurance  |  Investment  |  Leasing  |  Loans  |  Mortgage and Refinance  |  Personal Finance  |  Real Estate  |  Stocks and Mutual Funds  |  Taxes

 

Copyright 2006 - SmarteCredit.Com. All rights reserved