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Balance Transfers - Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Our website takes an in depth look at balance transfers from major issuers focusing on maximizing savings. Balance transfer credit cards can be both a very useful tool to save you money, but when used improperly, they may be devastatingly costly. Because of this, we have made it our mission to provide consumers with accurate information about no fee balance transfer credit cards, 0% apr balance transfer deals, and credit cards with no interest terms for both balance transfers and purchases.

The inception of our website came in response to countless emails with questions about 0 apr balance transfer credit cards from our consumer information portal. We decided to provide consumers and small business owners with a website that compares balance transfer credit cards from all major issuers in one user-friendly format. You may use the left navigation tabs to view offers by specific perks or check out our top picks by category by visiting our best balance transfer credit cards section. All apply buttons redirect you to secure online applications over the SSL servers of the respective issuer for your protection.



   Top Balance Transfer Card: Discover® More(SM) Card

Apply Online
  • Earn more cash in more ways than anyone else(SM*)
  • Unlimited cash rewards, automatically.
  • Up to 20% Cashback Bonus when you shop online*
  • Double rewards with more than 100 Cashback Bonus Partners*
  • Customer Service in less than a minute, anytime you want.
  • 0% Intro APR*
Intro APR Intro Period Regular APR Annual Fee Balance Transfer Credit Type
0% Up to 6 Months* 10.99% $0 Yes Good
 

Balance Transfer Credit Card Overview: Explanation of Terms

0% APR Balance Transfers:
Perhaps the most important feature to look for in any balance transfer are the 0% terms. These are defined as the time period where no interest is accrued on the amount of money transferred from one credit card to the new balance transfer card. 0% terms typically range in the 6-12 months. There are certain offers that also come with 0% terms on purchases as well. It is advised to take advantage of these offers.

No Fee Balance Transfers:
This pertains to the transaction fees associated with balance transfers. Most credit cards charge 3% of the total amount moved from one offer to another with a cap between $75 and $99. There are a few that do not (at the expense of a 12 month 0% introductory rate). These credit cards allow you to transfer balances easily online with no balance transfer fee.

Fixed Rate Balance Transfers:
A fixed rate balance transfer credit card is an offer that provides you with a fixed interest rate on the amount moved to your new card. Fixed rates vary, but are typically between 3.99%-5.99% which are much lower than typical prime + rate offers. Contrary to popular belief, there are no 0% fixed balance transfer rate credit cards on the market. At one point in time there was a 0% balance transfer offer from Discover, but consumer abuse (people never making payments on their card) and other factors have caused Discover to pull this from the market close to 5 years ago.

Business Balance Transfer Credit Card:
These are balance transfer credit cards geared toward small business owners. In order to qualify for one of these cards, you must be an officer of your business and you must provide a Federal Tax ID Number (EIN). The exception to this rule is with Advanta credit cards where you may leave this field blank and put your own name in as your business name.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Card:
There have been several questions regarding which is the best balance transfer credit card available. It is our opinion that the "best" offer is one that provides both a 0% term on balance transfers and purchases for 12 months even if the offer comes with a balance transfer fee. Very few cards fit that bill, and our current choice for the best balance transfer credit card is the Discover More Card.

0 Interest Balance Transfer Credit Card:
The 0 interest refers to a 0% introductory term. The term will typically be either 6 or 12 months and in some cases even 15. These types of credit cards should not be confused with 0% fixed rate balance transfers for the life of the balance which do not exist.

Fixed for Life of the Balance:
This refers to the APR as fixed or never-changing. It essentially means that the "life" or the whole time that the balance transferred is active. Life of the transfer rates typically range from 3.99%-5.99%.

0% Cash Advance Checks:
These can be either used for balance transfers or as direct deposit into your personal bank account. Currently, Bank of America credit cards are the leading issuers of credit cards with cash advance checks. Though these checks have 0% terms, they do come with 3% transaction fees, so do not treat them as a 0% APR no fee balance transfer credit card.


Information About the Issuers:

The following issuers are currently active in the balance transfer credit card market. As new credit cards become available from different issuers, they will be listed below. Though we do not specialize in the sub-prime market, there are a few bad credit credit cards available online that offer balance transfers. The rates and terms for these are not as consumer friendly as those for people with good credit, though this should be expected.

Discover Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Historically, Discover Financial Services (DFS) has been known for their consumer-friendly cashback rewards programs. Consumers in need of a balance transfer deal should also be aware that Discover boasts 0% terms on both balance transfers & purchases while allowing their carriers to benefit from rewards earnings. Low variable rates are awarded to those with good credit. To view current deals, visit our section with a list of Discover balance transfers.

American Express Balance Transfer Credit Cards
American Express cards initially were strictly for those with perfect credit. As time progressed, they were forced to diversify in order to grow. Introduction of revolving balance credit cards ensued and with that came balance transfer credit cards. Due to current economic conditions, American Express is not offering 0% introductory rates on balance transfers. They do however have one no fee offer and many of their cards come with unparalleled points based rewards programs.

Citi Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Though Citi has removed several of its cards from the online channel, one of the remaining offers, the Citi Platinum Select Card, which also happens to be its flagship card comes with a low variable rate for balance transfers and purchases as well as a 0% introductory term up to 12 months. Though Citi is getting hit hard from the economic crisis and is partially nationalized, consumers should consider one of their deals as a tool for saving money.

HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Cards
HSBC has halted all of their US operations with the exception of their credit card division. It is expected that eventually they will enter the market with all of their plastic products. In the meantime, available cards are limited to the sub-prime channel in the form of Orchard Bank and Household Bank MasterCards. All credit types may apply for these cards, but in our opinion consumers with good to excellent credit should look elsewhere. Be advised that those with bad credit have a highere likelihood of obtaining a balance transfer from HSBC versus other issuers.



Security Information At BalanceTransferApplications.com:
When you apply for a credit card via our website, you will be redirected to applications over secure servers featuring SSL technology. This is to protect your personally identifiable information. BalanceTransferApplications.com is a consumer comparison portal focusing on the credit card industry, specifically balance transfers and 0 balance transfer credit cards.

Once you have selected a balance transfer offer you would like to apply for, you may click the "apply button" and then you will leave our website. The secure application that will appear in your window protects your identity as it is in compliance with encryption standards regulated by the US Government. If you have any questions about this or your security, please feel free to contact us for more information.


When to Apply for Balance Transfer Credit Cards:
The first sign that you are in the need of a balance transfer credit card is when you are struggling to make minimum payments on your outstanding debt.

Understanding Balance Transfers:

Balance Transfer Credit Cards for Bad Credit - It has been increasingly difficult for people with bad or damaged credit to get a balance transfer credit card. If you are in this situation it is highly unlikely that you will receive a 0% transfer rate as there are few if any issuers offering 0% balance ... Click To Read More
Addressing the Lack of No Fee Balance Transfers - There was a time when credit card companies were fighting for your business. Unfortunately, that time has passed and we now need to forget what was once considered industry standard and move on. Balance transfer credit cards with no fees and 0% introductory ... Click To Read More
 

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