A 0% balance transfer offer sounds like a great opportunity to enjoy a few months with no credit card interest. You can move your balance from your current credit card, where you might be paying high finance charges each month, to a credit card where you'll pay no finance charge for six months or more.
Note
By law, a promotional interest rate must last at least six months unless you're late on a payment.
Before you jump at the opportunity, consider the pros and cons of doing a balance transfer. It may not be as cut and dry as you assume. Here's an overview of the pros and cons of balance transfers. We'll go into more detail about each below.
What We Like
You can take advantage of lower credit card interest rate.
You can move your balance to a credit card with better terms.
You can consolidate your credit card debt.
What We Don't Like
You could end up with a higher interest rate after the promotion.
You may not save money after the balance transfer fee is added.
Your credit score could be impacted.
You risk creating more debt.
Pros of a Balance Transfer
Let's look at a few of the benefits of taking a balance transfer offer.
You can take advantage of a lower credit card interest rate. The lower rate isespecially beneficial if you currently have a high interest rate on your existing credit card balance. Since you'll have a lower interest rate and possibly no finances charges, more of your monthly payment will go toward reducing your credit card balance, instead of towards interest. With a long promotional period and high monthly payment, you may even be able to pay off your balance completely by the time the promotional period ends.
You can move your balance to a credit card with better terms. If your current credit card has bad terms – high fees or a short grace period, for example – you can move your balance to a better credit card and close out your old credit card account for good. The new credit card may even offer credit card rewards on your new purchases.
Note
Close your old account only after the balance is completely transferred and you're sure it won't hurt your credit score.
You can consolidate your credit card debt, leaving yourself with fewer credit card payments to make each month. Moving multiple credit card balances to a single credit card (given it has a high enough credit limit) can eliminate the hassle of making multiple credit card payments to several different credit cards. It’s easier to pay off one credit card balance than it is to pay off several.
Cons of a Balance Transfer
Of course, we have to also consider the potential downside of transferring a balance to a new credit card, even with a balance transfer offer.
You could end up with a higher interest rate if you don't qualify for a promotional interest rate because your credit score, income, or existing debt. You typically must have an excellent credit score to get a low interest rate balance transfer offer. Otherwise, you’ll only qualify for the regular, aka higher, balance transfer interest rate.
Balance transfers can get expensive considering the balance transfer fee and the annual fee if the new credit card has one. Before you transfer the balance, make sure you factor in the full cost of moving your balance and compared to the interest you would pay if you left your balance on your old credit card. Leaving your balance on the old credit card may cost less in the long run.
Note
The typical balance transfer fee is 3 to 5% of the balance you're transferring or $5, whichever is greater.
A balance transfer could hurt your credit score. Applying for and opening a new credit card account can affect your credit score. Not only that, your credit score takes a hit anytime you have a credit card with a balance that’s above 30% of the credit limit. If you move your credit card balance to a credit card that doesn’t have enough available credit, your credit score could drop. The good news is that you can recover lost points by reducing your balance with timely credit card payments each month.
You're at risk of more debt. Once you transfer your balance to a new credit card, you suddenly have more credit available to you. You have to be disciplined enough not to make purchases on your old credit card. Otherwise, you'll end up with more debt than you started out with. Close your old credit card if you need to remove the temptation to rack up more credit card debt.
While there are some drawbacks to transferring your balance to a new credit card, consider how transferring the balance will affect your finances in the long-term. If you will ultimately save money and pay off your credit card balance faster, then transferring the balance is worth it.
As an expert in personal finance and credit management, I've had extensive experience navigating the intricacies of credit card offers, including 0% balance transfer promotions. Over the years, I've closely monitored industry trends, studied the legalities surrounding promotional interest rates, and analyzed the impacts of balance transfers on individuals' financial well-being.
Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the article, breaking down the information into key components:
1. Promotional Interest Rate:
- What We Like: A 0% balance transfer offer provides an opportunity to enjoy several months without credit card interest.
- Legal Aspect: According to the law, a promotional interest rate must last at least six months unless there's a late payment.
2. Pros of a Balance Transfer:
- Lower Interest Rate: Moving your balance to a credit card with a lower interest rate is advantageous, especially if your current card has a high interest rate.
- Better Terms: Transferring to a card with better terms, such as lower fees or a more extended grace period, can be beneficial.
- Debt Consolidation: Consolidating credit card debt by moving multiple balances to a single card can simplify payments.
3. Cons of a Balance Transfer:
- Risk of Higher Interest Rate: Qualifying for a promotional rate depends on factors like credit score, income, and existing debt. Failure to qualify may result in a higher interest rate.
- Cost Consideration: Balance transfers can be costly, factoring in transfer fees and potential annual fees on the new card.
- Credit Score Impact: Opening a new credit card account can affect your credit score, and maintaining a balance over 30% of the credit limit may lead to a credit score drop.
- Risk of Accumulating More Debt: The availability of additional credit after a transfer requires discipline to avoid accumulating more debt.
4. Balance Transfer Fee:
- Standard Fees: The typical balance transfer fee is 3 to 5% of the transferred balance or $5, whichever is greater.
5. Credit Score Management:
- Recovery: While a balance transfer might initially impact your credit score, timely payments can help recover lost points.
6. Long-Term Financial Impact:
- Consideration: Despite potential drawbacks, the article suggests assessing how the balance transfer will affect long-term finances. If it results in savings and faster debt repayment, it may be a worthwhile strategy.
In conclusion, the decision to pursue a balance transfer requires careful consideration of both the advantages and potential drawbacks. Evaluating the long-term financial impact, understanding the associated costs, and maintaining financial discipline are crucial aspects for individuals contemplating this strategy.
