How to transfer credit card balances in 5 easy steps

If you pay off with a high-interest credit card, you might consider transferring money. After all, this will save you financial costs and help you pay off debt faster. But what is the logistics involved in transferring the balance from one card to another? We will guide you through the following process:


1. Accept education on balance transfer


Balance transfer is a good opportunity to save money, but there are some quirks in this debt-servicing technique that people don't often discuss. Before taking the next step, make sure you fully understand and get along with them:



  • Transferring the balance usually requires a fee of 3% of the new card amount. Be sure to take this into account when you do math to determine if a balanced shift is right for you.
  • The interest-free period on your new card will not last forever. Most cards only give you 0% of 6-15 months.
  • At the end of your 0% April period, you will have to start paying interest on the remaining balance, so know that you are transferring the debt to the card for the duration of April.
  • If you do not pay within 0% of the time in April, your transaction is likely to be cancelled and you must start paying interest immediately.


Most balance transfer transactions are only valid for those with good credit. If your score is below par, you'd better transfer your debt to a low-input credit card.


2. Apply for a balance transfer credit card


It's time to find and apply for the card you are about to transfer. There are many offers on the market, so we collected the best balance transfer offers to make the search easier. When you compare cards, be sure to pay special attention to the length of the 0% April period and the balance transfer fee. Ideally, the card you choose will have a low cost (or maybe not at all) and a long-term 0% April promotion.


Also, before the end of the interest-free period, figure out how much you need to pay each month to eliminate the debt – doing so means you will extract the most value from the balance transfer. If the cost of paying with one card is too high, look for another card with a longer interval in April.  Once you have found the business card that suits you, complete the online application and sit back and wait for a reply!


3. Collect your information


Once you have received your 0% APR card, it is time to collect the materials needed to transfer the balance. Specifically, you need the account information, your card, the debt you want to transfer and the exact amount you want to transfer.


4. Give a phone call


It is time to call the customer service center of the 0% APR card. Explain to them that you want to transfer the balance to the new card and then provide them with the information you just collected. After that, your work is done - they will contact your original credit card company and transfer your designated balance to your new card. This sometimes takes a week or two to complete, so be patient!


5. Develop a plan to repay debt


The shackles of getting rid of the sky-high interest rate are worth celebrating, but now it is not time to rest on your own merits. Follow the tips below to create a detailed debt repayment plan; this will ensure that your balance will disappear before the 0% period in April:


  • Develop a budget – develop a strict spending plan and make huge payments for 0% of the debt. Then follow it!
  • Eliminate the extra cost (currently) - you should have calculated the amount you need to pay, and for each of your 0% APR cards, to get rid of the balance, interest begins to accumulate. But consider your "minimum" payment amount - more payments will allow you to pay off your debts faster. Temporarily cut unnecessary expenses to free up extra cash.
  • Track your expenses - the best way to keep your budget work is to keep your expenses, so don't let a dollar be untracked.
  • Go ahead - even if your 0% card has been paid, keep up with the budget and track your expenses. In this way, you don't have to worry about credit card debt in the future!