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The best balance transfer cards 2022
Do you carry a month to month balance and have high interest rates? Do you have pressing financial issues but can't commit to a loan? If these questions apply to you, a balance transfer card might be your solution. These credit cards can be a lifesaver in helping you pay down debt because it momentarily alleviates interest charges. The best balance transfer cards offer 0% APR for up to 21 months.
There are numerous options to choose from, so we compiled your top options for you based off of our extensive research. Once you've selected the best-fitting balance transfer card for your needs, review your outstanding debts and the interest rates associated with each. Transfer the outstanding debt with the highest interest rate to your new balance transfer card. Remember to use the introductory period to take advantage of no interest charges and pay off all of that transferred debt.
Also: Six facts you should know about 0% APR credit cards
Here are the best balance transfer credit cards:
The Wells Fargo Reflect card offers cardholders an initial 18 months to pay down a transferred balance at 0% interest, with a transfer fee of 3% or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, if the transfer is made within the first 120 days of account opening. However, cardholders can extended the intro period by three months so long as they've made every payment on time.
The card has no rewards, but 21 months is a long time to have to pay down a balance. If you need the extra time, this isn't a bad option to choose. It even comes with some useful perks, like cell phone protection and roadside dispatch.
Pro
- Long intro offer
- No annual fee
- Good benefits
Cons
- No rewards
- Balance transfer fee
Wells Fargo Reflect Visa Card
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
The Citi Double Cash Card is a simple card. Use it for every purchase to earn 2% cash back (1% when the purchases is made, 1% when it's paid off). Aside from the strong rewards for no annual fee, it boasts a long intro 0% APR for balance transfers (then 13.99% to 23.99% (Variable)).
It doesn't carry any impressive perks aside from that, however, but it does present a good opportunity to transfer a balance to avoid interest charges. Once the balance is paid off, cardholders will still have a strong credit card to use to rake in the rewards.
Keep in mind using the card for new purchases after transferring a balance isn't the best strategy, unless your monthly payments are large enough to cover both the new purchases and pay down the transferred balance within the intro period.
Pros
- 2% cashback for every purchase
- Long intro balance transfer offer
- No annual fee
Cons
- Few perks
- Balance transfer fee
Citi Double Cash Card
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum, like the Wells Fargo Reflect, offers cardholders one of the longest 0% intro APR offers for balance transfers. But unlike the Wells Fargo card, cardholders won't have to do any extra steps to qualify for it.
Cardholders will have 20 billing cycles to pay down the balance at 0% interest before the normal APR of 14.49% to 24.49% (Variable) applies. The intro offer also applies to new purchases. There are no rewards, and there's a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount transferred or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
Pros
- Long intro 0% APR for balance transfers and purchases
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
Cons
- Balance transfer fee
- No rewards
- Few perks
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card
Who should get a balance transfer credit card?
If you're struggling to manage your high interest rates or need breathing room to tackle your key financial issues, a balance transfer credit card is a great option. If the following situations apply to you, it's worth considering a balance transfer card:
- You have large amounts of debt - Credit card debt is costly and piles up quickly. 0% APR intro offers can provide up to 21 months to tackle some of your debt.
- Loans are too long of a commitment - Loans can be a hassle and potentially add to your debt in the long term. If you need more time to pay off your balances, a balance transfer card is a great option.
- You seek more organization - You can consolidate multiple balances all into one card. If you lose track of passwords, payment dates, etc., use a balance transfer card to make one monthly payment instead.
What is a balance transfer fee?
Most credit card companies charge a fee on any balances transferred. The fee is usually a percentage or minimum dollar amount of the total balance transferred (3-5% or $5-10, depending on the credit card issuer). The credit card company you transfer the debt to is the one that collects the fee.
How can you transfer your balance?
Once you have selected the best balance transfer credit card for your needs, you can find information on the credit card's website on how to initiate a balance transfer. You can also call their customer support number for one-on-one assistance. Overall, the process is relatively straightforward for cardholders planning to transfer their balance. Here are a few steps:
- Do the research and apply for a balance transfer card
- Gather your account details for the card that has the debt (referred to as the "transfer from" card)
- Contact customer service and tell them that you want to transfer a balance onto your new card
Make sure you keep making payments towards your original card until the transfer closes to avoid late fees and other penalties, and then transfer your balance before the new card's introductory offer ends.
Will a balance transfer impact your credit score?
Let's cut to the chase: the not-so-great news is that your credit may be impacted after completing a balance transfer, but the good news is that credit scores are resilient. A balance transfer may temporarily lead to your credit score dropping because you'll decrease your average account age and increase the credit utilization on a card. However, each situation is unique and depends entirely on your creditworthiness.
Your credit should go up again if you use credit responsibly over time and pay your credit card bill on time every month, particularly since payment history accounts for a significant impact on a credit score. When you finally pay off your accruing debt, your credit score will likely go up. Here's a list of credit score components that are most likely to be impacted by a balance transfer:
- Credit utilization, or how much of your credit is used compared to how much is available
- Credit history length, or how long you've had a credit line open
- New credit or other new credit card accounts
Is it a good idea to do a balance transfer?
No matter the type of credit card, responsible card use is very important. Credit cards should not be used to charge something you cannot afford. However, when life happens, and emergencies make this unavoidable, a good balance transfer card can save you many dollars and many years of the burden of debt. Be sure to read the fine print and avoid unwanted surprises later.
Are balance transfer fees worth it?
The value of a balance transfer offer usually depends on the balance transfer fee. One of the downsides to a balance transfer is that there may be a fee involved, normally between 3-5%. For example, if you owe roughly $5,000 on credit, then it could cost you anywhere from $150 to $250 to transfer the balance. If you have to pay a fee to transfer a balance, compare how much you're paying in interest to the fee to make sure the transfer will help save money in the long run. As long as you can pay off the balance transferred before your 0% APR period ends and the amount of interest you could pay on the original card is more than the balance transfer fee, then it may be worth transferring.
Balance transfer fee tip: Most people don't realize that balance transfer fees are negotiable. That's especially true if you're a new customer, as many credit card issuers will waive certain fees to get you to sign the dotted line (if you're approved). The smart move is to contact the credit card company you're interested in and ask if they are willing to negotiate.
How long does a balance transfer take?
Having your balance transferred from one card to another may require some patience. The amount of time it takes to transfer your balance can vary, depending on the credit card issuer and whether or not you are transferring your balance to a brand new credit card or one you already have in your wallet.
Chase can take up to 21 days for a balance transfer. It's an inexact science, but you can regularly check your accounts to see when the transfer processes. It's wise to time the beginning of your balance transfer process right after you've made a payment to avoid risking a late payment fee on your existing account. Make sure you continue to make minimum payments on the card you transferred the balance from until the process is complete.
What are important factors to consider when shopping around for a balance transfer card?
Introductory APR and term: Many (but not all) balance transfer cards offer an introductory annual percentage rate that lasts for a certain number of billing cycles before changing to the regular annual percentage rate.
Regular APR: Once the introductory rate is over, the regular annual percentage rate will become your new rate.
Balance transfer fee: Many cards charge a fee that applies to the balance transferred. This fee is usually a percentage of the total balance.
Annual fee: While many balance transfer cards waive the annual fee for the first year, some will charge an annual fee thereafter.
Credit score needed for approval: It is important to know if your credit score is high enough to be considered for approval.
Rewards: Many balance transfer cards offer rewards for travel, everyday spending or cashback.
[This article was first published on The Simple Dollar in 2020. It was updated in March 2022.]