Friday, April 11, 2008

Low Interest Balance Transfer Cards

Balance transfer cards are taken by a customer to relocate their credit from one card to the other. This is generally the option when the person is unable to pay the balance at the end of the billing cycle. Hence, a card with a low interest is what the customer desires and desperately looks for.

There are many cards in the market presently available, which have a 0 % introductory interest rate. It is advisable to go in for cards with a maximum introductory period, so that the customer can try to pay the balance on the old card within the introductory period itself. Many companies that offer 0% introductory rate have exorbitant rates once the introductory period is over. The best bet in such cards would be to go in for a card that keeps the introductory offer on till the customer pays the entire previous balance.

When customers choose a balance transfer credit card they should ensure that transferring fees are waived. This card can be used for only clearing the balance while there could be a separate card for purchase. If the customer wants to use the same card for all purposes, then it is advisable to find out about the other benefits associated with the card. Some cards offer benefits such as travel insurance, extended warranties and auto rental insurance.

There are many credit card companies around that have good introductory offers on balance transfers, but the interest rates on purchases made are high. The customer might find that the high rate of interest in case of purchases has accrued, while the 0%, introductory offer, transfer balance is getting settled.

While shopping for low interest balance transfer credit cards, it should be ensured that they serve the basic purpose of lowering the customer's debit.

Low Interest Credit Cards provides detailed information on Low Interest Credit Cards, Best Low Interest Credit Cards, Low Fixed Interest Credit Cards, Low Interest Credit Card Offers and more. Low Interest Credit Cards is affiliated with High School Student Credit Cards.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Monday, March 10, 2008

Balance Transfer Credit Cards - Which One For You?

If you have any kind of existing credit card balances, balance transfer credit cards may be just the thing you need to reduce your credit card debt. They can also help you save money in other ways, too. Here are some ways that a balance transfer credit card can save you some money.

0% APR Interest

The first way it can save you money is that, hopefully, the new card gives you a 0% APR interest introductory offer for balance transfers. You will need to double-check the fine print on the credit card to be sure that this rate applies to balance transfers. Most often it applies to the interest rate on your purchases, and only on some cards will it apply to transfers. If you also get that rate of interest on your transfers, then be sure to notice how long that you get that rate for. The rate on balance transfers is often different than the length of the introductory offer.

The 0% APR interest generally applies to your purchases made during the introductory time period. This gives you great savings over that time frame, but be sure to pay off the balance each month - and on time, for the best savings. Any late fees take away any savings you get, otherwise, and you may actually end up paying more than if you had made your purchase at retail prices.

Balance Transfer Fees

Another thing you need to look for is to see if there are any fees associated with the transfers. Some balance transfer credit cards will charge up to a hefty 4% of any amount transferred to the card. While this figure may sound good when compared to the interest on the other card, keep in mind that many cards will not charge anything.

Rewards

Choose your balance transfer credit card on the basis of this option, too, since you can definitely save some money here, if you get the right card. Rewards come in many types, but if you get one that is geared to your needs (most expenses per month), then you will probably be able to save considerably. A card with rewards on it means that you get either discounts on future purchases, rebates or cash back. This amount of savings can certainly add up after a while, and can put a smile on your face when your bill comes each month.

Remember to compare a number of balance transfer credit cards in order to see what kinds of deals are available. Also, be sure to look at the various fees, so that you do not lose the value of your rewards. There can be many fees on a credit card, but by shopping around, you may be able to get one that does not have very many, or, has fees that you can avoid with prompt and full payments. Get as low of an interest rate on the card as you can for the time after the introductory time period runs out ? or get a new card.

Joe Kenny writes for the Credit Card Guide, offering the latest 0% credit cards, visit today for introductory 0% balance transfers and start clearing credit card debt today. Visit today: http://www.cardguide.co.uk/

Labels: , , , ,

Friday, February 29, 2008

Credit Card Balance Transfer: The Best Offer You Should Look For

In today's society, people purchase all their everyday needs by using a credit card. You can pay for everything by using a credit card, such as your groceries, electric bills, and even gas for your car. Just imagine, by just having a credit card, you can purchase anything you want without having to carry cash around.

Basically, what a credit card offers is that you don't have to worry about not having the cash, worry about the credit card bills you have to pay after a month.

It is a fact that credit cards are a very useful tool that you can use today. However, owning a credit card also has its risk. Since people don't have to worry about purchasing things with a credit card, they tend to overdo it. Sometimes people get that urge to buy that new pair of shoes they really want but don't have the money for it. They tend to use their credit cards for it.

Because of this uncontrollable spending, people get into credit card debt. With a high interest rate credit card, this can be bad news. You will likely end up paying more on interest rather than paying the actual debt itself. So, one way to get rid of this debt is through credit card balance transfers.

Credit card transfer is one of the best ways and the easiest way to avoid high interest on your monthly credit card bills. If you have a number of credit cards, you can basically use the other credit cards to pay for your debt.

The first thing you need to do is choose the credit card with a low interest or zero interest rate. This credit card is the best card to transfer your balance to. With a low interest or zero interest rate, you will certainly save a lot of money and is the best way to get rid of the debt.

However, credit card balance transfer also has its drawbacks. Some companies charge a credit card balance transfer fee that can be as high as four percent of the debt. You should also make sure that you pay on time to avoid rise in interest rates. Also, you have to watch out for hidden fees, make sure that the credit card you are transferring your balance to doesn't have hidden fees that you will be required to pay for.

Certain low interest or zero interest credit cards has expiration periods on the low or zero interest rate introductory periods. It is important that you should learn when the introductory period will end to help your prepare for another credit card balance transfer to another card with low interest or zero interest rate.

In order to get the best credit card offers, you have to shop around for it. It is a fact that there are a lot of zero interest and low interest rate credit card offers, but you should also keep in mind that these offers are usually offered on a limited time only. Make sure you read the small print in order to understand the promo and know when the introductory period will expire.

As much as possible, you should always consider the credit limit on the card you are considering to transfer the balance to. When it exceeds the credit limit, you will likely pay additional charges and will also make the interest rate rise. These are the things you should remember when making a credit card balance transfer.

James has written many articles about the benefits of business and college student credit card offers and runs a website on locating the best credit card offers for your lifestyle

Labels: , , , , ,

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Three Tips To Finding The Best Balance Transfer Options

When it comes to balance transfers, there are many benefits for those that find just the right opportunity and take the best of them. There are plenty of opportunities here, though. The balance transfer is one of the best ways to save money in the long term and the short term. If you invest a bit of time in finding the best opportunity, you will find rewards in the long run. That is because these balance transfer credit cards are designed to save you money if and only if you use them correctly.

How They Work

A balance transfer credit card sounds like a good thing, but do you know how and when to use them? There are several key elements that come into play when you are considering them. So, take a look at these points.

1.Determine if the balance transfer offers a lower APR than you're currently getting. the annual percentage rate on credit cards is the most essential piece of the credit card puzzle. It indicates, as a matter of fact, what you will pay for the credit card purchases you make over time. On the balance transfers you are considering, determine what the rate is. If it is higher than you are currently paying, you are simply wasting your money by moving it. A lower APR is an opportunity to save.

2.Determine introductory APR's. One of the largest incentives is introductory rate on a balance transfer credit card, which is generally either 0% or comparably very low. This number is a crucial number to take into consideration. How long will you have to save? What is the APR after that introductory period is over? If you do not pay off the credit card within that introductory phase, you are likely to pay more than you are now in APR with the new card. If not, then this is an ideal choice.

3.Determine the credit limits. When applying for a credit card of any type, you need to consider if the credit limit meets your needs. If you are considering balance transfer credit cards, if they do not offer you a sufficient credit limit when you need to make the move, then it is worthless to you. But, in most cases, during your application phase the credit card company will ask if you are considering this feature. If so, then tell them how much you are looking to use a balance transfer for. It will not guarantee a higher credit limit, but it can't hurt to request it for that specific purpose.

Taking the time necessary to determine just what it is that you need, what it will cost you and who can offer you the best deal is what you would do for any purchase. Therefore, when considering a balance transfer credit card, your goal is the same. Take the time to analyze your needs. Determine which balance transfer credit cards are capable of providing you with the interest rates and credit and balance transfer limits that you need. Determine what it will cost you in the long term as well in order to determine if it is the best product for you. Then, select the most suitable balance transfers option that fits your needs.

When you follow this plan, you will find benefit and reward in balance transfers. If you do not use it, you may find yourself paying more and saving less than you originally intended.

Robert Alan advises that you visit CreditCardAssist.com to find out more about how a balance transfer credit card works.

Labels: , , , ,

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Credit card 0% balance transfer deals: the terms maybe increasing, but so are the costs

With summer holidays looming and credit card spending on the increase, many people will be looking to reduce their repayments by utilizing one of the many 0% balance transfer credit card deals. Consumers need to check for hidden charges which have been creeping in to credit card contracts over the past few months to prevent a group of financially savvy consumers called ?rate tarts? from taking full advantage of these offers by regularly changing between card providers so that they never pay interest.


While credit card companies such as Barclaycard are gradually increasing the length of their 0% period, transfer fees are becoming progressively more common. This means that while the interest free period remains in effect, no additional interest repayments are added onto the initial balance, there is a preliminary charge made based upon the total amount transferred. Until recently the average charge was 2% of the transfer balance up to a maximum of about ?50. This however is now changing, as MBNA recently boosted its minimum charge from 2% up to 3%, along with the maximum fee for balance transfers from ?50 to ?75. Online financial comparison site, Moneynet, has warned that, where MBNA leads, rivals might well follow.


Another change to the charging structure of many credit cards includes the removal of the transfer fee cap. Capital One along with several other providers who are offering some of the longer 0% periods, have decided the best way for this service to be funded by the bank is through taking the cap off the maximum possible charge for balance transfer fees. This means that on a ?5,000 balance transfer with a 2.5% transfer fee, there would be a ?125 charge upfront for the privilege of changing to the new card, where previously the total charge may have been capped at only ?50.


Despite these changes in the terms of various balance transfer cards, it is still usually worthwhile, but the consumer needs to look closely at all the overall costs and savings which are likely to be made, and whether a different deal such as a long-term low APR card, may prove to be better in the long run.


Richard Brown, the chief executive of credit card comparison site Moneynet, warned consumers against financial complacency, ?Consumers waste millions of pounds each year by not switching. While apathy and unawareness that they could save money are factors, financial providers also make it harder than in should be.?


With the personal finance market becoming increasingly complex and confusing to the consumer, the Financial Services Authority has realized the need to help educate the nations young, and encouraged, ?firms to provide clear information so that consumers can engage with the financial services market, make informed decisions and shop around?, and requested that, ?firms to treat their customers fairly?


At the end of the day, while there is assistance available in the form of financial publications, comparison websites, and financial advisers, it is unfortunately up to the individual to seek out the most appropriate help and regularly perform their own financial reviews in order to ascertain how to build a more secure financial future for themselves and family.



Disclaimer:

All information contained in this article, is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as advice under the Financial Services Act 1986.

You are strongly advised to take appropriate professional and legal advice before entering into any binding contracts.
 

Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, December 17, 2007

Fixed APR Balance Transfers: Better Than A 0% APR

0% balance transfers offer great short term savings, free up money to pay down debt quicker, and can ultimately save consumers hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in interest over their duration. However, the very best 0% balance transfer offers on the market only last 15 months. For many, this is not enough time to completely eliminate their credit card debt and they are faced with a decision: pay the new regular interest rate or transfer their balance again. For most, a fixed APR balance transfer credit card never enters their mind. However, this balance transfer offer is often the best option for many credit card users.

First, let me explain a 0% balance transfer worst case scenario. An acquaintance of mine thought he could save a few thousand dollars in student loan interest by transferring his balance to a 0% APR credit card. The student loan had a fixed APR of 7.99%. He figured he?d save $1600 the first year on his $20,000 loan, then transfer the remaining balance to a new 0% APR credit card the next year.

What he didn?t realize was that its not always that easy to get approved for a new 0% APR credit card year after year, especially when you have a high amount of credit card debt. When it came time to transfer the $18000 left on his credit card, he was only able to get a $2000 0% balance transfer. He was stuck with $16000 of credit card debt with a 12% interest rate and the clock was ticking on his other $2000 in debt. Instead of a comfortable fixed APR of 7.99%, my acquaintance got stuck in a credit card nightmare.

Fixed APR balance transfer credit cards provide consumers with a much better way to pay down long term debt such as student loans or car loans at a set interest rate. Currently, some credit card companies are offering fixed APR credit card rates as low as 3.99% for the life of the balance. A rate such as this is lower than many student loan and car loan rates, and can provide consumers savings of 3% or even 10% on long term debt each year.

A fixed APR balance transfer is also a good option for individuals with high credit card debt considering a second mortgage to pay off their high interest credit cards. For example, a 3.99% fixed APR may be lower than a second mortgage?s interest rate and it wouldn?t involve costly refinancing fees. More importantly, however, is the fact that a fixed APR balance transfer doesn?t remove equity from your home.

0% balance transfer credit cards offer consumers great short term savings. In the long run, however, a fixed APR credit card provides a viable, interest saving option for those looking to reduce higher interest loans and credit card debt over a period of more than 12 to 15 months. Imagine how much better off my friend would be if he transferred his $20000 balance to a 3.99% fixed APR credit card instead of getting greedy with 0% APR credit cards.

Jeff Weber is President & CEO of Credit Card Depot Inc. His primary website, http://www.credit-card-depot.com, has covered the credit card market for over two years, providing consumers with detailed credit card information and links to online credit card applications. Over 40,000 individuals visit Credit Card Depot each month.

Labels: , , ,