How to Compare Balance Transfer Card Offers

The term 'outstanding balance' refers to the amount you have charged to your credit card which you have yet to pay for. As credit card interests are high, one of the ways to avoid paying for these high interests is to transfer your credits to a balance transfer credit card which offers a 0% introductory APR. This allows the user to transfer the balance over to the new card and save on the interest rates or even to acquire a cash advance to clear off all outstanding debt within the 0% APR period. However, when making a comparison on the right balance transfer card, it's best to evaluate the following elements before making a decision.

0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

A 0% Annual Percentage Rate means that you are not charged any interest on your credit card balance for a limited period. 0% APR cards are best used for consumers with huge debt amounts that they want to clear within a certain timeframe. For instance, if they expect to clear their outstanding balances within the next 9 months, they should definitely opt for a balance transfer card with a 0% APR for a minimum period of 9 months. However, they need to be disciplined in carrying out their plan as these cards hike up their interest rates within the blink of an eye once the 0% APR introductory period finishes.

Credit history check

Certain balance transfer cards require applicants to possess a good credit history before their applications can be approved. These cards best suit disciplined card users who intend to reduce the interest rates of their outstanding balances. Being money-smart consumers, they are not in the habit of utilizing balance transfer cards to consolidate their debt, but rather to exploit other attractive credit card perks that these cards may offer.

Cash advance

Another way to clear debt is to obtain a cash advance on your balance transfer card. However, you may want to keep in mind that the amount is usually inadequate for you to clear all of your standing balance at one go. Plus, there is a chargeable fee which is usually about 3% on top of the amount of money you transfer out of your account. Nevertheless, this rate may vary according to the market forces that drive the credit card industry.

Adam Goldman recommends Find Credit Cards to compare balance transfer card offers.

Balance Transfers Credit Card "Primer"

Credit card features are composed of the APR (annual percentage rates), balance transfer fees, interest rates, late fees, and so forth. The APR is a primary feature to reflect on while searching for balance transfer cards. Credit card companies are competitors; therefore, the companies will strive to offer special deals on credit cards. Some of the deals include 0% introductory rates and low interest rates, particularly for balance transfers. In your search for the best balance transfer credit cards, be sure to take maximize the advantage of the offer by using the card strictly for balance transfers. If you use the cards to make purchases, please keep in mind that the credit card issuers profit from the corresponding financial charges that you might incur while using this type of card.

Introductory Periods

For a few of the balance transfer cards, lenders will add zero percentage introductory rates for up to 15 months. Some credit card lenders will determine the zero introductory rates from your credit rating. If you have six months, one year, or 15 months of 0% on your balance transfers be sure to pay off the debts before the date expires.

Balance Transfer Fees

Balance transfer fees consist of a percentage of the full amount that is financed and transferred to the card. The fees typically average around 3 percent of the amount transferred. The purpose of comparing cards is primarily due to the fact that some credit card lenders will essentially surrender the normal fees during the introductory trial.

Transferring the Balance on Credit Card Dates

Very few of the available balance transfer credit card offers will not require a transfer fee. The balance transfer credit cards that provide the most benefits are those cards that enable you to complete balance transfers during the entire introductory period. The cards that require you to start balance transferring upon receipt of the card do not allow the flexibility that the latter card allows. Be sure to read the terms and conditions, since you can look for clauses, stipulations and/or restrictions on balance transfers. The most important thing to consider is understanding, the types of balances transferable, before accepting the card.

The balance transfer credit cards nowadays have select programs that offer rewards. Comparing the cards will help you find the better cards that suit your needs. Look through the clauses when considering rewards balance transfer cards, since some card lenders will not apply the points to the balances transferred. Still, this could be the better choice!

For more information on balance transfer credit card basics, Bert Wills recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com.

How Balance Transfers Can Help You Stop Putting Money Down the Drain!

As you probably know, interest rates are at all time low right now and if you aren't getting the best deal from your
credit card company then they owe it to you to either lower your rate, or you owe it to yourself to find a better deal.
You see, credit card companies need your business in order to succeed and if you refuse to pay a penny more than you
have to then you'll be doing yourself and others a big favour indeed. By doing this, you'll avoid paying more than you should and the companies will stop treating its clients inappropriately.

Now that this is clear, we will talk about the essentials of balance transfers, how they work and how you can ensure that you get the absolute best possible deal.

1. First and foremost, understand what a balance transfer is. A balance transfer is when you transfer the balance from one card to another in order to get a better interest rate than the one that you are currently getting.

2. Second, to find the absolute best deals, look to transfer balances on cards where the initial interest rate is 0% and the amount after that is lower than the one you have now. For instance, if you're a cardholder that has an interest rate of 27.4% on a 1000 balance and you only pay
150 a month for 6 months, you will not pay off the balance in 6 months. Instead you will pay 247 worth of interest and your balance after 6 months will be 346. In contrast, if you had a 0% card and make the same monthly payment then your balance will be reduced to 100 at the end of the 6
month period, a tremendous saving!

3. Third, don't throw those offers that you receive in the mail away. If you have great credit then you'll likely have
credit card companies vying for your attention. Just use this power to your advantage and find the very best 0% deal
for you.

4. If no good deals seem apparent, then you have to find your own deals. You can do this by conducting a thorough search on the internet to see if you can find a 0% card offer.

5. Once you've done this, request information and then review it carefully. Pay close attention to the rate after
the initial introductory period is over. For instance, if you have two choices of cards with 0% interest rates for 6 months and one charges an interest rate of 15.00% after the initial period and one that charges 11.00% after the initial period then by all means choose the second one
because it is by far the better deal overall.

6. Read and then reread the credit cardholder agreement a couple of times. Make sure that you understand all of the
jargon and if you don't, find someone that does before you sign it. Review it closely to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible. For instance, when
evaluating deals, you should ask yourself these questions:

a. How long does the introductory rate last?
b. What will be the rate after the teaser expires?
c. What are the cards annual fees? Can they be waived?
d. Are there any transfer fees that you should be aware of?
e. Are there any perks that are offered? (Ex. frequent flier miles, free gifts, etc).

7. Once you've decided on an offer, fill out your application fully and get it in the mail as soon as you can.

8. Once you get the offer, make sure that it is a 0% teaser rate and if it isn't, then contact the company right away. If they aren't open to doing so then tell them that you're cancelling the card and look for another company that delivers what they promise. Your primary goal is avoid the old "bait and switch" while simultaneously saving money on interest.

9. While waiting for your new card, make sure that you continue to pay on your old card to avoid glitches in your credit report and once you receive notification that the transfer has been made, make sure you contact the old company and make sure that they received the payoff amount.

10. After the teaser rate is up, don't be afraid to jump from one credit card to another after the teaser expires. You see, there is absolutely nothing wrong with surfing cards and taking advantage of 0% offers whenever you possibly can. Just keep finding and researching great deals.

That's it my friend. Credit card transfers don't have to be so confusing and daunting. If you follow the above
mentioned steps then you can and will win the balance transfer rate and stop throwing your hard earned money down
the drain.
Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of http://www.the-credit-card-centre.co.ukwhere you will find further advice and tips on the best credit card deals.