Balance transfer credit cards for fair credit

Balance transfer cards can be great options if you’re overwhelmed by high interest rates or need to consolidate debt. However, obtaining one generally requires good credit. That’s because card issuers usually want to take on your debt only if they’re reasonably certain you have the ability to repay it.

Though your options are considerably constrained if you have fair credit (typically between 620 and 689), you’re not totally out of luck. Let’s talk about good card choices you can look into even with less-than-stellar credit.

What to expect from balance transfer cards if you have fair credit

Applying for a balance transfer card is a little different if you have fair credit. You won’t qualify for as many cards, and your card terms generally won’t be as attractive. Keep the following tips in mind while applying for a card:

• Don’t get fooled by the ongoing APRs
  While you’re hunting for a new card, you might see APR terms like “13.24% to 23.24%, based on your creditworthiness.” You might think that’s great because you can potentially receive a 13.24% ongoing APR. However, with fair credit, you’re more likely to get an interest rate at the upper end of the APR spectrum. Try to pay off any transferred balance fully before your 0%-APR promotion expires.
• There’s more at play than just your credit score
  As with any other credit card, your chances of approval don’t just revolve around your credit score. You may have sufficient credit to qualify for a balance transfer card, but your card issuer may look at other factors while evaluating your application — income or amount of outstanding debt, for example.
• Your credit limit may be lower than you expect
  Credit card companies are in the business of making money, and their profitability depends on gauging their customers’ ability to repay debt. To this end, they set credit limits to manage their risk.
  As someone with fair credit, you might receive a lower credit limit than what someone with strong credit might receive. In turn, this will affect how much debt you can transfer to your new card.

The best balance transfer cards for fair credit

As we’ve discussed, your options for balance transfer cards can be limited if you have fair credit. Fortunately, you still have a few good choices. The following are the best cards on the market that are accessible but also stocked with helpful features.

	Table Image	Product Description	Intro APR for Balance Transfer	APR for Purchases ( Purchase Rate )	Annual fee
UNITY Visa Secured Credit Card		Borrow up to $10000 and get your credit score back on track.	9.95% Intro APR for 6 months (with $10 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater% balance transfer fee)	17.99% fixed	$39	Go to site More info
Chase Slate® credit card		Jumpstart your financial fitness! 60 day introductory balance transfer offer, save on interest, and get your free monthly credit score.	0% Intro APR for First 15 billing cycles (with $0 for transfers in first 60 days. Then $5 or 5%.% balance transfer fee)	15.99% to 24.74% variable	$0	More info
Citi Simplicity® Card		This is the only card with No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate and No Annual Fee - Ever. Give it a try and apply to find out what the Citi Simplicity® Card can do for you.	0% Intro APR for 21 months from date of first transfer; completed within 4 months (with $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater% balance transfer fee)	14.99% to 24.99% variable	$0	More info

Applying for a balance transfer card

To apply for a balance transfer card, you typically have to be at least 18 years of age (in some states, the age limit is higher). While you’re applying, have the following information on hand:

• Your name, residential status, and residential address
• Your Social Security number
• Your email address, phone number, and date of birth
• Financial information like your annual salary and wages

Frequently asked questions