0% balance transfer credit card offers

What you’ll find in this guide

What is a 0% balance transfer credit card?

0% balance transfers let you transfer your existing credit card debt to a new credit card, with a 0% interest rate for a promotional period. The interest-free promotional period will vary from card to card, but you can find cards with no interest on balance transfers for up to 40 months. Once the introductory offer has finished, the balance transfer interest rate will revert to a higher standard interest rate.

How do 0% balance transfer credit cards work?

A 0% balance transfer credit card allows you to move a high-interest debt to a new card with a promotional 0% offer on balance transfers. You can request the balance transfer when you’re applying for the new card. If you’re approved, your new provider will settle the balance on your old card and transfer it to your new account. While the 0% promotional balance transfer offer is in place, you won’t accrue any additional interest as you repay your debt.

This means you can clear your balance without collecting more debt for a promotional period of up to 40 months depending on the card. Not only can you clear your debt faster, but you can save hundreds or thousands of pounds on interest charges at the same time.

How much interest will I save with a 0% balance transfer credit card?

If you have a credit card debt of £1,000 and you make £100 repayments per month, a balance transfer offer can help you regain control of your finances and save:

As you can see in the example above, not only can you save £200 in interest costs, but you’ll also repay your debt faster.

This example assumes that the cardholder cleared the debt before the promotional offer finished. Once the 0% balance transfer period offer finishes, a higher standard interest rate will apply. So if you’re unable to pay off your debt before the introductory offer ends, your remaining debt will be charged the standard variable interest rate for balance transfers.

Your current stage in choosing a balance transfer offer

How to compare 0% balance transfer credit cards

Here are the most important factors you should keep in mind to find a 0% balance transfer card to consolidate your debt:

• Length of the balance transfer introductory offer. The 0% interest period on a balance transfer card usually ranges from 6 to 24 months, but will vary between cards and available offers. The more debt you have, the longer you want the introductory period to be so you have more time to pay it off.
• How much you are allowed to transfer. Depending on the bank, you can usually transfer between 90% and 95% of the approved credit limit. If you had an approved credit limit of £5,000 and a maximum balance transfer of 90% of the limit, you could transfer up to £4,500.
• Make sure you can transfer to the new bank. You can’t transfer your balance to a new card under the same bank. This means that you also can’t transfer balances between banks that are owned by the same provider. For example, you can’t balance transfer between Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest as they’re both owned by RBS.
• Balance transfer revert rate. At the end of the balance transfer promotion, the 0% interest rate will revert to a higher standard variable rate (usually the cash advance or purchase rate). This means any balance that remains after this time will be charged interest, so you should aim to repay your debt before the promotional offer ends to avoid interest charges.
• Rewards. Credit card rewards are earned based on how much you spend on the card, so they are not usually a priority when you want to pay off debt. Plus, it’s important to remember that balance transfers don’t earn points. But if you want to earn rewards in the future, considering this feature when you apply for a 0% balance transfer could save you adding another card to your wallet later on.
• Complimentary extras. Many credit cards come with perks such as complimentary international travel insurance, extended warranties and purchase protection insurance. These benefits can add value to a card but are usually less important when compared to features such as the balance transfer offer and ongoing fees.
• The purchase rate. If you plan to make new purchases on the card before or after you’ve cleared your debt, check the purchase rate. Note that this rate will be applied from the day of the transaction when you carry a balance. If you want to make purchases whilst repaying a balance transfer, some cards offer both 0% on balance transfers and purchases.

Credit card expert Chris Lilly on choosing the right balance transfer card

What are the hidden costs of a 0% balance transfer credit card?

While you don’t pay interest on the debt you move to a 0% balance transfer card, there are a number of other fees you should be aware of before you apply. Some of the most common costs include:

• Balance transfer fee. Banks may charge between 1% and 3% for your balance transfer, which is based on the total balance transfer amount.
• The annual fee. Most 0% balance transfer credit cards do not charge an annual fee, but some may, and the cost varies. Be aware of this cost before you apply, and make sure that the annual fee won’t exceed your interest savings.
• Minimum repayments. Even though the card charges 0% interest, you will still have to pay at least the minimum amount required for each statement period. Paying the minimum repayment might not be enough to clear your balance before the end of promotional period, so make an effort to pay as much as you can each month. Ideally, you should divide your balance by the number of months in the promotional period and pay that amount each month to clear the balance in full before the promotion ends.
• Interest charges for new purchases. When you make a purchase on a 0% balance transfer card, the purchase rate will be applied to it from the day the transaction is made. Your repayments will also go towards the debt that attracts the highest interest rate first. In this case, that is your purchases instead of your balance transfer.
• Late payment fee. Some credit card issuers may charge a late payment fee if payments are made after the due date on your statement. Depending on the bank and your balance transfer deal, making a late payment may also invalidate your interest-free period.

Depending on the 0% balance transfer card you choose, other fees and charges may also apply in some circumstances. Make sure you check the standard terms and conditions for individual cards before you apply.

How to apply for a 0% balance transfer offer

These simple steps will help you find and apply for a 0% balance transfer offer that fits your budget and your needs.

1. Check your total amount of debt owed

   Consider how much debt you want to transfer, and how long you think it will take you to pay it off so that you know what kind of offers will help you achieve your goal.

2. Compare 0% balance transfer offers

   Look at all the different features and types of balance transfer offers, weighing them up based on the length of the 0% balance transfer offer, the amount you have to repay and the fees and features that come with the card. You should also make sure you meet the eligibility requirements before you apply.

3. Fill out the application form

   You will need to provide personal details including your full name, date of birth, street address, driver’s licence number and/or passport number. Keep these documents handy and submit copies as requested by the credit card issuer.

4. Include details of the balance transfer request

   There is a section of the credit card application that asks for details of any balance transfer requests. You will need to fill this out with information including the current credit card company, the account number and the total amount of debt you want to transfer to the new card.

5. Submit the application

   You should get a response within 60 seconds of applying. You may be required to provide supporting documentation as part of this process. When you receive your card and activate it, your new provider will process the balance transfer from your old card to the new one. If you’d like to cancel your old credit card, contact your old bank directly to request for the account to be closed.

Your current stage in choosing a balance transfer offer

Applying for a 0% balance transfer can be a daunting task. We have answered the most popular questions from our users about applying for and using a 0% balance transfer credit card here. If you still have a question please leave a comment in the “Ask a Question” box below and one of our friendly staff will respond to your query.

Frequently asked questions about 0% balance transfer credit cards

• Which credit cards offer balance transfers?

  A wide range of credit cards offer 0% balance transfer deals, including cards from the “Big Four” (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, RBS) as well as cards from other major and smaller providers.

  Balance transfer promotions are usually only available for a limited time. You can compare current offers to find a balance transfer credit card that suits your needs.

• Is a balance transfer worth it?

  Balance transfer offers can provide you with a way to manage your existing debt and everyday expenses. If you have an existing credit card debt and want to pay less interest, then a 0% balance transfer offer could suit your needs.

• Can you transfer a credit card balance to another person's credit card?

  No. Balance transfers between two separate cardholders are not permitted.

• Can you transfer a balance between partners/spouses?

  This is usually possible if both you and your spouse have a joint account before requesting the balance transfer.

• Do I have to pay anything during the balance transfer promotion?

  Yes. You will still have to make minimum monthly repayments, which are usually 2-3% of the entire balance. But with a 0% balance transfer offer, your entire repayment will go towards the debt, rather than interest charges. While you’re required to pay the minimum repayment, it’s wise to pay as much as you can to clear as much of the debt as you can before the standard interest rate applies.

  For example, let’s say you have a debt of £5,000 and a credit card with 0% on balance transfers for 24 months. You would need to pay around £209 each statement period to clear the entire balance before the standard interest rate applied at the end of the 24-month promotional period.

• How long does it take to receive the credit card and when is the balance transfer process complete?

  Once the application process is complete and you have been approved, the new credit card will be issued. This generally takes between 5-10 business days, but it could be as many as 21 days before you receive the card.

  After you get the card, you will need to activate it so that your new issuer can begin the balance transfer process. It could be as long as 21 business days from card activation before the debt is moved from your old card to the new one.

• Can I transfer a personal loan to a credit card?

  Certain banks offer what is known as a 0% money transfer. This allows you to move the credit from a credit card into your personal current account, which you can then use to pay off existing loans.

• Can I transfer an overseas credit card debt to a UK credit card?

  No. Unfortunately this type of balance transfer is not permitted.

• Can I request a balance transfer after submitting my application?

  Most balance transfer offers must be requested at the time of application in order to get the promotional low or 0% interest rate. But some banks also allow a balance transfer to be requested after you have submitted your application.

• How long does the 0% offer stay in place for?

  The length of the 0% interest period varies between cards. For example, if a card offers 0% interest for 12 months, you will have 0% on your balance for up to 12 months from when the card is activated. To get the full value from the 0% interest rate, pay off as much as you can as soon as possible. This will help you repay the balance in full before the promotion ends.

• Is there a balance transfer fee?

  A balance transfer fee is a one-off charge that some banks apply for transferring your debt to the new credit card. This fee is usually 1% to 3% of your entire debt amount and is usually simply added to your outstanding balance. Not all credit cards charge a balance transfer fee, so check individual offers to see if it applies.

• Do I have to transfer the whole balance from my current card to a 0% balance transfer card?

  No, you can choose to transfer a portion of the balance. Just select the amount you want to transfer during the application process (and make sure you have a payment plan in place). Keep in mind that this will mean that you have two separate debts and card fees to manage.

• Can I make purchases whilst repaying my credit card balance?

  You can, but it’s not recommended if your main objective is clearing debt. Most credit cards offer a set period of interest-free days as a standard feature of the card – some will offer promotional interest-free periods of up to 30 months. During this time, you can use your card to make purchases and you won’t pay any interest on them for the duration of the period. However, if you don’t pay off the balance resulting from these purchases within the agreed timeframe – which is a separate timeframe from your balance transfer deal – you’ll be liable for interest. In some cases, missing payments on purchases will also invalidate your balance transfer deal. The exact terms and conditions will depend on your bank. Your bank will automatically allocate your repayments to the debt that is collecting the highest interest, which is likely to be the purchases if a 0% balance transfer offer is in place.

• What happens to my old credit card?

  Your old credit card will remain active until you cancel it. If you want to cancel your old credit card, wait until the balance transfer process is complete and submit a request to your old bank.

• Which transactions do my repayments go to first? Purchases, cash advances or my balance transfer debt?

  Credit card repayments go to the highest rate of interest first. When you have a low interest or 0% balance transfer promotion, all repayments will go towards purchases and cash advances before your balance transfer debt if they’re collecting a standard interest rate. As a result, it’s a good idea to avoid making purchases or cash advances when using a balance transfer.

• Can I transfer my balance again to a different bank?

  If your balance transfer promotion has ended and you still have an outstanding balance, you can apply for another balance transfer credit card with another bank. This will be subject to approval based on the bank’s lending criteria. Keep in mind that too many credit card applications can negatively impact your credit history and your ability to get a credit card application approved. You may like to consider a long-term balance transfer for more time to repay your balance.