If you already bank with RBS but have card debt elsewhere, this deal lets you transfer the balance to RBS and enjoy a long interest-free period, allowing you to clear debt faster and more cheaply.
RBS Balance Transfer Credit Card review
By Chris Lilly
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
- Representative example:
- When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.9% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.9% APR (variable).
- 0% interest on balance transfers
- 13 months
- Balance transfer fee
- 0%
- Account fee
- £0
Our verdict
Existing RBS customers can transfer debt from cards that aren't held with the RBS group to enjoy 13 months of 0% interest.There are a number of longer 0% deals than this available on the market (up to 28 months, in fact) but this one comes with the benefit (particularly for those transferring larger sums) of a smaller balance transfer fee than its peers.
Remember that if you don't clear your balance in full within the 13 months, any outstanding balance will start to accrue interest at the card's standard rate (this "revert" rate may be higher than the advertised rate, depending on RBS's assessment of your circumstances).
If you are an existing customer, you probably already use the RBS app and will be glad to know that, yes, you can track your card using the app (you can even lock and unlock it from the app). iPhone users will also be pleased to hear all RBS cards are compatible with ApplePay.
Pros
- Applicants with low credit scores may be eligible
- Customers report excellent customer service when dealing with Royal Bank of Scotland
- Over a year of 0% interest to focus on reducing existing card debt
- Three months to spread the cost of purchases
- No balance transfer fee
- No annual fee
Cons
- Minimum annual income requirement of £10,000
- You may be offered an opening credit limit as low as £250
Details
Product Overview
| Issuer | Royal Bank of Scotland |
| Network | Mastercard |
| Representative APR | 24.9% |
| Annual/monthly fees | £0 |
| Balance transfers | 0% for 13 months reverting to 24.9% |
| Balance transfer fee | 0% |
| Purchases | 0% for 3 months reverting to 24.9% |
| Purchases interest-free period | Up to 56 days |
| Money transfers | 26.9% |
| Cash advances | 26.9% |
| Minimum credit limit | £250 |
| Maximum credit limit | Subject to status |
| Additional cards available | 3 |
| Incentive | |
| Potential costs | 3.0 ★★★★★ |
| Doing its job | 3.5 ★★★★★ |
| Extras | 2.5 ★★★★★ |
| Overall Finder score | 3.5 ★★★★★ |
Application Requirements
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Minimum income | £10,000 |
| Availability | Available to new customers |
The RBS Balance Transfer Credit Card is issued on the Mastercard network so it's accepted at more than 50 million merchant locations across more than 210 countries and territories.
Approval for any credit card depends on your status. The representative APRs shown represent the interest rate offered to most successful applicants. Depending on your personal circumstances, the APR you're offered may be higher, or you may not be offered credit at all. Fees and rates are subject to change without notice. It's always wise to check the terms of any deal before you borrow. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables is provided by Moneyfacts.
Repayment options
You can make manual repayments through Royal Bank of Scotland's app by logging in to your online banking or over the phone (0345 724 2424). Alternatively, you may wish to set up a direct debit.
A direct debit protects you from forgetting to make a repayment and losing your promotional interest rate as a result (as well as damaging your credit score and incurring the late payment fee of £12). You could use a fixed-amount direct debit to ensure you've cleared your debt before the 0% period expires – simply divide your outstanding balance by 13 to see what you'll need to pay each month (this assumes you don't use the card for additional spending).
You can arrange a direct debit for repayments when you apply for the credit card. The table below shows the options available.
Choose from the following direct debit options for your monthly repayments:
| Minimum amount | Fixed amount | Fixed percentage | Full amount |
|---|---|---|---|
How to apply for the Royal Bank Balance Transfer Credit Card
If you've compared cards and settled on the RBS Balance Transfer Credit Card, you can head over to Royal Bank of Scotland's secure online application to apply. Don't forget, you'll need to be over 18 and a UK resident to apply, with an income of at least 10000. You can request a balance transfer as part of your application.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to receive the RBS credit card?
You'll know whether or not your application has been approved within 5 minutes of submission. As long as it's approved, RBS states your shiny new card will be with you in 5-7 working days.
If I miss a repayment, will I lose my interest free offer?
No, but there are plenty of other good reasons not to miss a credit card payment, like hurting your credit score and getting hit with a penalty fee.
How much can I transfer using the RBS Balance Transfer Credit Card?
You'll be able to transfer up to 95% of your available credit limit. Credit limits are tailored to the applicant and will be based on RBS's assessment of your circumstances.
How do I request to change my credit limit on the RBS credit card?
You can do this through internet banking by selecting "Cards" from the main menu. In the "Manage your personal credit card" section select "Manage your credit card limit". Add your annual income, requested credit limit and the last 5 digits of your card. Finally, select "submit". Alternatively, you can call a customer advisor 0345 724 2424.
Finder credit card scores
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our experts score balance transfer cards to determine their value against similar products on the market. We look at a number of important factors, like the length of the balance transfer offer, the balance transfer fee, any restrictions to making a transfer, plus the potential costs involved with running the card both in the short and longer term.
You can read more about our scoring criteria on our credit card methodology page.
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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