Article Sphere Logo

What To Look For In A Balance Transfer Credit Card

By Expert Author: Bradley Carson | Article Abstract
Word Count: 432 words | Views: 60 view(s)
When shopping for a new balance transfer credit card, take the time to compare a number of credit cards, as the terms and conditions of these offers varies greatly. There are numerous things to consider before you take this step of choosing a new card. Be sure to read the fine print.

First, you need to have a plan on why you're applying for this new balance transfer credit card. If it's to consolidate two or three credit card balances from higher interest credit cards to a card offering an introductory 0% APR, there's more you need to know. Some issuers charge a fee for each balance transfer transaction. This can amount up to 3%, or a flat fee of $35.00 for each transfer. So if you have a number of account balances you want to consolidate, you need to figure this charge in also.

Some financial institutions only offer the 0% APR on the balance transfer amount and not on new purchases. So if you've transferred balances to this new credit card, and then you use the credit card for new purchases, when you make a payment it is applied toward the lower APR balance and you're assessed interest on your new charges. It isn't until the balance with the lower interest rate is cleared, that your payments are then applied toward the newer charges with the higher interest rate.

Another thing to take into consideration is the balance limit on the new balance transfer credit card. Is it enough to cover those other credit card balances you want to consolidate? If the credit limit isn't high enough, they won't transfer the whole amount. In addition, you wouldn't be able to use the credit card as it would take you over your credit limit. Again, read the fine print. Going over your credit limit would take you out of the terms and conditions of the credit card, thus voiding the special introductory offer. The penalties can be steep.

You also need to know if there is an annual fee for this new balance transfer credit card. If there is a fee, that would have to be taken into consideration when determining any savings you might realize by consolidating your debts into a new balance transfer credit card.

Now, don't get me wrong, a balance transfer credit card can be a good thing and work to your benefit. With a definite purpose of eliminating some of your debt and then sticking to your plan, a balance transfer credit card with a 0% APR valid for several months, can save you a lot of money in interest payments.
Bradley Carson

About the Author/Author Bio

Bradley Carson is the webmaster and editor of Apply Online For A Credit Card. This is a website created to bring concise credit card information and credit card offers from premier financial institutions.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/What-To-Look-For-In-A-Balance-Transfer-Credit-Card/38589

Article Submitted: 2006-07-05 | This Article has been viewed 60 times.

Rate Article

Related Videos

How to Use Your Credit Card
How to Use a Credit Card
How to Read Your Credit Card Statement
How to Understand Credit Card fees
How to Avoid Credit Card Scams
 

More "Credit Cards" Related Articles

 
 

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Credit Cards" article category.

People interested in the above article "What To Look For In A Balance Transfer Credit Card" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 
There are plenty of credit cards out there for those looking into getting one, but how do you decide which one to get? Low annual fee credit cards are just one type of credit card that you can get from virtually any credit card provider in the Australian credit card market. But what is it? How does it work and how woul done be of benefit to you? Read this article now and find out!
Are you trying to choose a credit card, but are struggling with all the choices? When it comes to choosing a credit card, there are certain things you need to look out for in order to make sure you're getting the right credit card for you. Take a look at our checklist below to see what information you should be seeking when you begin your credit card search.
You must have heard people say - 'I got a good credit card deal'. So if you happen to be looking for a credit card at that moment, do you just go with what your friend has told you as a good credit card deal? Let's check what one can term as a good credit card deal. A credit card deal is good if it works for you. So, if the credit card fits into your lifestyle in a way that rakes in maximum benefits for you, that is a good credit card deal.
"We accept credit cards" is a statement that you must have come across multiple times at various shops, grocery stores and other merchant outlets. This statement is generally accompanied by a few stickers (Visa/Master card etc). Credit cards have transformed the businesses and our lives to a great extent.
Well, you don't really need to look into the teen credit card debt statistics to tell what's going on. The teen credit card debt statistics would probably look very similar to any other. I think I read somewhere about teen credit card debt statistics and those teen credit card debt statistics indicated that a lot of teens in US had a significant amount of balance on their credit cards; something which they shouldn't have (considering their limited needs for credit).
For students, the student credit cards are the best way to enter the fascinating world of credit cards. Student credit cards help the students in taking advantage of the various benefits associated with credit cards in general e.g. convenience, safety, rebates etc., much earlier in their life.
Just browse through the daily newspaper and you will be overwhelmed by the number of credit card offers advertised. Move around the town and you will find credit card offers being advertised everywhere. Same is the case is with television which seems to host a number of credit card offers too. So, the credit card offers are there everywhere. Why are there so many credit card offers? Well, quite simply because credit card business is a highly profitable business for the credit card suppliers.
 
Article Directory Home All Categories Finance Credit Cards
 

Can't find what you're looking for? Try Google Search!
 
Copyright © 2005 - by Larry Lim, Singapore - Article Search Engine Directory at ArticleSphere.com™
All Rights Reserved Worldwide. All Trademarks and Servicemarks are the property of the respective owners.

Afrikaans Albanian Arabic Belarusian Bulgarian Catalan Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Croatian Czech Danish German English Estonian Filipino Finnish French Galician Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Icelandic Indonesian Irish Italiano Japanese Korean Latvian Lithuanian Macedonian Malay Maltese Dutch Norwegian Persian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swahili Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Vietnamese Welsh Yiddish