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Balance transfer credit cards

Super save with a balance transfer credit card 

  • Pay no interest for up to 31 months

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MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker not a lender. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident.

Compare balance transfer credit cards from across the market

MoneySuperMarket works with a broad range of household-name credit card providers, including

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Why compare balance transfer cards with MoneySuperMarket?

  • We compare leading providers

    We’ll track down the balance transfer cards best suited to your needs, comparing key features such as balance transfer fees, interest rates and incentives.

  • You can check your eligibility

    We’ll tell you which balance transfer cards you’re likely to be approved for, as well as any you’ve been pre-approved for.

  • Comparing won’t harm your credit score

    We’ll only carry out a soft search on your finances when you’re comparing. That means no mark will be left on your credit file.

What is a balance transfer card?

A balance transfer credit card allows you to transfer the balance from existing credit cards to a new credit card account, usually for a fee.

Transferring your balance can be a really good way to cut your outgoings and get on top of your debt.

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How do balance transfer cards work?

  • Find a new card

    Compare balance transfer cards to find the best deal – ideally a card that gives you enough time to pay off your debt at 0% interest. Factor in any fees.

  • Transfer the debt

    Give your new card provider details of your transfer. It usually takes 1-2 days. You can’t usually transfer debt between cards from the same provider.

  • Record when the 0% interest period ends

    Make a note of when the interest-free period ends and spread your payments to make sure you’ve cleared your debt or get ready to switch again.

  • Stick to the terms of the deal

    Start paying off what you owe, making sure you stick to the terms. Missing a payment could mean a charge and the interest-free period being cancelled. 

What are the different types of balance transfer card?

You have a choice of cards depending on whether you want to pay 0% interest for as long as possible, avoid balance transfer fees, or carry on using the card to spend.

  • 0% interest

    Consolidate existing card debts onto a new card with the longest interest-free period possible. You’re likely to be charged a one-off fee 

  • No-fee balance transfer

    Transfer what you to owe on other credit cards to one low interest no-fee balance transfer card to cut your debt repayments 

See whether you’re eligible with MoneySuperMarket

Applying for a credit card can sometimes feel daunting, especially if you have a low credit score, because it’s not always clear what deal you’ll get, or if you’ll be accepted. If you’re pre-approved for a credit card you can relax, because you know the deal you see is the deal you’ll get. You’ll know where you stand, with the facts at your fingertips to help you make the right choice for you.

  • Apply with confidence

    When you’re pre-approved, the interest rate, interest-free period and fee (if there is one) are all confirmed. The only thing not guaranteed is your credit limit

  • Tailored to you

    You’ll see your personalised chance of approval for all balance transfer credit cards, so you can easily compare your options

  • You’re in safe hands

    Our soft search shows you your chances of approval. This helps protect your credit score as you’re less likely to be rejected when you apply

How to choose the best balance transfer card deal

  • Tick

    What’s the goal?

    Do you need to pay off debt, will you still need a card for new spending? Think about what you’ll need the card to do

  • Tick

    Find the longest 0% period

    Work out how long it’ll take to pay off your debts. For large debts a longer interest-free balance transfer period could suit even if there is a big fee

  • Tick

    Check whether you’re eligible

    Your credit score will affect the card deal you’re offered. Check your credit file for free with Credit Monitor and learn how to boost your chance of getting a great deal

  • Tick

    Look for lowest transfer fee

    Check the balance transfer charge and any other charges. If you can’t pay off the debt within the interest-free term, you may need to switch again with another fee

Can I get a balance transfer card with bad credit?

You may still be able to get a balance transfer card even if you’ve struggled with debt in the past and have a low credit score. Here are some things to consider:

  • Specialist credit card providers can cater for those with bad credit

  • Expect interest rates to be higher than for standard card deals

  • Interest-free periods and credit limits may not be as good

We can help you find a card to suit your needs without further harming your credit score. You can check your eligibility with a ‘soft search’ and see your chances of being accepted. See ways to boost your credit score.

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Representative 34.9% APR

Victoria Russell

Our expert says

"

A balance transfer credit card can be a great way of consolidating debt to give you time to pay back what you owe without having to face high interest rates. The calculation to make before applying for a card is whether the amount you are due to save in interest will outweigh the one-off fee for moving your balance to the new card. The good news is that it usually does.

"
- Victoria Russell, Personal Finance Expert

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Pros: Found a good balance transfer deal, accurate info and so easy to complete
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How to compare balance transfer cards with MoneySuperMarket

If you feel that a balance transfer credit card could be right for you, the next step is to use the MoneySuperMarket Eligibility Checker to see what cards are available – and your chances of being approved. 

  • Tell us about yourself

    We’ll ask you a handful of simple questions about you and your financial circumstances, and what you need from a credit card

  • We browse the market

    We’ll sift through dozens of credit card offers from across the market, and then show you the most suitable deals 

  • Pick the card you want

    You’ll be shown a range of credit cards, which you’ll then be able to sort according to 0% interest periods, interest rates and your chances of being approved

There are a number of factors that affect your credit score, including the number of credit applications you’ve made, your employment status and whether you’re on the electoral register.

As such, making a new credit application – even for a balance transfer credit card – can cause an initial drop in your credit score. However as with any kind of credit product, if you make your repayments on time your score should eventually start climbing again.

When you get your new credit card, you should destroy any old ones you have – even though they may be expired or the account may be closed, an identity thief can still use the information on the card.

You should be able to transfer any existing credit card balances on to your new credit card. But it isn’t usually possible to transfer a card balance between two cards issued by the same bank or banking group. 

Most providers will let you transfer balances between £100 and £10,000 to a new card – at most, around 90% of your current credit limit.

Balance transfer fees are generally given as a percentage of the overall amount you’re transferring – this will usually be between 1% and 3%, but could range anywhere from 0.5% to 5% of the total sum.

Some balance transfer deals may be fee-free, but typically they will have shorter 0% interest periods.

If you have a balance on one or more credit cards that you can’t repay in full it is likely you’re paying a high standard APR on this debt. By switching it to an interest-free balance transfer card you can reduce your monthly repayments and pay down the debt faster. 

Once you’ve found a suitable balance transfer card you can apply online and if you’re accepted you can ask the new provider to pay off the debt on your old credit card or cards, transfering the balance across to your new card – paying any balance transfer fees in the process. Typically you will have a window – such as 60 days – within which to make the balance transfers to your new card.

There are no limits on how many times you can transfer a credit card balance from lender to lender. But remember your credit score can be negatively affected when you apply for credit, so if you make a lot of applications in a short space of time this could impact on your ability to get the best balance transfer deals.  

An online balance transfer to a new card can usually be done within a few days. But transfer times will vary between providers due to their different procedures. In some cases it could take a couple of weeks.

There are lots of reasons why transferring credit card balances is a shrewd move. But it's only worthwhile if it helps you pay off your debt faster during the interest-free period, so you pay less overall – and provided you’ll still be saving money after any balance transfer fee is paid. 

If you need a credit card to continue spending, there are likely to be better alternative options. 

When weighing up whether a balance transfer card is right for you, we recommend you...

  • Ensure the savings in interest you'll make outweigh the transfer fee

  • Are aware that the interest rate will rise steeply after the 0% period

  • Bear in mind that late or missed payments mean you could lose your 0% deal

  • Remember that you can't usually transfer balances between cards from the same provider 

As a general rule, you'll need a high credit rating to be eligible for a balance transfer card. According to credit rating agency Experian, applicants with an impaired rating or a score of 669 or lower are unlikely to be accepted.

Divide the amount you transfer by the number of months your interest-free deal lasts for. The result is the amount you need to pay each month to clear the debt.

If you do not clear the balance by the end of the 0% period, you will be charged interest on what you owe.

You will have to make at least a minimum payment each month.

If you know you’re not going to clear the balance within the 0% period, you could consider transferring to another card with an interest-free period.

Always pay the minimum monthly payment on time to avoid penalties and interest charges.

Avoid exceeding your credit limit or you’ll face penalties such as losing your interest-free deal.

Make the necessary payments to the card or cards you move the balance from, especially if you do not clear the balance completely.

If you do not clear the balance by the end of the interest-free period, transfer that sum to another 0% balance transfer card.

You work hard to earn your money, and we don’t think you should waste a penny of it paying over the odds on your household bills. That’s why at MoneySuperMarket, we’re on a mission to save Britain money.

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You might be wondering if we work with all the companies in the market, or if our commercial relationships with our partners might make us feature one company above another. We’ve got nothing to hide, and we want to give you clear answers when it comes to questions like these, so we’ve pulled together everything you need to know on this page.