What is a balance-transfer credit card and how does it work?
Using a balance transfer credit card to move your existing debts to a 0% deal can reduce the cost of your debts and help clear them for good. When you take out a balance-transfer credit card you will still need to make a monthly repayment and, if you are late making this payment, you can risk losing the introductory offer and being moved on to the standard APR. You therefore need to be responsible with managing the card.
It is best to opt for the longest possible interest-free period to give you the maximum amount of time to clear your debt. Most cards have a balance-transfer fee and you will typically have to transfer the money within 30-90 days of taking out the card.
Find out which balance-transfer credit card is best for you
You can use Money to the Masses partner Creditec* to quickly build a list of the credit cards that match up with your needs. By simply adding in a few basic details, you will get a tailored collection of the best credit cards for you. You can use your Creditec results to check how likely you are to be accepted for a certain card, which cards available to you offer the best rewards or find out what option will leave you with the lowest fees to pay. Creditec is able to check your eligibility without running a full credit check, which means your credit score will not be affected. Click this link to start your comparison*.
Top balance-transfer credit cards with longest 0% period - November 2024
| Name of card | Representative APR (variable) | Interest-free period | Balance Transfer fee | Other features |
| HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Card | 24.90% | Up to 30 months | 3.49% fee, min £5 | 0% interest on purchases for 3 months |
| Virgin Money Balance Transfer Credit Card - Check eligibility | 24.90% | 29 months | 3.45% | None |
| Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card - Check eligibility | 24.90% | Up to 29 months | 3.45% | 0% interest on purchases for 3 months |
- Representative APR: 24.90% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 30 months
- Transfer fee: 3.49% fee, min £5
- Annual fee: No annual fee
- Representative APR: 24.90% variable
- Interest-free period: 29 months
- Transfer fee: 3.45%
- Annual fee: No annual fee
Read more on the Virgin Money website.
- Representative APR: 24.90% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 29 months
- Transfer fee: 3.45%
- Annual fee: No annual fee
Read more on the Barclaycard website.
Top balance-transfer credit cards with no fee - November 2024
| Name of card | Representative APR | Interest-free period | Balance Transfer fee |
| NatWest NatWest Balance Transfer Credit Card | 24.90% | 13 months | No fee |
| Santander Everyday No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card - Check eligibility | 23.90% | 12 months | No fee |
| Barclaycard Platinum No Fee Credit Card - Check eligibility | 24.90% | 12 months | No fee |
- Representative APR: 24.90% variable
- Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 24.90% (variable) p.a., your representative rate is 24.90% APR (variable)
- Interest-free period: 13 months (0% interest for the first 3 months on purchases)
- Transfer fee: No transfer fee (on transfers in first 3 months)
- Annual fee: No annual fee
Read more on the NatWest website.
- Representative APR: 23.90% variable
- Interest-free period: 12 months (0% interest for the first 3 months on purchases)
- Transfer fee: No transfer fee (on transfers in first 12 months)
- Annual fee: No annual fee
Read more on the Santander website.
- Representative APR: 24.90% variable
- Interest-free period: Up to 12 months (0% interest for the first 3 months on purchases)
- Transfer fee: No transfer fee (on transfers in first 60 days)
- Annual fee: No annual fee
Read more on the Barclaycard website.
How to make the most of a 0% balance transfer credit card
The key to making the most of a 0% interest balance transfer credit card is to pay off the balance before the interest-free period ends. Even with the very best balance transfer credit cards, the rate of interest will rise sharply once you are no longer on your initial deal. This means that you will need to plan out how you will pay off the balance over the number of months that your debt will be interest free. Alternatively, you could try and move any leftover balance to a new balance transfer credit card at the end of the offer. This can be a useful way to avoid the interest charges, but the best option is always to plan a route to becoming debt-free and stick to it.
What to consider before you get a 0% balance transfer credit card
Balance-transfer fee
When you move your money onto a new card with a 0% balance transfer offer there will typically be a handling fee of around 1-3% of the balance transferred, although some card companies now offer a 0% handling fee in exchange for a shorter interest-free period. So check exactly what you will have to pay.
While a lot of credit card companies will simply add this to the balance transferred, remember that as soon as your 0% promotional period is up you will pay the standard interest rate on this fee, as per the rest of your credit card balance, assuming of course you haven’t cleared your debt. But watch out as some providers apply the standard interest rate to the handling fee from the day the handling fee is applied to the account. Consequently, your handling fee can work out more expensive than you first thought.
Alternatively, you could opt for a 'no-fee' balance transfer credit card. There are fewer 'no-fee' balance transfer offers available and the interest-free period will typically be less, however, you may consider that to be a good trade-off when it comes to not having to pay a fee.
The 0% cut-off period
In order to secure a 0% balance transfer offer you will usually need to transfer any existing balances across to the new card within a certain period of time, i.e. 60 days. If you miss the boat then you will have to try and secure another 0%, which will likely prove more difficult.
Interest on new purchases
Usually when you spend on a credit card you won’t be charged interest on the value of the purchases if you clear your balance by the end of the month. But some credit cards will only do this if you clear your entire balance, including any transferred balances. So check the small print and if in doubt don’t spend on a credit card where you’ve taken advantage of a 0% balance transfer deal.
Typical APR
Although you will want to move any unpaid balance away once the introductory 0% offer expires, keep an eye on the cards standard APR especially if you decide to move to a low interest rate card rather than a new 0% deal. Remember that the APR you see quoted in offers will be the’ typical APR’ which is only offered to those with impeccable credit records. EU rules state that the advertised APR only has to be given to 51% of applicants.
Pros and cons of a 0% balance transfer credit card
Here is a summary of the key advantages and disadvantages of 0% balance transfer credit cards:
Pros of a 0% balance transfer credit card
- No interest for a set period
- Reduce the interest on an existing balance by transferring it to a 0% balance transfer credit card
- Fee-free options available
Cons of a 0% balance transfer credit card
- Once your 0% introductory period is over, you will be charged interest on your remaining balance
- You may not be able to continue to spend on a balance transfer credit card
- You will need to pay a balance transfer fee to get the longest 0% interest periods
Alternatives to a 0% balance transfer credit card
If you are struggling with debt, first of all read our article '5 simple steps to clear your credit card debt'. There are also a host of charities and organisations offering free debt advice. But be careful of companies pretending to offer free debt advice or passing themselves off as other legitimate debt charities. Full details of the legitimate organisations that offer debt advice and counselling can be found in our article 'Where to get free debt advice'.
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