The Best Balance Transfer Cards

Barclaycard 18-month balance transfer relaunched

From today, Barclaycard is reintroducing its 18-month 0% balance transfer card with an APR interest rate of 16.9% and a fee of 2.9%, compared to the 20-month card which has an typical APR of 17.9% and a transfer fee of 3.2%

For example, anyone transferring a balance of £3,000 to the 18-month card will pay a fee of £87 while anyone moving the same balance to the 20-month card will pay £96.

Prospective customers can choose from either of the two deals. However, anyone who has previously had a Barclaycard will not be able to get the offer.

Barclaycard is also offering a 25% discount on fees if you transfer more than one balance. For example, anyone transferring a balance of £3,000 (£1,500 from two places) would pay £65.75 for the 18-month offer, or £72 for the 20-month deal.

The 'discount' is available to anyone who applies before the 3 May and you will have 60 days to make the transfer.

Barclaycard went the extra mile last month when it upped its balance transfer offer to 20 months to beat MBNA and Virgin Money to the top of the table after both lenders introduced 18 month offers.

Tara Evans, of This is Money says:

Again Barclaycard have been aggressive with its products to offer the best card on the market for balance transfers – although, it's only available to customers who have never had a Barclaycard before.

There are over a hundred 0% balance transfer credit card deals on the market, ranging from three months to Barclaycard's 20 months.

Anyone who has just one balance to transfer may be tempted by the 18-month card from Barclaycard as it has a lower transfer fee of 2.9% compared to the 20-month offer of 3.2%.

However, Virgin Money offer a transfer card for 18 months with an 2.89% transfer fee and a typical APR of 16.8%.

You need to work out which card is best for you. If you think you can pay off the balance within 18 months then you should go with that card. However, if you'd like the flexibility of 20 months (this all depends on the total amount you have to pay off) then you might think this card is more suitable. [You can use our credit card reality check calculator to work it out]

Don't forget that after the 0% introductory interest period has ended you will pay a representative APR of 16.9% for the 18-month card and 17.9% for the 20-month.

Zero Down Financial Stress with 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards ...

Is high credit card debt posing a financial obstacle in your life? Do you want to pay less interest than what you are paying now? If these are the financial queries popping up randomly in your mind, then 0% APR balance transfer credit card is the answer. A lot many people nowadays find it hard to cope with high credit card costs. Possessing multiple monthly credit cards at high interest rates can certainly be burdensome for most of them. Hence, the best way is to consolidate your balances into 0% balance transfer credit card for instant financial relief. However, ensuring long term relief requires payment of the debt as quickly as possible.

0% balance transfer credit cards do more than providing financial relief to customers. In fact, these rate cards can alter your financial situation by enhancing available funds for cash purchasers, ensuring rapid payment of debt and making funds available for savings. Many people spend a fortune on paying for credit card interests every month. Availing services of the 0% balance transfer card gives you the opportunity to shrug off your interest costs and build up your savings. This will not only help you achieve financial stability but also relieve you of the loathsome stress.

0% APR balance transfer credit cards are widely used by lenders as an enormously successful marketing tool for attracting new customers. An introductory period between three to eighteen months allows the new customers to transfer the balance of their current cards, thus warding off high costs. Obtaining a 0% APR balance transfer credit card with an introductory period of twelve months not only minimizes your balance but also alleviates strain on your monthly budget. However, it is essential to remember that all these introductory offers have a limited period, prior to which the customer has to pay normal interest again.

This does not mean that the 0% APR on balance transfer can be availed only once. Most lenders do not convey this piece of information to customers as part of their marketing strategy. The good news is customers can apply for these rate cards as many time as desired. However, it is necessary to judge if their application has been successful in the past. Meeting normal application criteria and paying off current monthly payments on time are the two conditions for renewing your application for 0% balance transfer credit card.

One of the quickest ways to come across the top 0% balance transfer credit card is via the Internet. A number of websites specializing in introductory rate cards are available online. Comparison of the terms, conditions and benefits associated with different cards should form a part of the homework that the customer has to indulge in order to select the right card. Besides, online application forms for 0% APR on balance transfer helps carrying out the transaction right from your home. So get smart and benefit yourself by applying for a 0% balance transfer credit card right away!