Oojal Dhanjal
Balance transfer credit cards can slash the costs of existing credit card debt and could save you thousands by reducing the interest you pay.
These cards allow you to transfer debt from one credit card provider to another at 0% interest — as long as you keep up with monthly payments and do not use the card for purchases. There is usually a one-off fee, though some cards offer no transfer fee and 0% interest.
Kalpana Fitzpatrick, MoneyWeek’s digital editor, says: “Balance transfer cards can help you clear out existing debt at no extra cost and are great for those that have existing credit card balances. But, keep in mind you will need a good credit score to get the top deal and there are often transfer fees to pay, so this only makes sense if you have a fairly large balance and you can pay it off in the 0% period.”
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To avoid paying any interest, always make sure you make the minimum repayment each month and clear the debt within the interest-free period. It’s also important that you only use the card to pay off the existing credit card debt and do not use it to spend — otherwise, you could face hefty interest charges. Failing to pay the minimum balance each month could mean you incur fines and damage your credit rating.
We round up the best 0% balance transfer credit cards on the market now.
The best 0% balance transfer credit cards
Here are some of the best 0% balance transfer cards on the market. This list is updated regularly.
0% interest balance transfer cards with the longest offer
Here are some of the best 0% balance transfer cards on the market. This list is updated regularly.
Barclaycard Platinum Balance Transfer
- Up to 32 months, 0% interest
- 3.19% transfer fee
- To benefit from the balance transfer offer, it needs to be taken out within 60 days of opening the account.
- The minimum you can transfer is £250 across up to five balance transfers. The maximum transfer will be 90% of your credit limit.
- 0% on purchases for three months
- You can’t make a transfer from any other Barclaycard or partner cards.
- After the 0% period, the interest rate jumps to 24.9% APR
This is a generous offer from Barclaycard, but you must be a new customer to be eligible, and you're not guaranteed the headline rate, as this depends on your credit history.
Tesco Bank Balance Transfer Credit Card
- 32 months, 0% interest
- 3.19% transfer fee
- 0% interest for nine months from opening the account on money transfers to a current account, with a 3.99% transfer fee
- Collect Tesco Clubcard points when spending in Tesco
- After the 0% period, a rate of 24.9% will apply
HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Card
- Up to 32 months, 0% interest if the transfer is made within the first 60 days
- 3.49% fee (minimum £5)
- No annual fee
- 0% on purchases for three months
- The interest rate jumps to 24.9% after the 0% offer period
You won’t be eligible if you hold an HSBC Basic Bank Account. You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, depending on your circumstances.
M&S Balance Transfer Credit Card
- Up to 30 months, 0% interest if the transfer is made within the first 90 days
- 3.49% balance transfer fee (minimum of £5)
- No annual fee
- 0% interest on purchases for three months
- Collect M&S Reward points when shopping
- Get up to 55 days interest-free credit when you pay your balance in full and on time each month
- After the 0% period, the interest rate jumps to 24.9% APR
As with most balance transfer cards, if you don't have a great credit score, you could get less time to pay off your balance than the headline figure.
Santander Everyday Long Term Balance Transfer Credit Card
- Up to 31 months 0% interest
- 3.45% transfer fee (minimum £5)
- No monthly fee
- 0% interest on purchases for 3 months
- After the 0% period, a rate of 24.9% will apply
You aren’t eligible if you have an Everyday credit card, and the rate you receive will depend on your credit score.
0% interest balance transfer cards with no transfer fee
Santander All in One Credit Card
- 15 months, 0% interest on balance transfers and purchases
- No fee to transfer
- No foreign exchange fees on overseas purchases
- 0.5% cashback on all purchases (up to £10 a month)
- £3 monthly charge to hold the account
- After the 0% period, the rate jumps to 29.8% APR
Your eligibility will be based on credit checks. You won’t be able to transfer any balances from other Santander or Cahoot credit cards, loans or current accounts.
Barclaycard Platinum no fee balance transfer
- Up to 14 months 0% interest
- No fee to transfer a balance for the first 14 months
- No monthly account fee
- 0% interest on purchases for three months
- After the 0% period, the interest rate jumps to 24.9% APR
The no-fee balance transfer period you get will depend on your credit score. To benefit from the offer, you must transfer within 60 days of opening your account.
Natwest Balance Transfer Credit Card
- Up to 12 months 0% interest
- Balance transfers must be made within three months of opening the account
- No fee to transfer
- After the 0% period, the rate changes to 24.9%
Your actual credit limit will be based on a credit assessment.
Santander Everyday No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Card
- Up to 12 months, 0% interest
- No fee to transfer a balance for the first 12 months
- No monthly account fee
- 0% interest on purchases for three months
- After the 0% period, the interest rate jumps to 24.9% APR
If your credit score isn't perfect, you might be offered less time to pay off the balance. You shouldn’t already have another Everyday credit card, and you can’t transfer balances from other Santander or Cahoot credit cards.
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