Dec
One way to save some money if you’re carrying credit card balances is to transfer the balance on one credit card with a high interest rate to another card with a lower rate. Some cards even offer 0% APRs for the first few months—potentially saving you a bunch of money in interest over the long run.
We found six cards that let you transfer a balance with no up-front APR, and many of these come with extra perks.
1. Discover it – 18 Month Balance Transfer Card
An introductory 18-month 0% APR on balance transfers and availability to those with lower credit scores makes the Discover it credit card a good option for those trying to rebuild their credit.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for first 18 months
- Purchase APR: 0% for first 6 months
- APR after Introductory Period: 11.99% to 23.99% variable
- Annual Fee: $0
- Credit Needed: Excellent, Good, or Fair
If you have a fair credit score, you may have a hard time getting approved for a new card to use for balance transfers. Fortunately, the Discover it credit card offers those with fair scores a chance to transfer balances with 0% APR for the first 18 months. When you activate this card, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 of purchases in qualifying categories that rotate each quarter—for example, at Target and Amazon.com through the end of December. You can earn an additional 1% cash back on other purchases. You’ll also get free Social Security number monitoring that alerts you if your information is used on shady websites.
2. Chase Freedom Unlimited Card
Get 0% APR on balances transfers and purchases for 15 months plus unlimited cash back rewards with the Chase Freedom Unlimited card.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for first 15 months
- Purchase APR: 0% for first 15 months
- APR after Introductory Period: 15.99% to 24.74% variable
- Annual Fee: $0
- Credit Needed: Excellent or Good
The Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card combines 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. The “unlimited” 1.5% cash back program applies to all purchases and doesn’t require you to activate it or meet a minimum purchase amount—the cash is awarded automatically. In addition, the card has no annual fee and is available to people with excellent or good credit.
3. Citi Simplicity Card
A full 21 months of 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases makes the Citi Simplicity Card an attractive option for people looking to move debt.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for first 21 months
- Purchase APR: 0% for first 21 months
- APR after Introductory Period: 14.99% to 24.99% variable
- Annual Fee: $0
- Credit Needed: Excellent or Good
This card has the longest 0% introductory APR of any card on this list, so if you’re looking to carry your balance transfer for an extended time, the Citi Simplicity Card is a good option. You also pay no annual fee, no late fees, and no penalty rates. The major caveat: you pay either a $5 or 3% balance transfer fee—so be wary of transferring large balances with this card.
4. Citi Double Cash Card
The Citi Double Cash Card is another no-annual-fee, 0% APR balance transfer card you can use to save money on high-interest balances.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for first 18 months
- APR after Introductory Period: 14.49% to 24.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers
- Annual Fee: $0
- Credit Needed: Excellent or Good
The Double Cash Card from Citi has an introductory rate that lasts for 18 months, and then you’ll move to a 14.49% to 24.49% variable APR, depending on your credit. Citi Double Cash Card also gives you twice the cash back rewards: 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay off the purchase.
5. Mastercard Black Card
For pristine credit holders, the Mastercard Black Card offers 0% APR balance transfers for 15-months plus lots of fancy perks.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for first 15 months
- APR after Introductory Period: 15.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers
- Annual Fee: $495 for primary cardmember and $195 for each extra authorized user
- Credit Needed: Excellent
If you have a stellar credit score, you might be approved for the prestigious, stainless steel Mastercard Black Card. You won’t pay any annual interest for the first 15 months on balance transfers, but you will have to pay a hefty $495 annual fee. That fee gets you access to Mastercard’s luxury gifts, rewards, travel, and 24/7 concierge benefits and services.
6. Mastercard Gold Card
A luxury card for luxury shoppers, the Mastercard Gold Card is a precious metal-plated option that Donald Trump would be proud of.
- Balance Transfer APR: 0% for first 15 months
- APR after Introductory Period: 15.99% variable on purchases and balance transfers
- Annual Fee: $995 for primary cardmember and $295 for each extra authorized user
- Credit Needed: Excellent
Want a truly luxurious credit card experience? The Mastercard Gold Card—which is literally plated with 24-karat gold—offers the same high-end benefits of the Mastercard Black Card plus even more luxurious advantages. Like Mastercard Black Card users, you can transfer balances and carry them for up to 15-months with 0% APR. In addition, you get a $200 airline credit each year. The catch: you’ve got to have supremely excellent credit and pay the $995 annual fee.
Before you apply for any credit card, learn your credit score so you can shop for cards that you’re likely to qualify for. And you can start today—get your credit report for free from Credit.com.
The Discover it Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited Card, Citi Simplicity Card, Citi Double Cash Card, Mastercard Black Card, and Mastercard Gold Card may be offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if users apply for or enroll in any of these cards. This relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees, and terms for credit cards, loans, and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees, and terms with credit card issuers, banks, or other financial institutions directly.
More on Credit Cards:
- The Credit.com Credit Card Learning Center
- How to Get a Credit Card With Bad Credit
- How to Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rates
Image: iStock
Source: http://blog.credit.com/2017/12/6-credit-cards-with-no-balance-transfer-fees-119344/