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Why it could be wise to go for a balance transfer card with a shorter 0% length

If you have credit card debt and you're paying interest on your balance, applying for a 0% balance transfer credit card is likely to be a wise move. That's because balance transfer cards allow you to shift debt to them, giving you a brand new 0% period in which you don't have to pay any interest.

It's worth knowing that 0% periods can vary massively between providers on these cards. However, don't assume that the longer the interest-free period, the better. Opting for a card with a shorter 0% period might be a cheaper option. Here's why.

How do balance transfer credit cards cards work?

Balance transfer cards are specialist types of plastic that repay debts on old cards for you. When you apply for a balance transfer card you'll be given the option of transferring debts over from your old card. The amount you can transfer will depend on the credit limit you are offered.

Once you've shifted debt, you'll owe your new card instead. Crucially, the market-leading balance transfer cards come with decent 0% periods. This means you won't have to pay interest on anything you transfer over for the full duration of the 0% period.

Interest-free periods vary between cards, with the longest deals offering more than TWO YEARS at 0% . While, you may think it's best to go for the longest 0% period possible, this isn't always the case. Before we explain why, let's take a look at how balance transfer cards work.

How do 0% lengths on 0% balance transfer credit cards work?

When you're accepted for a 0% balance transfer credit card, you have the power to move over debt you have on other credit cards. Anything you shift across will be transferred to your new balance transfer card, meaning you'll benefit from a shiny new interest-free period. This means you won't have to pay any interest for the length of the 0% period—as long as you follow the main balance transfer rules (we explain these below).

So, if you were previously paying typical interest on credit card debt—perhaps in the region of 39.9%—shifting your debt to 0% could potentially save you thousands in interest!

Right now, lengths on the longest 0% cards are currently as high as 34 months. This means that if you're currently paying interest on credit card debt and you apply for the longest card, you could give yourself a respite from interest for over two and a half years. That's as long as you're accepted for longest card!

What are the main rules to follow when it comes to balance transfer credit cards?

If you're planning to get a balance transfer credit card, it's important to understand that there are some very important rules to follow. If you fall foul of any of these rules, you could lose any 0% deal, or face the prospect of having to pay hefty interest.

1. Never spend (or withdraw cash) on these cards

Unless otherwise stated, the 0% rate on balance transfer credit cards typically only applies to transferred debt. So, if you use a balance transfer card for purchases, or a cash withdrawal, you'll probably be hit with hefty interest. Therefore, only ever use a balance transfer card to shift existing debt to 0%.

If you are looking for a credit card to finance a new purchase, take a look at our best 0% purchase credit cards guide.

2. Always make at least the minimum monthly payment

While balance transfer credit cards often come with decent 0% periods, you usually still have to make the minimum monthly payment to keep the interest-free period alive. In other words, "0%" doesn't mean you've nothing to pay. If you're concerned about this rule, you may wish to set up an automatic direct to make the minimum payment as soon as you're accepted for a card.

3. Plan to clear your balance within the 0% period

If you're accepted for a balance transfer card pay close attention to the length of the 0% period. Always plan to clear your debts before the interest-free period ends. If you don't, you'll have to start paying interest.

While you'll need to make at least the minimum monthly payment to keep your 0% deal alive (as explained above), clearing your balance before the interest-free period ends will mean paying MORE than the minimum.

If you cannot clear your balance before the end of the 0% period, the next-best thing is to apply for a new 0% balance transfer card. However, you shouldn't bank on being able to do this. That's because there's no guarantee you'll be accepted for another card in future. Also, the balance transfer market may look very different in future. For example, it's possible that 0% deals may be far less generous in a year or so.

4. You usually have to shift your balance within a set period to get the headline 0%

Most balance transfer credit cards will stipulate that in order to grab the headline 0% rate, you must transfer your balance within a set period. This is usually 30 days or so, though it varies between providers. Always study the terms of any offer before applying for a card. If you don't, there's a risk you'll miss out on a 0% deal.

5. Don't shift debt from a card within the same banking group

Balance transfer providers usually don't allow you to transfer debts from a card within the same banking group. For example, you won't be allowed to shift debt from a Halifax card to a Lloyds card as they're part of the same group. If you're unsure about which banks belong to the same group, pay attention to the terms of any balance transfer offer at the time of application. Usually it will be spelled out which providers are part of the same group.

When might it be wise to opt for a shorter 0% balance transfer card?

When comparing balance transfer credit cards, you may be tempted to apply for the longest card possible. This certainly isn't a bad idea if you think you'll need a very long time to clear you existing debt.

However, it's important to note that the longest cards often charge a one-off fee. This is usually a percentage of the debt you wish to transfer. Unsurprisingly, the highest fees are usually attached to the cards for the longest 0% periods.

If you feel you can clear your debt within a shorter time than the longest 0% deal, seriously consider looking at 0% balance transfer cards without a fee. While the 0% lengths on these cards are often shorter than the longest cards, they can still be generous.

Right now, the longest no-fee balance transfer card offers 34 months at 0%. However, this card charges a hefty 2.7% fee on the debt you shift over. In contrast, the longest no-fee card offers up to 22 interest-free months. So while this is considerably shorter than the longest deal, it's still a decent 0% period.

Let's say that you opt for this card over the longest deal, and you manage to clear your balance within the 0% period, you'll save yourself a 2.7% fee. This means you'll be £135 better off if shifting a typical £5,000.

Remember, balance transfer deals can change regularly. To see a list of the top cards available, take a look at our best balance transfer credit cards guide.

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The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here.