Many cards offer a 0 % APR promotion, which can save new cardholders hundreds of dollars on interest
during the introductory period if they carry a balance or make a balance transfer.
Not exact matches
Balance transfers only make sense
if you are able to pay off the balance
during the
introductory period, or at the very least, you are able to take advantage of the 0 % interest to substantially pay down the debt.
If you elect to carry a balance interest will be charged provided it is not
during a 0 %
introductory period.
If you consolidate debt and then keep charging up your now empty cards, or if you don't pay off the debt during the introductory period and end up paying at a higher rate, then you can come out worse than you were befor
If you consolidate debt and then keep charging up your now empty cards, or
if you don't pay off the debt during the introductory period and end up paying at a higher rate, then you can come out worse than you were befor
if you don't pay off the debt
during the
introductory period and end up paying at a higher rate, then you can come out worse than you were before.
Even worse,
if such an offense happens
during a time
period where the account is awarded a 0 %
introductory term, the interest free rate may be stripped.
Things to keep in mind here:
If you can not pay off the balance of transfer
during the
introductory period, then look for a card that also has a relatively low standard APR..
If you can transfer a balance and pay it off
during the
introductory period, you will likely save on finance charges.
During the
introductory period you'll effectively earn over 33 miles per dollar
if you meet the spending requirements.
During the
introductory period you'll effectively earn over 10 points per dollar
if you meet the spending requirements.
It is wise to do the balance transfer only
if you can pay off the entire debt
during the
introductory period.
If you won't be able to become completely debt - free
during your card's
introductory APR
period, it's crucial to create a backup plan toward the end.
In most cases, a debt consolidation credit card will only save you money
if you can manage to pay the balance in full
during the
introductory period.
As an example
if you are approved to transfer over $ 5,000 to the Chase Slate ® card and you make the transfer
during the
introductory balance transfer fee
period, you'd save $ 250 on balance transfer fees.
If you are paying interest on credit cards from another issuer (non-Chase), you can save money
during the
introductory period by transferring your balances to your Slate card.
«In most cases, balance transfers represent an interest - free loan
during the
introductory period, but
if consumers use that relief to simply continue uncontrolled spending, they will easily get deeper in debt.»
If you don't pay off the debt
during the
introductory period, interest charges are charged retroactively, and usually at a high rate.
It's important to only use that opportunity
if you know you can pay off the balance
during the
introductory APR time
period.
A true 0 - percent balance transfer card does not charge interest
during the
introductory period (as long as you make your monthly payments on time), even
if you are still carrying a balance at the end of the
introductory period.
If you know you'll be making big - ticket purchases
during the
introductory period, pick the card with the best sign - up bonus.
Second,
if you transfer balances
during the
introductory period, you can consolidate debt at virtually no cost to you.
For example
if you owed $ 5000 on two different credit cards you could transfer both balances onto the balance transfer credit card and save a lot on interest especially
during the low
introductory APR interest rate (which is for a set
period depending — most offers are 12 months, but some can be even 15 months).
«Look for the longest
introductory period, the lowest interest rate
during that time, and a very close to average interest rate when the intro
period ends,» Sherry says, adding that customers should see
if they can get a balance transfer fee waiver, too.
A true 0 - percent balance transfer card does not charge interest
during the
introductory period (as long as you make your monthly payments on time), even
if you are still carrying a balance at the end of the
introductory period.
However,
if you think you'll sell the home before the
introductory period ends, you may decide to take advantage of the lower rates that prevail
during the initial
periods on ARMs.