The simple act of performing a balance transfer isn't going to affect your credit score much, if at all. The key to changing your credit score is to use the transfer to reduce your debt — both in dollar terms and as a percentage of your available credit.
Cons of a Balance Transfer
You could end up with a higher interest rate if you don't qualify for a promotional interest rate because your credit score, income, or existing debt. You typically must have an excellent credit score to get a low interest rate balance transfer offer.
But in general, a balance transfer is the most valuable choice if you need months to pay off high-interest debt and have good enough credit to qualify for a card with a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Such a card could save you plenty on interest, giving you an edge when paying off your balances.
Transferring Balances Won't Lose or Earn Rewards
However, balance transfers are generally treated as a payment from your new creditor (the balance transfer card) to your old card. The good news is, you won't lose any rewards earned.
Credit utilization — the portion of your credit limits that you are currently using — is a significant factor in credit scores. It is one reason your credit score could drop a little after you pay off debt, particularly if you close the account.
It's better to pay off your credit card than to keep a balance. It's best to pay a credit card balance in full because credit card companies charge interest when you don't pay your bill in full every month.
You can do multiple balance transfers to the same card, as long as the amounts transferred and any transfer fees do not exceed the card's credit limit. Remember that a separate transfer fee applies to each balance that you transfer. Some issuers may also have their own restrictions.
No, balance transfers do not increase your credit limit. You cannot transfer a balance that exceeds your account's credit limit, and issuers will either reject such a balance transfer request or accept only a partial transfer.
When your balance transfer is complete, your old card isn't automatically closed, and you're not required to cancel it either. Depending on the new card's credit limit, you may not be able to transfer the entire balance. In that case, the old card will have a remaining balance you must continue to pay off.
Is a balance transfer fee worth it? If you have a significant amount of credit card debt, the 3% balance transfer fee (or sometimes even a 5% fee) is absolutely worth paying when transferring your balance to a card that has a 0% intro APR offer, but only if you still need time to pay off a balance.
Having more than one credit card may help you keep your credit line utilization ratio per card lower than the recommended 30% by spreading charges. There are potential benefits to having multiple cards, such as pairing various types of rewards cards to optimize earnings on all categories of spending.
Your credit limit is too low
The issuer will hold your balance transfer request until they are able to confirm the amount to transfer in relation to your credit limit. If your credit limit is lower than the amount of money you requested to transfer from another card, the issuer will likely reject the request.
Credit card balance transfers are typically used by consumers who want to save money by moving high-interest credit card debt to another credit card with a lower interest rate. Balance transfer credit card offers typically come with an interest-free introductory period of six to 18 months, though some are longer.
Pros of paying a credit card bill with another credit card
And there are some immediate benefits to paying off a credit card using another card, including: Lower APR and interest savings: If you're transferring a balance from a card with a high APR to one with a lower APR, you'll save money in interest.
Although ranges vary depending on the credit scoring model, generally credit scores from 580 to 669 are considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and up are considered excellent.
A credit card can be canceled without harming your credit score; just remember that paying down credit card balances first (not just the one you're canceling) is key. Closing a charge card won't affect your credit history (history is a factor in your overall credit score).
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You can keep transferring credit card balances as long as you're able to qualify for a good deal. But it's best to use the transaction to save money and get out of debt sooner, rather than prolonging unsustainable spending habits.
In rare instances, cardholder agreements stipulate that if you don't pay off your transfer balance before the end of the introductory period, you'll be charged interest on the entire transfer balance, just as if the transfer had been a regular purchase.
When you overpay, any amount over the balance due will show up as a negative balance on your account. Negative balances are simply reported as zero balances on your credit report and will not affect your credit utilization. You also won't earn interest on your negative balance.
It is not bad to have a lot of credit cards with zero balance because positive information will appear on your credit reports each month since all of the accounts are current. Having credit cards with zero balance also results in a low credit utilization ratio, which is good for your credit score, too.
Having accounts open with a credit card company will not hurt your credit score, but having zero balances will not prove to lenders that you are creditworthy and will repay a loan. Lenders want to make sure you repay, and that you will also pay interest.
Making more than one payment each month on your credit cards won't help increase your credit score. But, the results of making more than one payment might.