What is credit card balance transfer and how does it operate, check benefits

Written By DNA Web Team | Updated: Feb 19, 2023, 11:49 AM IST

Moving unpaid balances from one credit card to another is referred to as a credit card balance transfer.

You can use a balance transfer to relieve the stress of outstanding credit card debt and improve your ability to manage your finances when you have pending payments with compound interest rates.

What is a credit card balance transfer?
Credit card balance transfer allows individuals to transfer the balance from an old credit card to a new one with better terms and a lower interest rate. To entice consumers, some credit card firms remove balance transfer costs, which normally run between 3% and 5% of the transferred amount. They frequently also provide an introductory or promotional term of six to around 18 months during which no interest is charged on the transferred amount.

How do balance transfers on credit cards operate? 
Once you've been given permission to use a card with a 0% interest balance transfer offer, find out if the rate is fixed or subject to a credit check. The next step is choosing which balances to transfer; starting with cards with the highest interest rates. There is usually a processing charge associated with balance transfers. Hence, determine how much you will save overall before you make a balance transfer. Your savings must exceed the processing fees and any other costs associated with the balance transfer procedure in order for this to be effective.

Credit Card Balance Transfer to Another Bank Credit Card
A credit card balance transfer is mostly intended for people who have large credit card debt and are having trouble making their payments; these clients may be persuaded to switch to a new lender or another bank that might provide their services at a lower interest rate. By doing this, the credit card holder can switch to a card with a lower interest rate and lessen their debt load from their current cards.

List Of Credit Cards That Offer Balance Transfer

  • SBI Card
  • Axis Bank
  • Standard Chartered Bank
  • HSBC
  • ICICI Bank
  • HDFC Bank

Benefits of Credit Card Balance Transfer:
Fast and Simple: If the customer can satisfy the requirements for a balance transfer, the banks will permit the customer to quickly transfer the amount from one bank's credit card to another bank's credit card. The customer will benefit from this timely assistance in managing their credit card debt.

Multiple Transfer: Transferring all outstanding credit card debt to the new card makes more sense, and most institutions provide this option. The borrower can now pay off all of his bills in one spot.

Incentives: A credit card balance transfer also has benefits for the borrower, such as an interest-free period and cheaper interest rates.