Consider Existing Credit Card Offers
Published September 19th, 2007 in Credit Help and Tips.
When searching for a new balance transfer offer, consider looking inward as opposed to outward. While you’ll likely be presented with a bevy of hot deals elsewhere, opening a new line of credit is always a temporary blow to your credit score.
If you’re like me, you probably receive credit card offers in your mailbox all the time, some good and some atrociously bad.
While many of these offers can be a big benefit, similar or better offers may be available with your current credit card providers.
Be sure to log on to your credit card issuer’s websites online to take a look at available offers. Citicards has a convenient section which details the latest offers available to you, and similar offers can be found at Chase and American Express as well.
You may be pleasantly surprised at what you see offered.
If you can find a deal through one of your current credit card issuers, you may be able to avoid the credit hit and keep your credit card tally to a minimum.
It’s also easier to take advantage of the existing deals online, as they’re typically processed quickly and without a credit check.
This can be handy for people with bad credit who can’t open new credit cards with new card issuers.
Remember, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to continue opening new credit card accounts for the sole purpose of shifting debt.
But if you’re able to take advantage of offers from your existing card issuers, shifting debt to avoid costly finance charges it can make a lot of sense.
That said, don’t pass up a good deal if your current issuers don’t have what you’re looking for.
