First things first, here are the latest “no fee balance transfer credit cards” (last updated April 17, 2013):
Chase Slate No Fee Balance Transfer – This is the longest 0% APR no fee balance transfer available right now. For a limited time, you can transfer a balance to Chase Slate for free. That’s right! NO balance transfer fee! And the card offers 0% APR for 15 months on both balance transfers and purchases. Act quickly on this one…
The only “catch,” if you can even call it that, is that you must execute the balance transfer within the first 60 days of account opening for it to be a no fee transfer. After that time, a standard 3% balance transfer fee will apply. But clearly you’d want to execute the balance transfer ASAP to capture the entire 0% APR period.
The average credit score approved for this balance transfer offer is 730, per Credit Karma, while the lowest credit score approved for the card was 566, which is probably an anomaly. So you should expect to need good credit for approval.
[What credit score do you need to get a credit card?]
Wright-Pratt Credit Union Promotional Balance Transfer – The only other no fee balance transfer credit card that offers 0% APR comes from a credit union in Ohio. So you’ve got to be a member to take advantage of this one.
It comes with 0% APR for a full 12 months and has the advantage of being from an obscure bank, meaning there shouldn’t be any issue attempting to transfer balances from within the same bank, which is a no-no.
This offer is good until May 31, 2013, so be sure to act quickly if interested.
What Is a No Fee Balance Transfer Credit Card?
If you don’t know what a balance transfer is, it’s essentially a debt management tool that allows a credit cardholder to transfer their existing credit card debt from one credit card to another, in order to take advantage of a low or promotional rate, such as 0% APR.
Typically, credit card issuers charge a minimum of 3% of the transfer, which is known as the “balance transfer fee,” to ensure they get something back from the deal. Otherwise, they could wind up taking on a new customer’s credit card debt, only to have them pay it off during the 0% APR period, and not make a single dime. Or worse, even lose money via the acquisition costs.
The no fee balance transfer goes a step further by allowing cardholders to transfer their debt for free, banking on the fact that you’ll either wind up carrying debt beyond the promotional period, or simply become a long-term customer of the balance transfer issuer. In both cases, the card issuer would make money.
But that’s the risk the credit card issuer takes, because you are under no obligation to stay with them once your debt is paid off.
Check Terms Carefully for Balance Transfer Fees
If you check out the fine print, you’ll likely find a section regarding balance transfers. In that section, read very carefully to ensure there isn’t a fee associated with the balance transfer. If there is, it should note the percentage charged, along with the minimum and maximum charge.
Typically, the minimum balance transfer fee is 3% of the transfer amount or $10, with a maximum fee of $50-$75. However, some credit card issuers no longer have a maximum balance transfer fee, so take note.
While $75 may not sound like a lot, it can add up, and may eventually kill the advantage of executing a balance transfer.
Which Credit Card Issuers Don’t Charge Balance Transfer Fees?
From my experience, Citi credit cards always seem to have an associated balance transfer fee, along with many American Express credit cards, but Discover and Chase credit cards often do not. Capital One seems to be notorious for offering no fee balance transfers with APR well above 0%, usually in the high single-digit range.
As always, double-check the fine print to make sure there isn’t a balance transfer fee associated, as terms can change over time.
Aside from the lack of balance transfer fees, Discover is probably a credit card you don’t have, and therefore a better candidate for a balance transfer, because balances must be transferred from different credit card providers.
For example, if your current credit card balance is with Discover, you wouldn’t be able to move it to a new Discover card. If you current balance is with Chase, American Express, Citi, etc, then you could move it to a Discover card.
Keep in mind that most credit card issuers these days no longer offer a “no fee balance transfer.” The majority are now 3% of the balance transfer up to $75 (or more). This seems to be a growing trend as card issuers try to discourage balance transfer arbitrage.
But there always tends to be one willing to offer a no fee balance transfer, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.
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