- Introductory interest rate.
- Annual percentage rate (APR) after the intro rate.
- Balance transfer fee.
- Minimum monthly payment.
Under federal law, the teaser rate must last at least 6 months. Many balance transfer credit cards will offer introductory rates for longer periods, anywhere from 9 to 18 months or sometimes even longer, Nitzsche says.
It's important to calculate if you'll be able to pay off the balance in full before the promotional period ends. Otherwise, you may end up paying a much higher rate on your credit balance.
In addition, stay away from using the card for further purchases while paying off the balance. It's important to steadily reduce your credit card balance on a monthly basis.
Don't forget to add in the cost of the balance transfer fee, which is typically around 3% of the balance. Also factor in what the new card's minimum monthly payment will be; often, it's a percentage of the balance transfer.
Can I qualify?
Even if all the numbers pan out in favor of a balance transfer, you still have to qualify. That means you should have a good idea of what your credit looks like before applying.
"Pull a copy of your credit report" about 6 months ahead of time, says Bruce McClary, vice president of public relations and external affairs with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
FREE TOOL: Get your free credit report today from myBankrate.
Those with stellar credit (750 or above) will likely qualify for the best teaser rates. If your credit score falls below that, you may get a higher teaser rate, but it still may be lower than what you're paying now.
"You have to set your expectations within the realm of reality," McClary says.
The other factor is the credit limit. There's always a chance the new issuer won't dole out a large enough credit line for you to transfer your entire balance, says Linda Sherry, director of national priorities at watchdog group Consumer Action.
Check the fine print to see if there is a cap on the balance transfer amount. Otherwise, you may not find out if your new account will be able to swallow your balance until after the account is opened, Sherry says. Then you'll have 2 credit cards you need to pay off.
"Banks are not giving out high credit limits these days, so if you have a sizable balance, the chance you'll be able to move it over in its entirety is pretty slim," she says, "unless (you have) an absolute stellar credit score."
Living with a transfer
You qualified for the balance transfer and moved your debt to a no-interest account. Now what?
Make sure the old card has been paid off by getting a statement from your old issuer. Sherry recommends keeping the old card open, charging very little each month (such as gas) and paying off the balance in full. That will help boost your credit score while you pay down your debt. If a balance still remains on the old card, continue to make payments on time.
Meanwhile, attack the balance transfer debt before the introductory period is up. And make sure every payment gets in on time. Otherwise, the intro rate could disappear.
People who don't utilize these best practices risk digging a deeper hole for themselves.
"They've just doubled the amount of debt they are dealing with in a short amount of time and then the debt becomes unmanageable," McClary says. "Hold your feet to the fire when it comes to paying down that balance so you don't get burned later."