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Credit Cards Latest News Longest balance transfer deal 'should be sought'

Longest balance transfer deal 'should be sought'

Longest balance transfer deal 'should be sought'

Those wanting to take advantage of balance transfers should seek the longest possible deal, it has been claimed.

For those consumers struggling to get to grips with their finances, 0% credit card deals can prove to be an effective tool, it has been suggested.

Writing for lovemoney.com, Szu Ping Chan points out that such credit card products have been "a godsend for borrowers and savers alike" over recent years as they can save consumers thousands of pounds in interest repayments.

However, in order to make the most of a 0% balance transfer deal she claims that borrowers should look to take out the product which comes with the longest balance transfer offer.

This, she claims, is the Virgin Money Credit Card which offers a 0% balance deal of some 16 months.

And for those with a debt of £5,000, selecting this product or the one offering the shortest balance transfer deal could save them more than £860 in interest repayments.

However, credit card customers were reminded that they cannot transfer money between cards issued by the same provider.

Seeking out this kind of credit card deal could be advisable as Motley Fool director David Kuo recently claimed that many people "have been scared into being responsible" with their money management as they concentrate on reducing their debts and increasing savings.

Written by Ashley KingADNFCR-2079-ID-19247887-ADNFCR
Thursday, 02 July 2009 00:00
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Top 5 Credit Cards

Card Balance Transfers Purchases Typical APR (variable) Apply
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NatWest Platinum
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0%
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16.9%
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Nationwide Credit Card
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Egg Visa Card
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0%
until Nov 2011
0%
until Dec 2010
17.9%

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 16 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.90%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£25,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You earn over £10,000 per year

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 16 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.90%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.90%
Cash Advance:
27.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are 21 years or over
  • You are a permanent UK resident
  • You have no history of bankruptcy, had an IVA's or CCJ's.
  • You haven't missed a payment on either a credit card or mortgage in the last 12 months.
  • You have a regular income of more than £20,000 per annum
  • You have not been declined for credit in the last six months.
  • You do not have debts on other credit cards greater than £20,000

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 15 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
27.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£25,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 25 Years of Age
  • You have an Excellent Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You earn over £25,000 per year

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 14 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.98%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.6% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.6% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 50 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 25 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are in full time employment
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have a Bank or Building society account

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% until Nov 2011
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% until Dec 2010

Typical APR

Purchases:
17.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
17.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
23.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 45 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • Any Income Considered

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 9 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.90%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 13 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.90%
Cash Advance:
24.94% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 51 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You have an excellent Credit History
  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have a bank or building society account
  • You have a gross annual income of £5,000+

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 13 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.90%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£50,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 50 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are currently employed
  • You are over 23 years of age
  • You are a homeowner
  • You have an income of over £20,000
  • You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJ's, current arrears or missed payments) on credit cards / loans / mortgages
  • You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years

Balance transfer must be made within 90 days

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 16 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.90%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£25,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You earn over £10,000 per year

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 12 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 12 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
15.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
15.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
19.95% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£25,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 59 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You have a permanent UK address
  • You are 18 or over
  • You have not been declined for credit in the last month
  • You do not have a history of bad credit
  • You are not an existing Sainsbury's Bank Credit Card holder

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 10 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 10 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£50,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 50 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are currently employed
  • You are over 23 years of age
  • You are a homeowner
  • You have an income of over £20,000
  • You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJ's, current arrears or missed payments) on credit cards / loans / mortgages
  • You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years

Balance transfer must be made within 90 days

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 13 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Cash Advance:
27.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have NOT been declined for a Halifax or Bank of Scotland Credit Card in the last 6 months
  • You DO NOT any CCJs or have been made Bankrupt
  • You have NOT missed payments on your current store cards, credit cards, loans or mortgages
  • You ARE in employment (receiving an annual salary)
  • You can provide a telephone number that you can be contacted on

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 13 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Cash Advance:
27.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have NOT been declined for a Halifax or Bank of Scotland Credit Card in the last 6 months
  • You DO NOT any CCJs or have been made Bankrupt
  • You have NOT missed payments on your current store cards, credit cards, loans or mortgages
  • You ARE in employment (receiving an annual salary)
  • You can provide a telephone number that you can be contacted on

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 12 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
15.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
15.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
27.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£50,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have a bank or building society account
  • You have an income over £25,000 p.a

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 13 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.90%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£50,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are currently employed
  • You are over 23 years of age
  • You are a homeowner
  • You have an income of over £20,000
  • You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJ's, current arrears or missed payments) on credit cards / loans / mortgages
  • You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years

Balance transfer must be made within 90 days

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% until Oct 2011
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.50%
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Typical APR

Purchases:
19.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
19.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
27.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You haven't missed multiple payments on a credit agreement within the last 12 months
  • You don't have a CCJ (County Court Judgement) or IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement) and haven't been registered bankrupt
  • You don't already have a Barclaycard
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have a bank or building society account
  • You have an income over £10,000 p.a

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 15 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.90%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.7% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • YOU ARE AN EXISTING HSBC CUSTOMER
  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You have been a permanent resident/citizen of the UK for atleast the last 3 years
  • You have a bank or building society account
  • You have an income over £10,000 p.a

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 12 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
2.98%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.1% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have an income over £8,000 p.a

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
N/A
Balance Transfer Fee:
N/A
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Typical APR

Purchases:
6.80% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
6.80% p.a.
Cash Advance:
15.8% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 21 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have a bank or building society account
  • You have an income over £20,000 p.a

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 9 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 9 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
11.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
11.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
23.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 55 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are over 50 years of age
  • You are a homeowner
  • You have an income of over £12,000
  • You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJ's, current arrears or missed payments) on credit cards / loans / mortgages
  • You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 10 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 10 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
15.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
15.9% p.a.
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Cash Advance:
27.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have NOT been declined for a Halifax or Bank of Scotland Credit Card in the last 6 months
  • You DO NOT any CCJs or have been made Bankrupt
  • You have NOT missed payments on your current store cards, credit cards, loans or mortgages
  • You ARE in employment (receiving an annual salary)
  • You can provide a telephone number that you can be contacted on

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 10 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 10 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
15.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
15.9% p.a.
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Cash Advance:
27.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have NOT been declined for a Halifax or Bank of Scotland Credit Card in the last 6 months
  • You DO NOT any CCJs or have been made Bankrupt
  • You have NOT missed payments on your current store cards, credit cards, loans or mortgages
  • You ARE in employment (receiving an annual salary)
  • You can provide a telephone number that you can be contacted on

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
5.90% For Life
Balance Transfer Fee:
2%
Purchase Rate:
N/A

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£50,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 50 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are currently employed
  • You are over 23 years of age
  • You are a homeowner
  • You have an income of over £20,000
  • You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJ's, current arrears or missed payments) on credit cards / loans / mortgages
  • You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
4.90% for 12 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 6 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
11.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
11.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£50,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are at least 18 Years of Age
  • You have a Good Credit History
  • You are a permanent resident/citizen of the UK
  • You have a bank or building society account
  • You have an income over £25,000 p.a

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
N/A
Balance Transfer Fee:
N/A
Purchase Rate:
0% for 6 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
17.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
17.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
27.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
£50,000
Interest Free Days:
Up to 56 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • I am aged 18 or over
  • I have a current UK bank or building society account
  • I have a permanent UK home address
  • I have a household income of at least £30,000
  • I have no history of bad debt
  • If self-employed, I have been working for more than one year.

Introductory Offer

Balance Transfer Rate:
0% for 13 mths
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchase Rate:
0% for 3 mths

Typical APR

Purchases:
16.9% p.a.
Balance Transfers:
16.9% p.a.
Cash Advance:
24.9% p.a.

Standard Features

Credit Limit:
Subject to Status
Interest Free Days:
Up to 50 days
Online Banking:
Yes

Approval Criteria

  • You are currently employed
  • You are over 23 years of age
  • You are a homeowner
  • You have an income of over £20,000
  • You do not have any recent credit defaults (CCJ's, current arrears or missed payments) on credit cards / loans / mortgages
  • You are a resident in the UK and can prove residential addresses for the past two years
  • You have not applied for an MBNA or Virgin Credit Card within the last 6 months