What is a balance transfer?

A balance transfer is when you move your credit card balance from one credit card(s) to another, often to take advantage of a special offer or a lower interest rate. Read on for more on how balance transfers work and what to check before you apply.  

 

• How balance transfers work
• How to compare balance transfer offers
• What to look out for in the terms and conditions
• Sticking to your plan to get out of debt

How balance transfers work

Whether you’re just back from a holiday or some big expenses have cropped up unexpectedly, it can be easy for your credit card balance to blow out. And once it does, it might be hard to get it under control again. That’s where a balance transfer could help.

Balance transfers are available on most credit cards. Provided you're eligible for a balance transfer, the process involved is quite simple - you need to provide your bank with the details of the cards you're moving the balance from and to, as well as the amount you want to transfer.

It may be possible for you to transfer balances to your existing credit cards. However, some banks offer a low or 0% p.a. introductory rate on balance transfers to new credit cards for a set period of time. Over periods of 12 months or more, the amount of interest you could save with a balance transfer offer might really add up.

Remember that this type of promotion is often only available when you apply for a new card, so make sure you request the balance transfer during your application and include any relevant promotional codes.

How to compare balance transfer offers

When looking for a balance transfer offer, take note of features like the balance transfer rate and how long it lasts, the ordinary interest rates and the annual card fee. You can then compare both the balance transfer rate and the ordinary interest rates with the current rate you’re paying on your credit card balance to see you how much you could save over time.

It’s also important to know how many card balances you can transfer over to the new card and what the limit is on transferred balances. For example, some cards only let you transfer up to 80% of your approved credit limit – if the amount you want to transfer exceeds this, only part of it will be transferred.

What to look out for in the terms and conditions

Balance transfers can sometimes be a great way to get on top of your debt, but they come with conditions that are important to understand. Here are a handful of things you might consider before applying:

• Know the promotional period and what the rate will revert to after that. The 0% p.a. promotional rate may revert to 20% or even more after the offer ends.
• Remember that the balance transfer rate doesn’t apply to new purchases you make on your card – there’s often a much higher rate for these.
• You could use the balance transfer as a way to get on top of your debt and try to manage your credit card more carefully from then on. A great promotional rate isn’t a good excuse to go shopping again.
• Check to see if there’s a balance transfer fee – this is often a percentage of the amount you’re transferring.

Sticking to your plan to get out of debt

If you really want to take control of your credit card debt, some cards even offer plans to help you keep on track when paying off your balance. For instance, Westpac offers SmartPlan, which helps you manage your repayments in a way that works for you.

Want to learn more? Read about what you can and can’t do with balance transfers.

Not an existing Westpac customer? If you're ready to get started, have a look at the balance transfer offer.