Balance transfer to an existing credit card affect credit score

The pros of balance transfers include saving money on interest, consolidating debt, and possible improvement in credit score in the long run. The cons of balance transfers include balance transfer fees, high regular APRs, and above-average score requirements. Generally, when you transfer a balance, you’re shifting high-interest debt to a credit card with a lower interest rate.… read full answer

Pros and Cons of Balance Transfers

Pros	Cons
Save money on interest Consolidate debt Possible credit-score improvement in the long run Better features and perks, such as rewards and travel benefits	Balance transfer fees High regular APR Above-average score requirements The risk of building more debt Possible drop in credit score for a short period of time

Balance Transfer Pros

Save money on interest.
Many credit cards offer a 0% APR on balance transfers, and the average introductory rate lasts for 13 months. The best cards might even offer an intro APR for 21 months. Currently, the average regular APR among new credit card offers is 20.16%.

So, if you transfer your balance from a high-interest credit card to a card with a low introductory APR on balance transfers, you will have the opportunity to save on interest charges. To make the most of your balance transfer card, make sure to pay down as much of your balance as you can during the intro period. Keep in mind that the remaining balance will be subject to the card’s regular APR.

Consolidate debt.
If your credit limit allows it, you may be able to combine multiple credit card balances by transferring them to a balance transfer card. This way, you’ll need to make just one credit card payment every month. This strategy can make it easier to manage your payments.

Possible credit-score improvement in the long run.
A balance transfer card can help you decrease your credit utilization ratio, which will improve your credit score in time. When you open a new card for the purpose of transferring a balance, you will increase the amount of credit you have available every time you make a payment, which can lower your credit utilization ratio. For the credit utilization to go down, make sure to not incur any more debt in the meantime.

Better features and perks.
If your current credit card offers limited benefits and a high interest rate, transferring your balance to a new card might be a better idea. Many balance transfer cards also offer rewards and no annual fees. Some credit cards offer intro APRs on new purchases as well. If you are a frequent traveler, you may also get a balance transfer card with travel benefits and no foreign transaction fees.

Balance Transfer Cons

Balance transfer fees.
When you’re transferring a balance to a credit card with a low introductory APR on balance transfers, you will most likely be charged a fee. Transfer fees on credit card offers currently average 2.53% of the amount transferred. No balance transfer fee credit cards are rare and usually require excellent credit for approval.

High regular APR.
Balance transfer cards usually come with high regular APRs. So, before transferring a balance, make sure to choose a card with an intro APR that gives you enough time to pay down your balance before the intro rate expires. Otherwise, your remaining balance will be subject to a high regular APR. It’s also worth using a balance transfer calculator to plan out the necessary payments and estimate your savings.

Above-average score requirements.
Most credit cards with balance transfer offers require good to excellent credit for approval. This is also the case for credit cards with a low regular APR. So, if you have fair credit or lower, it will be hard to find a worthwhile balance transfer card. Students are a noteworthy exception as they can get approved for credit cards with great balance transfer deals even with limited credit.

The risk of building more debt.
A new credit card will result in a higher total credit limit, and if you don’t use your credit card responsibly, this may lead to building more debt. So, you have to be disciplined enough not to make purchases on your old credit card. If you’re having trouble managing your spending, it might be better to close your old credit card account after transferring your balance. However, doing so may impact your credit score.

Possible drop in credit score for a short period of time.
When you apply for a new credit card, this will result in a hard inquiry which may temporarily drop your credit score by a few points. You can get an idea of how much a hard inquiry will affect your credit score by using WalletHub’s free credit score simulator.

Ultimately, if you consider all the pros and cons and decide a balance transfer is right for you, the next step is choosing a balance transfer card. There are many cards on the market, but some are better than others. It’s important to do your research and choose the card that best suits your financial needs.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards in 2022

Overall: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Long 0% Intro Period: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
No Balance Transfer Fee: Union Bank® Platinum™ Credit Card
Good Credit: U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Students: BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students

Alternatives to Balance Transfer Credit Cards

If you’re not convinced that getting a balance transfer card is the right call, there are other ways to pay down your debt. For instance, using a debt consolidation loan might be a better fit if you qualify for a competitive interest rate and a large enough loan. Factors such as your credit score, income, and existing debt play a significant role in determining your interest rate and loan amount.

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Does a balance transfer to an existing card affect credit score?

A balance transfer can affect your credit score, depending on 1) if you open a new card to transfer a balance and 2) what you do once your balances have been transferred. If you simply move your balances around on your existing cards, your credit score likely won't be impacted.

Can I transfer a credit card balance to a card I already have?

Credit card balance transfers are typically used by consumers who want to save money by moving high-interest credit card debt to another credit card with a lower interest rate. Balance transfer credit card offers typically come with an interest-free introductory period of six to 18 months, though some are longer.