Our Pick Of The Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Editor,  Editor

Updated: Nov 04, 2024

The cost of having a balance on an interest-bearing credit card has been steadily creeping up in recent months. The average credit card APR across all cards (including those with annual fees) stood at 35.3% in November 2024, according to the latest data from Moneyfacts. That’s up from 32.2% just 12 months ago.

Paying interest to a credit card company is money down the drain. And the bigger your debt, the worse the waste. Shifting it over to a 0% balance transfer credit card can save a tidy sum of cash – and get what you owe paid off quicker. That’s because you won’t pay interest on any balance(s) you transfer for an agreed time.

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  • Market-wide survey of leading credit card companies
  • Rigorous assessment of card features and benefits
  • Thorough analysis of pros and cons

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What are the best deals?

We carried out some research (November 2024) and have rounded up some of the best card deals we found, below. Note, you won’t be able to shift balances from one card to another with the same provider, or providers within the same banking group.

Longest 0% Balance Transfer Cards (With Fee)

HSBC Balance Transfer Card

HSBC Balance Transfer Card
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

0% BT duration

Up to 30 months

Transfer fee

3.49%

Representative APR

24.9%

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

HSBC Balance Transfer Card
Apply Now

On HSBC's Website

0% BT duration

Up to 30 months

Transfer fee

3.49%

Representative APR

24.9%

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Why We Picked It

HSBC’s balance transfer card offers up to 30 months’ at 0% interest with a 3.49% balance transfer fee (minimum £5). You’ll also get 0% interest on purchases for 3 months.

Not all applicants accepted for the card will be offered the full 30 months. Eligibility depends on having a strong credit score.

The standard representative APR is 24.9%. This is the rate your card balance will revert on to at the end of the 0% interest offer period.

Pros & Cons
  • long 0% interest period for balance transfers
  • no annual fee
  • 0% interest on purchases for 3 months
  • Balance transfer fee of 3.49%

Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card

Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

0% BT Duration

Up to 29 months

Transfer Fee

3.45%

Representative APR

24.9%

(variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card

0% BT Duration

Up to 29 months

Transfer Fee

3.45%

Representative APR

24.9%

(variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Why We Picked It

Barclaycard is up there with the best if you are looking to transfer an existing balance from another card provider.  It offers up to 29 months interest-free, so long as the transfer is made within 60 days of the account opening, for a fee of 3.45%. This card also offers 0% interest on purchases for three months.

Not all applicants will be offered the full 29 months at 0% interest – some may be offered a shorter interest-free period.

Read more about the Barclaycard Rewards Credit Card.

Pros & Cons
  • Long 0% balance transfer duration
  • Early access to live events via Barclaycard Entertainment
  • 0% interest on purchases for 3 months
  • May be offered shorter 0% period and higher APR
  • High BT fee at 3.45%
  • 60-day transfer window to get 0%

Virgin Money 0% Balance Transfer Card

Virgin Money 0% Balance Transfer Card
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

0% BT Duration

29 months

Transfer Fee

3.45%

Representative APR

24.9%

(variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Virgin Money 0% Balance Transfer Card

0% BT Duration

29 months

Transfer Fee

3.45%

Representative APR

24.9%

(variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Why We Picked It

Virgin Money is offering up to 29 months at 0% on balances transferred from a different provider, for a fee of 3.45% putting it up there with the best card deals on the market. And if you’re accepted for this card you’ll get the full 29 months at 0% interest, although you’ll need an excellent credit score to be eligible. Aim to use the eligibility checker on Virgin’s website before making an application for this card.

While the balance transfer fee is relatively high, the card offers a lengthy period at 0% interest, plus you’ll get 0% interest on purchases for three months and 12 months at 0% interest on money transfers (fees apply for money transfers).

Card debt reverts to the standard APR of 24.9% after the 0% offer period of 29 months.

Pros & Cons
  • if you’re accepted you’ll get the full 29 months at 0%
  • 0% interest on purchases for 3 months
  • 0% interest on money transfers for 12 months (fees apply)
  • relatively high BT fee

Tesco Bank Balance Transfer Card

Tesco Bank Balance Transfer Card
4.5
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

0% BT duration

up to 28 months

Transfer fee

3.19%

Representative APR

24.9%

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Tesco Bank Balance Transfer Card

0% BT duration

up to 28 months

Transfer fee

3.19%

Representative APR

24.9%

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Why We Picked It

This Tesco Bank balance transfer card offers 28 months’ interest-free on balances transferred from another credit card with a slightly lower balance transfer fee than some providers at 3.19%.

All applicants accepted for the card will be offered the full 28 months. But eligibility depends on having a strong credit score.

The standard representative APR is 24.9%. This is the rate your card balance will revert on to at the end of the 0% interest offer period.

Zero interest money transfers are also available on this card although there is a 3.99% fee.

Pros & Cons
  • lower BT fee than competitors
  • 0% money transfers available (3.99% fee)
  • slightly shorter 0% BT duration

0% Balance Transfer Cards With Low Fee

Virgin Money Balance Transfer Card

Virgin Money Balance Transfer Card
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's rewards, fees, rates and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

0% BT Duration

Up to 20 months

Transfer fee

2%

Representative APR

24.9% (variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Virgin Money Balance Transfer Card

0% BT Duration

Up to 20 months

Transfer fee

2%

Representative APR

24.9% (variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Why We Picked It

Virgin Money is offering up to 20 months at 0% on balances transferred from a different provider, for a fee of 2%, which is lower than many competitors. But be aware when you’re accepted for the card you may be offered a shorter 0% interest period. It will depend on your personal financial circumstances and credit score.

The card also offers three months of purchases at 0% interest and you can make money transfers from the card, although this is subject to a 4% fee. Eligible cardholders get money transfers at 0% interest for 12 months.

Pros & Cons
  • Competitive 0% on balance transfers for low fee
  • 3 months at 0% on purchases
  • Money transfers available
  • May not be offered 20 months at 0%
  • No transfers from other Virgin Money cards

0% Balance Transfer Cards With No Fee

NatWest Balance Transfer Credit Card

NatWest Balance Transfer Credit Card
5.0
Our star ratings are based on several criteria relevant to the card’s category. They are determined solely by our editorial team. See our methodology for more information.

0% BT duration

13 months

Transfer fee

0%

Representative APR

24.9% (variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

NatWest Balance Transfer Credit Card

0% BT duration

13 months

Transfer fee

0%

Representative APR

24.9% (variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Why We Picked It

This card from NatWest offers 13 months interest-free on balances transferred within the first three months of the account opening with no transfer fee to pay. It’s also guaranteed, so all accepted for the card will get the full 13 months. The balance transfer fee is zero.  There is no annual fee.

There is a minimum transfer amount of £100 and you can transfer balances up to 95% of your available credit limit. Balances can be transferred from most credit and store cards, although not from other cards within the NatWest Group (RBS and Ulster Bank).

A representative 24.9% APR (variable) will apply after the promotional period has expired. However, actual APRs and credit limits can vary depending on NatWest’s credit assessment of applications. Interest on fees and charges is payable in line with the bank’s terms and conditions.

This deal used to be reserved for existing NatWest customers but is now open to all applicants who are UK residents aged 18 or over, and earn more than £10,000 a year.

The same offer is available from RBS and Ulster Bank which are part of the same banking group (NatWest Group plc).

Pros & Cons
  • Get full 13 months, if accepted
  • Three months 0% on purchases
  • Must earn £10k a year
  • No transfers from RBS or Ulster Bank credit cards

Barclaycard Platinum (up to 12 months balance transfer)

Barclaycard Platinum (up to 12 months balance transfer)
5.0
Our star ratings are based on several criteria relevant to the card’s category. They are determined solely by our editorial team. See our methodology for more information.

0% BT Duration

12 months

Transfer fee

0%

Representative APR

24.9%

(variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Barclaycard Platinum (up to 12 months balance transfer)

0% BT Duration

12 months

Transfer fee

0%

Representative APR

24.9%

(variable)

Representative Example

The representative APR example gives you an estimate of how much it might cost if you borrowed a certain amount of money. This helps you compare products and provides a guide on how much carrying a balance could cost. Your personal offer may vary from the representative APR example.

At an assumed credit limit of £1,200, at a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable), the representative APR is 24.9% (variable). Credit available subject to status.

Why We Picked It

This Platinum card from Barclaycard offers 12 months interest-free on balances transferred within the first 60 days of the account opening with no transfer fee to pay. The card also offers three months interest-free on purchases. There is no annual fee.

The standard purchase rate (after the offer period) and the representative APR is 24.9% variable.

Pros & Cons
  • 12 months 0% on balance transfers
  • 3 months 0% on purchases
  • no balance transfer fees
  • no transfers from other Barclaycards

How did we rank the cards?

We have split 0% balance transfer cards into three sections; those with the longest 0% durations (and higher fees); cards with low fees (potentially 1% or less); and cards with no fees (for shorter 0% periods).

Across all three categories, where relevant, we have considered the following:

  • 0% balance transfer duration
  • balance transfer fee
  • representative APR (the variable interest rate charged after the 0% period expires and on new purchases)
  • rewards, perks and benefits.

We also employed the ‘best case scenario’ to our rankings, assuming an application is returned with the best advertised 0% duration and balance transfer fee in all cases.

What is a balance transfer credit card?

A balance transfer card allows you to move across existing credit card balances from other providers and pay 0% on that amount for a stated number of months.

Some of the best balance transfer deals offer 0% for more than two years, which can mean big savings if you were to otherwise be paying interest on the debt.

However, there is usually a balance transfer fee to pay, charged as a percentage of whatever amount you are transferring.

How do balance transfer cards work?

Once you’re accepted for a balance transfer card you will typically have a window of time to transfer other existing credit card balances to the new card (this might be in the first 90 or 60 days, for example).

You won’t usually be able to transfer balances from cards with the same provider (or the same banking group) as your balance transfer card. There will also probably be a balance transfer fee to pay which will be added to the transfer debt.

You will then have to make monthly payments (at least the minimum monthly payment required by the card provider). But all your payments will go towards paying off the debt balance as there is no interest charge on a 0% balance transfer card.

Be wary of then using the card for spending, unless it is a combined 0% purchase and balance transfer card. Only the transfer is balance is charged at 0% and new spending could be charged at a high APR.

What are the pros and cons of a balance transfer card?

Pros

  • save money in debt interest 
  • pay off debt faster
  • consolidate other card balances onto one card making it easier to manage

Cons

  • balance transfer fee is likely to apply
  • high rate of interest for new spending
  • can’t transfer balances from cards from the same provider or banking group
  • lose the 0% deal if you miss a payment or fail to make the minimum monthly payment
  • interest rate is likely to jump significantly at the end of the 0% offer period.

What does a 0% balance transfer rate cover?

With most 0% balance transfer cards the zero interest rate applies only to transferred card balances from other credit and store cards, and not any new spending on the card. New spending is likely to be charged interest at a much higher rate.

Sometimes, cards are available which combine 0% interest on both balance transfers and purchases – for example you might get 18 months 0% on balance transfers and six months at 0% on new purchases. But be wary of the different rates for different types of borrowing and make a note of when the 0% offer period ends.

Am I eligible for a balance transfer card?

Bear in mind however, you may not qualify for our listed cards as you see them, or you could be turned down altogether.

Acceptance for a balance transfer credit card, and the terms on which it is based, vary according to factors such as your income and credit score.

This means you could be shown a higher balance transfer fee than the one advertised, as the listed ‘representative’ annual percentage rates (APRs) must only apply to 51% of successful applicants. So, again, your APR could be higher.

In some cases, you could be turned down for a card altogether. However, your application will be processed through an eligibility checker. This doesn’t leave a footprint on your credit report, keeping it intact for any future applications for credit.

Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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What type of credit card is best for me?

Who are balance transfer credit cards suitable for?

Balance transfer credit cards may be a suitable option for those who are paying high rates of interest on existing credit card debt.

Transferring this debt to a card charging zero interest for a number of months means you can pay off your debt faster. That’s because all of your payments go towards the clearing the debt, not paying the interest.

To use a 0% balance transfer card to your best advantage means avoiding interest on your existing debt, so get organised from the outset.

Calculate what your monthly payment would need to be to clear your debt before the interest-free deal ends. You can do this by dividing the total debt (including any fees) by the number of 0% months.

Then, to ensure you always pay on time and don’t miss a payment, set up a monthly direct debit for this amount.

If the payment is outside of your budget, set up the direct debit for as much as you can afford instead. Just try to ensure it’s more than the minimum monthly repayment.

Once up and running, try not to spend on your card. Not only might this attract expensive interest, you will not be any closer to being debt-free.

What should I look out for?

What does the balance transfer involve?

What are the balance transfer fees?

How much can I transfer to another credit card?

How many transfers can I make?

What happens at the end of the 0% period?

Can balance transfer credit cards affect my credit rating?

Should I close my old card?

What alternatives are there?

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