Balance transfer credit cards: What are the key benefits and how they work?

Balance transfer credit cards can help you manage and eliminate credit card debt by allowing transfers to cards with lower interest rates. This reduces interest payments, accelerates debt repayment, and offers potential savings

Dakshita Ojha
Updated7 Mar 2025, 05:07 PM IST
Save money on interest: Learn how balance transfer credit cards work.
Save money on interest: Learn how balance transfer credit cards work.

Are you overwhelmed by your rising credit card debts? Choosing a balance transfer credit card might offer the best solution when you have accumulated too much debt on your credit cards. This card enables debt transfer from existing credit card accounts to a better rate card which can offer interest-free periods. Reducing your interest payments lets you save a major amount of money while you accelerate debt repayment.

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Understanding balance transfer credit card

You can transfer your current credit card balances to a new card with a lower interest rate by using a balance transfer credit card. This can help you pay off your debt faster and save money on interest payments. The amount you can move to the new card will then be decided by the lender. You can move your balances from your previous cards to the new one when you've been approved for the card.

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Benefits of balance transfer credit card

  • The lowered interest costs from current credit card debt allows payments to become more manageable.
  • The platform provides a simplified method for debt repayment because it merges multiple outstanding debts into one consolidated loan.
  • Your debt clearance process speeds up since more contributions reduce your current balance instead of being spent on interest fees.
  • You will receive fast financial relief through balance transfers as this process generally finishes quickly.
  • Users who transfer balances can enjoy interest-free repayment periods through many balance transfer cards that provide them extra time to settle their debts without additional expenses.

Top banks offering balance transfer credit card

Bank

Interest rate (per month)

SBI 

0% - 1.7%

Axis Bank

1% - 2%

Standard Chartered Bank

0.99%

Punjab National Bank

0.99%

Kotak Mahindra Bank

0%

(Source: BankBazaar)

Considerations to remember while taking balance transfer credit card

  1. The funds transferred through your balance transfer will decrease your current credit availability.
  2. The introductory rate having a limited duration forms the first item on the list. Standard interest begins after these periods end causing potential higher payments from users.
  3. The special interest rate typically applies exclusively to balance transfers and prevents its application to fresh purchases made by the card.
  4. To approve a balance transfer most financial institutions require that account holders keep their credit card for at least one year.
  5. Customers should delay new purchases through the credit card until they completely pay off the balance transfer for maximum benefits.

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In conclusion, balance transfer credit cards prove to be an exceptionally helpful instrument which lets users handle and eliminate their credit card debt. Transitioning your debt balance to a card with reduced interest rates will help you increase savings during your debt-payment period. Be watchful about the balance transfer fees when making use of this type of financing yet ensure repayment occurs prior to the promotional period ending.

(Note: Using a credit card carries its own set of risks)

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