Where Have All the 0% Balance Transfer No Annual Fee Credit Cards Gone?

Where Have All the 0% Balance Transfer No Annual Fee Credit Cards Gone?
If you listen to some consumers, you'd think all of the 0%
balance transfer no annual fee credit cards have all
magically disappeared from the market. Horror stories
abound about people signing up for what they thought were
these cards, only to be hit with high fees later. Believe
it or not, these elusive credit cards do still indeed
exist. It's just a matter of knowing what to look for. Here
are some tips to keep in mind.

1. How Long Is The 0% Really 0%?

The first thing you need to ask when looking for 0% balance
transfer no annual fee credit cards is how long does the 0%
interest rate last? After all, if it's only a 6-month offer
and you owe thousands of dollars, chances are you won't
have time to pay it off before the "real" interest rate
kicks in.

Which brings us to point number 2...

2. What's the "Real" Interest Rate?

If the 0% offer isn't good for the life of the balance,
what does the rate go up to when the offer expires? If
you're looking at a 22 percent interest rate after six
months, you might be in worse shape in six months than you
are right now. In this instance, the 0% balance transfer no
annual fee credit cards can be your worst nightmare - not
your best friend.

So how do you avoid the nightmares? By knowing what's out
there. Which brings us to our other points...

3. Life of Balance Offers Do Exist

No matter what your credit card companies want you to
believe, life of balance credit card offers are out there.
However, 0% balance transfer no annual fee credit cards
that offer a 0% interest rate for the life of the balance
are very hard to find. Even if you do find them, you have
to have excellent credit to qualify.

If your credit is less then perfect, this type of card
isn't going to be an options. That being said...

4. There Are Suitable Substitutions

If you don't qualify for the 0% balance transfer no annual
fee credit cards that offer a 0% rate until the balance is
paid in full, opt for a low-interest fixed-rate card
instead. A low interest rate of, say, 9.9% over the life of
the balance is a lot better than a balance transfer of 0%
that jumps up to 22% a few months after you transfer your
balance.

5. Get To It

So now that you know what to look for, try to see if you
can find some 0% balance transfer no annual fee credit
cards that you qualify for. If you can't, then opt for a
low-interest fixed-rate card instead. Then, as your credit
improves, try for the 0% balance transfer no annual fee
credit cards again.

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