Balance Transfer Credit Card Comparison

Q: How does a balance transfer work?

During the application process, or after the new account is opened, you can request a transfer from an eligible existing card. The new provider pays the specified amount to the old card, and the transferred balance becomes payable on the new account. You must keep to the account terms and make at least the required minimum payment on time, or you may lose the promotional rate.

Q: Can I transfer my entire balance?

That depends on the credit limit you receive and any transfer cap applied by the lender. Interest and charges may continue on any balance left behind.

Q: Will checking my eligibility affect my credit score?

No. Eligibility checks use soft credit searches carried out by Experian and/or participating lenders. A soft search may appear on your own credit report, but it is not visible to other lenders and does not affect your credit score. If you apply, the lender may carry out a hard credit search.

Q: Are all balance transfer cards available here?

No. We compare a range of balance transfer credit cards from lenders and providers on our panel, but we do not compare every card available in the UK.

Q: What’s a representative APR?

A representative APR is an APR at or below which the lender reasonably expects at least 51% of credit agreements resulting from the promotion to be entered into. The APR you are offered may be different depending on your circumstances.

Q: Can I hold more than one credit card?

Yes, though transfers between cards from the same banking group are often not allowed. Applying for several cards in a short period can also lead to multiple hard searches and may affect your credit score or future applications. Quotezone is a credit broker, not a lender. Balance transfer offers are subject to the lender’s terms and eligibility requirements. Before applying, check the length of any promotional period, the balance transfer fee, any transfer restrictions, the interest rate that will apply when the promotional period ends and the repayment requirements. You can also compare purchase credit cards, travel credit cards, rewards credit cards and cashback credit cards, or browse all credit cards. About this online comparison service Quotezone provides this information only comparison service for credit cards. Our eligibility checker service uses a ‘soft credit search’, which will not harm your credit score, to show your likelihood of acceptance by the lender. Quotezone acts as a credit broker, not a lender, which means we show you and distribute products offered by a range of lenders. Quotezone does not offer advice or recommendation, so you must decide which product is right for you based on your needs. We do not charge you a fee for our service, but we will receive a payment, directly or indirectly, from the product provider if you select one from the product table (based on either a flat fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow). The payment we receive does not influence the information we provide to you. You should check with your selected provider to find out what fees may be applicable to you. To apply you must be a UK resident and aged 18 and over. Credit is subject to status and eligibility. More information about our service can be found in our FAQs, Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Compare balance transfer credit cards

Compare 0% balance transfer credit cards from UK providers on our panel
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Illustration of a person holding credit cards, with icons for low APR, 0% purchases, rewards, balance transfers and fee-free spending abroad.

What is a balance transfer credit card?

A balance transfer credit card lets you move existing card debt to a new card, often with a 0% interest period for a set time. Our comparison shows balance transfer cards from UK providers on our panel. Compare the length of the 0% offer, the transfer fee and the standard rate before you apply. Checking your eligibility uses a soft search that won’t affect your credit score.

What you need to consider when reviewing your balance transfer credit card options

Usage

A balance transfer card can be used to move eligible debt from one or more existing credit cards to a new card. Consider how much you want to transfer, whether the new credit limit will cover it, and how quickly you can repay the balance.

Representative APR

The representative APR (Annual Percentage Rate) helps show the potential annual cost of borrowing outside a promotional rate. The APR offered to you may differ and will depend on your circumstances.

Introductory Offers

Some cards offer 0% interest on transferred balances for a limited period. Compare the length of the offer and note when the standard rate will begin to apply.

Fees and Charges

Many providers charge a percentage of the amount transferred. Check the balance transfer fee, annual fee, late-payment charges, and any other costs before applying.

Rewards and Benefits

Rewards are not normally the main reason to choose a balance transfer card. If a card includes benefits, check whether their value outweighs its fees and whether purchases receive a different interest rate.

Eligibility

Each lender sets its own acceptance criteria. Your income, credit history, existing borrowing, and recent applications may influence the cards and credit limits available to you.

How does the balance transfer credit card comparison process work?

Our comparison shows a range of balance transfer cards from UK lenders and providers on our panel, with transparent information about rates, fees, promotional periods, and eligibility before you apply.

Your Information

You will be asked for details about your circumstances, credit history, existing borrowing, and the amount you may wish to transfer.

We search our panel of lenders

Our panel includes UK banks, card issuers, and other credit providers. Experian and/or participating lenders assess your eligibility for cards available through our comparison service.

Personalised results

You can review cards available through our panel, including an indication of your likelihood of acceptance where available. Eligibility checking uses a soft search carried out by Experian and/or participating lenders, and does not affect your credit score.

Apply with confidence

If you choose to apply, you will be taken to the lender’s website. The lender makes the final decision and may carry out a hard credit search.

What types of balance transfer credit cards can I compare?

Long 0% Balance Transfer Cards

Low-Fee Balance Transfer Cards

Balance Transfer and Purchase Cards

Existing-Customer Offers

Worked example

Example: move £3,000 to a card with a 3% transfer fee and 24 months at 0%. The fee adds £90, so you owe £3,090. Repaying about £129 a month clears it within 24 months with no interest; anything left when the 0% period ends is charged at the standard rate.

Tips that can help to increase the chances of being accepted for a balance transfer credit card

Balance transfer cards are popular, so it’s worth strengthening your application before you apply.

Credit Report

Check your credit report and correct any inaccurate information before applying.

Electoral Register

Make sure you are registered to vote at your current address where eligible.

Pay Your Bills

Pay bills and existing credit commitments on time.

Level of Borrowing

Consider your total borrowing and avoid using more of your available credit than you can manage.

Eligibility Checking

Using an eligibility checker before applying can help you understand your likelihood of acceptance. Soft searches do not affect your credit score.

What happens when the 0% balance transfer period ends?

Any unpaid transferred balance moves to the rate stated in the card terms. It may be useful to check that rate before applying and plan how you will repay any balance left when the offer expires. Paying only the minimum each month is unlikely to clear the balance before the offer ends — work out the monthly amount needed to repay it in full within the promotional period.

What is a balance transfer fee?

A balance transfer fee is a one-off charge for moving debt from one credit card to another. It’s usually a percentage of the amount transferred — often around 2–4%, according to MoneyHelper — and is added to your new card balance.

The fee normally counts towards your credit limit, so the amount you can transfer may be less than your total credit limit.

Frequently asked questions

How does a balance transfer work?

Can I transfer my entire balance?

Will checking my eligibility affect my credit score?

Are all balance transfer cards available here?

What’s a representative APR?

Can I hold more than one credit card?

Quotezone is a credit broker, not a lender. Balance transfer offers are subject to the lender’s terms and eligibility requirements. Before applying, check the length of any promotional period, the balance transfer fee, any transfer restrictions, the interest rate that will apply when the promotional period ends and the repayment requirements.

You can also compare purchase credit cards, travel credit cards, rewards credit cards and cashback credit cards, or browse all credit cards.

About this online comparison service

Quotezone provides this information only comparison service for credit cards. Our eligibility checker service uses a ‘soft credit search’, which will not harm your credit score, to show your likelihood of acceptance by the lender. Quotezone acts as a credit broker, not a lender, which means we show you and distribute products offered by a range of lenders.

Quotezone does not offer advice or recommendation, so you must decide which product is right for you based on your needs. We do not charge you a fee for our service, but we will receive a payment, directly or indirectly, from the product provider if you select one from the product table (based on either a flat fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you borrow). The payment we receive does not influence the information we provide to you. You should check with your selected provider to find out what fees may be applicable to you.

To apply you must be a UK resident and aged 18 and over. Credit is subject to status and eligibility.

More information about our service can be found in our FAQs, Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.