Making the balance transfer request is a simple enough process with 2 basic questions for yourself. Is this a balance transfer going to an existing account or a new account being processed? Can the account to be transfered transferable? Qualifying transfers typically require the account number and business name to be transfered. If its a non qualifying transfer there may be another way to make that high interest transfer to your current or new lower rate credit card.
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Existing credit card account transfer
If you have an existing account then knowing how much you can transfer is simplier since you already know you limit. All credit issuers vary in balance transfer offers from easy online transfers to regular mailings or customer service request. One absolute though is that a balance transfer of any size does NOT close out the account and can remain active. If you want to close the credit card account you can do it by phone and then in writing to request the account be closed by the account holder.
New credit card account transfer
A new credit card account can also be simple since you only need the same information at the time of applying if online however you may not know your limit. If you request more in transfer amounts than your limit the credit card provider may or may not process you request up to your limit at there discretion.
Non qualifying credit transfer
Most credit card balance transfers are from the major credit card providers to another like Discover, American Express, Visa and Mastercard are the typical qualifying transfers. But maybe you have a high interest revolving credit line, loan or store credit card for example. Using a cash advance is not an option since the cash advance rates typically range from 18% to 23%. There are balance transfer checks or special cash advance checks that will give you the opportunity to either make a check to the creditor or deposit your credit available to your account and then write a check to the creditor as you like. Be sure the following rate on such a transfer is the rate your are expecting by reading all the fine print. While many credit card providers offer either of these options getting the offer when you want may take some work or time since credit card providers like purchases and direct balance transfers but are not always excited on cash transactions.
Any transfer
With your balance transfer request in the processing may take time so you are still expected to make your minimum payments on the last balance bill on the due date on your existing account til you can confirm that its balance is zero, or for less than full transfers, until the next bill due is received reflecting the lower balance and then pay that minimum payment.
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See providers for most current details. Rates may change or may be introductory.