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Balance Transfer Card Recommendation

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startnow
Established Member

Balance Transfer Card Recommendation

I'm working with my CU to transfer some balances to their card.  They used FICO 4 and my TU was 658.  When I check my score using Cap 1, Discover or Walmart, FICO 8 TU is 551.  Huge difference, I know.  I pay all of my bills on time but I want some relief on some of the interest rates so that I can get ahead. I just need one more card with a decent limit to transfer over and working to reduce my debt.  Any suggestions on which company would work with me?  I know it'll be tough but I wanted to take advantage of having a recent approval, if that means anything. And I know that CUs tend to have more leeway than a traditional bank but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask since you all have been helpful in the past. 

5 REPLIES 5
NRB525
Super Contributor

Re: Balance Transfer Card Recommendation

What is the current CL on your Discover card? do you have an existing BT offer on that card, online? Go to Account --> Credit Options --> Balance Transfer to see what is there.

High Bal Jan 2009 $116k on $146k limits 80% Util.
Oct 2014 $46k on $127k 36% util EQ 722 TU 727 EX 727
April 2018 $18k on $344k 5% util EQ 806 TU 810 EX 812
Jan 2019 $7.6k on $360k EQ 832 TU 839 EX 831
March 2021 $33k on $312k EQ 796 TU 798 EX 801
May 2021 Paid all Installments and Mortgages, one new Mortgage EQ 761 TY 774 EX 777
April 2022 EQ=811 TU=807 EX=805 - TU VS 3.0 765
Message 2 of 6
startnow
Established Member

Re: Balance Transfer Card Recommendation

Thanks! It said nothing is available.  

Message 3 of 6
NRB525
Super Contributor

Re: Balance Transfer Card Recommendation

Ok, which cards do you currently have, their credit limits, APR, and current balance amount on each card?

Did you just get approved for a CU card? How much CL?

The potential options kind of branch off from there.


If you go to the Citi website, do you get a result when you run the Credit Card Prequalification tool, looking for Balance Transfer results? Something like the Simplicity or Diamond Preferred cards? This provides some perspective on what your file looks like to a CCC.

High Bal Jan 2009 $116k on $146k limits 80% Util.
Oct 2014 $46k on $127k 36% util EQ 722 TU 727 EX 727
April 2018 $18k on $344k 5% util EQ 806 TU 810 EX 812
Jan 2019 $7.6k on $360k EQ 832 TU 839 EX 831
March 2021 $33k on $312k EQ 796 TU 798 EX 801
May 2021 Paid all Installments and Mortgages, one new Mortgage EQ 761 TY 774 EX 777
April 2022 EQ=811 TU=807 EX=805 - TU VS 3.0 765
Message 4 of 6
startnow
Established Member

Re: Balance Transfer Card Recommendation

I have mostly store cards so the apr is in the high 20s.  My CU just approved me today for $5000.  Citibank is a no but they've never approved me for anything...ever except student loans which have been paid off.  It doesn't seem like I'll have much success right now.  I'll see what happens when I do this transfer with the CU CC and pay down for a while.  

Message 5 of 6
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Balance Transfer Card Recommendation

Getting a decent limit on a BT card will be hard with a score in the 600s. You're probably looking at credit unions only, and they can be kind of obscure. Find some more CUs nearby and check out their websites.

 

CapitalOne is pretty forgiving and has 0% offers on their cards, but you seem to have one already.


If you can pay it off in 6 months, the Big Ticket card is an interesting one. 0% apr for 6 months on BTs over $600 and no BT fee. But after 6 months it goes up to 18%.

Barclay Ring is popular around here for BTs as well. They can be hard on people with balances though.

Message 6 of 6
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