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Frequent Contributor
MrCredit
Posts: 349
Registered: ‎11-13-2008

Low Rate for Life of Balance Transfer

Does anyone have any cards in mind that offer a low rate on balance transfers for the life of the balance transfer?

 

My wife has a Sallie Mae student loan at 8.5% that is about $8k. Its been 3 years since origination and the principal is barely scratching the surface.

 

Besides PenFED. Their underwriting guidelines I am afraid are too picky for me even.

PSECU Visa $20,000, PSECU LOC $20,000, BOA Amex $18,500, Fidelity Rewards Amex $10,000, Fidelity Rewards Visa Sig $7,500, Sears MasterCard $5,000, Citi Diamond Preferred MC $8,300 USAA MC $9,800, Chase Slate $9,000 Lowes $10,000, Chase Sapphire Preferred $10,000, Amazon CC $2,500, Kohls Charge $1,000, Amex Gold PR,

Recently Cut Discover and HSBC loose due to low limits.
Moderator
Revelate
Posts: 4,285
Registered: ‎12-30-2011

Re: Low Rate for Life of Balance Transfer

I'm not so certain such animals exist; credit cards are designed for short-term float, not extended periods (ostensibly).  As a result, I suspect most if not all have a time limit associated with it.

 

On pretty much any installment loan, the first couple payments if you pay the minimum will barely scratch the principal; kicking extra money in during the early part of the loan can shorten it tremendously.  

 

I'm not an expert though; there may be something out there but it'd likely be more effective to get a different loan type, secured against some sort of asset, to refinance it down if that's the goal.


Starting Score: EQ 561, TU 567, EX 599* (12/30/11, EX lender pull 12/29/11)
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Valued Contributor
trumpet-205
Posts: 1,909
Registered: ‎11-11-2010

Re: Low Rate for Life of Balance Transfer

In today's world, such thing does not exist. Low rate is promtional offer that at most 18 months before going back to original rate.

In My Wallet:
Citi Forward (12/2010) | Citi TY Preferred (05/2011) | BofA Travel Rewards (07/2011) | Chase Freedom (11/2011)
GECRB/PayPal (05/2012) | Discover it (07/2012) | US Bank Cash Reward (08/2012) | AMEX BCE (09/2012)
Target (10/2012) | Chase Ink Classic (11/2012) | BofA Balance Rewards (04/2013)
Valued Contributor
drkaje
Posts: 2,909
Registered: ‎07-25-2008

Re: Low Rate for Life of Balance Transfer

NavFed probably has something like that.

 

Find the right roomate and make it happen!! :smileyhappy:


Starting Score: 675
Current Score: EX 753 FICO, EQ 750 FICO
Goal Score: 776 FICO


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Mega Contributor
Creditaddict
Posts: 11,019
Registered: ‎10-23-2007

Re: Low Rate for Life of Balance Transfer

PenFed had a 4.9% for life and no fee to BT but that ended 12/31 unless they extended but I have not checked.

Citi has 18 and chase has 15... Chase has been overing the Slate with the 15 months 0% but Waiving the BT Fee for first 90 days of account opening... Take that now if you can get it (Do Pre-Qual online) and get the balance down as much as you can... 15 months from now everything could be different.

Waiting is so Overrated! :smileytongue:
Valued Contributor
youngandcreditwrthy
Posts: 3,777
Registered: ‎08-16-2012

Re: Low Rate for Life of Balance Transfer

Get a high limit bt card...

Freedom
Many Barclaycards
Simplicity
Motiva
Penfed


To get a limit that high on initial approval though, you'd likely need to have other equally as high of limit revolving accounts..

Good luck :-)
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Valued Contributor
Walt_K
Posts: 2,624
Registered: ‎11-02-2009

Re: Low Rate for Life of Balance Transfer

[ Edited ]

I just got an offer in the mail the other day for a fixed rate for life for any BTs completed in the first three months.  I think it was 8.9% and with First National Bank of Omaha.  I'd look it up for you but I tossed it.   

 

ETA: just noticed you were trying to get something lower than 8.5% so this wouldn't have been of interest anyway.  But maybe it provides a data point for what kinds of things are out there.


Starting Score: ~500 (12/01/2008)
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