If I PIF, and then transfer a balance in the same billing cycle, will I get stuck with purchase APR?

[Anonymous]

I just BTed away my Discover balances last week (some of it purchases - very high APR, some of it were BTed onto it a year ago at a competitive rate).

I just got my statement, and now I have the finance charges to deal with. (About 80 bucks.) I also have a good BT offer on the Discover, so I am considering BTing my balance back, since it will all be at the good BT rate. I can pay the finance charges right now, and be done with the high-interest rate for purchases that I have. Here is the question...

Do I have to wait until my next statement to do this new BT back to Discover to avoid this... My concern is that although I will have PIF in a couple days when the payment posts, will Discover apply the new complete BT amount at the BT rate, or will they shift that PIF money over to the BTs since it is a lower rate? As long as I BT after PIF, will I escape anything remaining at the purchase rate?

My goal is to have NOTHING at the purchase APR rate.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Good question.  I had the same issue and ended up not doing the BT because I had the same concern.  Hopefully, someone can enlighten us both.

[Anonymous]

I've been in that situation before.  I paid the remaining finance charge balances in full, then checked my balance online, to make certain that it showed $0.  I then called the CCC's customer service department, and asked if there would be anymore remaining charges associated with my previous balance.  I finally asked if I could go ahead and do a BT, without worry. 

[ubermensch]

I just did this exact thing and it worked out perfectly. Gotta love Discover and their great balance transfer offers. Unfortunately it means I never use them to actually charge anything!

[Anonymous]

I only used my two citi cards for 0 int for a bt from a HIGH AS heck installment loan that had a pay history going 7 years and i still owed 3400 when i did the BT, but as long as i use that card and make only payments i won't or shouldn't have to use it for purchases. And my other citi card has 0 int 12 mos on purchases and bt's like the other, so i had to buy a new tv, and that is what i am using those two for now!