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Next Balance Transfer Card?

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tcbofade
Super Contributor

Next Balance Transfer Card?

OK, not today, but soon.... 30 days or so, DW will be seeking a new balance transfer card.

 

Scores around 650, util around 60%.  No Bank of America products, No Chase Slate. 

 

Any ideas?  Anything better about one vs another?

 

Zero interest for as long as possible, and lowest BT fees are important.

 

 

Fico 8 06/01/26: EX 791, EQ 819, TU 808.
Fico 9: EX 812 04/15/25, EQ 804 04/08/25, TU 792 02/15/25.

Zero percent financing is where the devil lives...
Message 1 of 12
11 REPLIES 11
takeshi74
Senior Contributor

Re: Next Balance Transfer Card?

Don't count on a new card for a BT with high utilization like that.  Revolving utilization has a high impact.  It can not only impact approvals but the limit and APR that one would qualify for.  One could get approved with high revolving utillization only to end up with a card with a low and useless limit.

 

Keep in mind that the generally suggested maximum is 30%. Even 30%, however, is far from ideal.

 

You really just have to work on paying down balances on revolvers.

Message 2 of 12
myjourney
Super Contributor

Re: Next Balance Transfer Card?

Is that overall UTL or one card?
It's been awhile since we chatted so run me thur the whole profile 

 

New mortgage...about year and half old.

Did you refi- for home improvements or use CC's?

Anymore loans?

Etc etc 

Before you app think...
Have you done your research of the CC?
Does it fit your spending?
Do you have a plan for the bonus w/o going into debt?
Can you afford the AF?
Do you know the cards benefits? Is it worth the HP?
Message 3 of 12
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Next Balance Transfer Card?


@tcbofade wrote:

OK, not today, but soon.... 30 days or so, DW will be seeking a new balance transfer card.

 

Scores around 650, util around 60%.  No Bank of America products, No Chase Slate. 

 

Any ideas?  Anything better about one vs another?

 

Zero interest for as long as possible, and lowest BT fees are important.

 

 


Citi Simplicity or DP is probably obtainable. Limit is probably not going to be decent.


Discover IT and Blaycard Rewards are crapshoot, they might or might not give you a good credit limit, or a balance transfer offer for that matter.

 

Credit Unions usually have good offers as well, depend on where you live.

Message 4 of 12
tcbofade
Super Contributor

Re: Next Balance Transfer Card?


@myjourney wrote:

Is that overall UTL or one card?
It's been awhile since we chatted so run me thur the whole profile 

 

New mortgage...about year and half old.

Did you refi- for home improvements or use CC's?

Anymore loans?

Etc etc 


New mortgage November of 2013.  Used CC's for Home Improvements. Can't refi due to high CC balances.  (low DTI)

 

DW has no other loans...  One mortgage, 20ish CC's.  Current util 73%.  Should be just under 60% on or about 01 March.

 

 

Fico 8 06/01/26: EX 791, EQ 819, TU 808.
Fico 9: EX 812 04/15/25, EQ 804 04/08/25, TU 792 02/15/25.

Zero percent financing is where the devil lives...
Message 5 of 12
myjourney
Super Contributor

Re: Next Balance Transfer Card?

Have her run the Citi preapproval link 

 

This is a long shot with UTL but if DPC comes up I would try it since it has no real rewards but known to start at a better limit than Simplicity

Plus it's 21 months @ $0%

Citi(R) Diamond Preferred(R) Credit Card - Citi's Best Credit Card for VIP Treatment

Before you app think...
Have you done your research of the CC?
Does it fit your spending?
Do you have a plan for the bonus w/o going into debt?
Can you afford the AF?
Do you know the cards benefits? Is it worth the HP?
Message 6 of 12
UncleB
Credit Mentor

Re: Next Balance Transfer Card?

There have been several good suggestions so far.  If it were me, I would also check into a credit union. 

 

I believe with your circumstances they would be in a better position to approve you for a card that would have a credit line large enough to be used for a balance transfer. 

 

If you go with any of the 'big' banks you're likely to end up with a credit line that's too small for your needs.

 

Just my 2¢.   Smiley Wink

Message 7 of 12
NRB525
Super Contributor

Re: Next Balance Transfer Card?


@tcbofade wrote:

@myjourney wrote:

Is that overall UTL or one card?
It's been awhile since we chatted so run me thur the whole profile 

 

New mortgage...about year and half old.

Did you refi- for home improvements or use CC's?

Anymore loans?

Etc etc 


New mortgage November of 2013.  Used CC's for Home Improvements. Can't refi due to high CC balances.  (low DTI)

 

DW has no other loans...  One mortgage, 20ish CC's.  Current util 73%.  Should be just under 60% on or about 01 March.

 

 


With that many cards already in the purse, it would help to list out the bank, card, CL, open balance, and whether each balance is already on a promotional APR, to see where DW is today. Some of the existing cards may just need an ask to try to get a BT offer.

I would echo the caution in apping for a "BT card" at that level of utilization. My experience was low starting CL in that situation.

Message 8 of 12
tcbofade
Super Contributor

Re: Next Balance Transfer Card?

Thanks all.

 

When we get closer, I can post the relevant information from my excel sheet.... right now, she's over 70% util, but we're planning to get her under 60% in February.

 

I didn't think about the local credit union... thank you.

 

Citi DP?  We will check into that.  She has a $9K Simplicity.

 

Right now today, her scores are too low to even consider.  (She has several maxed out accounts)  As we pay them down, her scores should rise to the 660's or so just after 01 March.

 

Thanks again!  Smiley Happy

Fico 8 06/01/26: EX 791, EQ 819, TU 808.
Fico 9: EX 812 04/15/25, EQ 804 04/08/25, TU 792 02/15/25.

Zero percent financing is where the devil lives...
Message 9 of 12
tcbofade
Super Contributor

Re: Next Balance Transfer Card?

Right at this moment, nothing shows up on Citi's pre qual link...but DP is on the top of their "suggested to apply for" list.

 

She'll have a much better score early in March...  I think that we'll wait to apply. 

Fico 8 06/01/26: EX 791, EQ 819, TU 808.
Fico 9: EX 812 04/15/25, EQ 804 04/08/25, TU 792 02/15/25.

Zero percent financing is where the devil lives...
Message 10 of 12
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