Updated: 30 Jun 2025
Credit card balance transfers can be a smart financial move when done right. Let's dive into what they are, their benefits, and the potential pitfalls.
A balance transfer means moving your credit card debt to a new card with a lower interest rate. This can save you money and help you pay off debt quicker, allowing you to enjoy more 'milo dinosaurs' guilt-free. To benefit from this, you need to understand how to calculate balance transfer fees and use a balance transfer minimum payment calculator.
Benefits of balance transfers
Balance transfers have many advantages:
Lower interest rates, sometimes even 0% for a promotional period
Consolidated debt for easier management
Potential savings on interest charges
Faster debt repayment
Potential pitfalls to watch out for
Balance transfers have some risks, too:
Pitfall | Description |
|---|---|
Transfer fees | Most banks charge a fee, typically 1-5% of the transferred amount |
Short promotional periods | Low rates may only last 3-12 months |
Higher rates after promotion | Interest rates may increase significantly once the promotional period ends |
Higher rates after promotion | Making only minimum payments can lead to long-term debt |
Always use tools like a balance transfer minimum payment calculator to plan your repayment strategy well.
A credit card balance transfer calculator is a great tool for managing your credit card debt in Singapore. It helps you figure out how much you can save by moving your balance to another card, perhaps from your UOB card to a Maybank one.
When you use a balance transfer fee calculator, you enter important details about your debt. This includes your balance, interest rate, and monthly payments. You also add info about the new card, like its promotional interest rate and how long it lasts.
The calculator takes this info and shows you the following:
Total interest saved
Time to pay off your debt
Monthly payment required
Balance transfer fees
It looks something like that:
Current Card | New Card | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|
18% Annual Percentage Rate | 0% for 12 months | S$1,200 on S$10,000 balance |
24% Annual Percentage Rate | 3.99% for 6 months | S$800 on S$8,000 balance |
The clever thing to do is to start by choosing the best offer—look for cards with low or no interest and small fees, then use a credit card calculator to compare options and find the one that saves you the most.
Before you act, calculate the total cost of the transfer, including upfront fees and interest. To calculate the fees, multiply the transfer amount by the fee percentage. Then, add any interest you might pay over time for a clear total.
After transferring, make a strong repayment plan. To avoid high interest, try to pay off your balance before the special offer ends. Set up automatic payments if you can. The main aim is to pay off debt, not to add more to your old card or your 'makan' budget.
With these tips and a good credit card calculator, you can make your balance transfer a smart money-saver.
A credit card balance transfer moves your credit card debt to a new card with a lower or 0% interest rate for a while. This can save you money on interest and help you pay off debt quicker, leaving you with more cash.
A credit card balance transfer calculator shows how much you can save by moving your credit card debt. It looks at your current balance, interest rates, fees, and the promotional period length. By entering your details, it estimates your total repayment cost and interest savings, helping you decide if it's worth making the switch from your DBS card to an OCBC one, for example.
The main advantage is saving on interest, especially with a 0% introductory APR. It also helps you pay off debt faster by focusing on the principal balance instead of interest.
Yes, there's usually a balance transfer fee, like 3% or 5% of the amount transferred. To save the most, look for the best offer with a long 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and low fees. Make a plan to pay off the balance before the offer ends. And don't use the card for new purchases during this time.
Check the terms, including the promotional period length, fees, and the post-promotional interest rate. Make sure your credit score is good enough to qualify for the offer.
Yes, you can use a balance transfer to consolidate debts from multiple credit cards. This can simplify your finances by combining several payments into one, making it easier to manage your debt.
The time it takes to process a balance transfer can vary depending on the banks involved. Typically, it can take anywhere from 3 to 10 business days. During this time, continue making payments on your old card to avoid late fees. If you haven't seen the transfer after a week, following up with both banks is also a good idea.
A balance transfer itself doesn't directly impact your credit score. However, applying for a new credit card for the balance transfer may result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which could temporarily lower your score slightly. On the positive side, if the balance transfer helps you pay off your debt faster and lowers your credit utilisation ratio, it could improve your credit score in the long run.
While you can technically still use your old credit card after a balance transfer, it's generally not recommended. Using the old card could accumulate new debt, making paying off your transferred balance harder. It's best to put the old card away and focus on paying off the transferred balance during the promotional period.