How To Find A Credit Card
For Purchases And Balance TransfersBy Julia Cook
Finding plastic to use for purchases is one
thing, to find a credit card for balance transfers is another and that - or so you
might think - is that.
As a personal finance writer I'd been
hammering away at the mantra 'one card, one job' for years when I stopped,
looked around, and realised that it might not actually be the
case.
Certainly, many credit cards are still only
suitable for one job and I'd stand by my mantra for confused borrowing
beginners.
However, it's undeniable that when one goes to
compare the different products available these days there are some cards
that are more than one-trick ponies.
Unfortunately, there is more to picking out
these deals than trying to find a credit card which has offers on both balance
transfers and purchases.
In fact, in the past it has been the cards
with these two offers that have caused the most problems.
Luckily there is a way to find a card that can
be used for both: it's a three-question strategy.
Question One - what does the allocation of
payments clause say?
You'll find the allocation of payments clause
in your terms and conditions or, before you sign up, on a good price
comparison site.
If the cards you're looking at are not
primarily those with 0% Purchase special rates (i.e: the 0% purchase offer
is the shortest) then the allocation of payments clause will need to
specify that either the cheapest rate or the shortest 0% rate gets paid
off first.
This is also known as a positive allocation of
payments hierarchy.
Question Two - are the 0% offers the same
length?
Some cards are suitable for these two jobs
because the 0% offers are the same length.
This takes the worry of payments becoming
'trapped' as a result of the allocation of payments clause.
The Halifax All in One product is a good
example of this principle and there are many more. When trying to find a credit card, 'All in one' is
generally a good marker of this feature of the credit card you're looking
at.
Question three - are you organised with your
finances?
The third prong of this approach isn't really
about the credit card at all - it's about you.
With a 0% balance transfer credit card you can
work out how much you need to pay back per month and set up a direct debit
for a fixed amount - simple enough.
If, however, you're also spending different
amounts per month you may need to pay back different amounts each
month.
This is very important because if you miss
even one minimum monthly repayment BOTH 0% offers will be
withdrawn.
It will pay you to keep all this in mind when searching
to find a credit card for purchases and balance transfers.
Julia Cook is a staff writer for a site that
helps users to compare credit cards. The site also has tables for certain types of card such as
Bad Credit Rating Credit
Cards.
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