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GUIDE · CREDIT CARDS
The 0% offer, the fee and the date that matters.
Photo: Shixart1985 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
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§ 1 · CREDIT CARDS
A new card pays off your old one. The balance moves over at a promo rate.
Photo: Donald Trung Quoc Don / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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§ 2 · CREDIT CARDS
Promos last at least 6 months by law. Many run 12 to 21 months.
Photo: Undeka 11 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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§ 3 · CREDIT CARDS
Most cards charge 3% to 5% of the amount you move.
Photo: LoMit / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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§ 4 · CREDIT CARDS
Balance plus fee, divided by promo months, is your monthly target.
Photo: DigiGal DZiner / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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§ 5 · CREDIT CARDS
Most issuers won't transfer between two of their own cards.
Photo: Suiren2022 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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§ 6 · CREDIT CARDS
Pay the old card's minimum until the transfer posts.
Photo: Stilfehler / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
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§ 7 · CREDIT CARDS
A late payment can cost you the promo rate. Set up autopay.
Photo: Torsten Dettlaff / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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§ 8 · CREDIT CARDS
New purchases may not get 0%. Put the new card away.
Photo: Anselm Schüler / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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§ 9 · CREDIT CARDS
Any balance left when the promo ends gets the regular APR.
Photo: Claudio Elias / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
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The full math, the rules most people miss and what to do when the promo ends.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (credits on each page)