I had heard that it is best to open a new credit card account and then wait to make a balance transfer after you get your first statement. Is that the best way to do it? Or is it okay to do the balance transfer when you first apply for the card on the initial application?
Answered on Thursday, August 5th, 2010 by
Amy Miller

Balance transfers can be beneficial and help you pay off your balance faster and save on credit card charges if handled right. You are absolutely right considering all aspects before making the application.
You probably know that every credit inquiry is recorded in your credit history, and recent credit card applications constitute 10% of your credit score. Application for a balance transfer can hurt your credit score, though experts say it is typically five points or less. If you make balance transfer after you get your card, you will already know your approved credit line, and if it is enough to transfer your entire balance, and you will also be able to calculate your debt to credit ratio, which also determines about 30% of your credit score. At the same time some issuing companies offer better terms if you apply for balance transfer at the time of online application or shortly after, otherwise 0% introductory APR is not guaranteed. Balance Transfer rules do differ from company to company and to know details of the particular offer you liked, see terms and conditions on the card application page.

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There are several factors your credit limit depends on and your credit history and your creditworthiness are among them. Please also note that the final word always rests with your credit card issuer. Therefore, you can negotiate your credit limit with your issuer directly. What’s more, not all the credit cards come with a balance [...]

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Our Financial Expert Team
Amy
Miller

While she enjoys writing about money, Amy admits she is not your typical personal finance writer-she is a shopaholic, an impulse/emotional buyer, and unable to save for longer than a few months at a time. But she is trying to improve her finances and shares her experience and tips on learning how to budget money, manage debt, and set goals in her writing for BestCreditOffers.com. She hails from the foggy city of London, but now resides in Salt Lake City.

James
Williams

James Williams is a personal finance expert, trained in journalistic writing. As a freelance writer and professional blogger who works from home, he contributes to many personal finance websites including BestCreditOffers.com.

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