Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards With 0% Interest Rate - April 2024
Finding the best balance transfer credit cards that suit your circumstance is great in managing your personal finance. A balance transfer credit cards can be a powerful tool to help you save money on interest while you pay down your outstanding credit card debt balance. If you have a high-interest credit card balance and you transfer this balance to an 0% introductory interest rate can save you hundreds of euros in interest. These savings that you make can be applied towards paying off your debts and getting out of debt. When searching for the best balance transfer credit cards, keep an eye on if the card charges no annual fee and offer an introductory 0% interest period of 3 months or more on transfers and offer great rewards for long-term value. Consider if there is a balance transfer fee and the debt you have outstanding and if the zero interest free period is sufficient to pay off the debts or large amount of the debt.
Find below the list of some of our selections for the best 0% balance transfer credit cards.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards in Ireland with 0% Interest Rate
- Bank of Ireland Platinum Advantage Card – Best for Overall Premium
- Bank of Ireland AER Credit Card – Best For Travel Rewards
- Bank of Ireland Student Credit Card – Best Student Credit Card
- Avant Money One Card – Best All in One Card
- PTSB Ice Visa Credit Card – Best Starter Credit card
- Bank of Ireland Classic Credit Card – Best for Everyday Spending
- An Post Classic Credit Card – Best for Long Term Balance Transfer
- Revolut Credit Card – Best Cash Back Credit Card
Summary of Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Compare the Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Best Credit Card For Overall Premium
Platinum Advantage Credit Card
- Annual Fee: €76.18
- Intro Offer: 0% on all purchases for first 6 months or balance transfers for 7 months
- Interest Rate: 13.79% variable on all purchases
- APR: 19.6% variable
- Currency Conversion Fee (POS/ATM): 2.25%
- Stamp Duty: €30 annually
- Balance Transfer: 0% on balance transfers for 7 months
- Additional Card Fee: €0
- Late Payment Fee: €7.50
- Cash Advance Fee: 1.5%
Currency
EUR
Multi currency
No
Segment
Premium
Scheme
Mastercard
Co-branded
No
Income Requirement
€16,000
Best Credit Card For Travel Rewards
AER Credit Card
- Annual Fee: €78
- Intro Offer: 0% on all purchases and balance transfers for 7 months
- Interest Rate: 16.12% variable on all purchases
- APR: 22.7% variable
- Currency Conversion Fee (POS/ATM): 2.25%
- Stamp Duty: €30 annually
- Balance Transfer: 27%
- Additional Card Fee: €0
- Late Payment Fee: €7.50
- Cash Advance Fee: 1.5%
Currency
EUR
Multi currency
No
Segment
Standard
Scheme
Mastercard
Co-branded
AER Lingus
Income Requirement
€16,000
Best Credit Card For Students
Student Credit Card
- Monthly Fee: €0
- Intro Offer: 0% on all purchases for first 6 months or balance transfers for 7 months
- Interest Rate: 14.54% variable on all purchases
- APR: 20.2% variable
- Currency Conversion Fee (POS/ATM): 2.25%
- Stamp Duty: €30 annually
- Balance Transfer: 0% on balance transfers for 7 months
- Additional Card Fee: €0
- Late Payment Fee: €7.50
- Cash Advance Fee: 1.5%
Currency
EUR
Multi currency
No
Segment
Student
Scheme
Mastercard
Co-branded
No
Income Requirement
None
Best Credit Cards for Comprehensive Offers and Rewards
Avant Money One Credit Card
- Monthly Fee: €0
- Intro Offer: 0% on purchases for 3 months and balance transfers for 9 months
- Cash Back: €150 cashback when you switch your card
- Interest Rate: 16.8% variable on all purchases
- APR: 22.9% variable
- Currency Conversion Fee (POS/ATM): 2.65%
- Stamp Duty: €30 annually
- Balance Transfer: 0% on balance transfers for 9months
- Money Transfer: 0% on balance transfers for 12months
- Additional Card Fee: €0
- Late Payment Fee: €15.24
- Cash Advance Fee: 1.5%
Currency
EUR
Multi currency
No
Segment
Standard
Scheme
Mastercard
Co-branded
No
Income Requirement
€16,000
Best Credit Card For Beginners
Permanent TSB Ice Visa Credit Card
- Monthly Fee: €0
- Intro Offer: 0% interest free on purchases for first 3 months
- Interest Rate: 16.50% variable on all purchases
- APR: 22.53% variable
- Currency Conversion Fee (POS/ATM): 1.75% (Europe) and 3.5% (other region)
- Stamp Duty: €30 annually
- Balance Transfer: 0% fixed interest on balance transfers for first 6 months
- Additional Card Fee: €0
- Late Payment Fee: €7.5
- Cash Advance Fee: 1.5%
Currency
EUR
Multi currency
No
Segment
Standard
Scheme
Visa
Co-branded
No
Income Requirement
Not stated
Best Credit Cards For Everyday Spending
Classic Credit Card
- Monthly Fee: €0
- Intro Offer: 0% on all purchases for first 6 months or balance transfers for 7 months
- Interest Rate: 16.12% variable on all purchases
- APR: 22.1% variable
- Currency Conversion Fee (POS/ATM): 2.25%
- Stamp Duty: €30 annually
- Balance Transfer: 0% on balance transfers for 7 months
- Additional Card Fee: €0
- Late Payment Fee: €7.50
- Cash Advance Fee: 1.5%
Currency
EUR
Multi currency
No
Segment
Standard
Scheme
Mastercard
Co-branded
No
Income Requirement
€16,000
Best Credit Card For Balance Transfers
An Post Classic Credit Card
- Monthly Fee: €0
- Intro Offer: 0% fixed interest on balance transfers for first 12 months
- Interest Rate: 16.50% variable on all purchases
- APR: 22.9% variable
- Currency Conversion Fee (POS/ATM): Varied – Uses a mark up
- Stamp Duty: €30 annually
- Balance Transfer: 0% fixed interest on balance transfers for first 12 months
- Money Transfer: Available – 16.8% variable
- Additional Card Fee: €0
- Late Payment Fee: not specified
- Cash Advance Fee: not specified
Currency
EUR
Multi currency
No
Segment
Standard
Scheme
Mastercard
Co-branded
No
Income Requirement
Not stated
Best Credit Card For Cash Back
Revolut Flex Credit Card
- Monthly Fee: €0
- Intro Offer:0% on all purchases and balance transfers for 3 months
- Cash Back: 1% cashback on purchases for the first three months when you spend up to €3,000 (after that, the rate is 0.1%).
- Interest Rate: 13.34% variable on all purchases
- APR: 17.99% variable
- Currency Conversion Fee (POS/ATM): See terms and condition
- Stamp Duty: €30 annually
- Balance Transfer: not specified
- Additional Card Fee: €0
- Late Payment Fee: €10
- Cash Advance Fee: 2%
Currency
EUR
Multi currency
No
Segment
Standard
Scheme
Mastercard
Co-branded
No
Income Requirement
Not stated
What is a Balance Transfer Credit Card?
A balance transfer credit card when used effectively is a great tool to help you pay off existing credit card debts. You are able to save on existing debt by transferring your balance to a card low interest rate or with an introductory 0% interest rate offer on balance transfers for the promotional period. A 0% balance transfer credit card is preferable because you focus on paying down the principal instead of both principal and interest rate. However the intro offer do not last infinitely. It typically lasts anywhere from 3 months to 12 months in Ireland. After the offer period, the regular rate of interest will be applied to the remaining balance unpaid. In deciding the card you pick, ensure that the interest rate on the card is not high. Also keep in mind that the balance transfer fee may be charged to transfer credit card outstanding balance from one card to another. These fees may add to your existing debts.
>>Learn More: What is a Balance Transfer?
Pros and Cons of Balance Transfer Card?
Pros:
- Save on interest and focus on paying off or paying down your debts faster.
- A great way of consolidating your outstanding credit card debts and reducing your monthly lower interest payments
- Improves your credit history or credit score, as you continue to pay down your credit card debts, your credit utilization ratio reduces over time
Cons:
- You may be charged a balance transfer fee which could increase your existing debt balance. It is worth checking to see if the balance transfer card is worth it.
- If you don’t pay off your existing balance within the intro offer period, the new card’s interest rate will be applied to the remaining balance. Be careful to check that the you don’t end up paying a higher interest rate than your previous card.
- There is a limit to balance transfer amounts. Make sure you check this with your credit card provider.
How to Choose a Balance Transfer Credit Card?
Outstanding Debt Balance: Work out how much debt you want to transfer to your new credit card.
Fees: You should consider if there are annual fees that come with the card. A no annual fee or no balance transfer fee card is attractive. Also check if there is a balance transfer fee and do the math with your outstanding balance to see if it is worth it. The goal is to minimise your costs
0% Interest Rate vs Low Interest Rate Balance Transfer: While a 0% intro interest rate for a period is attractive, check to see if the ongoing interest rate after the promo is worth it or you may be better off with a low interest rate credit card without any offers.
Length of Intro Offer: How long the introductory offer lasts should be part of your decision making. A longer o% interest intro offer period gives you a longer time frame to pay off your balance without any interest.
Rewards and Perks: If you want the balance transfer card for long term use, look for cards that also offer additional rewards and perks to the balance transfer card.
>>Read more: Rewards Credit Cards
Alternatives to a Balance Transfer Credit Card
If you are unable to get a balance transfer credit card to manage your debts, there are a few things you can do
- Make your minimum monthly payment, don’t miss a payment to avoid negatively impacting your credit report and going into default on your card.
- Consider applying for personal loan. You may get a personal loan at a lower interest rate than what you’re currently paying on your credit card.
>> Read more: Cash back credit cards
Review Methodology
Coins to Asset reviews credit card across many the factors. We analysed popular 15 credit cards available in Ireland to come up with the best cards for you. We looked at fees, interest rates, rewards and cash backs including the ease of redeeming the rewards. We also considered the monetary value of the benefits and perks and the overall value add of the card to the cardholder. Part of our review includes ease of credit card application, the simple reward structure, attractiveness of the features, and whether the card suits everyday use or best reserved for specific purchases. We give star ratings serve as a general guide of our comparison but it is only a consideration when you are choosing a credit card not a rule. Learn how Coins to Asset Rates Credit Cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynda Unogu MBA IMC (CFA UK) PMP
Lynda holds an MBA from University College Dublin and worked previously in product roles within financial services and technology firms like Mastercard, Citi Bank and JP Morgan. She constantly seeks to apply her expertise in financial services to the field of personal finance with the goal of helping people navigate the complexities of the finance.
Have you had any experiences with balance transfer credit cards?, we would like to hear from you.