Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards for Bad Credit

You need a credit score of 700 or higher on the 850-point FICO credit scoring scale to have a good chance at being approved for a good balance transfer credit card. Most 0% balance transfer credit cards require at least “good credit” for approval. There are exceptions, though. If you’re a student, there is no minimum credit score needed for a balance transfer credit card. Some student credit cards offer great balance transfer deals and don’t require applicants to have any prior credit history. Other than that, however, the selection will be limited.

Credit card companies generally don’t want to take on a customer’s debt until they have proved themselves reliable to repay amounts owed. Good credit seems to be the proven threshold for major credit card companies. You’ll find cards with 0% balance transfer APR periods from all of the 10 biggest credit card companies right now. For example, the Chase Slate card requires “good” credit or better for approval and offers 0% for 15 months on balance transfers, with a $0 balance transfer fee. That makes the balance transfer free for 15 months, since there’s no annual fee either.

It’s much harder to get approved for a balance transfer card with below-average credit. People with limited or no credit history could be in luck, however, if they happen to be in school. Some student credit cards offer 0% APR periods on balance transfers, such as the Wells Fargo Cash Back College card (0% for 6 months) and the BankAmericard student card (0% for 21 months).

People with “fair” credit—640 to 699—who meet certain criteria, such as being in the military, could potentially qualify for a balance transfer deal as well. USAA offers several credit cards with 0% APR balance transfers to people with fair credit. But the cards are only open to applicants who are USAA members, meaning people who’ve been in the military or who have eligible military family members. For example, the Wounded Warriors USAA Rewards card only requires fair credit and USAA membership, and offers 0% for 12 months on balance transfers.

Aside from that, some credit unions also offer balance transfer credit cards for fair credit. Credit unions are membership-based nonprofit organizations, and usually have specific requirements for becoming a member. If you qualify for TDECU membership, the TDECU Classic Mastercard offers 0% for 12 months on balance transfers with a $0 balance transfer fee, which is a good deal. So, consider looking for credit unions in your area that offer balance transfer cards if you have below-average credit.

People with bad credit scores, or scores under 640, won’t have much luck finding a balance transfer credit card that will be of much help. Unsecured cards for bad credit do exist, but you’ll usually pay a steep price in fees for even having these cards, and they typically don’t allow balance transfers. If you have bad credit, you should start rebuilding your credit with a secured credit card. Use the card responsibly and steadily make on-time payments, and over time, you’ll have a score that will qualify you for a better credit card.

Yes, a credit card balance transfer request can be denied, and there are plenty of reasons why, ranging from having a poor credit history (when applying for a new balance transfer card), to a balance transfer exceeding your credit limit or attempting to transfer a balance to an ineligible card. I think it's best to call your bank if your balance transfer request was declined and find out why.

The best way to get a $500 credit card limit with bad credit is to open a secured credit card account and put down a $500 security deposit. A secured card’s credit limit is generally equal to the amount of the deposit. Most secured cards require a refundable deposit of at least $200-$300. A bad credit score will make it difficult to get a $500 credit card limit without placing a $500 deposit.

Ways to get a $500 credit card limit with bad credit:

• Get an unsecured credit card: An unsecured credit card for bad credit could give you a $500 credit limit, but it depends on just how damaged your credit is. Your income, debts and overall ability to make credit card payments are also crucial factors that determine your credit limit. Like most unsecured cards for bad credit, the Credit One Visa starts with a $300+ credit limit. But it’s not all yours to spend right away, as you’ll owe an annual fee of $75 intro 1st yr, $99 after. Many other unsecured credit cards for bad credit charge one-time processing fees and monthly maintenance fees, which further reduce your spending power.
• Get a secured credit card: Unlike unsecured cards for bad credit, most secured cards, including Bank of America Custom Cash Secured Card and the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card, have $0 annual fees. And the deposit is fully refundable when you close the account in good standing. As you build good credit, you may eligible for a credit limit increase without an additional deposit. In some cases, you’ll be allowed to graduate to an unsecured card with better terms and no fees.
• Alternatives: Another way to get a $500 credit card limit with bad credit is to become an authorized user. When you sign on as an authorized user on someone else’s credit card, you’ll share the account’s credit limit while you rebuild your credit history. Missed payments on the account can have a negative effect on the credit scores of both the primary cardholder and the authorized user. But as an authorized user, you have the right to dispute negative information to get it removed from your credit report.

Once you get approved, you can also look at ways to increase your credit limit. After several months of responsible credit card use, you can request a higher credit limit yourself, or you might even be offered an automatic increase by the issuer. In addition, most secured cards also allow you to add to your refundable security deposit.

No, Credit One doesn’t do balance transfers at this time; none of its credit cards allow this type of transaction. In general, balance transfers allow you to shift high-interest debt from your current account to another issuer’s credit card and pay off the balance, presumably at a reduced interest rate.

For a look at some of the top balance transfer cards on the market, check out WalletHub’s Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards page.

How to Choose a Balance Transfer Card

The objective of a balance transfer is to save money on interest, so you will want a card with a low introductory APR on balance transfers. Just be sure to pay off the transferred balance in full before the introductory rate expires. Otherwise, the remaining balance will accumulate interest daily at the card’s regular APR.

You can find out how much a balance transfer card with a low intro APR will save you in interest charges by using WalletHub’s balance transfer calculator. This tool will also recommend credit cards that may help you save money and get out of debt faster.

No, First Premier balance transfers are not allowed. The First Premier Bank Mastercard is this bank’s only credit card offering, and it’s for people with bad credit. Like most unsecured credit cards for bad credit, the First Premier credit card doesn’t allow balance transfers, its limits are low, and its fees are high.

The most expensive First Premier Bank Mastercard annual fee comes in the first year: $75-$125, depending on your credit limit. Every year after that costs $45-$49 in annual fees. The first year comes with no monthly fees, but you’ll pay $5.85-$10.40 per month after that. The card’s 36% APR is the highest rate on the market right now, and you’ll pay a program fee for opening the account.

If you have bad credit and you’re hoping to qualify for a balance transfer credit card, your options will be limited until your credit score improves. Credit card companies don’t want to risk giving a credit line to someone who hasn’t yet proven they can handle it responsibly. Some secured credit cards allow balance transfers, but only up to the amount of your credit limit, which equals the amount of the card’s required deposit. If you have the money to make a deposit on a secured card in the amount of your debt, you should probably pay the debt itself.

You can pay off credit card debt with bad credit in a few ways. But probably your best option is to enter a debt management program. In this way, a debt management company will work with your lender on your behalf to reduce your monthly payments and your debt's interest rate.

You could also ask a family member or friend to loan you money.

As a last resort you could take out a personal loan, but I strongly suggest against it. Personal loans have horrible terms for people with bad credit and you wouldn't want to add more to your existing debt.

Click here to learn more about the major debt management options and to compare them.