Balance transfer credit cards

Are you paying interest on existing credit or store cards? A balance transfer credit card could help.

Transferring your balances to a single 0% card means you’ll pay no interest for the promotional period. This could save you money and help you become debt free faster.

There's usually a transfer fee. You should work out if you will still be saving money after paying the fee. You could still be better off.

Consider how long your promotional rate lasts and what you can afford to pay monthly. Paying only the minimum may take longer and cost more to repay. Setting up a Direct Debit can help you stay on track.

If you decide that a balance transfer credit card is right for you, there's a few things to be aware of:

• We charge a one-off transfer fee.
• You can transfer as many cards as you need, as long as you don't transfer more than 95% of your credit limit.
• The 0% interest rate only applies to balance transfers made within the first 60 days. You'll lose your 0% rate if you miss a minimum monthly payment. You'll then pay the standard rate of interest from the start of that statement period.
• You cannot transfer a balance from another Virgin Money Credit Card. You should not use your card to repay other borrowing from Virgin Money.
• When your promotional rate ends you'll be charged at the standard rate of interest.

Completing a balance transfer won't hurt your credit score. But applying for a balance transfer credit card could temporarily lower it. This is because:

• We'll do a hard credit check when you apply for a credit card. It helps us to understand your credit history. A hard credit check can impact your credit score.
• Applying for too many cards or loans, especially in a short space of time, could lower your credit score.
• Make sure to check your eligibility first before you apply. An eligibility search shows up as a soft credit check on your credit report. This does not impact your credit score.

However, you don’t have one universal credit score. Each lender will calculate scores in different ways. They can use your application, credit report and their own data if you already bank with them. You can check your own credit report by visiting TransUnion, Equifax or Experian.

A balance transfer credit card could also boost your score, if you:

• Make regular payments to pay off your debts. Over time, this could improve your credit score.
• Reduce your credit utilisation. This is the percentage of your available credit that you're using. Keeping your credit utilisation low shows you’re managing your debt well. This is good for your credit score. Generally, you should aim to use no more than 25% of your total credit limit.
• Having long held, well-managed credit accounts can also improve your credit score. This shows you’ve been a reliable borrower in the past.

Our balance transfer credit cards come with a money transfer option. They let you move up to 95% of your credit card limit into your current account. We’re pleased to be one of the few credit card providers who offer them.

We sometimes offer 0% interest promotional rates and fees on money transfers. If you’re offered one, you’ll need to make a transfer within 60 days of opening your account to get the promotional offer. After this standard interest rates will apply.

You shouldn’t use your money transfer to repay other borrowing from us. After this, we’ll charge you the standard interest rate and fee.

It’s quick and easy to make a balance transfer.

1. To manage your card, you'll need the Virgin Money Credit Card app.
2. Go to the payments section.
3. Tap ‘Make a balance transfer’ and follow the steps.

The money will be in your account in 3 days if no extra checks are needed.