Low or no annual fees, at least a 25 day grace period and a low interest rate are essential.
If possible, you want to stay away from cards that use "two-cycle" billing and the "universal default clause", but you'll have to read the fine print to determine if any specific lender does (and it appears more and more do).
Since the main reason to use a balance transfer card should be to get a lower interest rate than you are currently paying, your first choice should be a zero or low APR for the life of the transfer.
Next you want to know how much your APR will jump if you can't pay off the transfer in the time granted by the introductory offer. And you also need to find out if there are additional borrowing requirements; for example must you make a certain minimum charge every month after the transfer to continue to receive the low introductory rate.
And if, for example, the APR at the end of the introductory period jumps to 14.9%, the transfer can turn out to be quite costly.
You also want to make sure there are no fees charged for the transfer itself. If the lender charges you 3% of the amount borrowed, even if limited to a maximum of $100, the deal is not so sweet anymore.
For a balance transfer to make sense, you should really be able to repay the transfer during the introductory period. If you don't think you will be able to do so, Blue from American Express is a better choice than a card with a time limited offer.
Finally beware of what might happen if you are late with a payment or somehow trip the universal default clause. Your 0% APR might magically change to a 29.99% APR overnight.
Here is a list of the top balance transfer cards. Note that the first entry, Pulaski Bank has been listed as one of the top ten consumer friendly banks in the country by Consumer Reports Magazine. Among other things this means it offers consistently low rates and doesn't use the universal default clause or two-cycle billing.
Free Online Reporting - Quarterly reports enable you to monitor your business spending.
No Annual Fee
Platinum Business Benefits
- Valuable benefits such as Travel and Emergency Assistance, Purchase
Security and Extended Protection, and Travel Accident Insurance.
Visa® Business Partner Advantage - Savings of up to 20% from leading retailers with special offers on computer equipment, office supplies and more.
You can earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® bonus points after your first purchase with the Card - redeemable for a $100 gift card
The Membership Rewards® program—Whatever you want to
do, this is the rewards program that can help make it happen. Exciting
travel, entertainment, shopping, and dining experiences are waiting for
you
Gold Card Events—exclusive access to tickets for select concerts, shows,
major sporting events, and more in cities nationwide
Global Assist® Plus Hotline and many more benefits included.
Purchase Protection Plan, and many more benefits included