Aussies can save up to $755 by blasting bad debt with a balance transfer deal

Mozo research has revealed that with Australia’s post-Christmas credit card bill expected to reach a total $33 billion this year, picking up a balance transfer credit card might help Aussies avoid some of the sting.
Compared to a regular card charging interest on a credit card bill, a balance transfer card stands to save Aussie spenders up to $775 for those who use it effectively to blast debt.
“For those who are feeling the Christmas debt hangover, a balance transfer card can be a great way to gain some breathing room and get rid of that pesky balance. Thanks to the interest free period on offer with most balance transfer cards, all your payments will be chipping away at your debt - not going toward interest,” said Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont.
But Lamont also warned cardholders to be careful when taking on a balance transfer and to have a plan in place to pay off your debt within the given interest free period.
“Choosing the right balance transfer deal, with a long enough interest free period that you can comfortably clear your entire balance before the revert rate kicks in is key. Having a plan for how to do that - including knowing how much you should be paying back every month to meet your goal - is also super important,” she said.
Debt-blasting balance transfer cards - rates updated daily
NAB Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Spend with confidence with a low 12.49% p.a. variable purchase rate and 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 28 months (T&Cs apply). 2% balance transfer fee applies. There’s also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget better when you make minimum repayments. Minimum credit limit $1,000. No annual fee for the first year (usually $59).
Balance transfer rate
Purchase rate
Annual fee
Rewards program
Estimated savings
0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)12.49% p.a.$59 $0 in the first year-Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Spend with confidence with a low 12.49% p.a. variable purchase rate and 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 28 months (T&Cs apply). 2% balance transfer fee applies. There’s also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget better when you make minimum repayments. Minimum credit limit $1,000. No annual fee for the first year (usually $59).
- Purchase rate
- 12.49% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- 0.0
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $59 $0 in the first year
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Cash advance fee
- 3%, Min $3
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer
- Apply By 30 April 2024
Citi Premier
120,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within 90 days from card approval. Complimentary features like travel insurance and concierge.
Balance transfer rate
Purchase rate
Annual fee
Rewards program
Estimated savings
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 22.24% p.a.21.49% p.a.$300 $150 in the subsequent years if you spend $48,000 on eligible purchases or cash advances in previous year., $150 in the first yearCiti Rewards ProgramPremier
120,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within 90 days from card approval. Complimentary features like travel insurance and concierge.
- Purchase rate
- 21.49% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 6 months and then 22.24% p.a.
- Cash advance
- 22.24% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- 150.0
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.40%
- Annual card fee
- $300 $150 in the subsequent years if you spend $48,000 on eligible purchases or cash advances in previous year., $150 in the first year
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 3.5%, min $3.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Premier
Bank of Queensland Blue Visa Credit Card
Balance transfer rate
Purchase rate
Annual fee
Rewards program
Estimated savings
0% p.a. for 9 months and then 21.74% p.a.20.74% p.a.$60Q RewardsBlue Visa Credit Card
- Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 9 months and then 21.74% p.a.
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.40%
- Annual card fee
- $60
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 3.5%, min $3.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Blue Visa Credit Card
Virgin Money Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Get in the air with a $129 Virgin Australia Gift Voucher each year. 0% p.a. for 28 months on balance transfers.
Balance transfer rate
Purchase rate
Annual fee
Rewards program
Estimated savings
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 20.99% p.a.20.74% p.a.$129 $0 in the first yearVelocity Frequent FlyerVirgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Get in the air with a $129 Virgin Australia Gift Voucher each year. 0% p.a. for 28 months on balance transfers.
- Purchase rate
- 20.74% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 24 months and then 20.99% p.a.
- Cash advance
- 20.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- 0.0
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.30%
- Annual card fee
- $129 $0 in the first year
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2.7%, Min $2.70
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Bankwest More Classic Mastercard
Earn 1.5 More Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible purchases. Plus, if you meet the minimum annual spend, you'll receive a bonus 19,500 points every year.
Balance transfer rate
Purchase rate
Annual fee
Rewards program
Estimated savings
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 19.99% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)19.99% p.a.$100Bankwest More RewardsMore Classic Mastercard
Earn 1.5 More Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible purchases. Plus, if you meet the minimum annual spend, you'll receive a bonus 19,500 points every year.
- Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 6 months and then 19.99% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 2.95%
- Annual card fee
- $100
- Late payment fee
- $25.00
- Cash advance fee
- 3%, Min $4
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the More Classic Mastercard
Balance transfer tips to help you free yourself from debt
- Avoid new purchases. New purchases put on your credit card are charged interest at the regular amount, not the 0% balance transfer rate. Plus, your repayments will go toward these new charges first, instead of working to chip away at your debt. That means it’s much wiser to hold off on new spending until you’ve cleared your existing balance.
- Consider the BT fee. Many balance transfer cards with longer interest free periods up to 26 months also come with balance transfer fees of around 1%-3%. It’s worth checking on this, as these fees can run into the hundreds of dollars if you’re transferring a bigger chunk of debt across.
- Watch out for hefty annual fees. Another thing to consider is that an annual fee can be another big cost, depending on the card you choose. It’s a good idea to look for an option with a low or no annual fee, or if you do opt for a card with all the features and a price tag to match, make sure you account for that in your repayment plan. Which brings us to...
- Set a debt repayment plan. Perhaps one of the most important things to do when taking up a balance transfer credit card offer, is to make sure you have a realistic plan in place to pay off your debt. For example, if you’re paying off a $3,500 debt with an interest free period of 12 months, you should be aiming to repay around $300 every month.
Ready to clear your Christmas credit card debt? Check out the balance transfer offers in the table above, or head over to our credit card comparison table to see more options.
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