The Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards of 2013

If you’ve checked your FICO credit score recently and haven’t been happy with the results, one of the factors that could be bringing your credit score down is your used to available credit percentage.  When creditors see that your credit cards have been maxed out, it implies that you’re in need of more credit and that you’re having trouble meeting your financial needs.  One way to alleviate the burden is to apply for a 0% balance transfer credit card, and reduce the amount in interest being paid every month.

Choosing which 0% balance transfer credit card best suits your needs can be tricky.  Some offer a low balance transfer fee while others have extended 0% intro offers beyond 12 months.  Whether it’s a long balance transfer term or cash up front to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best 0% balance transfer credit cards.  They come from a variety of issuers and if you have any experience with these cards, we’d love to hear about it in the comments section below.

PT’s Pick for Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card

Citi Simplicity® Visa Card – In my opinion, the best balance transfer credit cards continues to be the Citi Simplicity Visa Card as it  has the longest intro offer of 0% intro APR during the first 18 months, after that the variable APR will be 12.99%-21.99%. The balance transfer fee for this card is at 3% ($5 minimum).  That’s just straight up awesome for anyone new to credit who needs almost two years to make interest free payments!  Unfortunately, the rewards program on this card is almost non-existent (as it only provides discounts on special purchases) but the Citi Simplicity Visa Card has no late fees or over limit fees, and does not carry an annual fee.

Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard – Card members of the Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard will receive an intro 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 12 months in addition to a $50 cash bonus in the form of 5,000 bonus points when the card is first used.  2 points are earned for every dollar spent on utilities, at grocery stores and on gasoline and one rewards point is earned on all other purchases.  The Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard has a regular interest rate of 14.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% depending on the applicants credit history and has no annual fee.

Citi Forward® Card – The honorable mention section of our list, the Citi Forward Card offers cardholders a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months and on purchases for 7 months.  The balance transfer fee is 3% and if you pay your bills on time each month, you can reduce your APR by a full 2% (purchase APR only).  10,000 bonus Thank You points can be earned by making $650 in purchases and signing up for paperless statements in the first three months and with an extensive rewards program, the Citi Forward Card should be on every credit card list.  Finally, this card does not have an annual fee.

“Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program.”