With the increase in unemployment due to the coronavirus, credit card issuers are cutting back on no-interest card offers. If you are looking for a way to transfer credit card debt to another card at zero or low interest (and are eligible), you need to consider the transfer fee. Most offers charge a fee of 3-5% of the balance being transferred.
Example: if you owe $5,000 and expect to repay it over 21 months at 16%, you’ll need to pay $274/month and will pay about $765 interest.
If you transfer the debt to a 0% card that charges a 5% fee with 21 months of 0% interest, you’ll pay $250 to move the debt and save $515. That’s if all goes well (stay employed and have no emergencies) and you don’t run up more charges on either card.
Also consider: does the new card charge an annual fee? Does the 0% apply to new charges or only to the amount transferred? what happens if you miss a payment? Does the 0% skyrocket?
Source: Financial Planning for Women