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Does A Balance Transfer Count As A Payment?

When you are planning to make a balance transfer, one question that you maybe looking to answer is, does a balance transfer count as a payment?

Making at least the minimum payment to your credit card company, on time every month, is vital if you want to keep your credit rating in good standing.

There is also another reason credit card customers need to make the monthly payment on time, every month. This is to avoid any late payment fees, which maybe charged by their credit card company.

Does Balance Transfer Count As Payment?

Does Balance Transfer Count As Payment

So do balance transfers count as payment?

In most cases the answer to the question is yes, a balance transfer does count as a payment. The balance transfer will be treated like a normal payment made to the credit card company that receives it.

Your credit card company will receive the payment, via the banking system in the normal way. The card company will then allocate it against your credit card account.

The only difference from your usual monthly payment to the credit card company, is that the payment will come, not from your own bank account, but from the account of the credit card company that you are transferring the balance too.

However, It is important to be aware of how long a balance transfer takes to complete.

It used to take up to 3 weeks for a balance transfer to go through. However, the introduction of faster payments rules, now means that most balance transfers clear in just a couple of days.

It is still important that you ensure that there is enough time for the balance transfer to reach your receiving credit card account, before your next monthly payment is due.

The following popular featured cards all offer 0% balance transfers that will count as a payment to your existing credit card:-


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Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 26 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for 3 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
HSBC Balance Transfer*
  • 0% interest for up to 26 months on balance transfers made within first 60 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee applies (minimum £5)
  • 0% interest on purchases for 3 months from account opening
  • At end of promotional period, balance transfers and purchases will revert to standard variable rate
  • Worldwide offers and discounts with HSBC home&Away
  • Manage your card online
  • Annual Fee: None
HSBC Balance Transfer*
  • You have an annual income or pension before tax of £6,800 or more
  • You are a UK resident
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You do not hold an HSBC Basic bank account
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
Credit is subject to status, affordability and applicable terms and conditions. You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 26 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for 3 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
M&S Transfer Plus*
  • 0% for up to 26 months on balance transfers made within 90 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee, minimum £5
  • 0% on purchases for 3 months from account opening
  • Collect M&S points every time you shop anywhere in the world with your card
  • One point for every £1 you spend in M&S and one point for every £5 you spend elsewhere
  • Manage account online
  • Annual Fee: None
M&S Transfer Plus*
  • You are a UK resident
  • You have an annual income or pension of at least £6,800
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You have not held a credit card with M&S Bank within the previous 12 months
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for up to 20 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
M&S Purchase Plus*
  • 0% for up to 12 months on balance transfers made within 90 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee, minimum £5
  • 0% on purchases for up to 20 months from account opening
  • Collect M&S points every time you shop anywhere in the world with your card
  • One point for every £1 you spend in M&S and one point for every £5 you spend elsewhere
  • Manage account online
  • Annual Fee: None
M&S Purchase Plus*
  • You are a UK resident
  • You have an annual income or pension of at least £6,800
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You have not held a credit card with M&S Bank within the previous 12 months
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3%
Purchases:
0% for 3 months
Representative APR:
29.9% APR (variable)
Virgin Money 12 Month Balance Transfer
  • 0% on balance transfers for 12 months from the date your account is opened
  • 3% balance transfer fee in first 60 days, 5% fee applies after 60 days
  • 0% on purchases for 3 months from the date your account is opened
  • Discounts on Virgin holidays, Virgin trains and Virgin experience days
  • Contactless payments to quickly and securely pay for purchases up to £100
  • Online card servicing
  • Annual Fee: None
Virgin Money 12 Month Balance Transfer
  • You are a UK resident
  • You have a bank or building society account
  • You have a good credit history
  • You are aged 18 or over
Representative Example: 29.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 29.9% p.a. (variable)
No balance transfers allowed to this card from Clydesdale,Yorksire or Virgin credit cards
Balance Transfers:
0% for up to 16 months
Balance Transfer Fee:
3.49%
Purchases:
0% for up to 18 months
Representative APR:
24.9% APR (variable)
HSBC Purchase Plus*
  • 0% interest for up to 16 months on balance transfers made within first 60 days of account opening
  • 3.49% balance transfer fee applies (minimum £5)
  • 0% interest on purchases for up to 18 months from account opening
  • At end of promotional period, balance transfers and purchases will revert to standard variable rate
  • Worldwide offers and discounts with HSBC home&Away
  • Manage your card online
  • Annual Fee: None
HSBC Purchase Plus*
  • You have an annual income or pension before tax of £6,800 or more
  • You are a UK resident
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You do not hold an HSBC Basic bank account
Representative Example: 24.9% APR representative (variable). Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 and a purchase rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable)
Credit is subject to status, affordability and applicable terms and conditions. You might get different interest rates and promotional periods to those shown here, because these depend on your circumstances.
No balance transfers allowed to this card from first direct, HSBC or M&S credit cards

Does A Balance Transfer Count As Minimum Payment

Credit cards require a customer to make at least the minimum payment every month, if there is an outstanding balance on the card.

Making a balance transfer will count as the minimum payment for the month. This is provided the transfer amount is large enough to meet the minimum payment amount, and is received in time. Many UK card companies have a minimum amount of at least £100 for a balance transfer.

If you are unsure whether the balance transfer will complete before the due date of your monthly payment, then you should make at least the minimum payment for that month.

This will avoid any damage to your credit rating from missing a payment. It will also avoid any late payment fees. These maybe charged by the credit card company, if any monthly minimum payment is late.

You can make balance transfers from Visa to Mastercard, and Mastercard to Visa branded cards. This is provided that the cards are issued by different card companies. UK credit card companies do not allow balance transfers between cards, which are issued by the same company.


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Published: November 17, 2023, Updated: January 11, 2024 by Balance Transfer Expert

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