What is a balance transfer?

Learn what a balance transfer is, how they work, and how to request one.

Balance transfer basics

Use a balance transfer to move existing credit card and selected store card balances to a different credit card provider. With your borrowing in one place, it could be easier to manage.

Balance transfers are subject to approval. Balance transfer fees may apply.

Balance transfers

How you can use a credit card to help manage your money.

 

Keep your credit card borrowing in one place

With all of your borrowing in one place, your balances could be easier to manage. Plus, you could receive an introductory or promotional rate for a set period of time.

Balance transfers are subject to approval. Balance transfer fees may apply.

How do balance transfers work?

It’s important to understand balance transfer limits and costs.

How much you can transfer

The minimum balance you can usually transfer is £100. You can only transfer up to 93% of your credit limit, including your existing balance. This allows for fees and transactions that haven’t hit your account yet.

Balance transfer interest rates

Balance transfers may be offered at a longer-term fixed rate, or at a 0% promotional rate for a set period. At the end of any promotional period, your outstanding balance will be charged at your standard rate.

Balance transfer fees

You’ll usually pay a fee for each balance transfer you make. This fee is a percentage of the amount you transfer and gets added to the balance. For example, if you transfer £1,000 and the fee is 3%, you’ll pay a £30 transfer fee.

Repaying your balance

The sooner you pay off your balance, the lower your potential borrowing costs will be.  Make sure you keep up with your monthly account payments or you could lose any promotional interest rates on your account.

Why do a balance transfer?

Here are the benefits and some important points to consider.

Benefits

  • Moving multiple balances to a single card can simplify things. You could have one balance to track and one monthly payment.
  • If you transfer your borrowing to a card with a low interest rate, you could cut your monthly interest payments.
  • A lower interest rate means you could pay off what you owe sooner and pay less interest overall.

Remember to keep making all your regular card payments until your balance transfer has been confirmed by both credit card providers.

Things to consider

  • If you have a promotional rate, once the promotional period ends, any remaining balance reverts to the standard rate.
  • To keep your promotional rate, you’ll need to make at least your minimum monthly payments on time.
  • If you pay late or miss a payment, you may face fees. You could also lose any promotional offers and damage your credit score. 
  • If you also use your card for everyday spending, you’ll be charged interest on your purchases unless you pay off your monthly statement balance in full and on time every month. That includes the value of any balance transfers, unless a 0% promotional rate for purchases applies.
  • If you only make the minimum payments each month, it will take you longer to repay and you may pay more in interest overall.

How to do a balance transfer

Find out what you need to move a balance to your Lloyds credit card.

What to check

  • Make sure the cards you want to transfer from have the Visa®, Mastercard® or American Express® logos on them.
  • You can’t transfer your balance from one Lloyds credit card to another. 
  • There are also some store cards you can’t transfer the balance from, so check with your provider first.
  • Read everything thoroughly before you submit your balance transfer.

What you'll need

To complete a balance transfer with a Lloyds credit card, you’ll need a few things to hand:

  • All the card details for both cards, including credit card numbers.
  • Your phone, as you’ll need to complete a security check using it.
  • Your Lloyds app or your online banking login details.

Is a balance transfer right for me?

Before you go ahead, ask yourself:

  • Does this suit my borrowing needs or should I consider other options?
  • Will I be able to make repayments, even if my circumstances change?

You should also make sure that you’ve read the terms and conditions and understand your fees and interest rates.

Your balance transfer options

See if you have any balance transfer offers available.

 

It's simple in the app

Scan the QR code to get it.

Register for online banking, if you need to.

Once you're in, select your credit card in the Summary space. Then choose 'Balance and money transfers' from the account menu.

Online banking

Log in to start a balance transfer to your credit card. Then select 'Balance and money transfers' from your account menu.

Log in

It's simple in the app

Register for online banking, if you need to.

Once you're in, select your credit card in the Summary space. Then choose 'Balance and money transfers' from the account menu.

Get the app

Online banking

Log in to start a balance transfer to your credit card. Then select 'Balance and money transfers' from your account menu.

Log in

Not got a Lloyds balance transfer credit card?

Balance transfer credit cards

The first step is to find a balance transfer card that’s right for you. Credit is available subject to status.

Explore balance transfer credit cards

Let’s look at the details

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