HELP! Credit card confusion.

stimpsmi25

I am really confused with what to do with my credit cards and in need of advice.

I'm 23 years old, in full time employment and earn around £15,000 a year working in holiday entertainment.

I was recently rejected by o2 when trying to get a new contract phone, despite finishing two 2 year contracts with Orange/Phones 4 u with no late payments within the last 2 years.

This prompted me to have a look in to my credit report and have a look at my options.

I currently have 3 credit cards which are all very close to their limits;
Barclaycard (£350), Capital 1 (£500) and Halifax Student Credit Card (£350).
I also have a Student overdraft still fully maxed out (£2,100) after graduating last year.
After checking my credit report, I have seen that I've had no late payments in the last year and have paid over the minimum payment most months.

Now what I really want to do is have 1 credit card and shift all my credit card debts on to this card. However after reading about balance transfers I am really confused as to what they exactly are and whether I'd be able to do this. I just want to get a better deal and would rather owe money to one card rather than 3. I can afford to pay off about £100 a month so it would take me just over a year to pay off all my credit card debts.

Please could anyone give me any advice on what the best option would be for me regarding my credit cards.

I haven't got a clue why I was rejected by o2 in store, as when I tried to order one online I had no problems with the credit check!

CLAPTON

you are, of course, on the electoral roll?

do any late payment show on your credit files?

it makes no sense to move your credit card debt unless it reduces the interest you pay.

what are the APRs of the cards?

however it might be worth looking at a 0% BT card
although you pay a BT fee (usually around 3-4%) you then have no interest to pay for the promotional period.
They work by asking the new card to pay your 'old' card some money so effectively transferring the balance.