Balance transfer between two cards with zero balance on each.

HappyIdiotTalk

I'm planning on taking the family on holiday in August. Unfortunately OH says she wont be able to contribute much/anything, and there aren't enough paydays left between now and then for me to be able to save enough to cover everything it'll cost.

So I have hatched plan B. Save and pay for the flights (done - plus money left over in the bank). Save a wad of cash for spending money (thats what I'll concentrate on doing between now and August). And... drop the hotel fees on my credit card. I have two credit cards, neither of which I use, both at £0 balance.

I know you good folk will probably want me not to go into debt on those cards again, but we didn't have a holiday in '12 or '13' and I dont want to wait another year until we do. Plus, my girls are getting older and we're running out of opportunities to go away with them while they are still young and enjoy playing in the sand ect... So I'm determined this holiday will happen even if I have to shaft myself a little to do it.

So, Santander are offering 3% charge on 0% interest until March next year on credit transfers. Can I take advantage of this to charge-up my other credit card in anticipation of using it to pay for the hotel in Aug? 3% interest for 12 months sounds better than standard APR of 19% or whatever Barclaycard at charging at the moment.

But will Santander transfer money over to a credit card that is already at £0 balance?

Hope this makes sense.

Me.

Tixy

Santander would do the transfer to the barclaycard.
However it will be against the T&Cs of the barclaycard to put the account in to a credit balance. They may return the payment, they may put a short term stop on the account (which would be a pain if you were out of the country at that time), they may even close the account (if its a large amount).

You could see if you are able to obtain a new card with 0% on purchases, which would likely be the cheapest option.

Alternatively you may also want to see if barclaycard will offer you 0% on money transfers (that is a transfer in to your bank account). Barclaycard offer money transfers 'periodically' to 'selected' existing customers.

grumbler

HappyIdiotTalk wrote: »

...Save a wad of cash for spending money ...
....
So, Santander are offering 3% charge on 0% interest until March next year on credit transfers.

Is there a time limit on the BTs?
Can you not use mainly your card abroad (and in UK) instead of cash and then transfer the balance? You can make several transfers over the following months instead of paying the balance.

HappyIdiotTalk

Thanks guys, and sorry for the long delay replying back. Shortly after posting this query I had a really bad couple of weeks and had to raid my savings to get me through. I managed to blow most of it on some unexpected costs. I've decided the holiday probably isn't doing to happen this year so I've decided to concentrate on getting my account in order so I can properly save for next years holiday.

I've bought that 'I Need A Budget' software and after a few days scratching my head I'm finding it really useful, and its given me the motivated me to sort my life out (for the first time ever). I'm going full hard core cold turkey and if I stick to my budget I should be in good shape and have cleared my overdraft by next payday. And by August I should have some actual savings and be in the black.

So thanks again for taking the time to reply, and I apologize for my rudeness not thanking you for it earlier.