Balance transfer

PhilSands

Hi 
I have a Lloyd’s bank credit card that is coming to the end of 0%.  I have an offer on my M&S credit card at 0% to be completed by 31st December.  As I use this card for purchases and pay off the balance monthly - l wondered if this is a good idea - or will M&S take the monthly payment to clear the transfer first leaving me to pay interest on the purchases?   I’ve read conflicting views and would welcome some advice.

Thanks philsands

[Deleted User]

They'll apply payments as laid out in your terms - it's specific to your card type.

Check how they treat payments where you have more than one balance at the same rate.

MallyGirl

Why not just use the empty Lloyds card for purchases once you have transferred the balance to M&S. Generally it is advised to not mix BTs and purchases as it can get confusing 

born_again

MallyGirl said:

Why not just use the empty Lloyds card for purchases once you have transferred the balance to M&S. Generally it is advised to not mix BTs and purchases as it can get confusing 

Best idea, as mixing purchases & a balance transfer is a recipe for disaster & interest charges.

PhilSands

Thank you for your comments. The thing is I’m having real difficulty understanding the terms and conditions  - on the back of my M&S statement it says no interest free period for balance transfers yet I have an offer of 0% for 15 months.
It would be my intention to basically switch cards but will take until next month to clear all purchases from the M&S card.
My big worry is In trying to avoid paying interest on my Lloyd’s card I fall into some kind of trap whereby M&S use my payment to clear the balance transfer and take interest on the balance until the transfer is paid.
The M&S card is a standard MasterCard as far as I know- would be most grateful for any further thoughts
Thanks Phil. 

[Deleted User]

It's impossible for them to clear an interest free balance while charging you interest on another balance.

born_again

PhilSands said:

 I fall into some kind of trap whereby M&S use my payment to clear the balance transfer and take interest on the balance until the transfer is paid.
The M&S card is a standard MasterCard as far as I know- would be most grateful for any further thoughts
Thanks Phil. 

The way most people fall foul of this is when they have a balance transfer on a card, make a purchase & then pay the purchase back straight away & instead of waiting till they get the statement. 
Any payment pre statement goes towards the balance on the last statement.