Balance Transfer at 9.9% or attempt a new card?

GN_TDCI

Hi

Just looking for a little advice.

I have 3 credit cards, Aqua, Vanquis and Barclaycard.

I have just used a BT offer on Aqua which gave me 0% for 6 months, so I have cleared my Vanquis card. I now have £2500 available on this Vanquis Card.

Vanquis are offering 9.9% APR for 6 months with £0 transfer fee. I am considering moving my Barclaycard Balance to this (£1550).

My score isn't great, but there are card offers on the MSE Credit Club which include 29mth 0% BT (But could be 14mth) if not pre-approved. I am not pre-approved.

Would you bother trying to apply for another card, or hit the 9.9% APR offer up for now and see where I am in 6 months?

I am thinking I should stick with what I have instead of twisting, but what's best for the credit score in the long run?

EssexHebridean

I'd start by looking for your best option for any 0% BT card for longer than 6 months - you should find a few options. Apply for the one that looks best - ideally if there is a fee-free one there go for that. If you don't get approved, you have the Vanquis offer in the wings - so can go ahead with that, wait three months and then trying applying again. (And in the meantime hammer down the outstanding balance as hard as you can to improve your history & affordability). 

Ignore your "credit score" at the moment - firstly it doesn't really exist, it's your history you want to worry about. Secondly, you need to focus first on paying the debt you have rather than on thinking about how you can run up more debt in the future...   

Further question - are you still using the cards? Clearly you were in July judging by your previous post. If so, then your first job really is to get a solid household budget in place to stop you from needing to rely on the credit. Balance transferring is really not meant to enable more spending, but instead to give you interest free breathing space to clear the debt. 

GN_TDCI

Of the three cards I have, I'm using one for a couple of repeating subscriptions I'm comfortable with clearing off.

I've managed to get away with not using the other cards at all, so there's no reliance on the cards at all day to day.

My goal is to continue clearing the debts down, and I've got payments weekly to all my accounts so it's looking a lot better than it was.

It's a long process though, but I feel I'm on the right path at the moment. We're even on course for Christmas too with the budgeting we've been doing which is a new a thing for us.

[Deleted User]

Are Barclaycard or even Aqua able to give you an offer? Check online or via the phone. If it's decent then transfer their balance to a card with zero balance and immediately to them if needed. 

Then I'd consider an external offer with those crossed off my list.