How long to allow for Balance Transfer

beefturnmail

Generally how long should I allow between applying for a new balance transfer card and 0% interest rate on my old credit card running out? 

 Interest free period on my Lloyds account runs out on 29th - I've just (today) been pre-approved (Natwest's own soft credit check) for a natwest balance transfer card - is there enough time to get the balance fully transferred before the 29th?   

Alternatively I could transfer the balance of another card I have with M & S which runs out 14th Feb - whatever I don't transfer I will have to pay off (unless I can find another BT card...)

Brie

If you have the card details and can log into the account then I'd say maybe 3 working days?  It's not instantaneous but I think that you have enough time before the 29th.  If you can get that through then maybe that card will offer you a BT deal so you don't need to apply for something else.  

prettyandfluffy

I recently did a balance transfer (Lloyds to Virgin) that was completed in less than 24 hours.  3 days should be comfortable.

amanda1024

Also with NatWest you can request the balance transfer as part of applying for the card, rather than having to wait for the physical card to turn up, which speeds things up. Although limited to £9999 even if credit limit is higher. It does depend on the bank - M&S have taken over a fortnight from first applying for a card to actually getting it.

daivid

Most of my balance transfers go through within 2 working days, my worst has been 2 weeks. Natwest (and its sister banks) was fast for me in the summer BTs all complete the next working day but I did have the card ready. I cannot remember how long the card took but don’t think it was very long. 

Archerychick

Yes should be time, mine was done within 2 days of the request.