When to Balance Transfer - Advice Please

ITFC

Hi,

I have recently closed my Halifax One and Barclaycard CC and BT everything to EGG on my 0% anniversary offer. This expires on 1 Nov 05.

I was planning to apply for a 0% BT card in time to transfer the balance from EGG to the new card, and working on the advised 6 - 8 week rule, this means I need to apply for a new card in mid September - therein lies the problem, I am moving house in mid September!!

I feel I have three options:

I can apply for a card post move but this would require me declaring 3 addresses (new, current and previous) as I have only lived at my present address for 20 months. I believe however that frequent address changes affect credit scoring and also I am unlikely to appear on the electrol roll for my new address by the time I apply.

I can complete the application with my current address, knowing that a move is imminent, thereby potentially committing fraud, but greatly reduce the risk of being rejected. I can then use the postal redirection service to send me my new card and then phone the company and say, by the way I've moved!!

Or, I apply for a card now, but lose out on 2 months 0% with EGG. And the thought of losing out on 0% deals doesn't excite me.

I will not need a sizebale limit on my new card as my balance is only £2900 and I no longer use a credit card so this will not increase.

I know this all seems like poor planning but I am in the forces, I do move round the country fairly frequently and I only found out I would be moving again last week.

This is my first post so I apologise if it is long winded or in the wrong place but would be grateful for any advice anyone may have, or any other ideas that I have not considered.

Clariman

I'd be inclined to apply for a new card about 6 weeks before you move, so that the card will be up and running before you move. If you want to play a bit more safe, apply for it now. I don't think that it would be fraudulent to give your current address on a card you are applying for in the next few weeks.

I can understand your frustration at losing a few months 0%, but if you move it to another card, you are not actually losing anything - all you are doing is bringing your next card application a few months earlier.

Clariman

ashmit

In my opinion, you should apply with your present address but write to them as soon as the application has gone through to tell them that you plan to move on [this date] to [this address]. Why would it be fraudulent to apply with your current address just because you know you're due to move? Anything could happen between now and then to make the move fall through. To be absolutely sure, though, why not call or email the card providers in question and ask them the question?

it's not poor planning, it's just life. Don't stress. You must have a stressful enough life being in the Forces.