
Citi credit cards offer a convenient way to transfer balances from other credit cards, but it's essential to understand the transfer limits involved.
The transfer limit is typically the amount of debt you can transfer from another credit card to your Citi credit card, and it's usually equal to the available credit limit on your Citi card.
You can transfer up to 99% of your available credit limit, but you'll need to check your account to see the exact limit.
Citi also charges a balance transfer fee, which is 3% of the transferred amount or $5, whichever is greater.
Understanding Transfer Limits
Citi's 8/65 rule applies to credit card applications, limiting you to applying for more than one Citi credit card in eight days, and not more than two credit cards in 65 days.
You should be aware that balance transfers are not always a good idea, especially if the interest rate after the introductory period is higher than your current account.
Balance transfers do not earn rewards, so think carefully before making the move.
If you plan to carry a balance on new purchases, be sure to check the card's details to ensure it offers an introductory rate on both purchases and balance transfers.
Current Citi cardholders cannot transfer a balance from one Citi card to another, so this option isn't available to you.
Here are some key balance transfer limits to keep in mind:
- The balance transfer amount must be lower than the card's available credit limit.
- Any balance transfer will reduce the available credit on the card.
- Protect your credit by respecting a 30% credit utilization ratio.
Citi may take two to three weeks to complete a balance transfer, so be patient and keep making payments on the old account until the balance is reflected in the Citi account.
Account Management
To manage your Citi credit card account effectively, it's essential to understand how to check the status of your balance transfer. You can do this through your Citi account, and it's a straightforward process.
To begin, log in to your Citi account and click on "Payments and Transfers" at the top of the page. Then, click on "Balance Transfers" and finally, click on "View Balance Transfer Status."
If you already have a Citi credit card, you can sign in to your account online or in the app to see if you have a balance transfer offer. Sometimes, you might even see a promo ad indicating you have an offer when you log in.
You'll need to provide information for the credit card you want to transfer a balance from, which typically includes the card issuer's name, your name, the account number, and the balance transfer amount.
It's worth noting that Citi takes two to 21 days to process balance transfers, so be patient and wait for the transfer to complete. Once it's done, you can start making monthly payments on your Citi credit card.
Choosing the Right Card
The Citi Custom Cash Card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR. This card also comes with a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum).
To choose the right card, consider the balance transfer intro offer period and the balance transfer fee. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, then 17.24% - 27.99% (Variable) APR, with a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum).
If you have multiple balances to transfer, look for cards with low or no balance transfer fees. The Citi Double Cash Card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR, with a balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) within 4 months of account opening.
Before choosing a card, make sure to read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions. Some cards may have annual fees or other fees that can add up quickly.
Here are some Citi balance transfer card offers to consider:
Remember, balance transfers must be completed within the first four months of opening the account to qualify for the intro offer.
Fees and Details
The Citi Simplicity Card has a 0 percent intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, followed by an APR of 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable).
You'll have to pay an introductory balance transfer fee of 3 percent of the transfer amount (with a $5 minimum) for balance transfers completed within four months of account opening.
After the introductory period, the balance transfer fee switches to 5 percent of each transfer (with a $5 minimum).
Citi's balance transfer fee is $5 or 5% of the transferred amount, whichever is greater, and can be lower in some cases.
The introductory balance transfer fee is $5 or 3% of the transferred amount, whichever is greater, and typically applies in the first four months of account opening.
Balance transfers often have a separate APR from purchases, and after the introductory period ends, your balance transfer APR could be even higher than the purchase APR.
There's no annual fee for the Citi Simplicity Card, which is a nice perk.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're considering a Citi credit card for balance transfers, it's essential to understand the limitations and rules surrounding these transfers. Citi doesn't explicitly state how often you can transfer balances, but the amount of debt you transfer (plus fees) can't exceed your available credit limit.
You can't transfer a balance from one Citi credit card to another, so if you have debt on a Citi card you want to consolidate, you should look into top balance transfer credit cards from other issuers like Wells Fargo, Discover, or Bank of America.
Citi balance transfers don't qualify for rewards, which means you won't earn cash back or rewards points on these transfers. Only purchases made with your card will earn you rewards.
Here are some key things to keep in mind when considering a Citi credit card for balance transfers:
Getting Started
Citi credit cards offer a range of transfer limits, depending on the specific card. You can transfer a balance from a credit card to your Citi credit card with a transfer limit of up to 95% of your available credit.
To apply for a Citi credit card, you'll need to provide some basic personal and financial information. This typically includes your name, address, social security number, and income.
Citi credit cards often come with a 3% transfer fee, which can add to the overall cost of the balance transfer. However, this fee can be waived for some card holders.
You can check your credit score for free on Citi's website, which can help you determine if you're eligible for a credit card.
The Bottom Line
Citi credit cards offer a transfer limit of $2,500 for new customers, but existing customers can transfer up to $5,000.
You can transfer funds between your Citi credit cards online, by phone, or through the mobile app, making it convenient to manage your accounts.
Citi credit cards have a 3% transfer fee, which is waived for balance transfer promotions. This can save you money on transfer fees, especially if you're transferring a large balance.
The transfer period for Citi credit cards is usually 60 days, but it can be up to 6 months for certain promotions. This gives you time to pay off your balance without incurring interest charges.
Citi credit cards typically charge a balance transfer APR of 14.99% - 24.99%, depending on your creditworthiness. This is higher than the regular purchase APR, so be sure to pay off your balance quickly to avoid interest charges.
You can transfer funds between your Citi credit cards to free up available credit on one card and pay off the balance on another. This can help you manage your debt and avoid overspending.
Sources
- https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/compare/balance-transfer-credit-cards
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer/how-to-do-a-balance-transfer-with-citi/
- https://financebuzz.com/how-to-do-citi-balance-transfer
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/how-to-do-a-balance-transfer-with-citi/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/your-guide-to-citis-48-month-rule
Featured Images: pexels.com