Avoid balance transfer fees

Balance transfer credit cards that offer low percentage rates for credit card consolidation can sometimes surprise you with ugly transfer fees. To avoid balance transfer fees, find out if your credit card charges you for initiating the transfer. Some balance transfer credit cards only apply their low interest rates to transfers that they carry out--usually at the beginning of the contract and then a few more times that they will notify you about beforehand. By checking your contract for balance transfer requirements you can save a lot of money in unexpected fees and higher rates.