Scenario
Debt consolidation — balance transfer math for NZ credit cards
If you're carrying a balance on a high-rate card, a balance-transfer promo can reduce the interest cost while you pay down the principal. Plan repayments to clear the balance inside the promo window — otherwise the remainder reverts to the cash-advance APR.
Snapshot generated Invalid Date · 0 matching cards · Mechanical only — not financial advice.
Illustrative — $5,000 balance, 24-month plan
A $5,000 balance with a 24-month, 0% BT promo and $220/month repayments clears the principal inside the window. The same balance at a 19.95% standard APR would accrue significantly more interest over the same period — see the per-card cost calculator on each review page for a per-card simulation.
Illustrative example — not an offer, not a quote. Per-card cost calculator on each review page uses the actual purchase APR for that card.
Shortlist from the current snapshot
| Card | Annual fee | BT promo APR | BT months | Reverts to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cards in the current snapshot match this scenario's filter. | |||||
What to look for
- ✓ Promo APR + promo window — long enough to clear the balance at your target repayment
- ✓ Establishment fee — some cards charge a one-off percentage of the transferred balance
- ✓ Reversion APR (usually the cash-advance rate, applied to any remaining balance)
- ✓ Whether new purchases attract the promo rate or the standard rate (usually the standard)
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer a balance from a card issued by the same bank?
Almost universally no — balance transfers must come from a different issuer.
Does applying for a BT card affect my credit score?
Yes — any credit application triggers a credit-file check, which shows on Centrix / Equifax reports for ~12 months. Closing the old card after transferring can reduce average account age.
What if I can't clear the full balance before the promo ends?
Any remaining balance reverts to the card's reversion rate (usually cash-advance APR). Plan repayments conservatively — aim to clear with 1-2 months of buffer.
Methodology
Worked examples on this page are illustrative (marked data-illustrative). Card-specific figures are mechanical pulls from the snapshot — every fact carries a source-tier chip. Approval, credit limit, and pricing decisions sit with each issuer under CCCFA and the Responsible Lending Code.