For those of you searching for the best balance transfer credit cards on the market in 2012, don't overlook the new Chase Slate Card.
Sure, it may look funky with its strange vertical design, but this card packs some serious power in the balance transfer category. Not only does Chase's most recent offer waive the balance transfer fee when you complete your transfer within 30 days of opening a new account, but it also boasts a 0% interest period that lasts longer than any other comparable card offers—15 months to be exact.
That's as good as it gets right now.
If you're paying interest, even a low interest rate, on any credit card balances, the Slate Card will save you money. How much you could save obviously depends on several factors (size of balances, interest rate), but the fact that there's no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, and 0% interest for 15 months should be music to your balance-transferring ears! Well, it should at least be enough to convince you to ignore the pointless vertical design and give this card a try.
In addition,
Chase offers their "Blueprint" service with the Slate Card, which is basically an online tool that will help you keep close tabs on your balance transfer and set up a payment plan to make sure the balance is paid in full before the 0% interest period ends. Tracking your progress is the key to success when trying to pay off credit card debt, and Blueprint can certainly make it easier to track your balances and payments online as you progress towards your ultimate goal.
Unfortunately, the Chase Slate Card doesn't offer a typical rewards program, so you're not going to end up on a beautiful beach in Hawaii next year gloating about how you paid for you whole trip with miles from your new credit card. That's not the point of this card. What you will be able to gloat about, at least to yourself, is how you finally paid off that nagging credit card debt without paying any additional fees or a cent in interest, and you even had 15 months to do it. That's what makes this card so rewarding.
