Updated January 10th, 2013: While Slate from Chase is best known for its innovative BluePrint money management tools, consumers searching for balance transfer credit cards will find that Chase Slate offers the best opportunity to save money on a 0% balance transfer.
Typically, credit card companies charge a 3% to 5% balance transfer fee. However, Chase Slate is the only major credit card offering a 0% introductory period on balance transfers that charges no balance transfer fees. Plus, at 15 months, the introductory period on Slate from Chase is only a mere three months shorter than what is available on the longest balance transfer offers.
Savings from the Chase Slate No Fee Balance Transfer Fee Offer
Before the credit crisis, a number of credit card companies offered no fee balance transfers. Companies that did charge balance transfer fees tended to limit the maximum amount to $75 per transaction. After the crisis, balance transfer fees jumped. While most have come down to the 3% range, the old $75 maximum no longer applies. Consequently, consumers seeking 0% balance transfers are typically required to spend about $30 for every $1,000 transferred. While this is often a pittance compared to what can be saved by doing a balance transfer, balance transfer fees do add up.
Chase Slate’s no balance transfer fee promotion removes a psychological hurdle that prevents many consumers from utilizing 0% APR balance transfers to their advantage by shaving off the up front cost of these transactions. For example, a consumer who transfers $4,000 to a typical balance transfer card incurs $120 in transaction fees. With Chase Slate, the cost of transferring the same balance drops to zero – an up front savings of $120.
Is Slate from Chase the Right Balance Transfer Offer to Choose?
Consumers with excellent credit get a 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months, which is only three months shorter than the longest offer currently available – the Citi Simplicity Card currently offers an 18 month intro period. However, many consumers will save more on fees than they will with an extra 3 months of 0% interest, so in most instances, this is likely the best option available.
You can learn more about Chase Slate below or apply online here.
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About the author
Jeffrey Weber has been following and blogging about the credit card industry since 2004. He has also written for Forbes and been cited in a wide range of major media outlets including USA Today, Time, MSN Money, The Christian Science Monitor, The Detroit Free Press and numerous other prestigious online and print publications.
Jeffrey resides in Easton, Connecticut and enjoys spending his free time chasing after his two year old son, watching films with his wife and occasionally taking a holiday to go snorkeling.
Jeffrey Weber – has written 65 posts.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
If you already have a Chase Slate, the only offer I see on the website incurs a 3% transfer fee. Will they not wave this for existing customers? Or can I get a second card?
Unfortunately you can’t transfer balances from one Chase card to another and if you already have a Slate card, you unfortunately cannot get a second card simply to take advantage of the promotion.
It may be worth using your online account to send a message to customer service inquiring if they will match the deal. However, be sure you get an answer in writing before proceeding to be extra careful.
So, I applied for this deal a couple weeks ago and have outstanding credit. Have you or others been delayed as well, perhaps due to a high volume on this card because of the offer?
Joe,
If you are not given an approval notice when your application is submitted, it typically takes between 1-3 business weeks for a card to arrive. This may be prolonged after Winter Storm Nemo as mail is likely behind in the Northeast.
With the Slate card can I pay off a boat loan balance with my local credit union?
Hi Steve,
I’m actually uncertain about this. I would recommend calling Chase at 1-866-944-1862. Apologies for not having a more complete answer, but policies vary from bank to bank and I didn’t want to simply answer with an educated guess.
If I still have a balance once the 15 months are up on the intro APR for balance transfers, do I pay interest on the remaining balance go forward, or does interest accumulate over the 15 months and get tacked on if I dont pay off the account?
David,
You only pay interest on the remaining balance.
This is the case with all major credit card company promotions. However, many store credit cards offer very deceptive 0% financing that requires the entire balance be paid in full to avoid interest.
I want to apply for a Chase Slate no fee balance transfer, but every time I click on “apply” I get a black screen. I don’t see a phone number to call. Can you help me please?
Thanks,
Sue
Sue,
This may be an issue with your computer. I haven’t heard any other complaints and the Chase Slate application appears to be working fine as of now.
Please let me know if you were able to resolve the error.
Best
J
Excellent benefits! This basically allows you to transfer any credit card balance for absolutely nothing, provided you make on-time payments as scheduled.
This will help me become debt-free faster than any other card!
Justin,
This current limited time version of Slate from Chase is definitely the card that offers the fastest route to becoming debt free and the Chase Blueprint feature is a good tool to create a plan for paying off your balance with the lowest possible expense. All around great product.
We have a balance on M/C with USAA, WE used it to get set up a preneed account. starting jan 12 we will start paying interest.So friday we called and apply for chase slate visa card under jacqueline name,how do we check on the status of this.thank you Joe
Joseph,
If you were provided with a confirmation number, you can contact Chase via their website and request information on application status for your Slate card.