Thursday, 19 June 2008

Consolidating credit card debt

By Michael Dent

Consolidating credit card debt is often regarded as the first step towards credit card debt elimination. However, even before you move to take the first steps towards consolidating credit card debt, you must understand that consolidating credit card debt (or balance transfer) is an action that you are taking to eliminate credit card debt. Consolidating credit card debt is not a means of deferring the problem for later.

Consolidating credit card debt is indeed a good option in more than one sense. Not only do you get relief from the rapid increase in your credit card debt, but also get other benefits too. Offers for consolidating credit card debt are in abundance and are very attractive indeed. Almost all the offers for consolidating credit card debt have an initial low APR period during which the APR is generally 0% (or some low figure).

We are talking primarily about using credit card debt negotiations for getting the APR on your current credit cards reduced to some lower figure. So, credit card debt negotiation is about talking to your current credit card suppliers and informing them about your intention to clear off your credit card debt, and using your skills (credit card debt negotiation skills) to agree a lower APR rate with them.

This is another thing that lowers the speed at which your credit card debt gallops. So these are the two most important benefits that credit card suppliers deploy to attract people into consolidating credit card debt with them.

Then there are other benefits which include things like additional reward points on the member's reward program of the credit card you are consolidating credit card debt to. These reward points can be redeemed for other attractive goods/rebates/rewards etc.

0% on purchases: This is another common benefit from credit card debt consolidation. The 0% interest (or some lower percentage) on purchases is offered as an incentive for credit card debt consolidation. This credit card debt consolidation benefit is again applicable only for a short initial period.

In recent times, consolidating credit card debt on such a card, may open up much more benefits as compared to your current credit card, which was based on your needs at the time. The credit card you are consolidating credit card debt to, might open up discount offers to you.

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