 TITLE: How to Choose the Right Balance Transfer Credit Card CONTENT: What Is a Balance Transfer?\n---------------------------\nWhen you make a balance transfer, you move existing debts to a new credit card that charges 0% APR for a period of time. Balance transfer credit cards commonly offer introductory 0% APR periods of 12, 15 or 18 months. The goal is to pay off debt, without accruing interest charges, before that time frame ends. That generally means avoiding making additional purchases on the card in the meantime.\nSome balance transfer cards offer benefits like cash back on purchases, access to free credit score monitoring and cell phone insurance covering theft and damage if you pay your bill with your card. You may also find cards that offer sign-up bonuses if you spend a certain amount within a few months of account opening. But since a balance transfer card is best used to pay down debt, not build up more of it, benefits like a sign-up bonus are not always worth the potential growth in your balance. END