Balance transfer payback
When is a balance transfer worth it? $1,335
A $8,000 balance at 21.50% APR with a $450 monthly payment creates about $1,335 of interest in year one.
Bottom line
Interest drag should be solved before optimizing rewards.
Rewards are usually worth one to a few percent of spend. Revolving APR can run above twenty percent annually on carried balances.
Next move
Compare payoff speed, balance-transfer fees, and APR resets.
A balance transfer can help only when the fee and payoff timeline beat the interest you would otherwise pay.