You can request a balance transfer by applying for a new balance transfer credit card online. Credit card companies can also mail out balance transfer checks, which you can use to transfer a balance from one card to another.

The best balance transfer card is ultimately the one that offers the best terms for your financial situation, based on your creditworthiness.

When you transfer a credit card balance, the balance is shifted to a new card. You then make payments to the new card, while the original card remains open unless you decide to close it.

Balance transfer processing times can vary from one credit card company to the next. For instance, some may be able to complete a transfer in five to seven business days, while others can take up to three weeks.

Your old credit card doesn't go anywhere. It remains open unless you decide to close it. Keep in mind that closing a credit card, even one with a zero balance, could knock points off your credit score.

First, you choose a credit card to transfer your balance to. Next, you tell the credit card company how much you want to transfer. You provide the credit card company with the account information for the card balance you want to transfer. The credit card company then processes the transaction, which may or may not involve a fee. You'd then make payments to the card the balance was transferred to going forward.

Whether it makes sense to transfer a credit card balance depends on your financial situation. If you've done the math with a balance transfer calculator and determined that you could save money and your credit allows you to qualify for the best promotional offers, then it could be a good option.

Yes, if your credit card company allows it. You'd need to check with your card issuer to determine whether a loan transfer is possible and what types of loans you can transfer, such as personal loans or car loans.

Yes, although you may not qualify for the lowest APR or best promotional terms if you have poor credit compared with fair or good credit.

Opening a new credit card for a balance transfer can trim a few points off your credit score since this usually requires a hard inquiry. However, it can also improve your score in the long run, since the additional line of credit will lower your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your credit limit you're using), which is one of the most important credit score factors after payment history.

Yes, if your credit card company allows it. Though once you transfer the balance to your card, the debt becomes your responsibility.

You can and in some cases, it may be necessary if your new balance transfer card's limit is less than the full amount you want to transfer.

Again, it all comes down to how much money you could potentially save on interest charges. But it can be worth it if you would pay less in interest and possibly pay the debt off faster, even with a balance transfer fee factored in.

Debit cards are tied to your bank account so their balance reflects the amount of money you have on hand, not an available credit limit. So this type of transfer wouldn't work. You could transfer money from your credit card to your debit card or bank account using a cash advance, but that's not the same as balance transfer.

You could if your card issuer allows it, but there are some downsides. Moving federal student loan debt to a credit card, for example, means you give up certain protection and benefits, such as the option to put payments in deferment or forbearance, or apply for income-driven repayment plans.