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What Is Credit Card Consolidation?

Credit card consolidation allows you to roll several credit card debts into one monthly payment.

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By Jerry Brown

Written by

Jerry Brown

Writer

Jerry Brown is a personal finance writer, owner of the Peerless Money Mentor blog, and a contributor to Credible. He has written for major publications such as Forbes Advisor, Business Insider, and Rocket Mortgage.

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Edited by Jared Hughes

Written by

Jared Hughes

Editor

Jared Hughes is a personal loan editor for Credible and Fox Money, and has been producing digital content for more than six years.

Updated April 19, 2024

Editorial disclosure: Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as “Credible.”

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Credit card consolidation allows you to combine all of your credit card debts into one monthly payment. The main advantage of consolidating credit card debt is that it can save you money, especially if you qualify for a much lower annual percentage rate (APR).

However, before you consolidate your credit card debt, it’s a good idea to learn how it works, ways to combine your balances, and the pros and cons.

For example: Let’s say you have $18,000 of credit card debt spread across multiple cards. If you qualified for a 48-month personal loan at 10.00% and used the funds to consolidate your credit card debt, your estimated monthly payment would be $457, and the total interest paid over the life of the loan would be $3,913. As a result, you would pay less in total interest versus not consolidating and continuing to pay your credit card balance over the same four-year period.

How does credit card consolidation work?

Consolidating your credit card debt means taking out a new loan to pay off your current credit card debts.

Keeping track of repayment dates on your credit cards can be challenging. However, If you take out a personal loan to consolidate, you’ll only have one monthly payment. In addition, you may save hundreds or thousands of dollars if you qualify for a lower APR.

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Types of credit card consolidation

You can consolidate your credit card debt using various financial products. Comparing the pros and cons of multiple options can help you determine the best one for you.

1. Balance transfer credit card

If you have good to excellent credit, you may qualify for a balance transfer credit card. These cards come with low- or no-interest promotional periods that can last up to 18 months or longer. You can save a lot of money if you pay your credit card debt during this time period, but there are some cons to keep in mind.

“When doing a balance transfer, be mindful of balance transfer fees,” said Carla Blair-Gamblian, credit expert at Veterans United Home Loans. “Also, try to pay off the balance in full before the promotional period expires. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay the card’s standard APR on any remaining balance, which is generally high.”

Pros

Cons

Low- or no-interest promotional periodGood credit is usually needed to qualify
New card may come with better benefitsGenerally comes with a balance transfer fee
Can potentially pay off credit card debt fasterHigher APR begins once the promotional period expires

2. Credit card consolidation loan

You can use this type of personal loan to pay off your outstanding credit card balances. Afterward, you’ll only be responsible for one monthly payment at a fixed interest rate.

You can get one from various places, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. You may qualify for a lower rate than your average credit card debt if you have good to excellent credit.

But a downside is that some lenders charge origination fees, which can increase the total borrowing cost of the loan.

Comparing rates, fees, and repayment terms across multiple lenders can help you find the consolidation loan that best suits your needs.

Pros

Cons

Lower average APR than some other financial products like credit cardsMay not qualify for a lower APR with bad credit
Generally doesn’t require collateralSome lenders charge an origination fee
Fixed APR, so payments remain the same through the life of the loanDefaulting on the loan could hurt your credit score

3. Home equity line of credit (HELOC)

This is a revolving credit option that allows you to borrow against the equity in your home on an as-needed basis. Since the lender requires you to pledge the equity in your home as collateral, it usually comes with a lower APR than credit card debt. HELOCs usually come with variable APRs — the interest rate fluctuates based on economic conditions.

The main downside of a HELOC is that if you default, the lender can foreclose on your home. So, before you decide to consolidate credit card debt with this option, make sure you can comfortably afford to repay what you borrow.

Pros

Cons

Typically lower APR since loan is secured by your homeLender can take your home if you default
Draw funds as neededVariable APR, so interest rate could increase
You may not require good credit to qualifyReduces the equity in your home

4. Debt management plan

If you need assistance creating a plan to eliminate your debt, consider contacting a government-approved credit counseling agency. These agencies help you create a plan to pay off your debt in three to five years in exchange for a monthly fee.

A major pro is that a credit counseling agency might be able to negotiate a lower rate and monthly payments with your credit card issuers. And unlike debt settlement, a debt management plan doesn’t harm your credit.

However, a potential downside is that an agency may require you to agree not to open new credit accounts while in the plan.

Pros

Cons

A credit counseling agency may negotiate a lower rate and monthly paymentsPlan fees can be expensive
May help you improve your credit scoreUsually takes three to five years to pay off credit cards
Good credit isn’t neededYou may not be allowed to obtain new credit during the plan

Other strategies to pay down credit card debt

Credit card consolidation can potentially save you money and help you better manage payments, but it’s not the right move for everyone. Consider using these other strategies.

  • Create a budget. A budget can help you free up cash to put toward paying down credit card debt. To create a simple budget, write down your expenses and monthly income. Afterward, look through your list to see if you can trim any unnecessary expenses.
  • Analyze your spending habits. Review your credit card statements and bank account to identify areas where you may be overspending each month.
  • Ask creditors for lower monthly payments. If you can't afford to pay your credit card bills, contact your creditors to ask them to temporarily reduce your monthly payments.

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FAQ

How does credit card consolidation affect your credit score?

When you apply for a loan or credit card, a lender usually performs a hard credit pull to review your credit history, which may temporarily ding your credit a few points. If you make on-time payments, your credit score will likely recover. But if you default on the new loan, it can cause your credit score to suffer a significant blow.

What are the advantages of credit card consolidation?

A major potential benefit of consolidating credit card debt is that it streamlines your monthly payments into a single payment. Keeping track of one monthly payment can be easier than juggling several. Plus, if you qualify for a lower rate, it can help you save thousands of dollars in interest and get out of debt quicker.

Will credit card consolidation eliminate my debt?

No, consolidation doesn't erase your credit card debt — it only transfers it to a new loan or credit card. “It’s crucial to understand why you got into debt in the first place,” said Blair-Gamblian, from Veterans United. “If you consolidate your debt, but don’t change your spending habits, there’s a risk you’ll run up card balances again.”

How long does credit card consolidation take?

The answer depends on how long it takes you to get approved for a debt consolidation product. For example, if you decide to use a debt consolidation loan, you can consolidate your credit card debt as soon as you receive the funds — personal loans are typically funded within a few business days.

Read More: What Is Your Debt-to-Income Ratio? How to Calculate DTI

Meet the expert:
Jerry Brown

Jerry Brown is a personal finance writer, owner of the Peerless Money Mentor blog, and a contributor to Credible. He has written for major publications such as Forbes Advisor, Business Insider, and Rocket Mortgage.

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