Transfer fee:
Transfer Fee = Current Balance × (Transfer Fee % ÷ 100)
Total transferred balance:
Monthly interest (current card):
Monthly interest (transfer card during promo):
Monthly Interest = Balance × (Transfer APR ÷ 12 ÷ 100)
Interest paid without transfer:
Interest Without = (Current Balance × Current APR ÷ 12) × Months to Payoff
Interest paid with transfer:
Interest With = (Transferred Balance × Transfer APR ÷ 12) × Months in Promo + Standard APR Interest after Promo
Net savings:
Net Savings = Interest Without – Interest With – Transfer Fee
Payment to pay off within promo period:
Required Payment = Transferred Balance ÷ Promo Months
Break-even month:
Break-Even = Transfer Fee ÷ Monthly Interest Savings
Where:
Current APR = Interest rate on existing card
Transfer APR = Promotional rate on new card
Transfer Fee = One-time fee (3-5% typical)
Promo Period = Months at promotional rate