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Can I balance transfer credit card debt from my partner?
Explore your options for moving credit card debt to or from someone else’s account.
Only a small selection of balance transfer credit cards let you move a joint debt or another person's debt onto the new account. It's usually simpler if you and your partner already share a joint-account credit card, but it may also be possible in other circumstances. So, let's take a look at your options.
Different ways to balance transfer a partner's debt
If you want to transfer your spouse's balance to an account that's held in your name, there are two main options you can consider.
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Transferring a debt between two people’s names
In this instance, you would transfer the debt from your partner’s credit card to your own credit card (or a new balance transfer card that you have applied for). Their name would be removed from the debt once the balance transfer is processed, which means you would become the person legally responsible for the .
In some cases, you may need to add your partner as an "additional cardholder" before the credit card provider will allow the debt to be transferred to your card. As not all providers allow this type of transfer, make sure you check before requesting the balance transfer.
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Getting a joint account for the debt
Some credit card providers offer joint accounts, where you and your partner would share legal responsibility for the credit card account and any balance that you transfer onto it.
If you apply for a balance transfer through a credit card provider that offers joint accounts, both you and your partner will need to provide your details when you apply. Depending on the issuer, you may also be able to add your partner as a joint account holder after you have applied for the card.
Which credit card providers let you balance transfer debt from your partner?
Use the table below to compare credit cards and providers that offer joint balance transfers or allow you to transfer debts held in someone else's name. Keep in mind that the standard balance transfer terms and conditions will apply, which means the debt will need to be held in an eligible account (usually with a different issuer). Where possible, we've added further details for each issuer.
| Bank/Institution | Balance transfer between two people's names? | Joint primary cardholders | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|
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 | Bankwest will be able to process the balance transfer if the recipient credit card is in joint names, as opposed to having a primary card holder and additional card holders. Balance transfer is not allowed if your partner is a primary card holder of a credit card you're wanting to balance transfer to a credit card you're a primary card holder of. | ||
 | You would be able to apply for a balance transfer if your partner's card also has your name attached in joint account. | ||
 | If your name is attached to your partner's existing credit card as a joint account holder, you can apply for a balance transfer to a credit card in your own name. | ||
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How you can use, compare and apply for a balance transfer credit card
Steps to transfer a balance from your partner’s account to your credit card
- Compare credit cards. Compare balance transfer credit cards to find a one that offers competitive interest rate and promotional period based on your circumstances.
- Check the balance transfer terms and conditions. Make sure the credit card allows balance transfers between different account names, and check whether or not your partner will need to be a secondary cardholder. For cards not listed on this page, you can check the product disclosure statement or call the issuer for more information.
- Apply for the credit card. You will need to provide details including your full name, address, driver's licence or passport number and employment.
- Include details of the balance transfer. You will need to provide details of the account including the name and details of the primary account holder (i.e. your partner), the account number, the financial institution’s name, the BSB (where relevant) and the amount of debt to be transferred to the new card.
- Include details of any secondary cardholder/s. If the issuer requires your partner to be a secondary cardholder in order to process their balance transfer, make sure your partner fills out the relevant sections of the application.
- Submit the application. You should get an initial response within a few minutes. If you get conditional approval, follow the steps outlined by the issuer to complete the application process and finalise the balance transfer.
Once this process is successfully completed, you should receive your new credit card within 5-10 working days, although it could take up to 21 days in some cases. After you activate the new card, the issuer will process the balance transfer.
Make sure you stay in touch with the new issuer and be ready to answer any questions or provide supporting documentation as requested to help the transfer go as smoothly as possible.
Back to topHow to apply for a joint balance transfer credit card with your partner
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To transfer a balance from an existing joint account
Apply for the credit card as usual and include details of the balance transfer request, including all the names of the joint account holders, as well as the account number, financial institution and the amount of debt you want to transfer. You can go through this process with an individual credit card in your name, or apply for a credit card that offers joint account status for you and your partner.
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To transfer a balance from your partner’s account to a new joint credit card account
Find a credit card issuer that allows "joint primary cardholders" and compare their balance transfer offers. Depending on the issuer you will either be able to apply and get joint account status immediately or apply as an individual and then have your partner request and fill out an additional application to be added as a joint primary cardholder.
Compare credit cards that offer joint applications
Back to topWhat is the difference between joint-primary cardholder accounts and secondary cardholders?
It’s important to understand both of these terms when you plan on sharing a credit card account with your partner or someone else, as it can have an impact on the balance transfer options as well as your legal rights.
| Joint-primary cardholder accounts | Primary cardholder accounts with secondary cardholders |
|---|---|
| Two people have applied for a credit card under cardholder's name and both have complete access to the account. | One person has applied for a credit card in their name but wants to share the account with a partner (without joint account status). |
| Both have the ability to change credit limits, request account freezes or close the account. | Primary cardholder can request to add a secondary or additional cardholder but only the primary cardholder has control over credit limit changes, account freezes or account closure. |
| Both partners have regular sources of income and good credit histories. | Only the primary cardholder's income and credit history is assessed. |
| Both parties remain liable for all transactions and payments made on the card. | The primary cardholder is legally responsible for all transactions and payments made on the card, even if a balance has been transferred from an account held by the secondary cardholder. |
| If the closure of an account is the result of a divorce or a separation, both partners might have to pay half of the debt each, no matter who made which purchase. | In the event of a separation or a divorce, know that you, as the primary cardholder, would be liable to make repayments towards the entire account. |
Mistakes to avoid when transferring a balance from someone else’s card
- Applying for a card that doesn’t allow balance transfers from someone else’s account. Not all credit cards let you transfer another person’s credit card debt to a new card in your name. Make sure you check these details before you apply to avoid a declined application.
- Not discussing payments with your partner. If you and your partner share a balance transfer credit card account (whether it's a joint account or otherwise), it’s important to be clear on how and when you will both make payments towards the balance of the credit card. Discuss this before you apply for a new card or balance transfer to help reduce the risk of confusion and other issues down the track.
- Not checking the revert rate. The low balance transfer interest rate is only available during the introductory period on the card. When this period ends, any outstanding debt from a balance transfer will attract a higher standard interest rate until it is paid off in full.
- Balance transfer fees. You might have to pay a balance transfer fee when the debt is moved onto the new card, which could add to the overall costs involved. Weigh up the card fees with your partner to decide if this option is worth it for both of you.
Whether it is your own debt or your partner’s, balance transfer credit cards can be a convenient way to save money on interests and pay down the balance faster. But there are also some risks involved. Understanding the different options available and the varying conditions of credit card issuers means you can now find a balance transfer credit card that fits the needs of both you and your partner when you want to deal with debt.
Images: Shutterstock
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Hi, Just after a little clarification.
My partner currently has a Westpac CC and I wish to transfer this to my name possibly to a new ANZ account. Some the information above (Jacob’s video) and in the tables contradicts each other.
Jacob states that Westpac do not allow a CC debt to be transferred to another card but putting Westpac as the provider into your above table displays several options for doing this.
Are you able to confirm which is correct?
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your comment.
In the video, it was mentioned that ANZ along with other banks (as also listed in the table above) let you transfer a balance from another credit card in another person’s name to a credit card in your own name.
Jacob also mentioned that Bank of Melbourne lets you do this as well. “However, the credit card you’re transferring from cannot be in the Westpac Group. That’s Westpac and St. George.” This was also clearly reflected in our table.
So if you are transferring your partner’s Westpac credit card balance to a new ANZ credit card in your name, you can do so.
Cheers,
Anndy
My wife and have separated and we have a joint credit card account. I would like to transfer the outstanding balance to take advantage of 0% balance transfers. With the financial settlement I am responsible for all debt on credit cards. Can I apply for a balance transfer for the full amount owing on the credit card in joint names
Hi Keven, thanks for your inquiry!
You can transfer from a joint-account to a single cardholder account. It is important to note that certain joint-accounts require both signatories in order to close the account.
Cheers,
Jonathan
I have a joint Citibank credit card with my wife. Can I balance transfer that to a St George credit card if the new card is only under my own name?
Hi Rocketcat, thanks for your inquiry!
Joint-account balance transfers must be completed to another joint-account. As a result you will have to apply for a joint-account with St.George to complete this process. A full list of banks which allow joint-accounts and balance transfer credit cards are available on this page.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi
I have NAB credit card and I want to transfer balance to my friend’s CC (Westpac) as I owe him money.
Is this possible?
Hi Sam,
Thanks for your question.
Just to confirm, a balance transfer refers to the process in which a cardholder transfers an existing debt to a new card at a promotional interest rate. By doing so, they can then repay their debt quicker and at a lower interest rate.
Also, you can generally only transfer balances that will be under the same name as the existing account.
You may need to consider using your debit card to directly transfer funds to your friend to repay the debt.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Sally
Hi
So I want to do a balance transfer from someone else’s name into my name. I was wondering what kind of authority do they need to provide for me to do this?
I am the additional card holder on the account however I don’t think this will be sufficient to authorize a balance transfer without their approval. A representative of heritage said that it would have to be coming from a joint account for me to do this and on the table the Virgin card says I need to just be an additional card holder of the account that the debt is being transferred from.
Please help!
Thanks !
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your question.
Heritage Bank lets you transfer a balance from another credit card in another person’s name to a credit card in your own name, taking advantage of that low promotional balance transfer rate of interest while Virgin lets you do this if the primary card holder on the credit card that you’re transferring from is a signatory on the credit card that you’re transferring to. A signatory is basically just a fancy word for additional cardholder.
For more information, you can check this page.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Sally
Hi, my question is in terms of business credit cards.
Can I transfer the balance owing on a business credit card (under two primary card holder names) to a personal credit card?
Thanks
Hi Pat, thanks for your inquiry!
For a balance transfer process, if the balance owing/ outstanding on a credit card is from a joint-account/ two primary cardholder names the destination credit card must be a joint-account with the same cardholder names. Please refer to the following link for a further explanation on this process for joint-account balance transfers and the eligibility requirements.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi
Thanks for your post. It is really helpful for my scenario. However, to ensure that I understand it correctly, can I ask you a question about it?
The scenario is that I am going to apply for a interest free balance transfer credit card with Bank of Melbourne. I will use it to pay off my husband’s CBA debt and I am not an additional cardholder for that card. So technically we are 2 separate primary cardholders.
Based on what I understand, Bank of Melbourne allows me to transfer the balance to my husband’s CBA card, does not it? and also my husband’s CBA does allow as well, right?
I hope I’ve made it clear and thanks for your help. I am really appreciated.
Hi Angela, thanks for your inquiry!
That is correct, balance transfers can be made from other credit card accounts as long as the account is in good standing and the balance transfer amount falls within the balance transfer limit of the bank. If the accounts are joint-account types please refer to this page.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi there, My partner and I were considering opening a new credit card account to transfer his outstanding credit card balance onto it – to save on interest and due to better interest rates being offered. His current card is with Coles (Latitude Financial Services) – and I’m just a bit confused as to my next step. His bank (Suncorp) said they wouldn’t approve his new credit card (due to income limitations) and that they wouldn’t transfer his card balance to my name (though I have the ability to obtain the card on my own, should I require it). Will Latitude Financial Services let him transfer his outstanding balance onto a new card under my name or under both our names (which would also be with a different bank – possibly my bank -CBA- or ANZ, NAB or Heritage Bank)?
I hope I’ve made sense!
Hi Anisha, thanks for your inquiry!
Unfortunately Suncorp Bank does not allow balance transfers between two separate names. Please refer to the following link for a list of banks which allow balance transfers between two separate names/ joint account holders.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi, thanks for the information but I’m still not clear on this issue.
In my particular scenario my partner has credit card balances with Latitude, AMEX and CBA. Is it possible for me to balance transfer some/all of her balances onto a new Citibank or Virgin application.
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated before I make a decision.
Hi Stu, thanks for your inquiry!
If the balance transfer is from Latitude Financial Services, AMEX and CBA going to a Citibank or Virgin Money Credit Card this would be fine. However the amount being balance transferred would be defined by the credit limit on the new credit card. Citibank may limit balance transfers in the individual’s account to a proportion of their credit limit, subject to their credit criteria. Virgin Money’s Balance Transfer may not exceed 80% of your maximum available Credit Limit.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Thanks Johnathan, just clarifying is that still the case even if the Citibank or Virgin credit card is in my name not my partners?
Cheers.
Hi Stu, thanks for your inquiry!
Depending on whether the cards you are balance transferring from are in your partners name and whether you are signing up for the card will be important to note. Balance transfers between partners and between two separate people’s names are only supported by certain lenders. For a list of lenders who allow joint-account balance transfers, and lenders who allow balance transferring between two peoples names please see this page.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi, all very good info… however the box with Bank Of Queensland is noticeably blank. I the primary cardholder with BOQ, my partner enquired at his bank (Westpac) as to whether he could do a balance transfer from my card.. the answer was no. I’m thinking that in the financial times today, there must be somewhere who will let us do this! I got the card originally almost 6 years ago when I was a working single parent, however I’m now a partnered stay at home mum and as such not eligible for a card from anyone (which is stupid.. I have to afford the one I have now!!) We are just trying to find a way out of debt without having to go to a personal loan, which is all Westpac offered us. Any advice would be fantastic.
Hi Rebekah, thanks for your inquiry!
Please see this page for a list of lenders who allow balance transfers between two separate names and joint accounts.
I hope this helped.
Cheers,
Jonathan