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Pay it off. Is your $800 calculation the net after 21 months? Bc the 3% hit is $600 upfront.
I've given that approach thought. Only problem for me is that I fly enough that ExPlat status with AA is nice, but not enough to requalify on flights alone. So I'm a bit stuck using my AA cobranded card unless my travel schedule changes substantially. Appreciate the thoughts!
If you don't already have a liquid 6-12 month emergency fund, I'd use the Citi 21 month interest free option to preserve the cash on hand for various sign up bonus purposes.
Right now we're at around 18 months, so not *worried* about it. Extra cash isn't a bad thing right now in my eyes, especially when savings rates are decent.
So I currently do this…
Borrow the money from Citi and pay the 3% fee. It’s their money you’re borrowing (even if you don’t need it).
3% for 21 months is essentially a 1.72% APR.
Pay the $600 (3% * $20000) once the balance transfer fee posts otherwise they’ll be charging you on that as an additional purchase at the standard APR 20+%
Next, put the 20k into a CD earning the max you can get. Pay minimum payment every month, and roll it again if possible when 0% rate expires.
I do this on approximately 8 accounts for ~$140,000 for $3,500 in interest. Taxes knock that return down to $2,660 but it’s $2,660 I’m making off the bank loaning me funds.
Oh good to know. Didn't know BT fees were considered purchases. But yes that's the thought process I have - if I'm making better than 3% on my savings, it seems like a reasonable plan. Carrying the $20k for the past year hasn't really killed my credit - it's still up near 800, and I don't have much need for credit in the near future anyway.