When planning to relocate, it’s essential to think carefully about how you’ll pay for it — or even get some discounts if you use a money transfer credit card to pay for it. A credit card can easily cover relocating costs and your associated rewards.

Suppose you’ve been considering how to use a credit card for a pending move. In that case, consider cards that give you a big sign-up bonus, earn rewards on relocating expenses, and enable you to pay it off early by reducing the interest rate on your purchases. Here is a money transfer credit card to help anyone preparing to relocate.

 

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card: Best for flat-rate Cashback

 

Why it’s great: You can enjoy earning cash rewards every time you swipe your card. The good news is that you get a 0% intro APR on all purchases and balance transfers from the day you open your account. You’ll be rewarded for spending less than $1,000 for the first 15 months, followed by a higher APR (depending on which card you swipe) of up to 19.49 percent or 24.49 percent, or 29.49 percent. Significant purchases will probably be because of a pending relocation, so these cash rewards features are helpful.

 

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card allows you to earn 2 percent rewards on all purchases — there’s no need to create different reward categories or spend money at other stores. You swipe the card to purchase, and the cash rewards will accrue automatically to your account. You swipe your card to make purchases, and the tips will instantly appear in your Wells Fargo account. It also offers a $200 cash reward for members who spend $1,000 on purchases during the first three months of having an active cash card — which is pretty easy to earn for anyone who swipes their card to pay for moving expenses.

 

Pros

 

• One hundred percent cash rewards on purchases when you spend $1,000 within the first three months 
• One hundred percent cash rewards when you spend $2,000 within the first three months.
• No yearly fee.

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Cons

 

• There is a 3 percent currency conversion fee on purchases made abroad.
• Rewards that you buy with travel partners are not available to be redeemed with those travel partners for better value.
• After 120 days, balance transfers will cost you 3 percent plus a fee of 5 cents, but after that, the payment will be 5%.

 

Citi Diamond Preferred: Best for balance transfers

 

This card offers one of the best balance transfer offers around. You can transfer Cash up to this card in just 21 months. With the Diamond Preferred, you can get 0% intro APR on balance transfers for an entire year from the date you make the transfer and 0% intro APR on purchases for a whole year from the date your account opens. After getting the introductory APR offer, the APR will range from 17.49 to 28.24 percent, depending on your creditworthiness. The transfer must be within four months of opening your account with Citibank.

 

We like the Diamond Preferred for people planning to relocate because it gives you more time to shift money to other cards and avoid paying high interest. It’s good that the Diamond Preferred Card offers a 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases, followed by 17.49 percent to 28.24 percent on purchases made with the card.

 

We don’t like the Diamond Preferred balance transfer fee of 5 percent (or $5 if you pay more than that). It is at the higher end of the range we expect on charge cards. Also, you must use the Diamond Preferred within the first four months after opening an account to take advantage of the 0% intro APR offer. If you delay, you’ll pay the standard APR. If that window isn’t taken advantage of, you’ll pay a regular APR for the remainder of your life.

 

Pros

• 0% for balance transfers for three months; if you transfer money from another bank within four months of opening your account, your APR will increase from 17.49% to 28.24%. Transfers within four months from the time the report is.
• No annual fee

 

Cons

 

• There is no system for customers to earn money back after making purchases.
• Transferring your balances from another credit card company will incur a transfer fee of 5 percent (or $5 if it is higher).
• Transfer balances within four months to qualify for an intro offer.

 

Discover it Cash Back: Best for rotating bonus categories.

 

It also has several great features that make it ideal for those planning to move. There’s no annual fee, and the APR is low, so no one else will ask you to pay interest if you spend $3,000 or more on purchases or balance transfers.

 

With Discover Cash Back, you’ll get up to 5 percent back on every dollar you spend in the three categories, based on what Discover offers in its cash back calendar. If you spend more than $1,500, you’re getting 1 percent back.

 

This card offers a Cashback Match welcome bonus that doubles your initial Cashback earnings each quarter. If you max out all your purchases each quarter of the first year, you’ll earn at least $300 in Cashback. But if Discover matches your purchases, that increases to $600 in Cashback. But if you get $100 cash back every time you make a category purchase, that can quickly go up to $600.

 

Then, we discuss the 0 percent APR that this card offers for purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After that, there are variable interest rates. After that, you can expect to pay between 16.24 percent and 27.24 percent interest, depending on the amount of your credit.

 

Pros

 

• First-year cashback match bonus.
• No annual fee
• Some purchases and travel benefits include on this card, such as: purchase protections on specific items (including international travel) and other benefits.

 

Cons

 

• Cashback rewards are limited to $1,500 per quarter if you spend $1,000 in a given period (e.g., a year).
• Your purchases may not be eligible for cashback rewards based on the categories that rotate on the card; you must activate the bonus categories to receive heightened Cashback.
• You must activate the bonus categories to earn a higher cashback reward.

 

Chase Sapphire Preferred: Best for a generous sign-up bonus

 

Why it’s good: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a good rewards card with a reasonable rewards rate and a substantial early-buyer bonus. You can earn 5X points when you buy dining, entertainment, and select groceries online (except Walmart, Target, and other major retailers), 2X points when you spend money in gas stations, hotels, and restaurants, and 1X points when you spend money on general purchases.

 

We recommend this credit card if you are planning to move. You can quickly get a $300 bonus (60,000 points) by using the card that way, and if you plan to spend at least $4,000 on your move within three months of opening your account. If you anticipate moving to another state, you’ll get 60,000 bonus points if you spend at least $4,000 in the first three months of having the card. You can use that bonus to pay for living expenses.

 

It’s worth noting that all rewards categories on the card apply to everything you’ll need to pay while moving: restaurants, hotels, car rentals, etc. There are also many other benefits to the Chase Sapphire Pledge Card, like free memberships and discounts at many of your favorite stores. That means you can save money while you’re traveling or even while you’re still living in the area.

 

Pros

 

• The points structure covers the typical expenses many movers incur.
• Each year you get points and credits for each referral and subscription service.
• Redeem your points to receive free airfare with Chase Ultimate Rewards when you purchase $200 or more purchases.

 

Cons

 

• The bonus will be payable after you spend $4,000 in the first three months, which may not be able to be paid back.
• $95 annual fee
• There is no introductory 0% APR offer on purchases or balance transfers.

 

How to choose a credit card for Relocating

 

When picking the right money transfer credit card for relocating, you want to find a card that offers the most worth for your money, whether that means earning Cash back when you move or being able to spread the cost over a long period. You should pay attention to some things when shopping for a new credit card. 

 

Rewards rate: Search for companies that offer products that match what you paid for your relocation. The less you can get from selling your house and moving costs, the less money you will have to pay back.

 

Benefits: Some credit cards can help you pay for your move, but think about how your card will continue to provide value long after you move. These benefits include continuing rewards, points, annual credits, cellphone insurance, and other protections that protect you during your spending. It’s essential that your credit card still has value even if you relocate.

 

Welcome bonus: Getting the highest bonus offer is ideal, but timing your expenses will help you meet the spending requirements for the prize. You should know which transactions count toward acquiring that bonus.

 

Travel redemptions: If you want to earn many points for making great travel deals, relocating can help you get there. Some money transfer credit cards give you a bonus when booking travel accommodations and transferring funds to other travel partners. It will help you save on your moving expenses.

 

Final Thought

There are plenty of ways that your moving expenses will go way above what you initially thought. You can even get extra money by using credit cards. Having a card that gives you rewards, perks, and other perks, especially as you move, can be helpful.

With good planning and preparation, you can make the transition from one home to another smooth, productive, and cost-effective.