First things first, there isn’t a specific credit score needed to get approved for a credit card balance transfer.

Credit card issuers look beyond the simple three-digit score to determine eligibility, though the higher the credit score, the better your chances.

Additionally, credit score requirements vary by credit card issuer and even by specific credit card, so don’t focus on a particular score.

The average Fico score in the United States is just above 700, but that doesn’t mean you need a credit score that high to get approved.

You could have a credit score of 660 or lower and still get approved for that 0% APR balance transfer offer, depending on the rest of your credit history.

Conversely, even if you have good credit, applying for multiple balance transfer offers in a short period of time could set you up for subsequent denied requests.

Credit card issuers aren’t big fans of consumers applying for tons of credit all at once, as all that clamoring for credit is seen as potential financial distress.

So make sure you apply for balance transfers sparingly, and only when necessary.

If you apply too often, you may still get approved, but only with a reduced balance transfer limit.  Or worse yet, you may be flat out rejected.

If you’ve got bad credit (and you know it), there are still balance transfer options available.

Consider inquiring about balance transfer offers with your existing card issuers, or simply ask for an APR reduction.

If a family member or spouse has good credit, consider working out a deal to transfer a balance to that person.

Alternatively, they may be able to use a balance transfer check to pay off your balance, and then you can pay them back directly.

Tip: Always make on-time payments and keep credit card balances low to ensure a healthy credit score.