The age of free balance transfer deals on credit cards is coming to an end, personal finance experts have claimed.

According to Michelle Slade of Moneyfacts.co.uk, the trend of offering balance transfers to new credit cards without charging fees is coming to an end, with an increasing number of credit card providers now charging.

In fact, only three cards not charging fees now remain on the market.

"Long gone are the days when rate tarts could jump from one credit card provider to another without incurring fees, on a zero per cent balance transfer deal," commented Ms Slade.

"The three cards which do not charge a balance transfer fee, offer the shortest zero per cent deals on he market, at five months.

"Compare this with cards such as GE Money's Transformation MasterCard and HSBC's Bank MasterCard, which do charge fees of 2.5 per cent and two per cent respectively, whereby you can take advance of an extra seven months' interest free."

Consumers are advised to shop around when choosing a new credit card.

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