If you’ve looked at the pros and cons of balance transfer credit cards and decided that they’re the best option for you, then you’re ready for the next step — figuring out how you can get the most out of them. Once you figure out how you plan to use your new balance transfer card, you’ll be able to compare specific credit card offers to find the best fit.

Here are some ways you can get the most out of balance transfer credit cards:

1. Choose a balance transfer credit card with a very low balance transfer interest rate.

If the point of initiating a balance transfer is to save money with a lower interest rate than your existing card has, it makes sense to look for balance transfer credit cards that offer as low a balance transfer rate as possible. Some cards, like the ANZ Low Rate MasterCard, even offer balance transfer rates as low as 0%.

2. Make sure you get a balance transfer card with a long enough introductory period.

Many balance transfer offers are limited to introductory periods of a few months to a year. To get the most out of your balance transfer card, make sure you pick one with a long enough balance transfer offer period.

That means if you think it will take you nine months to pay off your balance transfer in full, don’t get a card with a three-month balance transfer offer. A few cards, like the Citibank Platinum credit card, offer a low balance transfer rate for the life of your balance transfer.

3. Review fees and other terms carefully.

This is really a given with any type of new credit card you apply for, but it’s especially important with balance transfer credit cards. You’ll want to find out if the card charges balance transfer fees on top of the interest (a set transaction fee or a percentage of the balance transferred). If the fees are so high that they negate the money you would save with a lower interest rate, look for a different balance transfer card.

4. Try to find a balance transfer card where interest reverts to the purchase rate.

If you get a balance transfer credit card where the offer ends in a few months to a year, any remaining balance from that transfer after the offer expires will revert to a higher interest rate. For some credit cards the balance transfer rate reverts to the purchase rate. For others, it will revert to a higher cash advance rate. This is especially important if you know you can’t pay off the balance in full during the special offer period. Of course if you choose a balance transfer card with a lifetime balance transfer rate, you don’t have to worry about this.

Balance transfers can be effective tools to help you save money and get out of credit card debt faster. But you need to follow simple steps like the ones above to really get the most out of these offers. If you have other suggestions for how you can get more out of your balance transfer credit cards, leave a comment and share your tips.