I want to get a new credit card and do a balance transfer from my old one, which I’ve had for a LONG time and which just decided to raise my APR (a lot) for no reason (which happened to a lot of people, apparently.) My credit is very good, and I’ve learned my lesson and never EVER plan to use a credit card again for anything except when it’s absolutely unavoidable (reserving rental cars and hotel rooms are about the only times I can really think of.) What are the best cards to look at in this situation (balance transfers and planning to virtually never use the card for any new purchases ever again)? All advice appreciated! 
You want to get a card with a 0% APR on balance transfers for the longest time. Usually these offers are for 12 months, and after 12 months the APR goes up to “normal”. A card with no rewards and no “points” is going to have the lowest normal APR after the promotional time.
Do note that all cards have a “balance transfer fee” which is IIRC usually 3% of the total transfer or $50, whichever is higher. So a $10k balance transfer will cost you $300 off the bat (added on to your transfer total).
Also note that money you pay towards the card will go to the balance transfer balance first, and new purchases will sit there collecting interest at the normal interest rate.
In my experience, the best thing to do would be to keep your existing card and use that for purchases and pay off the bill every month. Don’t put any new purchases on the card with your transfer balance. That way you will avoid paying interest on new purchases, and enjoy the 0% APR as long as possible.
It also gives you the benefit of having your oldest line of credit still open, which is good for your credit history.
Fat Wallet “Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers”:
Also make sure to find one that doesn’t charge a fee on balance transfers.
I too have very good credit. I get at least three “0% APR for 12 months!!!” offers a week; most of them when you read the fine print charge something like 3% on all balance transfers. Meaning - you do a balance transfer of $1000 - sure, you get 0% APR as long as you stay kosher, but they charge you automatically $30 for the “privilege” of the transfer.
Find one with a no transfer fee, 0% APR for at least 12 months.
And of course, if you do a balance transfer - you must not ever miss a payment. Most of the balance transfer offers include fine print that let them royally ream you on the interest rate should you be even a day late.
Bankaholic is a good site that reviews credit cards, CDs, etc.
No one’s mentioned calling the credit card company and asking them to reduce your APR? Tell them you are thinking of transferring this balance and ask if there is anything they can do to reduce your interest rate.
One thing to also remember is you can possibly run into issues with opening a new credit card.
5/3 Bank offred me a great deal and I took it. As soon as I got my deal, Chase sent me a letter saying, I opened too much and cancelled my credit card. No big deal as I only had four bank credit cards. Now I had three. So I transfered my balance at a zero rate for a year over from Bank of America to 5/3 Bank. After the transfer was completed Bank of America cancelled my credit card.
It’s important to note, I never once missed a payment and my credit was excellent. Chase told me I needed to reapply with them. But I didn’t bother.
Long story short, I would’ve been better off leaving it alone.
I’ve not had any problems reserving hotel rooms and rental cars with regular debit cards. I think they have relaxed those rules in recent years. I remember 6 plus years ago, you couldn’t rent a car with a debit card, but that has changed, at least in my experience.
Everyone’s credit worthiness is different. What may work for one does not work for all. A random check of Hertz’ debit card policy is straightforward:
https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/customersupport/index.jsp?targetPage=faqsRightNow.jsp
I’ve read some rental agreements that require you to submit documentation and ability to pay ahead of time, on the order of weeks, if you plan to use a debit card to rent a car or a hotel room. Debit cards are not credit cards and any convenience in using them as opposed to credit cards belongs to the rental companies and not you.
Another problem that can happen is that after you open the new 0% interest transfer card you may be denied your request to actually make a transfer. Then all you have accomplished is getting another card which may impact your credit rating.
Dunno about your particular situation, but we have a Target Visa and are very pleased with it. We get a coupon for 10% off Target merchandise every other month or so, and a percentage of every purchase goes to our kids’ school.