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October 7, 2021
*Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.
This article was last updated October 7, 2021 . Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
BankAmericard® credit card details updated Sept. 9, 2021
If you’re carrying a balance on a credit card with a high APR, you’re likely to end up paying a lot of money in interest charges.
A balance transfer card can help you get out of debt faster with an intro 0% APR period. With no interest accruing during the interest-free period, your payments will be 100% allocated to the principal balance instead of the balance plus interest charges.
While many cards charge a fee of 3% to 5% of the amount transferred, a balance transfer might still be worth it based on what you could save on interest charges.
| Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of October 2021 | |
| Best overall balance transfer credit card | U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card |
| Best for long intro 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases | Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card |
| Best for rewards after your balance transfer period | Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer |
| Best card with no balance transfer fee | Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card |
| Best for a low APR after your intro 0% APR ends | BankAmericard® credit card |
| Best for no late fees and no penalty APR | Citi Simplicity® Card |
| Best no-frills balance transfer card | Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card |
| Best card for ongoing value | Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card |
| Best business balance transfer card | U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card |
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is our top overall choice for the best balance transfer card. It offers a lengthy intro 0% APR period on balance transfers and a reasonable balance transfer fee. It doesn’t offer rewards or a sign-up bonus, but if your goal is to get a long 0% APR period to help you pay down existing debt, this card is an excellent choice. Here are the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles on Balance Transfers*, then a 14.49% - 24.49%* (variable) APR applies. | Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. | 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles on Purchases*, then a 14.49% - 24.49%* (variable) APR applies. |
If you need a long time to pay off credit card debt, you’ll want to consider the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card. You’d be hard-pressed to find a balance transfer card with a longer intro APR period.
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is our top overall choice for the best balance transfer card. It offers a lengthy intro 0% APR period on balance transfers and a reasonable balance transfer fee. It doesn’t offer rewards or a sign-up bonus, but if your goal is to get a long 0% APR period to help you pay down existing debt, this card is an excellent choice. Here are the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles on Balance Transfers*, then a 14.49% - 24.49%* (variable) APR applies. | Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. | 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles on Purchases*, then a 14.49% - 24.49%* (variable) APR applies. |
If you need a long time to pay off credit card debt, you’ll want to consider the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card. You’d be hard-pressed to find a balance transfer card with a longer intro APR period.
When you need a long period of intro APR to pay off debt transferred from another card or pay down a big purchase, the Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card is a great option. It comes with a unique offer where cardholders first get 18 months of intro APR, then after making on-time minimum payments, can get an intro APR extension of up to three months.
Just be aware that you might not qualify for the Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card‘s intro APR if you opened any other Wells Fargo credit card in the past 15 months. And if you opened a Wells Fargo credit card in the past six months, you might be declined for the Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card entirely. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR up to 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then a 12.99%-24.99% Variable APR applies. | 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5. | 0% intro APR up to 21 months from account opening , then a 12.99%-24.99% Variable APR applies. |
The Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card is a fine choice for anyone who needs well over a year to pay off transferred debt or a new purchase. Just make sure at the time of application you haven’t opened any other Wells Fargo credit card recently, or it could cause you to be denied for this card (or to be not eligible for the intro APR offers even if you’re approved for the card itself).
When you need a long period of intro APR to pay off debt transferred from another card or pay down a big purchase, the Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card is a great option. It comes with a unique offer where cardholders first get 18 months of intro APR, then after making on-time minimum payments, can get an intro APR extension of up to three months.
Just be aware that you might not qualify for the Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card‘s intro APR if you opened any other Wells Fargo credit card in the past 15 months. And if you opened a Wells Fargo credit card in the past six months, you might be declined for the Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card entirely. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR up to 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then a 12.99%-24.99% Variable APR applies. | 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5. | 0% intro APR up to 21 months from account opening , then a 12.99%-24.99% Variable APR applies. |
The Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card is a fine choice for anyone who needs well over a year to pay off transferred debt or a new purchase. Just make sure at the time of application you haven’t opened any other Wells Fargo credit card recently, or it could cause you to be denied for this card (or to be not eligible for the intro APR offers even if you’re approved for the card itself).
The Citi® Double Cash Card comes with a lengthy intro APR period on balance transfers and a great flat-rate cashback program as well. Just don’t let the prospect of cash back lead you to overspending — remember that your goal is to pay off debt, not get into more. So focus your efforts on knocking off that transferred balance before using the card for its rewards program. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, then a 13.99% – 23.99% (variable) APR applies. | 3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. | No intro purchase APR. A regular purchase APR of 13.99% – 23.99% (variable) applies. |
If you want a card you can keep around after paying off your transferred balance, the Citi® Double Cash Card is an excellent choice. Cardholders earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Just be aware you have to make at least the minimum payment on time to receive the second half of your cash back. If you miss a payment, you’ll miss out on the cash back too.
The card’s annual fee is $0.
The Citi® Double Cash Card comes with a lengthy intro APR period on balance transfers and a great flat-rate cashback program as well. Just don’t let the prospect of cash back lead you to overspending — remember that your goal is to pay off debt, not get into more. So focus your efforts on knocking off that transferred balance before using the card for its rewards program. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, then a 13.99% – 23.99% (variable) APR applies. | 3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. | No intro purchase APR. A regular purchase APR of 13.99% – 23.99% (variable) applies. |
If you want a card you can keep around after paying off your transferred balance, the Citi® Double Cash Card is an excellent choice. Cardholders earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Just be aware you have to make at least the minimum payment on time to receive the second half of your cash back. If you miss a payment, you’ll miss out on the cash back too.
The card’s annual fee is $0.
To apply for this no-balance-transfer-fee credit card, you must be a Navy Federal Credit Union member. Membership is open to active duty and retired U.S. military service members, veterans, family members and U.S. Department of Defense civilians. Here are the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers made within 30 days of account opening. Then, a 5.99% to 18.00% variable applies. | $0 | No intro purchase APR. A regular purchase APR of 5.99% to 18.00% variable applies. |
If you meet Navy Federal Credit Union’s membership requirements and you’re looking for a credit card with no balance transfer fee, it’s hard to beat the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card. However, note that the intro APR period is shorter than the other cards on this list, so do the math and make sure it offers you enough time to pay off your debt.
To apply for this no-balance-transfer-fee credit card, you must be a Navy Federal Credit Union member. Membership is open to active duty and retired U.S. military service members, veterans, family members and U.S. Department of Defense civilians. Here are the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers made within 30 days of account opening. Then, a 5.99% to 18.00% variable applies. | $0 | No intro purchase APR. A regular purchase APR of 5.99% to 18.00% variable applies. |
If you meet Navy Federal Credit Union’s membership requirements and you’re looking for a credit card with no balance transfer fee, it’s hard to beat the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card. However, note that the intro APR period is shorter than the other cards on this list, so do the math and make sure it offers you enough time to pay off your debt.
BankAmericard® credit card details updated Sept. 9, 2021.
It’s typically best to put together a budget that will allow you to pay off your transferred debt before the intro APR period ends. However, that may not always be possible. If you think you’ll still have a balance past the intro APR period, doing so on a card with a low APR can help keep those interest charges down. The BankAmericard® credit card has a 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR, so if your APR is set at the lower end of that range, this card is a solid choice when you can’t avoid carrying a balance. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then a 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR applies. | Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater. | 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, then a 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR applies. |
Consider the BankAmericard® credit card if you think you’ll need some extra time to pay off your balance. We always recommend paying off your balance before the intro APR ends and interest charges start accruing. But if that isn’t possible in your situation, the BankAmericard® credit card has a reasonable ongoing 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR.
This is also a solid card if you need to make a big purchase, since it offers an intro APR on purchases and a decent sign-up bonus — earn a $100 statement credit online bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening..
BankAmericard® credit card details updated Sept. 9, 2021.
It’s typically best to put together a budget that will allow you to pay off your transferred debt before the intro APR period ends. However, that may not always be possible. If you think you’ll still have a balance past the intro APR period, doing so on a card with a low APR can help keep those interest charges down. The BankAmericard® credit card has a 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR, so if your APR is set at the lower end of that range, this card is a solid choice when you can’t avoid carrying a balance. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then a 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR applies. | Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater. | 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, then a 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR applies. |
Consider the BankAmericard® credit card if you think you’ll need some extra time to pay off your balance. We always recommend paying off your balance before the intro APR ends and interest charges start accruing. But if that isn’t possible in your situation, the BankAmericard® credit card has a reasonable ongoing 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR.
This is also a solid card if you need to make a big purchase, since it offers an intro APR on purchases and a decent sign-up bonus — earn a $100 statement credit online bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening..
With most credit cards, if you miss a payment, you could be subject to late fees and a higher APR (a penalty rate). The Citi Simplicity® Card has no late fee and no penalty APR, providing cardholders a little extra peace of mind. You should always make an effort to pay on time, however, because late payments will damage your credit score. Here are the Citi Simplicity® Card‘s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro Purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% for 21 months on balance transfers, then a 14.74% - 24.74% (variable) APR applies. | Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. | 0% for 12 months on purchases, then a 14.74% - 24.74% (variable) APR applies. |
You always want to pay your credit card on time. Doing so will help you build good credit and make life easier if you need to apply for other credit cards down the road or financial products such as car loans and mortgages. However, if you want peace of mind that your card won’t charge you a late fee or increase your APR in the event you do miss a payment, you’ll appreciate the Citi Simplicity® Card. Plus, its intro APR offers on both balance transfers and purchases are lengthy.
With most credit cards, if you miss a payment, you could be subject to late fees and a higher APR (a penalty rate). The Citi Simplicity® Card has no late fee and no penalty APR, providing cardholders a little extra peace of mind. You should always make an effort to pay on time, however, because late payments will damage your credit score. Here are the Citi Simplicity® Card‘s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro Purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% for 21 months on balance transfers, then a 14.74% - 24.74% (variable) APR applies. | Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. | 0% for 12 months on purchases, then a 14.74% - 24.74% (variable) APR applies. |
You always want to pay your credit card on time. Doing so will help you build good credit and make life easier if you need to apply for other credit cards down the road or financial products such as car loans and mortgages. However, if you want peace of mind that your card won’t charge you a late fee or increase your APR in the event you do miss a payment, you’ll appreciate the Citi Simplicity® Card. Plus, its intro APR offers on both balance transfers and purchases are lengthy.
It doesn’t offer rewards or much in the way of benefits, but the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is a solid no-frills balance transfer card for consumers working to get out of debt. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% for 21 months on balance transfers, then a 13.74% - 23.74% (variable) APR applies. | Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. | 0% for 12 months on purchases, then a 13.74% - 23.74% (variable) APR applies. |
Sometimes all you need is a length of time to pay down debt without accruing interest charges, and you aren’t looking for anything else from your card. In that case, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is a fine no-frills choice for a balance transfer card. It offers lengthy intro APR periods and is a solid tool for getting out of debt.
It doesn’t offer rewards or much in the way of benefits, but the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is a solid no-frills balance transfer card for consumers working to get out of debt. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% for 21 months on balance transfers, then a 13.74% - 23.74% (variable) APR applies. | Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. | 0% for 12 months on purchases, then a 13.74% - 23.74% (variable) APR applies. |
Sometimes all you need is a length of time to pay down debt without accruing interest charges, and you aren’t looking for anything else from your card. In that case, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is a fine no-frills choice for a balance transfer card. It offers lengthy intro APR periods and is a solid tool for getting out of debt.
While the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card might not have an intro APR quite as long as many of the cards on this list, it provides solid intro APR offers and a stellar ongoing value. Cardholders earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases for a $0 annual fee. Cash back can be redeemed to cover recent purchases, as a credit to a qualified Wells Fargo mortgage, loan or credit product, for cash at an ATM (requires a Wells Fargo debit or ATM card) or for gift cards from various retailers. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then a 14.99%-24.99% (variable) APR applies. | 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5. | 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening, then a 14.99%-24.99% (variable) APR applies. |
If you don’t need quite as much time to pay off debt, and you want excellent ongoing value in the form of flat-rate rewards, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card. Do be aware that if you’ve opened up any other Wells Fargo credit card recently, Wells Fargo might deny your application for this card (or approve you but decide you’re not eligible for the intro APR and sign-up bonus).
This card is also an excellent choice for consumers planning a big purchase, since it comes with an intro APR on purchases and a generous sign-up bonus — earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
While the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card might not have an intro APR quite as long as many of the cards on this list, it provides solid intro APR offers and a stellar ongoing value. Cardholders earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases for a $0 annual fee. Cash back can be redeemed to cover recent purchases, as a credit to a qualified Wells Fargo mortgage, loan or credit product, for cash at an ATM (requires a Wells Fargo debit or ATM card) or for gift cards from various retailers. Here are the card’s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then a 14.99%-24.99% (variable) APR applies. | 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5. | 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening, then a 14.99%-24.99% (variable) APR applies. |
If you don’t need quite as much time to pay off debt, and you want excellent ongoing value in the form of flat-rate rewards, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card. Do be aware that if you’ve opened up any other Wells Fargo credit card recently, Wells Fargo might deny your application for this card (or approve you but decide you’re not eligible for the intro APR and sign-up bonus).
This card is also an excellent choice for consumers planning a big purchase, since it comes with an intro APR on purchases and a generous sign-up bonus — earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Balance transfer business credit cards aren’t quite as common as balance transfer cards for consumers, but the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is a good one. It offers a lengthy intro APR and charges a very reasonable balance transfer fee. Here are the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card‘s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 billing cycles, then a 11.99%-20.99%* (variable) APR applies. | 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. | 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 billing cycles, then a 11.99%-20.99% Variable APR applies. |
If you operate a small business, the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is a great choice for a business credit card with intro APR offers. Whether you need to make a big purchase for your business and want to pay it off over time without paying interest or you’re trying to pay down debt from another business card, the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card can help you get your business to where it needs to be.
Balance transfer business credit cards aren’t quite as common as balance transfer cards for consumers, but the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is a good one. It offers a lengthy intro APR and charges a very reasonable balance transfer fee. Here are the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card‘s details:
| Intro balance transfer APR | Balance transfer fee | Intro purchase APR |
|---|---|---|
| 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 billing cycles, then a 11.99%-20.99%* (variable) APR applies. | 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. | 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 billing cycles, then a 11.99%-20.99% Variable APR applies. |
If you operate a small business, the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card is a great choice for a business credit card with intro APR offers. Whether you need to make a big purchase for your business and want to pay it off over time without paying interest or you’re trying to pay down debt from another business card, the U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card can help you get your business to where it needs to be.
A balance transfer credit card can be a powerful tool for getting out of debt, but only if you use it correctly. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your balance transfer:
If you worry that you won’t be approved for a balance transfer card, or if you don’t want to open a new credit card, applying for a debt consolidation loan might be a better option than a balance transfer. Such loans are offered by banks, credit unions and online lenders. Simply put, when you’re approved for a debt consolidation loan, you use that loan to pay off your credit card debt (whether on one card or multiple). The lender might disburse funds to you to pay off your card debt or might pay your credit card issuer directly.
A benefit of a debt consolidation loan is that if you’re juggling multiple credit card payments, consolidating everything into one loan payment can simplify your finances. Plus, a debt consolidation loan has a set monthly payment and a set date by which you’ll have paid the total amount in full, which can be helpful if you need a more structured payment schedule than a credit card offers.
One downside to a debt consolidation loan is that you’ll still have to pay interest, whereas with a balance transfer card, you get a period where no interest accrues. However, depending on the APR of your loan, you might still end up saving money compared with carrying a balance on a high-APR credit card.
The average APR for debt consolidation loans is approximately 10.73% for those with credit scores above 720 and as high as 24.74% for those with credit scores in the 660-679 range, according to 2021 LendingTree data.
Last but not least, if you’re carrying a balance on a card that’s maxed out or close to it, a debt consolidation loan might help improve your credit score. That’s because when your card is maxed out you have something called high utilization — a term referring to how much debt you’re carrying on a card vs. what your credit limit is. But utilization only considers revolving credit accounts such as credit cards, not installment credit such as a debt consolidation loan. So, by paying off your card with a loan, you’re effectively reducing your utilization ratio.
If you have high-interest credit card debt that you’re struggling to pay off, a balance transfer credit card could help you. However, you need a good credit score to qualify for most balance transfer cards. If you have bad credit, you may have more success being approved for a personal loan to consolidate your debt (which will give you a fixed period of time with fixed payment amounts to pay off your debt).
Some of the most important factors to consider before applying for a balance transfer card include the length of the intro APR period, the regular APR after the intro period ends, and the balance transfer fee. While it’s possible to find a card without a balance transfer fee, the intro period for those cards tend to be shorter. Otherwise, a fee of 3% to 5% of the amount transferred will be added to your balance. Finally, while this shouldn’t be your primary concern when looking for a balance transfer card, a balance transfer card that also earns rewards might be a good choice if you want to keep using it once the transferred balance is paid off.
Probably not. Balance transfer cards typically require a good to exceptional credit score (ranging from 670 to 850). If your credit is poor or fair (ranging from 300 to 669) you will likely be denied if you try to apply for a balance transfer card.
Many cards offer periods of intro 0% APR before the regular APR kicks in. A card might have an intro APR period on balance transfers, purchases or both. A balance transfer card is simply a credit card that offers an intro APR on balance transfers. It’s also possible to find cards that charge no balance transfer fee, though they’re relatively rare.
When considering cards with interest-free periods on purchases, note that a credit card with an intro APR offer is different from one offering deferred interest — in the former case, you’ll start to accrue interest on any balance you’re carrying after the intro period ends, but in the latter, you’ll owe interest on the entire amount from the date of purchase if you don’t meet your card’s deadline to pay off the debt.
Some issuers will allow you to check to see if you prequalify for a credit card. This is done with a soft inquiry, which doesn’t ding your credit score. Note that prequalification isn’t a guarantee you’ll be approved for the card. Also, be aware that a hard inquiry will be generated once you actually apply.
When you get a balance transfer card, you can expect to see your score dip at first because applying for a new card generates a hard inquiry on your credit score. However, with good behavior over time, you can expect to see your score increase thanks to more available credit and a decreasing balance (just don’t increase your spending).
The primary advantage of a balance transfer is that it gives you a period of 0% intro APR where you can pay down debt without accruing interest charges. A balance transfer can also help you improve your credit score if you pay off your debt in a timely fashion and don’t increase your spending. There aren’t many cons to doing a balance transfer, but one issue you may encounter is qualifying for a balance transfer card — they tend to require good credit.
No, you cannot. This is important to consider when choosing which balance transfer card to apply for. For example, if your existing credit card debt is on a Citi card, you won’t be able to transfer it to another Citi card.
Once you apply for a card and get approved, you’ll need to follow the issuer’s instructions on how to complete the balance transfer. Note that issuers may set limits on how much you can transfer — so even if you are approved for a credit limit that’s high enough to accommodate the amount you want to transfer, you might find that you hit a cap.
If you can’t transfer the full amount, you have options. One solution is to transfer as much as you can to the new card and leave the remainder on the original card and focus on paying the old card balance down as quickly as possible. Another option is to apply for a second balance transfer card to absorb any remaining balance on the original card.
Also note that once you’re approved for a balance transfer card, you may have a limited window of time in which to complete your transfer. For example, your card terms may allow the intro APR to apply only to funds transferred within 30 to 90 days.
We selected the best balance transfer cards through a review of cards available on LendingTree and from top issuers. One of the primary considerations was the length of intro 0% APR each card offers on balance transfers — the longer the intro APR period, the more likely it would be included on this list.
Another consideration was balance transfer fees. Most of the cards on this list charge a reasonable balance transfer fee, while one charges no balance transfer fee at all.
Finally, rewards and benefits were also taken into consideration. If a card offers ongoing value after the balance transfer period, that weighed in its favor of being included.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
