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When you’re trying to get rid of credit card debt, a balance transfer card with a 0% intro APR can be a powerful tool. But what if you don’t want to pay the typical 3% to 5% balance transfer fee? Or you don’t have the good to excellent credit score that’s often required for a long 0% intro APR on balance transfers? The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card could be the answer.
Along with a solid intro APR on balance transfers, $0 balance transfer fee and low ongoing APR, the card may accept applicants with fair/good/excellent credit.
But be aware that not everyone can get the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card. Navy Federal Credit Union membership is required — meaning you’ll need to be a United States military member or have a military connection to be eligible.
How much can you save with this card?Intro Purchase APR
N/A
Regular Purchase APR
11.24% to 18.00% (variable)
Intro BT APR
0.99% introductory APR for 12 months for balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening
Regular BT APR
11.24% to 18.00% (variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Advance Fee
None if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, $0.50 per domestic transaction or $1.00 per foreign transaction.
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
Balance Transfer Fee
$0
No balance transfer fee
The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card has a $0 balance transfer fee — which isn’t common among balance transfer credit cards. In fact, many balance transfer cards charge fees of 3% to 5% of the amount of each transfer. For example, if you transfer a $6,000 balance to a card that charges a 5% balance transfer fee — you’ll be subject to a fee of $300.
Intro APR on balance transfers
The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card offers a 0.99% introductory APR for 12 months for balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening. After that, a 11.24% to 18.00% (variable) APR applies.
This isn’t the longest 0% intro APR period available on a balance transfer card, but it is still a reasonable amount of time.
Low regular APR
If you find yourself unable to pay off your transferred balance before the introductory period ends, this card provides a low regular APR of 11.24% to 18.00% (variable).
By comparison, the average APR range for 0% balance transfer cards is 18.74% to 27.86% (variable) as of March 2024.
But keep in mind — it’s best to pay your balance in full each month to avoid falling back into debt.
$0 foreign transaction fee
The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card has a $0 foreign transaction fee. Some cards, on the other hand, charge foreign transaction fees of up to 3% of the amount of each transaction when you use it to make purchases outside of the U.S.
No annual fee
Along with a $0 balance transfer fee and a $0 foreign transaction fee, this card comes with a $0 annual fee.
Military connection required
To apply for the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card, you’ll have to join Navy Federal Credit Union. Membership is open to active duty, retired and veteran service members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Space Force. Immediate family members, including parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, grandchildren and household members are also eligible, as well as Department of Defense civilian employees.
No intro APR on purchases
The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card offers an intro APR period on balance transfers but not purchases. offers an intro APR period on balance transfers, but not on purchases. That said, if you’re planning to transfer a balance, you should avoid making new purchases on the credit card until you’ve paid off your transferred balance in full.
No rewards program
The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card doesn’t offer rewards for the purchases you make, nor does it have a sign-up bonus. But when transferring existing high-interest debt, it’s best to focus on paying off the entire balance within the interest-free period rather than racking up rewards.
The Citi Double Cash® Card comes with three major advantages compared to the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card. It doesn’t require credit union membership, it offers a longer intro APR on balance transfers and it has a solid cash back program.
You’ll get a long 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers. After that, a 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) APR applies. And once you pay off your transferred balance, this card is worth keeping around since it lets you earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
Similar to the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card, the Citi Double Cash® Card may accept applicants with fair/good/excellent credit. On the downside, though, you’ll be subject to a balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fees.
The Discover it® Balance Transfer is another good balance transfer card that offers a long interest-free period on balance transfers and cash back on every purchase.
Similar to the Citi Double Cash® Card, this card offers a 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. After that, a 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR applies.
You can also earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
That said, there’s a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*. Additionally, this card requires good/excellent credit.
If you have good/excellent credit — which FICO considers having a credit score ranging from 670 to 850 — you can get an even longer intro APR on balance transfers with the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card.
The card has a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After that, an 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR applies. That’s one of the longest intro APR offers currently available.
Like the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card doesn’t come with a rewards program. However, it does offer a few valuable benefits, like cellphone protection and roadside dispatch.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Intro Balance Transfer APR | Regular Balance Transfer Rate | Balance Transfer Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card*
Learn More
on Navy Federal Credit Union's secure site |
0.99% introductory APR for 12 months for balance transfers requested within 60 days of account opening | 11.24% to 18.00% (variable) | $0 |
Learn More
on Navy Federal Credit Union's secure site |
|
Citi Double Cash® Card
 Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers | 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable) | There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening. |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Discover it® Balance Transfer
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
0% Intro APR for 18 months | 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR | 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)* |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card*
Learn More
on Wells Fargo's secure site |
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers | 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR | 5%, min $5 |
Learn More
on Wells Fargo's secure site |
If you qualify for membership with Navy Federal Credit Union and are fairly confident you can pay off your transferred debt within a year, the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card is an ideal balance transfer card.
But if you think you’ll need more time to pay off your transferred balance, a card with a longer 0% intro APR, like the Citi Double Cash® Card, Discover it® Balance Transfer or Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, will likely be a better fit.
The information related to the Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
