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If you find yourself carrying credit card debt — be it from the holiday season, an unexpected emergency, or plain old financial pressures — there could be an escape for you to keep from paying a ton of interest.
Fortunately, there’s one type of credit card that can help you avoid paying interest on your debt if you use it the right way: a balance transfer credit card.
Wondering how we chose the best balance transfer cards? Jump to our methodology »
Here are the best balance transfer card offers available today based on their introductory offers, fees, and perks.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Best for an extra-long intro APR on balance transfers and purchases: Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card
Best for late payment forgiveness: Citi Simplicity® Card
Best for a long balance transfer period: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Best for groceries, gas, and online shopping: Amex Blue Cash Everyday
Best for earning flexible rewards on everyday spending: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for rotating bonus categories and flexible redemptions: Chase Freedom Flex℠
Best for strong flat-rate cash back earning: Citi® Double Cash Card
Best for automatically maximizing rewards: Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Best for groceries, dining, streaming, and entertainment: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for long intro APR on balance transfers and purchases: U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Best for rotating cash-back bonus categories: Discover it® Balance Transfer
Best if you’re building credit: Chase Slate Edge℠
Compare the best credit cards for balance transfers
Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card (jump to Wells Fargo Reflect card details »)
The Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card tops our list for its extra-long intro APR offer on both balance transfers and purchases. New cardholders receive a Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card (then Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card). Balance transfers must occur within 120 days of account opening to qualify for the intro 0% APR rate.
Although the Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card doesn’t earn rewards for spending, cardholders do get a handful of good benefits, including cell phone protection and roadside dispatch. The cell phone protection is particularly compelling because no-annual-fee cards typically don’t offer it. When you use the Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card to pay your wireless bill, you’ll receive coverage for cell phone damage or theft, up to $600 (with a $25 deductible) with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period.
Pros: Ultra-long 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases, no annual fee
Cons: No welcome bonus offer or rewards, and few benefits aside from cell phone protection
Read more about the Wells Fargo Reflect:
Wells Fargo Reflect card review
Citi Simplicity® Card (jump to Citi Simplicity card details »)
Consumers with a lot of high-interest credit card debt could save more with a card that offers a 0% intro APR for as long as possible. The Citi Simplicity® Card extends one of the best offers in this category.
There’s no annual fee, yet you get a Citi Simplicity® Card (transfers must be completed in the first four months). After that, your rate goes up to a Citi Simplicity® Card APR based on your creditworthiness. Having a full 21 months with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers could help you pay down a ton of debt, but keep in mind you’ll pay a 5% balance transfer fee (minimum of $5) for the privilege, and you need to make all transfers in the first four months.
Other perks this card offers include automatic account alerts, 24/7 customer service, and the ability to choose your payment due date.
Pros: No annual fee, score Citi Simplicity® Card (then a Citi Simplicity® Card APR applies), no late fees
Cons: 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5), few cardholder perks
Read more about the Citi Simplicity card:
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card (jump to Citi Diamond Preferred card details »)
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card offers a Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card (then a 14.74% – 24.74% Variable APR APR applies).
The biggest difference between the Citi Simplicity® Card and Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card is that the Citi Simplicity® Card doesn’t charge late fees or a penalty APR, while a late fee of up to $40 and a penalty APR of up to 29.99% applies if you pay late with the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card.
Pros: No annual fee, Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card (then 14.74% – 24.74% Variable APR applies), purchase protection
Cons: 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5), doesn’t waive late fees
Read more about the Citi Diamond Preferred:
Citi Diamond Preferred card review
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (jump to Amex Blue Cash Everyday card details »)
Until recently, Amex didn’t offer any cards with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers. That’s now changed with the refresh of the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which improved the card’s bonus categories and added new monthly statement credits toward Home Chef and The Disney Bundle.
New cardholders receive a Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, followed by a Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express APR. To qualify for the introductory rate, balance transfers must be completed within the first 60 days of account opening, and there’s a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
This card has a welcome bonus offer of a Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. You’ll earn 3% cash back at US supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 3% cash back on US gas stations (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 3% cash back on US online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), and 1% cash back on all purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars).
Pros: Intro 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases, no annual fee, great earning rates in useful categories
Cons: Balance transfer fee, foreign transaction fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited® (jump to Chase Freedom Unlimited card details »)
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great pick if you’re looking for an intro APR on balance transfer and purchases with the opportunity to earn generous rewards for your day-to-day spending. New cardholders receive a Chase Freedom Unlimited® (then a Chase Freedom Unlimited® APR).
The intro balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount of each transfer (or $5, whichever is greater) on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, the fee jumps to 5% of the amount of each transfer (or $5, whichever is greater). This card has no annual fee, but you will pay foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
While the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is marketed as a cash-back credit card, it actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can redeem for cash back, travel booked through the Chase Portal, gift cards, merchandise, and more.
The card starts you out with a welcome bonus offer of Chase Freedom Unlimited®. You’ll earn 5% back (5x points) on travel booked through Chase, 5% back (5x points) on Lyft rides through March 2025, 3% back (3x points) on dining (including takeout) and drugstores, and 1.5% back (1x points) on all other eligible purchases.
If you also have an annual-fee Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can combine your rewards and unlock more redemption options, including transferring points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
Pros: Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases, strong earning on all spending, earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Cons: 3% intro balance transfer fee (then 5% or $5, whichever is greater, if transfers are made more than 60 days after account opening), foreign transaction fees
Read more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited:
Chase Freedom Unlimited card reviewChase Freedom Flex versus Chase Freedom Unlimited card comparison
Chase Freedom Flex℠ (jump to Chase Freedom Flex card details »)
New Chase Freedom Flex℠ cardholders receive a Chase Freedom Flex℠ (then a Chase Freedom Flex℠ APR). There’s an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer (or $5, whichever is greater) for transfers made within 60 days of account opening (then a fee of 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5, whichever is greater).
There’s a welcome bonus offer of Chase Freedom Flex℠, plus cardholders can earn 5% (or 5x) in rotating categories each quarter (once activated) on up to $1,500 spent in combined spending. You’ll also earn 5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchases made through Chase, 5% back (5x points) on Lyft rides through March 2025, 3% back (3x points) on dining and drugstores, and 1% back (1x points) on everything else.
It’s possible to combine your rewards from the Chase Freedom Flex℠ with eligible annual-fee Chase cards to get more value from your points.
Pros: Earn up to 5x points on spending, no annual fee, earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Cons: 3% intro balance transfer fee (then 5% or $5, whichever is greater, if transfers are made more than 60 days after account opening), foreign transaction fees
Read more about the Chase Freedom Flex:
Chase Freedom Flex card reviewDiscover it Cash Back vs Chase Freedom Flex: How to decide which cash-back credit card is best for you
Citi® Double Cash Card (jump to Citi Double Cash card details »)
With the Citi® Double Cash Card, you get a Citi® Double Cash Card from your date of first transfer when transfers are completed within four months from the date of account opening, then there’s a rate of 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable). That’s a substantial amount of time to pay off your debt.
But what makes the Citi® Double Cash Card a great pick is that it’s one of the best cash-back credit cards in general, so it’s worth using even after you’ve paid off your balance. You’ll effectively earn 2% cash back on everything — 1 point per dollar when you make a purchase, and 1 point per dollar when you pay it off.
You won’t earn cash back on balance transfers, but it’s a great card for earning money back on your everyday expenses. And you can redeem your Citi ThankYou points at a rate of 1 cent each for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more.
The intro balance transfer fee is 3% of each transfer completed within the first 4 months of account opening, with a minimum $5. The ongoing balance transfer fee is 5% of each balance transfer, with a minimum charge of $5.
Pros: Strong cash-back rate, no annual fee, long intro APR period
Cons: 5% balance transfer fee, 3% foreign transaction fee
Read more about the Citi Double Cash:
Citi Double Cash card reviewWhy I finally got the Citi Double Cash CardCiti Double Cash vs Wells Fargo Active Cash: How to decide between these popular cash-back credit cards
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card (jump to Citi Custom Cash card details »)
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a great choice if your spending habits tend to change from month to month. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in the eligible category they spend the most in each billing cycle (then 1%), and 1% on all other purchases.
The qualifying categories include everyday expenses that should appeal to most folks: restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.
New cardholders receive an introductory Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, then a Citi Custom Cash℠ Card APR. There’s a 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) and Citi Custom Cash℠ Card annual fee.
Although it’s marketed as a cash-back card, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card actually earns rewards in the form of Citi ThankYou points, which are worth 1 cent apiece for cash back, travel booked through Citi, gift cards, merchandise, and more. And if you have the Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants), you can pool your rewards and transfer points to airline and hotel partners.
Pros: 0% intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases, no annual fee, strong rewards earning
Cons: 5% balance transfer fee, foreign transaction fees
Read more about the Citi Custom Cash:
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (jump to Capital One SavorOne card details »)
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great no-annual-fee option if you spend a lot on food and entertainment. There’s a solid welcome offer: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on entertainment, streaming services, dining, and groceries, and 1% back on everything else.
New cardholders also qualify for a Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card of account opening (then a Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card APR).
This card recently added 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. There’s also a promotion to earn 8% cash back on Vivid Seats purchases through January 2023.
Pros: 0% intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases, no annual fee, strong rewards earning, no foreign transaction fees
Cons: 3% balance transfer fee
Read more about the Capital One SavorOne:
Capital One SavorOne card review
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card (jump to U.S. Bank Visa Platinum card details »)
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card is unique in the fact that it offers a 0% intro APR on more than just balance transfers. Once you sign up, you’ll get the introductory rate of U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card (followed by a U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card variable APR).
Getting a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases makes this card a solid option for anyone who has debt to transfer or a big purchase to make. If you wanted to buy new appliances or use credit to cover a minor kitchen remodel, for example, you could do so and repay your balance at 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles.
Other benefits you’ll get with this card include cell phone protection, a free TransUnion credit score each month, and the ability to choose your payment due date. This card also comes with no annual fee, although there is a balance transfer fee of 3% or $5.
Pros: 0% intro APR good for both balance transfers and purchases, no annual fee, cell phone protection
Cons: 3% balance transfer fee
Read more about the US Bank Visa Platinum:
US Bank Visa Platinum card review
Discover it® Balance Transfer (jump to Discover it® Balance Transfer details »)
Consumers who are carrying high-interest balances on other credit cards and considering a balance transfer should look at the Discover it® Balance Transfer. It offers a Discover it® Balance Transfer (then a Discover it® Balance Transfer APR), with an intro balance transfer fee of 3%, increasing up to 5% for future transfers (see rates).
Not only does the Discover it® Balance Transfer offer 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter up to the first $1,500 on purchases, then 1% (enrollment required), but Discover will also match all the rewards you earn after the first year Discover It Cashback rotation. There’s no annual fee, and you qualify for free Social Security Number alerts, no foreign transaction fees, and no late fees on your first late payment.
Pros: 0% intro APR good for both balance transfers and purchases, Cashback Match in the first year
Cons: Only earns 1% back outside of bonus categories, 3% intro balance transfer fee and up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)
Read more about the Discover it Balance Transfer card:
Discover it Balance Transfer card review
Chase Slate Edge℠ (jump to Chase Slate Edge card details »)
The Chase Slate Edge℠ comes with a Chase Slate Edge℠, but beyond that, it doesn’t earn rewards. It’s geared toward those who are taking steps to improve their financial situation, and offers features that can help you increase your credit score and reduce the amount of interest you pay.
It offers a Chase Slate Edge℠, then a Chase Slate Edge℠ APR. Cardholders receive an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit if they’ve paid on time and spent at least $500 in the first six months of opening the Chase Slate Edge℠.
Each account anniversary, you’ll be considered for a 2% APR reduction, as long as you’ve paid your card on time and spent at least $1,000 on purchases in the previous anniversary year. The reduction is capped, though — it will only be reduced until your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74% (currently 13.74% variable APR based on the Prime Rate of 4% as of May 10, 2022).
Pros: Intro APR is good for both balance transfers and purchases, automatic consideration for credit line increase and APR reduction if spending requirements are met
Cons: No rewards or welcome bonus offer
How we chose the best balance transfer credit cards
Insider selected the best balance transfer cards by looking at all the credit cards with balance transfer offers that are currently available to new applicants.
From there, we narrowed our list down to balance transfer cards offering 0% introductory offers. We arrived at our final picks by evaluating the terms of each introductory APR offer and other card benefits. We prioritized cards that charge lower balance transfer fees as well as cards with the longest introductory 0% APR periods on balance transfers. We also factored in other card benefits, such as cash back or travel rewards, annual fees, and waived late fees.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about balance transfer credit cards
What is a balance transfer card?
Balance transfer cards let those with existing credit card debt move their outstanding balance over from another card to avoid interest fees. You’re able to avoid interest on a balance transfer card thanks to an intro 0% APR offer, which lasts anywhere from nine to 21 months.
After this introductory period is over, your APR will reset to the standard variable rate. So you need to pay off your credit card debt in full before the intro APR period ends in order to avoid interest charges.
What’s the catch? Some balance transfer cards charge an upfront balance transfer fee of 3% or 5% of your balance — or $300 to $500 for every $10,000 in high-interest debt you transfer. If you don’t need to transfer a balance but you need to make a large purchase that you’ll need time to pay off, see our list of the best credit cards with intro APR offers.
How do balance transfer cards work?
Balance transfer cards can save you money by securing you a lower interest rate on your existing credit card debt. When you apply and are approved for a balance transfer credit card, you move over debt from another card, and you generally have an introductory 0% APR period before you have to start paying interest on that debt.
Ideally, you’ll pay off your debt before the introductory period ends — otherwise, you’ll have to pay interest on your remaining balance.
Is a balance transfer card right for me?
A balance transfer could be right for you if you currently have credit card debt, and you have a plan to pay it off. By using a balance transfer credit card, you’ll get a bit of breathing room with the introductory 0% APR period. This allows you to pay off your debt without adding interest.
The average credit card APR is around 16%, and it could be even higher depending on your credit score and the card you’re using. The last thing you want is to find yourself in the quicksand of credit card interest.
Using a balance transfer card can be part of a larger strategy to consolidate debt. Debt consolidation can make it easier to pay off balances you owe to multiple lenders.
Before you decide to use a 0% intro APR credit card, be sure you have the means and a plan to pay off your balance in full before the introductory APR period ends — otherwise, you’ll end up having to pay interest on your remaining balance.
If you don’t think you’ll be able to pay off your debt in full by the time the introductory APR offer expires, a balance transfer credit card may not be worth it.
How do I perform a balance transfer?
The first step in completing a balance transfer is applying for — and getting approved for — a balance transfer credit card. Once you have a card with an introductory APR offer on balance transfers, to transfer your credit card balance, you’ll need to request the transfer with the bank that issues your new balance transfer credit card.
You can generally initiate this process either online or by calling the number on the back of your card.
How long does a balance transfer take?
A balance transfer generally takes five to seven days, but the actual time can vary by issuer. Your bank may ask you to allow for up to 21 days for a balance transfer to go through, but usually, the transfer should be completed sooner. Experian has a handy chart listing the average balance transfer timeframes by bank.
What credit score do I need for a balance transfer card?
If you have bad credit — which is defined as a credit score below 669 — you probably won’t be approved for a balance transfer card.
A bank may be less inclined to approve you for a balance transfer card if your credit score and credit report indicate that you haven’t been able to consistently pay off debts in the past.