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If you find yourself carrying credit card debt, you can avoid paying high interest using one of the best credit cards with introductory 0% APR offers on balance transfers. Be sure to use your credit card wisely and avoid overspending to prevent incurring even more debt.
Best balance transfer credit cards
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card – Product Name Only : Best for an extra-long intro APR on balance transfers and purchasesCiti Simplicity® Card – Product Name Only : Best for late payment forgivenessCiti® Diamond Preferred® Card – Product Name Only : Best for a long balance transfer periodBlue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express – Product Name Only : Best for groceries, gas, and online shoppingChase Freedom Unlimited® – Product Name Only : Best for earning flexible rewards on everyday spendingChase Freedom Flex℠ – Product Name Only : Best for rotating bonus categories and flexible redemptionsCiti® Double Cash Card – Product Name Only : Best for strong flat-rate cash back earningCiti Custom Cash℠ Card – Product Name Only : Best for automatically maximizing rewardsU.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card – Product Name Only : Best for long intro APR on balance transfers and purchasesDiscover it® Balance Transfer – Product Name Only : Best for rotating cash back bonus categoriesChase Slate Edge℠ – Product Name Only : Best if you’re building credit
To make the most of a balance transfer card, be sure you can pay off your balance in full before the introductory APR period ends — or you’ll start paying interest on your balance once again. For a closer look at the pros and cons, read our guide to find out if balance transfers are worth it.
Compare the Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Methodology: 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.
Here’s Insider’s methodology for rating credit cards and our editorial standards.
Balance Transfer Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
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 FICO score below 670— 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.
Best for an Extra-long Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
The
Although the
Pros: Ultra-long 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases (then a
Cons: No welcome bonus offer or rewards, and few benefits aside from cell phone protection
Wells Fargo Reflect credit card review
Best for Late Payment Forgiveness
Citi Simplicity® Card
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
There’s no annual fee, yet you get a
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, solid 0% intro APR, no late fees
Cons: 3% intro balance transfer fee (minimum $5) on transfers completed within four months, then 5% (minimum $5), few cardholder perks
Citi Simplicity card review
Best for a Long Balance Transfer Period
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
The
You can transfer a balance either over the phone or through your online Citi account in the “Balance Transfers” section under the “Payments and Transfers” menu.
The biggest difference between the
The
Pros: No annual fee, ultra-long 0% intro APR, purchase protection
Cons: 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5), doesn’t waive late fees
Citi Diamond Preferred credit card review
Best for Groceries, Gas, and Online Shopping
Amex Blue Cash Everyday
Amex offers a handful of cards with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers. The no-annual-fee
New cardholders receive a
There’s also a welcome bonus offer of a
With the
- 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 in purchases, then 1%)
- 3% cash back on US online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
- 1% cash back on all purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars)
Otherwise, the
Pros: Long 0% intro APR, no annual fee, great earning rates in useful categories
Cons: Balance transfer fee, foreign transaction fees
Blue Cash Everyday Amex card review
Best for Earning Flexible Rewards on Everyday Spending
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The
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
The card starts you out with a welcome bonus offer of
If you also have an annual-fee Chase card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, such as the
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
Chase Freedom Unlimited review
Best for Rotating Bonus Categories and Flexible Redemptions
Chase Freedom Flex℠
The
You can earn
The
- 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
- 1% back (1x points) on everything else
It’s possible to combine your rewards from the
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
Chase Freedom Flex credit card review
Best for Strong Flat-rate Cash-back Earning
Citi® Double Cash Card
With the
But what makes the
The
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 four months of account opening, with a minimum of $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: No welcome bonus at this time, 5% balance transfer fee, 3% foreign transaction fee
Citi Double Cash card review
Best for Automatically Maximizing Rewards
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
The
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
Although it’s marketed as a cash-back card, the
Pros: 0% intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases, no annual fee, strong rewards earning
Cons: 5% balance transfer fee, foreign transaction fees
Citi Custom Cash card review
Best for Long Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
The
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 18 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
US Bank Visa Platinum card review
Best for Rotating Cash-back Bonus Categories
Discover it® Balance Transfer
If you’re carrying high-interest balances on other credit cards, the no-annual-fee
With the
The Discover cash back calendar for Q2 2023 was recently announced. From April 1 to June 30, 2023, the bonus categories will be wholesale clubs and restaurants.
Although the card doesn’t offer a traditional welcome bonus, Discover will match all the rewards you earn after the first year. You can also 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, quarterly rotating bonus categories
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)
Discover it Balance Transfer card review
Best if You’re Building Credit
Chase Slate Edge℠
The
With the
Moreover, you can receive an automatic, one-time review of your credit for the chance of a higher limit. But keep in mind that first you’ll need to consistently pay on time and spend at least $500 in the first six months of opening the card.
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%
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
Chase Slate Edge card review
Balance Transfer Basics
The average credit card interest rate is over 20%, 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.
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.
