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Take charge of your finances with a balance transfer card that offers 0% intro APR for up to a year and a half. We’ve done the research on fees, transfer limits, and savings potential—now all that’s left is for you to choose your best option.
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The Citi Double Cash® Card boasts a market-leading unlimited cashback rate of 2%, plus an intro APR period of 18 months, which is comparable to some of the top balance transfer cards. With additional perks like no annual fee, convenient redemption options, and 24-hour fraud monitoring, this card could be a worthy addition to your wallet.
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card offers an enticing 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases, with a chance to earn even more if you’re a Bank of America® Preferred Rewards member. If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to get rewarded for your purchases, this card is worth looking into.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a cash back rewards card with no annual fee. It is a great credit card for individuals with low overall spending who want to benefit from high 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, gas, and online purchases (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%).
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee, lets you earn 1.5 points for each dollar you spend on purchases, and features a generous welcome bonus and intro APR. It’s a great choice for travelers who want to offset the cost of travel purchases from flights to hotels to rental cars.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers generous cash back rewards with no annual fee. It’s a great card if you spend a moderate amount on travel or dining and don’t want to manage rotating bonus categories. It also comes with 0% intro APR for 15 months, making this card a good choice if you want to pause interest on an existing credit card balance.
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The best balance transfer credit cards make it possible to pay down debt at a faster rate, and with dramatically lower costs. Most come with no annual fee, and some come with perks like rewards for spending, purchase protections and extended warranties.
This guide compares all the top balance transfer offers on the market today based on their intro APR offers, balance transfer fees, ongoing interest rates and other details. If you're ready to pick a card that can help you consolidate and pay down debt this year and beyond, read on for an overview of our best options.
What are our best balance transfer credit cards? The offers below made our ranking based on their intro APR offers, rewards and benefits.
| Card | Our Pick for … | Consider other cards if … |
| Citi Double Cash® Card | Long-term use | You want to have 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers. |
| Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card | Bank of America Preferred Rewards members | You want a longer intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers. |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | Groceries and gas | You don't plan to use your card for everyday spending. |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card | Travel rewards | You prefer to focus on debt consolidation, or you want to earn cash back instead of travel rewards. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Flexible rewards | You want a longer intro APR period instead of rewards. |
While the balance transfer credit cards listed above are some of the best, there are other offers to consider. The following cards may not be as lucrative when it comes to rewards and perks, but they can offer longer intro APR offers that give you more time to get out of debt.
The BankAmericard® Credit Card doesn't offer rewards or any notable benefits, but it does come with 0% APR on purchases for the first 18 billing cycles, plus on balance transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening (followed by a variable APR of 15.24% to 25.24%). New cardholders also qualify for an intro balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 60 days, after which the fee goes up to 4% of the debt amount transferred. There's no annual fee.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card comes with 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for a full 21 months, followed by a variable APR of 17.24%, 23.74% or 28.99%. The tradeoff is the card's 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5), which applies from day one. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card doesn't have an annual fee, and it comes with cellular telephone protection and roadside dispatch.
Individuals who choose the won't get the chance to earn rewards for spending, but they can qualify for 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles (followed by a variable APR of 17.74% to 28.74%). There's no annual fee, but again the lengthier balance transfer offer requires a 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5). On the upside, cardholders get cell phone protection when they pay their phone bill with their credit card and the opportunity to pick their own due date.
The Citi Simplicity® Card stands out for its lack of an annual fee, late fees and penalty rates. It doesn't offer rewards, but cardholders get 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months (both followed by a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.99%). This card also offers an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5) for the first four months after account opening, after which it goes up to 5% (minimum $5).
The Chase Slate Edge® Credit Card starts new customers off with 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, followed by a variable APR of 19.49% to 28.24%. There's no annual fee, and cardholders can see their interest rate reduced by 2% (after the intro period) when they pay their credit card bill on time and spend at least $1,000 on their card before their next account anniversary.
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card forgoes rewards in favor of a lengthier intro APR offer. Specifically, cardholders get 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months (both followed by a variable APR of 17.24% to 27.99%). There's no annual fee, but a 5% (minimum $5) balance transfer fee applies.
When it comes to the best balance transfer credit cards, there are plenty of conflicting opinions among both consumers and credit card experts. Some users believe you should get a card for balance transfers only without worrying about rewards or ongoing benefits, whereas others want a card with enough perks they can keep it for the long haul.
Some of these differences stem from the purpose of these cards, including the fact some people use them to get 0% APR on purchases as well as balance transfers. Not surprisingly, the potential to use balance transfer cards for spending means some users are more focused on accruing rewards and accessing consumer protections for purchases.
At the end of the day, consumers need to choose a card that makes sense with their vision and goals in light of these opinions.
When it comes to the best credit cards for balance transfers, the Reddit community tends to mention cards with the longest intro APR offers over and over. For example, one Reddit user recently said the following:
"For the longest payoff periods, look for ones with 21 months of 0% APR. That said, their credit matters. BT cards still require good credit. Some good ones are: Chase Slate Edge, Citi Simplicity (or Diamond Preferred) and Wells Fargo Reflect."
There are also users that care more about balance transfer fees than others. One Reddit user pointed out the differences in fees, saying:
"Some cards charge a 3% transfer fee. Look for those. Most cards charge 5%."
However, another user on Reddit said they don't think the fees matter that much, or at least the difference between paying 3% or 5% in balance transfer fees. Essentially, they're saying it's a lot better to pay a higher balance transfer fee if you can get 0% APR for several more months. They said:
"Fee doesn't matter much. It's duration."
Consumers who use the myFICO.com forum tend to prefer a similar selection of balance transfer credit cards over others, and for the same reasons. One user on the forum said the following about their favorite balance transfer cards:
"There's quite a few that have a 0% intro & BT offer. Discover usually has 0% BT, AmEx has a couple, Citi has a few (Double cash, Rewards+, custom cash), Chase has a couple (slate, freedom unlimited), PenFed Gold... It may depend on what else you want out of the card after you're done with the intro offer."
Credit card experts tend to prefer some balance transfer credit cards over others as well, although their opinions can vary based on whether the consumer wants to keep and use the card for the long haul.
Credit card expert Ariana Arghandewal of Point Chaser says she believes the best balance transfer credit card depends a lot on what you're looking for.
"If you're seeking a card with the longest 0% intro APR period, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is the best choice because it offers 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months – that's the longest I've come across," she said. "The card also has no annual fee and includes cell phone protection."
If you want a rewards card with a 0% balance transfer offer, on the other hand, she recommends the Citi Double Cash® Card instead. Why? Because the Citi Double Cash® Card has a competitive intro APR offer and earns valuable rewards with no annual fee.
Credit card and travel rewards expert Lee Huffman of BaldThoughts also likes the idea of using the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card to consolidate debt, mostly due to its lengthy intro APR offer and added benefits like cell phone insurance. Huffman also believes the Chase Freedom Unlimited® can be a good choice for balance transfers in some situations.
"Its unlimited 1.5% cash back provides ongoing value for users once their debt is paid off," said Huffman. "But I would only recommend it to people who are disciplined enough to avoid spending on the card until they're debt-free."
Credit card rewards expert Jason Steele offered up a different top balance transfer card when we asked for his recommendation — the Citi Simplicity® Card. He said he likes the card for its lengthy intro APR on balance transfers, plus the fact it has an intro balance transfer fee of 3%.
"The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has a similar offer, but the Citi Simplicity® Card has no late fees and no penalty interest rate, too," he said.
Credit card and travel rewards expert Michael Gandara of Nurse Michael Travels had a different take as well when we asked him about the best balance transfer credit cards. For at least some consumers, he recommends the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card for their long-term value.
"While they don't offer the longest 0% interest periods on the market, these cards provide exceptional long-term value after your balance is paid off," he said. "They earn cash back, but if you pair it with a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve down the road, you can convert that cash back into high-quality Chase Ultimate Rewards points that are incredibly useful for future travel."
A balance transfer card is a type of credit card that has an introductory APR offer for balances transferred from other cards and loans. The best balance transfer credit cards offer 0% APR on balance transfers for a limited time, and some extend the same introductory rate to purchases, too.
Terms for balance transfer cards vary quite a bit from there. While most come with no annual fee, almost all cards in this niche charge balance transfer fees between 3% and 5% of the debt amount transferred.
Some balance transfer cards offer rewards for spending and perks like cell phone insurance, extended warranties and purchase protections, whereas others skip offering rewards and perks in exchange for longer intro APR offers.
Consumers who sign up for a balance transfer credit card are assigned a credit limit right off the bat, which they can use to consolidate other debts, charge new purchases or both. They can opt to make a minimum monthly payment on the card, or they can pay more than the minimum to pay down the balance as quickly as possible.
Since most people who sign up for balance transfer credit cards are trying to save on interest and get out of debt, these offers make the most sense for consumers who aim to pay as much as they can toward their balance each month. Meanwhile, those who pay the bare minimum or keep charging new purchases to their cards may find themselves with more debt in the future.
Expert intel: Most card issuers won't let you consolidate debt from one of their cards onto another of their products. For example, Chase won't let you consolidate debt from other Chase credit cards and loans onto one of its balance transfer offers.
When someone applies for a balance transfer card and gets approved, they are typically given the option to consolidate debt from other cards via the phone or an online form. Debt transferred to the card must come under the new credit limit they're assigned, and that's after taking balance transfer fees into account.
As an example, someone who applies for the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card and is awarded a $10,000 credit limit would only be able to transfer just over $9,500 in debt to the card due to the 5% balance transfer fee. Why? Because transferring $9,500 in debt to the card would result in a 5% balance transfer fee of $475. That means the cardholder would begin the debt repayment process with a balance of $9,975 — an amount just under their $10,000 limit.
Once debt is transferred, balance transfer cards give users the option of making a minimum payment on their cards each month (typically 2% or 3% of the balance owed) or paying as much as they want. While paying the bare minimum can be tempting since interest isn't accruing, this move slows down the debt repayment process considerably.
Ideally, consumers who opt for a balance transfer card will have a plan to pay down as much debt as possible while they have 0% APR. This will not only help them save money on interest, but it will also help them chip away at their debt at a much faster rate.
Also remember that intro APR offers don't last forever. Most balance transfer credit cards offer 0% introductory rates for 15 to 21 months. After that, remaining balances are charged the high variable rates all credit cards have.
These high variable rates offer an incentive for potential balance transfer card customers to get serious about debt repayment. The higher monthly payment you can make toward your debt with one of these cards, the lower the balance you'll be charged interest on down the line.
Expert intel: If you have a large amount of debt to transfer, make sure you check for card issuer limits and rules before you pick a new card. For example, Chase limits balance transfers initiated online or over the phone to $15,000 on its cards within a 30-day period.
Balance transfers can make sense for people who want to save money on interest, pay down debt faster or both. Individuals who have multiple debts to consolidate can also benefit from a simpler, more streamlined debt repayment process.
That said, you'll get the most from a balance transfer card if you're serious about getting out of debt and you go into the process with a plan in mind. If you have $10,000 in credit card debt and you want to pay it off for good, for example, you will want to do the math to know you can become debt-free or get close to it before the card's intro period ends.
Expert intel: Balance transfer cards work best when you stop using credit cards for new purchases. If you want to get out of debt and stay out, avoid using your card for spending until you're debt-free.
Balance transfers can be worth it if you have the right mindset. For the most part, this means being serious about paying off debt, having a plan in mind and being willing to pay a balance transfer fee to get 0% APR for a limited time.
To figure out if a balance transfer makes sense, you'll want to run the numbers to find out your potential savings. You also need to figure out how much you can afford to pay toward your debts each month to know if a balance transfer is your best option.
Consider the example of someone who has one credit card with a $8,000 balance at 24% APR. Let's imagine this person is paying $400 per month toward the debt, but they're not making much progress due to the interest that's added to their payment each month.
At this rate, it would take this person 26 months to become debt-free if they stopped using the card for new purchases. Over that timeline, they would pay just over $2,318 in interest charges.
Let's say this person applies for the Citi Simplicity® Card, which offers 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months (and on purchases for 12 months) followed by a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.99%. This card also has an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5) for the first four months after account opening. If they transferred their credit card balance once they're approved, they would owe $240 in balance transfer fees and begin the debt repayment process owing $8,240.
If they kept paying $400 per month on the card, they could become entirely debt-free with $0 interest charged over that timeline. In other words, paying the $240 balance transfer fee results in more than $2,000 in interest savings. This is a stellar deal.
The most important features of balance transfer cards can depend on your goals, and whether you plan to keep the card for the long haul. Consider these features as you compare the best cards and offers.
The length of a balance transfer offer is a huge consideration for consumers, and especially those who have a lot of debt. Having longer with 0% APR can make it easier to pay down more debt without interest, or to make a lower monthly payment to become debt-free during an intro offer.
Then again, those who have a smaller amount of debt to pay off may be happy with 0% APR for 12 or 15 months. Make sure to consider how long you need to pay down debt — and what your goals are — as you look for the right card.
The best balance transfer cards don't charge an annual fee, so you shouldn't pay one. Other fees to look for with balance transfer cards include balance transfer fees, which tack on anywhere from 3% to 5% of the debt you transfer from other cards to your new balance.
While getting the lowest balance transfer fee you can find may lead to upfront savings, remember that some cards with the longest intro offers (up to 21 months) charge higher balance transfer fees of 5%.
Some balance transfer credit cards have more benefits than others. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® comes with purchase protection against damage or theft, extended warranty protection, secondary auto rental coverage and even trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Other top balance transfer cards come with perks like cell phone insurance and roadside assistance. Make sure you compare cards based on their benefits if any of these features are important to you.
Many cards that have 0% APR for a limited time offer cash back rewards for spending, although some like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card offer travel rewards points instead.
If you want to earn rewards while paying down new spending or balance transfers at 0% APR, make sure to compare cards based on their earning rates, welcome offers and overall rewards potential before you make your pick.
The path to the right balance transfer credit card depends on a consumer's goals and how much debt they have to pay down. These steps can help you compare the best 0% APR credit cards available today.
The best balance transfer credit cards require good or excellent credit, which typically means a FICO score of 670 or higher. Some top offers may even require higher scores than that, although individual card issuers rarely list minimum credit score requirements for their cards.
If you check your credit score and it falls short, you may need to spend some time improving your credit before you apply for a balance transfer credit card.
Knowing how much debt you want to transfer can help you pick the right card, mostly because your debt amount determines how long you need 0% APR.
If you have a small amount of debt, a card with a shorter intro period and more benefits could leave you better off. If you have considerable credit card debt, on the other hand, you probably want the longest 0% APR period you can find.
Also remember that balance transfer cards charge balance transfer fees from 3% to 5% of the debt amount you transfer. These fees are added to your new credit card when you transfer a balance, so you begin debt repayment with a higher balance than you started with.
The tradeoff you're making is getting 0% APR for a limited time. Also note that cards with longer intro periods tend to charge higher balance transfer fees, although this isn't always the case.
As you narrow down balance transfer options and figure out how long you want to have 0% APR, doing some math to figure out how much you need to pay each month can also help your cause.
If you have $5,000 in credit card debt and plan to pay a 3% balance transfer fee to get 0% APR for 15 months, for example, you would begin paying off debt with a $5,150 balance. With 15 months at zero interest in this example, you would need to pay around $345 per month to become debt-free before the introductory period ends.
Balance transfer cards can help you get out of debt if used correctly, but they can also lead to even more debt in the long run. Ultimately, how you use them will determine the final outcome.
These expert tips and tricks can help you get the most out of a balance transfer credit card instead of making your debt issue worse.
Award travel coach Michael Gandara says consumers who want to earn cash back or travel rewards but also want to get out of debt should focus on getting their financial ducks in a row first and foremost. This means paying off debt before focusing too much effort on earning rewards for spending.
"The goal should be reaching a point where balance transfers aren't necessary, allowing you to focus on earning points for travel rather than managing debt," said Gandara.
Credit and debt expert Leslie H. Tayne, Esq. of Tayne Law Group says that balance transfer fees should absolutely be taken into account. While some of the best balance transfer cards charge 3% balance transfer fees, others with longer 0% APR offers may charge fees up to 5%.
"It’s still often worth the upfront cost, but still an important consideration when transferring debt to a balance transfer credit card," said Tayne.
Tayne also recommends having a concrete debt repayment plan before transferring debt between cards. You can do this by figuring out exactly how much you owe, calculating the balance transfer fee into the equation and figuring out how many months you'll have 0% APR.
"Once you know the introductory interest rate expiration date, create a budget to pay down your debt based on that timeframe," she said. "This way, you can take full advantage of the 0% APR rate to pay down your debt."
If you need to consolidate and pay down debt but you're not sold on getting another credit card, consider these alternatives.
Our ratings of the best balance transfer cards are based on factors like the length of each card's introductory offer, fees that apply and included cardholder perks. We also took the rewards proposition of cards that offer cash back or points for spending into account, along with factors like account security, user experience and customer service ratings.
We surveyed top credit card experts for their insights on the best balance transfer offers, and we pored over consumer message boards like myFICO.com, Reddit, and Quora for consumer sentiment and card recommendations.
The best balance transfer credit card may be different from one person to the next. Top cards that made our ranking include the Citi Double Cash® Card, Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and Chase Freedom Unlimited®, to name a few.
Applying for a balance transfer card will result in a hard inquiry on your credit reports, which can temporarily ding your score. However, the new line of credit you get approved for can lower your overall credit utilization ratio, which is typically good for your credit score. Your score can also improve as you pay down debt and make on-time payments on your card.
The path to balance transfer success involves having a plan to get out of debt — and sticking to it. For example, know how much you need to pay on your card to get out of debt during your card's introductory period, then stay committed to paying at least that much on your card each month.
Most importantly, stop using credit for new purchases while you're trying to pay down debt. If you keep charging new spending to a balance transfer card, you may never get out of debt.
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
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Writer: Holly Johnson
Author Bio: Holly Johnson is a credit card expert, award-winning writer, and mother of two who covers travel rewards and loyalty programs, rewards credit cards, loans, banking and personal finance. In addition to writing for publications like Bankrate, Investopedia, U.S. News and World Report Travel, and Travel Pulse, Johnson owns Club Thrifty and is the co-author of "Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love." Linkedin.