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Last updatedMay 2025
Our Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of May 2025
Enjoy 0% interest for almost two years
Start saving with a balance transfer credit card. We researched cards from our partners based on fees, transfer limits, and savings potential—now all that’s left is for you to choose your card.
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Citi Double Cash® Card
9.9
BestMoneyscore
0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24%-28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24%-28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
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.
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers
Regular APR
18.24%-28.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
580-850 (Fair to Excellent)
Summary
Editor's Review
Card Features
Pros & Cons
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 Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is designed for consumers seeking an extended introductory APR period, allowing users to manage larger purchases or balances without immediate interest charges. This card is ideal for those who may carry a balance.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Intro APR
0% Intro APR for 15 months
Regular APR
20.24%-29.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit Score
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Summary
Editor's Review
Card Features
Pros & Cons
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 Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card provides a straightforward cash rewards experience with unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. It’s great for people who prefer simplicity and consistent rewards.
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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Yes, balance transfer credit cards can be worth it if you have high-interest debt on existing credit cards. These cards often offer low or 0% introductory APRs for a specific period, allowing you to pay down your debt faster without accruing high interest. However, it's essential to consider any balance transfer fees and ensure you can pay off the transferred balance before the promotional period ends to maximize savings.
2. How do balance transfer credit cards work?
Balance transfer credit cards allow you to move debt from one or more high-interest credit cards to a new card with a lower interest rate or a promotional 0% APR for a limited time. To do this, you apply for a balance transfer card and request the transfer during the application process or afterward. Once approved, the new card issuer pays off your old card balances, and you are responsible for repaying the new card under its terms.
3. When should I get a balance transfer credit card?
You should consider getting a balance transfer credit card if: You have high-interest credit card debt that you're struggling to pay off. You can commit to paying off the balance before the introductory rate expires. You want to simplify your payments by consolidating multiple debts into one monthly payment.
4. Which balance transfer credit card is the best for me?
The best balance transfer credit card for you depends on several factors, including: Your credit score: Many balance transfer cards require good to excellent credit. The length of the promotional period: If you need more time to pay off your balance, look for cards with longer 0% APR terms. Balance transfer fees: Some cards charge a fee (typically 3-5% of the transferred amount), so consider this in your decision. Additional benefits: Some cards offer rewards or perks that may suit your financial goals.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards 2025
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.
Balance Transfer Credit Cards at a Glance
The best balance transfer credit cards (in this guide) offer 0% APR on balance transfers for anywhere from 15 to 21 months.
Some top balance transfer cards also extend 0% APR to new spending for a limited time, which can be helpful if you want to pay down a large purchase without interest.
Important features of the best balance transfer cards include lengthy intro APR offers, no annual fee, rewards for spending and consumer protections.
What Is a Balance Transfer Credit Card?
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.
Pros
0% APR on balance transfers, purchases or both for a limited time
Potential to pay down debt faster due to no interest charges
Most balance transfer cards have $0 annual fees
Potential to earn rewards for spending
Access cardholder protections and benefits with some offers
$0 liability for fraudulent purchases
Cons
Balance transfer fees apply
Intro APR offers are temporary
Balance transfers move debt around but don't pay it off
Balance transfer cards with rewards make it easier to rack up more debt
Card issuer-specific rules can apply
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.
How Balance Transfer Credit Cards Work
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.
Is a Balance Transfer Credit Card Right for You?
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.
How to Determine if a Balance Transfer Is Worth it
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.
Key Features of a Good Balance Transfer Credit Card
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.
Lengthy Intro APR Offer
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.
Reasonable Fees
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%.
Cardholder Benefits
Some balance transfer credit cards come 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.
Rewards Program
Many cards that have 0% APR for a limited time offer cash back rewards for spending, although some 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.
How to Pick the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card for You
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.
Know Your Credit Score
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.
Assess Your Debt
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.
Look at Balance Transfer Fees
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.
Do Some Math
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.
Using Your Balance Transfer Credit Card: Expert Tips and Tricks
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.
Prioritize Debt Repayment Over Rewards
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.
Don't Ignore the Fees
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.
Create a Debt Repayment Plan
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."
Balance Transfer Credit Card Alternatives
If you need to consolidate and pay down debt but you're not sold on getting another credit card, consider these alternatives.
Personal loan: While personal loans never offer 0% APR, they let consumers consolidate and pay down debt with fixed interest rates, fixed monthly payments and a set repayment plan. Consumers with good credit may also be able to get personal loans with highly competitive rates that are much lower than credit cards charge.
Home equity loan: Like personal loans, home equity loans let users access a lump sum of cash they can use to pay off debt. These loans also come with fixed interest rates and set monthly payments, although you need a considerable amount of home equity to qualify.
Home equity line of credit (HELOC): HELOCs offer a line of credit based on your equity in a home, which makes them similar to home equity loans. However, HELOCs let you borrow money as needed, and they tend to charge variable interest rates. This means the monthly payment on a HELOC fluctuates based on how much you borrow.
Methodology: How We Picked the Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card?
The best balance transfer credit card may be different from one person to the next. 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.
Do Balance Transfers Hurt Your Credit Score?
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.
What Is the Smartest Way to Do a Balance Transfer?
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.
Disclosures
Wells Fargo
Disclosure: This content is not provided by the issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of BestMoney alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer.
Bank of America
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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