What are the best credit cards for balance transfer, and how can you use them strategically?
Best credit card for Balance Transfer: Top Cards, Tips & Key Strategies offer 0% introductory APR for 15 to 21 months, low or no balance transfer fees, and no annual fees. Top choices include the Citi Simplicity® Card, Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, and BOFA card®. These cards help you consolidate high-interest debt and pay it off interest-free during the promo period.
The best credit cards for balance transfer in 2025 are designed to help you take control of your credit card debt, avoid interest, and regain financial stability. By choosing a card with a long 0% APR offer, keeping your repayment plan on track, and avoiding new spending, you can pay off your balances faster and smarter.
To use balance transfer cards effectively:
- Choose one with a long 0% APR period
- Transfer your balances early
- Avoid using the card for new purchases
- Pay off the balance before the intro rate expires
Balance transfer cards are a proven strategy for reducing credit card interest, simplifying payments, and becoming debt-free faster.
If you’re carrying credit card debt, grabbing the right balance transfer card can genuinely save you a lot of money. The best cards offer long 0% intro APRs, low fees, and perks that make it easier to pay off what you owe—without piling on extra interest.
These cards let you shift debt from a high-interest card to one with better terms. That’s the basic idea, but there’s more to it when you start digging into the details.
Finding the right card depends on what you need most. Some cards stretch the 0% intro APR up to 21 months, while others toss in rewards or cash back during that intro period.
You’ll want to compare offers carefully, because picking the wrong one can end up costing you. Watch out for transfer fees and what happens with the interest rate once the intro period ends.
It’s all about weighing these factors, so you don’t get stuck paying more down the road.
Key Takeaways
- Hunt for cards with the longest possible 0% intro APR on balance transfers.
- Don’t ignore those balance transfer fees—they add up.
- Perks and rewards are nice, but only if they fit your spending style.
How Balance Transfers Work
Balance transfers let you move debt from one credit card to another, usually to save on interest. It sounds simple, but there are details you really shouldn’t miss.
What Is a Balance Transfer
A balance transfer moves what you owe from one credit card to another card, usually with a lower interest rate. That can help you save on interest and knock out your debt faster.
You use a card designed for this purpose. Many cards offer 0% APR on transferred balances for a set time, usually 6 to 21 months.
After that, regular rates kick in. Most cards charge a transfer fee, often around 3% to 5% of what you move.
It’s smart to avoid new purchases on the transfer card—focus on paying down the transferred debt first.
The Balance Transfer Process Explained
First, pick a card with a solid balance transfer offer, like a long 0% intro APR. Apply and get approved.
Then, you request the transfer—either online or by calling your new card issuer. You’ll need to say how much you want to transfer and from which card.
The new card issuer pays off your old balance directly. That starts the promo interest period on your transferred amount.
Transfers can take a few days or sometimes even a couple of weeks. Keep paying your old card until you see that transfer go through.
Timing and Transfer Limits
Timing matters a lot. Most cards offer 0% APR for a set period, usually 6 to 21 months.
You’ll want to pay off as much as possible before the promo ends, or you’ll get hit with higher interest. There’s usually a deadline to request a transfer, often within 60 days of opening the account.
Miss that window, and you lose the special APR. Also, you can’t transfer more than your new card’s credit limit.
Sometimes that limit is lower than your existing debt, so check before you apply. Don’t forget about the transfer fee—it gets added to your balance and can slow down your payoff.
For more details, check out the balance transfer process on trusted financial sites.
Comparing the Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards
When you’re picking a balance transfer card, it’s about what fits your situation. Some cards have super-long 0% intro APRs. Others focus on rewards but still let you transfer a balance.
What matters more to you—no fees, a longer interest-free window, or earning bonuses along the way?
Top Balance Transfer Offers
Look for cards with the longest 0% intro APR and the lowest fees. The Wells Fargo Reflect Card stands out with up to 21 months of 0% APR on balance transfers.
Other cards might give you shorter 0% periods but lower fees. Most cards want you to finish transfers within a set time—often 60 days.
Transfer fees usually run 3% to 5%. Always check the details before you apply.
You’ll need good credit to qualify for the best offers, so keep that in mind.
Best for Long 0% Intro APR
If you’re chasing the longest interest-free period, Wells Fargo Reflect and Citi Diamond Preferred are top picks.
Wells Fargo Reflect gives you up to 21 months of 0% APR on both transfers and purchases. That’s a lot of time to pay down debt.
Citi Diamond Preferred offers up to 18 months of 0% APR on balance transfers. Both cards keep things simple—no big rewards, just a clear path to paying off debt.
Best for Rewards and Perks
Want rewards while you pay down your balance? The Citi Double Cash Card is a solid option.
You get 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when you buy, another 1% when you pay it off. It also offers a 0% intro APR for transfers, though the period is shorter.
This card is a good middle ground if you want perks but still need to tackle debt. Just watch out—cards with rewards sometimes have higher transfer fees or shorter 0% periods.
For a deeper dive into current offers, check out Forbes Advisor’s best balance transfer cards.
Understanding Balance Transfer Fees
Moving debt from one card to another usually comes with a balance transfer fee. It’s a percentage of what you transfer.
Knowing how these fees work—and what you can do to avoid or reduce them—can make a big difference.
How Balance Transfer Fees Work
Your card company charges a fee when you transfer a balance. That fee gets added to your new balance right away.
Most cards set the fee as a percentage, usually 3% to 5%. If you transfer $1,000 and the fee is 3%, you’ll owe an extra $30.
Even if your new card offers 0% APR for a while, you still pay the transfer fee upfront. The fee helps the issuer cover their costs.
Always check the card’s terms for the fee before you apply.
Typical Fee Ranges
Balance transfer fees most often land between 3% and 5%.
Sometimes you’ll find a promotional deal with no fee, but those are rare.
| Fee Percentage | Example Transfer Amount | Fee Charged |
|---|---|---|
| 3% | $2,000 | $60 |
| 4% | $2,000 | $80 |
| 5% | $2,000 | $100 |
Credit unions sometimes offer lower or no fees, but they might have membership requirements.
When you compare cards, look at both the transfer fee and the interest rate after the intro period ends. A low fee might mean a higher APR later.
Minimizing Costs
To save on fees, look for cards with no balance transfer fee offers. If you’re transferring a big balance, this can save you a lot.
Try to transfer only what you know you can pay off during the 0% APR period. Paying it off before interest kicks in keeps costs down.
Watch for time limits—some cards only waive fees if you transfer within a certain window.
Don’t forget to check for annual fees or other costs that could sneak up on you.
Choosing the Right Card for Your Situation
When you’re picking a balance transfer card, your credit score and the card’s fees matter a lot. These things can make or break how much you actually save.
Assessing Your Credit Score
Your credit score really matters here. Most of the best cards want a score of 670 or higher.
If your score’s lower, you might get stuck with higher rates or fewer choices. Check your score before you apply.
Some issuers let you check your score for free, which is handy. If your score’s strong, you’ll probably qualify for cards with longer 0% periods and lower rates after.
Factoring in Annual Fees
Annual fees can eat into your savings. Plenty of top balance transfer cards skip the annual fee, which is great if you’re just looking to save on interest.
If a card does have an annual fee, weigh it against the perks. Sometimes rewards or cash back can make the fee worth it.
Balance transfer fees usually run 3% to 5%. Add that to any annual fee to see your true cost.
Here’s a quick table:
| Fee Type | Typical Range | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 – $95+ | Avoid high fees if you’re mainly after interest savings |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 3% – 5% of amount | Check if there’s a promo that waives it |
Going for a card with low or no fees gives you the most benefit from the 0% period.
How Introductory APR and Variable APR Affect Balance Transfers
When you transfer a balance, your interest rate changes depending on the card’s intro APR and what happens after that period. Knowing how these rates work can help you plan and save.
Intro APR vs. Variable APR
The introductory APR is a low or 0% rate for a set time after you open the card. You’ll pay little or no interest on your transferred balance during this window.
Once the intro period ends, the variable APR takes over. This rate is higher and can change with the market or your credit.
Variable APRs usually run from about 17% up to 28% or more. If you haven’t paid off your balance by the time the intro APR ends, you could get hit with a lot of interest.
It’s worth paying attention to both rates before you make a move.
How Long Is the Introductory APR Period on Balance Transfer Cards, and Does It Really Matter?
The length of the introductory APR period on balance transfer cards can make or break your debt payoff plan. Most cards offer between 6 and 21 months at 0% APR, and honestly, the longer the period, the more breathing room you get to pay down what you owe—without the interest monster lurking.
The introductory APR period is a big deal. Some cards give you just 6 months, while others stretch that out to 21 months.
A longer intro APR period means you have more time to chip away at your balance without racking up interest. That can put real money back in your pocket.
For instance, plenty of cards will offer a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 to 18 months. A few go up to 21 months, but watch out—there’s often a transfer fee of about 3% to 5%, or a flat minimum like $5.
Don’t wait too long to make your transfer. Most cards only give you 3 or 4 months from account opening to get that 0% rate on your transferred balance.
If you want to avoid surprises, read the fine print so you know when the variable APR kicks in. For the latest offers, check out the Best Balance Transfer Cards Of July 2025.
Maximizing Savings and Debt Payoff
You can save a surprising amount and get out of credit card debt faster if you use some smart payment tricks. How and when you pay really matters.
Try to pay more than the minimum each month. Minimum payments barely touch the principal, so your debt barely budges.
A budget helps free up cash for bigger payments. You can go with the debt snowball (smallest balance first) or the debt avalanche (highest interest rate first).
Don’t add new charges to your credit cards while you’re paying off debt. Every swipe just makes it harder to get ahead.
Balance transfer cards usually come with a 0% APR for up to 21 months. Use that time to pay down as much as you can.
After the intro period, any leftover balance starts racking up regular credit card interest. That can get expensive fast.
Set a reminder for when your promo APR ends. If you can’t pay the full balance by then, you might be able to move it to another card with a new 0% offer.
Don’t pay late—one missed payment can kill your intro APR and trigger penalty rates. That’s the last thing you want.
For more ideas on saving money with balance transfers, check out Best Balance Transfer Cards Of 2025 – Forbes Advisor.
Common Mistakes with Balance Transfers
Timing matters a lot when you use a balance transfer card. Messing up deadlines or making new purchases can cost you.
You usually get a set window to finish your balance transfer and lock in the 0% intro rate. If you miss it, your transferred balance could get hit with the regular, higher APR.
Double-check the terms for your transfer window. Set a calendar alert so you don’t forget. Transfers might take days or even weeks, so don’t cut it close.
Don’t stop paying your old card until the transfer is totally done. If you miss a payment, you could get hit with late fees or penalty APRs.
Using your balance transfer card for new purchases during the 0% period? That’s a trap. Most cards don’t give 0% APR on new buys—just transfers—so new purchases start collecting interest right away.
When you pay, your money usually goes to new purchases first, which may have a higher interest rate. That slows down your progress on the transferred balance.
To keep things tidy, don’t use your balance transfer card for new purchases. Use a different card or cash for daily spending until you’re debt-free.
Rewards and Bonuses on Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Some balance transfer cards sweeten the deal with extra perks. You might get a welcome bonus or ongoing cash back.
A bunch of cards offer a $200 bonus if you spend a certain amount in the first few months. For example, you might snag $200 after spending $500 to $2,000 in three months.
These bonuses usually come as a statement credit or cash back. They can help offset fees or just give you a little boost.
Most of these offers are for new accounts, and you’ll need to meet the spending requirement pretty quickly. Many cards with these bonuses don’t charge an annual fee, which is always nice.
Balance transfers don’t earn rewards, but you can still get cash back on new purchases—usually 1%, sometimes 2% or more in bonus categories like gas or restaurants.
Some cards even match your first-year cash back, doubling your rewards. That adds up if you use the card for regular expenses.
Look for cards with no annual fee and straightforward cash back rules. You want to keep things simple while you pay down debt.
If you want examples, here’s a detailed list of the best balance transfer credit cards of July 2025.
Key Issuers and Popular Balance Transfer Cards
It pays to know which banks offer the best balance transfer deals. Some have longer 0% APR periods, lower fees, or better rewards.
Chase, Citi, Capital One, American Express, and Discover are the big names here. They all offer competitive intro periods—usually 12 to 24 months.
Citi is famous for long 0% APR balance transfer offers, sometimes up to 21 months. Chase mixes balance transfers with rewards. Discover cards often have no annual fee and a solid intro period.
Compare transfer fees and the length of the 0% period before you pick. You’ll need decent credit and income to qualify, so check the requirements.
Some standout cards? The Citi Simplicity Card is known for no late fees and a long 0% APR on transfers.
Chase Slate Edge is good for balance transfers and rewards, with no annual fee. Discover it® Balance Transfer gives you 0% APR for 18 months and cash back on purchases.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards mixes balance transfers with flat-rate cash back. Pick what fits your needs and your credit profile.
For more options, see the best balance transfer credit cards.
Additional Considerations and Perks
Don’t forget about the little extras and how a new card affects your credit. These details can matter more than you’d think.
A lot of balance transfer cards offer extended warranty protection—sometimes doubling the manufacturer’s warranty. That’s handy on electronics or appliances.
Other perks might include purchase protection, return protection, or even travel insurance. Not every card has these, so check before you apply.
Fraud protection and zero liability for unauthorized charges are pretty standard now. That’s a relief if you ever lose your card.
Watch out for fees tied to these perks, like annual fees. Make sure the benefits are worth it for you.
A balance transfer can lower your credit utilization by moving debt to a new card with a bigger credit limit. That could bump up your credit score if you keep your balances low.
Opening a new card might cause a small dip in your score at first. If you close your old card, your total available credit drops, which can hurt your utilization rate.
Try to keep older accounts open and focus on paying down balances during your 0% APR period. That’s usually the best way to help your credit while saving on interest.
For more on this, see the best balance transfer credit cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Picking the right balance transfer card depends on stuff like interest rates, transfer fees, and your credit score. You’ll want to know how to qualify for 0% offers and what to do if your credit isn’t perfect.
What factors should I consider when choosing a credit card for balance transfers?
Check the balance transfer APR, the fees (usually 3-5% of what you move), and how long the 0% period lasts. Make sure you meet the card’s credit requirements too.
How do I qualify for a credit card offering 0% interest on balance transfers for an extended period?
You’ll usually need good to excellent credit. Lenders look at your payment history, income, and how much of your credit you’re using. The stronger your profile, the better your odds.
What are the top balance transfer cards available for individuals with fair credit?
Most of the best deals go to people with good credit. Some cards for fair credit offer balance transfers, but the 0% period is shorter and the fees are higher. Compare your options carefully.
Which credit cards offer the longest interest-free period for balance transfers?
A few cards offer 18 to 21 months of 0% APR on balance transfers. That’s about as long as it gets right now.
Can I find a balance transfer credit card that does not charge a transfer fee?
Cards with no balance transfer fee are rare, but they do exist. Most charge around 3% to 5% of the amount you transfer. Weigh the fee against the interest savings to see if it’s worth it.
Why pick Discover it for balance transfers instead of other cards?
Honestly, Discover it stands out because you get a 0% APR on balance transfers for a full 18 months. Plus, there’s usually no annual fee, which is refreshing.
You also earn cash back rewards—something you don’t see much with balance transfer cards. If you’re looking to save on interest and maybe snag a few rewards along the way, it’s a solid choice.
