Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Comparing Balance Transfer Credit Card Offers

By: Laura Mohammad

Updated: July 22, 2019

In a recent poll, we found that almost half of American adults wrongly thought that you could not transfer a balance to a new card and pay 0% interest for more than a year. In fact, there are numerous credit cards that offer balance transfers with 0% APR for a year or longer.

Balance transfer credit cards are a good option if you are trying to consolidate debt, make lower interest payments, or find time to pay off an old purchase. Nonetheless, a balance transfer can be a confusing process for those who have not gone through it before (and even for those who have). That's why we've compiled this guide to walk you through how balance transfers work, whether they're right for you, and which credit cards are best for balance transfers if you choose to pursue one. Here, we look at:

• Best balance transfer credit cards of 2019
• How we picked the best BT cards
• Editor's take on the best balance transfer cards
• What is a balance transfer credit card?
• How to perform a balance transfer
• When is a balance transfer card a good choice?
• How to compare balance transfer cards
• Balance transfer tips and advice
• What to do if your balance transfer is rejected

Best balance transfer credit cards of 2019

The best balance transfer credit card is the Discover it Balance Transfer due to its lengthy 0% intro APR offer of 18 months on balance transfers (then 14.24% - 25.24% variable). The Wells Fargo Platinum card is another great credit card that can help you save money with its interest-free period of 18 months and low regular APR of 17.74% - 27.24% variable.

How we picked the best BT cards

Number of cards analyzed: 1,002

Criteria used: 0% intro APR period for balance transfers, balance transfer fees, regular APR, savings period, current APR assumption, monthly payment assumption, other rates and fees, customer service, credit needed, security, ease of application, potential rewards, miscellaneous benefits

Ranking methodology: While a large number of factors contribute to the quality of a credit card, the following were our most important criteria in evaluating and choosing the best balance transfer cards:

1. Length of 0% intro APR period: A good balance transfer card should have an introductory 0% APR period of at least 15 months. In a few cases, a card with a shorter intro offer may be worth it for its other benefits but if balance transfers are your primary intended use, then the longer the better.
2. Balance transfer fee: If you have a large balance to transfer, this fee can become quite costly. We only considered credit cards with balance transfer fees of no more than 5%.
3. Regular APR after intro period: Ideally, you want to pay off your balance before the 0% intro APR period is over. However, if this is not possible then you should keep an eye out for cards with reasonable regular interest rates.
4. Annual fee: The entire point of a balance transfer credit card is to avoid paying more than you have to; paying an annual fee would run counter to that goal. The best balance transfer credit cards have no annual fee – you'll notice that we've eschewed cards that charge such a fee in compiling our list.

Here is our breakdown of the top balance transfer credit cards that can help you save on interest.

Best balance transfer cards with 0% APR offers

Discover it® Balance Transfer

Analysis: The Discover it Balance Transfer gives you an excellent 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers (14.24% - 25.24% variable APR), as well as 5% back on select rotating categories up to the quarterly max each time you activate, and cash back match at the end of your first year. It's important to stay on top of any new purchases so you don't carry a balance that incurs interest charges. As long as you pay down at least the balance of the new purchases after the first 6 months and before 18 months, you won't incur interest, and you'll fully benefit from the cash back. So, if you spend $500 a month on select categories, you can earn $600 – $75 a quarter for your purchases plus $300 at year end.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer fee: 3% intro, up to 5% on future balance transfers (see rates and fees)

Bottom line: If you're looking for a card with a generous intro APR on purchases, look elsewhere – this one has a paltry 6-month 0% APR (then 14.24% - 25.24% variable). But with a generous balance transfer offer and rewards, this card can be a great addition to your wallet.

Citi Simplicity® Card - No Late Fees Ever

Analysis: This card boasts an impressive 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers (it's 16.99%-26.99% variable after that). Add to that, there's no annual fee, no penalty rate and no late fee.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% (whichever is higher)

Bottom line: If you're looking for the best 0% offer on the market, you've come to the right place. For rewards, look elsewhere.

BankAmericard® credit card

Analysis: All in all, this credit card is fairly straightforward. Its 0% APR period is a solid 18 billing cycles (then 15.24% - 25.24% variable) when transferring within the first 60 days. This allows for plenty of time to pay off purchases and balance transfers. Importantly, there is no penalty APR, meaning that your APR won't go up automatically if you pay late (although you should still always avoid paying late to avoid a hit to your credit). Beyond that, there are not a ton of fancy benefits, but one noteworthy feature is access to your FICO credit score for free.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer fee: 3% ($10 minimum)

Bottom line: If you need a balance transfer card that gets the job done and you don't mind the lack of bells and whistles, the BankAmericard is a good choice.

Chase Freedom®

Analysis: This card is a leader among cash back cards, with excellent rotating categories, a competitive sign-up bonus and a nice 0% intro offer on balance transfers and purchases alike.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer fee: It's a 3% intro balance transfer fee when you transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open, with a minimum of $5.

Bottom line: While this card may not be the best option for international travel due to the foreign transaction fees, the 0% intro offer and the rewards make this a strong card for a domestic lifestyle.

Capital One® Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Analysis: While the Quicksilver's 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfer is 15 months, the regular APR ranges from 16.24% - 26.24% variable. It has a flat rate on all purchases of 1.5% cash back and there's also a $150 cash bonus after a $500 spend within the first 3 months of opening your account.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer fee: 3%

Bottom line: The Quicksilver' is good for balance transfers—thanks to its long introductory offer—and comes with a nifty sign-up bonus. Also, there's a flat rate of 1.5%, so you don't have to think about what types of purchases you are making.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Analysis: This card offers a respectable 15-month introductory offer of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (then 17.24% - 25.99% variable). The card's primary emphasis is on cash back, where it is one of the most popular credit cards.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer fee: 3% ($5 minimum)

Bottom line: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a decent balance transfer card with a heavy focus on earning cash back. For balance transfers, there are credit cards with more favorable rates.

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

Analysis: This card competes well with other flat-rate cash back cards, both in the 0% intro APR space and with rewards. Rewards can be earned through statement credits, gift cards or merchandise.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Bottom line: The American Express Cash Magnet is competitive in its balance transfer and purchase offers of 0% intro APR, as well as with the rewards opportunities.

Wells Fargo Platinum card

Analysis: This card has the unusual feature of 0% APR for 18 months on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers. The regular APR weighs in at 17.74% - 27.24% variable, so you'll want to pay off your balance before 18 months end. Also keep in mind that you must make your balance transfers within 120 days in order to qualify for intro rates and fees. During the first 120 days, the balance transfer fee is a lower 3%, but goes up to 5% after that. You can also get up to $600 protection on your cellphone (with a $25 deductible) for covered damage and theft when you pay your cell bill with this card.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer fee: 3% for 120 days, then 5% ($5 minimum)

Bottom line: This card an unusually long 0% intro APR offer; just make sure you are aware of the caveats and pay off your balance before the regular APR kicks in.

Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card

Analysis: This card's rewards program with qualified digital wallet purchases during the first 12 months is an unusual feature and it's worth doing the math to see if it suits you. The ongoing rewards compete nicely with comparable cards, and the sign-up bonus is one of the better ones for a cash back card, particularly since there's no annual fee.

Annual fee: $0

Balance transfer fee: It's $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening; after that, it's up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.

Bottom line: This card is good for consumers looking for flexible terms and low regular interest rates alongside a strong intro APR offer.

What are balance transfer credit cards and how do they work?

A balance transfer card is a product that allows you to transfer balances on older cards to the new card, often with a temporary 0% rate. This can easily save you thousands of dollars, provided you pay the debt in full with your new card. If you don't, when the 0% offer ends, the interest will spike at as much as 25% and even more, depending on your payment history and credit score.

Paying interest can be slippery slope because you aren't paying it yearly, meaning 15% on $1,000 doesn't come to a flat $150 in interest. Instead, interest on credit cards is calculated and compounded daily. So 15%, divided by 365 (days in the year) or .041096%, becomes 41 cents the first day. So, your balance the second day is $1,000.41, which is then used to calculate the interest for the second day. That means your debt comes to $1,013 at the end of your first month.

Card debt for the American consumer can be crushing – it averaged $8,022 per bank card (including retail cards) in our recent survey on credit card debt by state, up from $6,354 in 2017 (according to Experian).

What we found with our study was that the states topping the list of the greatest debt burden were weighed down by not only hefty debt, but also low household incomes:

3 states with most card debt burden…

Source: CreditCards.com Card Debt Burden Study

Meanwhile, we found that the states with the least debt burden had a higher median household income: Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Minnesota, with Massachusetts having the least debt burden.

If you find yourself strapped with interest charges and a cycle of never-ending debt, there is a way to pull yourself up and out, and that is with balance transfer cards.

How do balance transfer credit cards work?

Balance transfer cards are credit cards that allow you to move debt from one card to another – essentially paying off credit card “A” with new credit card “B.” Typically, a person will transfer his or her balance to a card with a lower interest rate, allowing them to save money on monthly payments or pay off the balance more quickly. For example, if you're paying 12 percent interest on a $3,000 debt, you will have to pay $560 per month for six months to pay off the balance. If you transfer that $3,000 balance to a card that doesn't charge interest for the first six months, your payments will be $500 – for a savings of $60 each month.

Common strategies to manage debt

Given the benefits of balance transfer cards, it was a bit of a shocker for us to find out in our December 2018 debt poll that only 15% of those with a plan for their card debt would consider using a balance transfer card to address the problem. Yet, used correctly, they are an excellent tool for recovering from card debt. Here's more on what our study found:

Ways consumers who have a plan would deal with card debt...

• 69%
• Paying substantially more than the minimum monthly payment
• 26%
• Paying a little more than the minimum monthly payment
• 15%
• Transferring my balance to a different credit card with a lower rate
• 9%
• Asking my credit card issuer for a lower interest rate
• 6%
• Taking out a personal loan to reduce/eliminate/consolidate my credit card debt

CreditCards.com December 2018 credit card debt poll

As CreditCards.com industry analyst Ted Rossman points out, "Balance transfer credit cards are an excellent tool for getting out of debt at the lowest possible cost. At present, the best offers are 0% interest for 21 months (with a 5% transfer fee) or 0% interest for 15 months (with no transfer fee). Take advantage of these promotions and be careful to avoid running up more debt once you've worked so hard to get out of it."

How do balance transfer fees work?

Most balance transfer cards charge a balance transfer fee that is typically 3%-5% or $5-$10, whichever is greater. When you request a transfer, you will likely be allowed to transfer up to 100% of your credit limit, minus the fee.

There are some cards that offer no fee, however. We found in our January 2019 balance transfer survey that there was actually an increase in no-fee balance transfer cards – of 100 cards, 15 balance transfer cards offer no-fee transfers, up from 9 in our December 2017 survey. In the 2019 survey, 8 others offer either an introductory lower fee or waive the fee entirely if you make the transfer in a set amount of time. Sometimes the waived fee comes after the introductory offer ends.

How to perform a balance transfer

If you're considering a balance transfer card, you may be wondering how much work goes into moving the balance from one card to another. Overall, the process is relatively simple on the end of the cardholder. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Apply for a balance transfer card – Before choosing a card, check out our balance transfer calculator, which factors in fees and interest rates to determine how much you'll save by transferring your existing balance to a different card. Once you find the balance transfer card that best suits you, complete the card application.
2. Collect your information – Next, gather the account details for the card that has the debt – referred to as the “transfer from” card – including the account number and card balance.
3. Contact customer service – After receiving your balance transfer card, call customer service and inform them that you want to transfer a balance onto your new card. Once you provide them with the necessary information, they will reach out to the old card company and move the requested amount onto your new card. Many cards also allow you to make balance transfers through your online account, but we advise that you wait until you receive the physical card to initiate a balance transfer. That way, once you receive the card, you can ask for a higher line of credit if the approved amount is below the old balance.

Balances can take up to 6 weeks to transfer, so we recommend that you pay the minimum amount on your old card until the transfer closes to avoid late fees and other penalties. Also, be sure to transfer your balance before the card's introductory offer ends.

How long does a balance transfer take?

As you might expect, your process doesn't end with getting your new balance transfer card. Now, you'll need to transfer the balance from the old card, and the amount of time it takes can vary widely, depending on the card issuer and whether your balance transfer card is a new or old account.

American Express has one of the longest transfer periods – 6 weeks – while it can take as little as 3 days with a Capital One card. Here is the expected wait time for 5 major card issuers.

Source: CreditCards.com research

When is a balance transfer card a good choice?

There are times when a balance transfer card is a good choice, but sometimes not so much. Here, we look at ways to use a BT card and times when they might not be right for you.

Ways to use a balance transfer card

Moving

The cost of moving from one state to another – or even across state – can be prohibitive, what with the costs of transporting a car, hiring a moving company and even hotel costs. A BT card with a 0% intro APR offer can smooth out those rough edges.

Buying furniture

Once you've moved, you'll likely look around you and start considering what new furniture to buy to fill out your new home. Heads up that some furniture stores offer 0% offers, but they may offer deferred interest, which means that you aren't avoiding the interest by paying before the offer ends, just postponing it. A BT card with a major bank can help you avoid that trap.

Home renovations

Did you find that your dream home actually needs some work? Rather than pay interest on those renovation expenses, choose a BT card with an offer that gives you time to pay it off while avoiding interest, provided you pay before the interest ends.

Vacations

When you get back from vacation, you don't want to come home to credit card bills you can't pay off quickly. A balance transfer card can help you with that as well.

When a balance transfer card is not a good choice

You don't have a budget

If you don't have a clear idea of how you are spending your money each month, a balance transfer credit card may not be a good choice until you get a budget in place.

Pro tip: Track your spending for a month, forgetting nothing. Then make a budget that includes room for fun and room for emergencies. Why? Because if your budget is too austere, you are more likely to break the bank.

You keep incurring debt

Have you gotten into this mess without understanding how you got there? You may have fallen into the trap of spending on a credit card because you don't "see" the money change hands.

Pro tip: Remember that budget you just made? Also make one specifically for your credit card, then check your account each week to track how and what you are spending.

You would not pay off before the offer ends

If you can't figure out how to pay off your debt by the time the 0% APR offer ends, you may be looking at a card with an offer that's too short for your purposes or you may not be putting enough into your monthly payments. Ask yourself: Is it because you are hankering for a rewards card?

Pro tip: Instead, look at cards with longer offers, which can be up to 21 months. That will allow you to pay a little less each month, and at the same time avoid interest. You'll likely have to forego the shiny object of rewards – you need to choose your priorities, and paying down debt should be your first consideration.

You owe a small amount

If you can potentially pay off your debt within 6 months, a balance transfer card may not be the right choice for you.

Pro tip: Because most BT cards have a balance transfer fee of up to 5% of the transfer, you may want to opt out of a balance transfer card and pay down the debt quickly. Check with your card issuer to see if they will lower your interest rate. We've found that chances are, they will.

You have options

There are times when another option is best for your circumstances, perhaps because you can't pay off the debt before the offer ends or because the balance transfer fee isn't something you want to deal with.

Pro tip: Depending on your situation and the offers available to you, it might make more sense to consolidate your debt with a personal loan.

How to compare two balance transfer cards

When comparing balance transfer cards, your gut may tell you to choose the card with the longest introductory period. You're not entirely wrong, but there's another very important consideration: The balance transfer fee. Most balance transfer cards charge a 3% to 5% fee to transfer a balance, which can add up to $100 or more in fees if you have a large balance to transfer.

There are a few cards – such as the Amex EveryDay®* Credit Card – that don't charge a fee for your initial balance transfer within 60 days of account opening. So, which is a better way to go? A no-fee balance transfer offer, or a card with an especially long introductory period? Most of the time, the no-fee card wins out. Here's the math to help you decide:

Step 1: Figure out your payment terms

Before you start comparing balance transfer cards, you need to figure out the following:

• What size balance do you want to transfer? Keep in mind that your new card will come with a credit limit that may restrict the amount that you're able to transfer.
• How much can you afford to pay each month? While it's a good idea to pay down your debt as quickly as possible, you should come up with a manageable amount.

Step 2: Calculate fees and interest

Once you know the size of the balance transfer and the installment amount, you need to calculate the fees and interest for each card. Basically, you need to calculate how much of a balance remains for each card once the introductory period expires (don't forget to add the card's balance transfer fee to the initial balance), and then calculate the interest that you will owe each month until the balance is paid off.

Step 3: Compare fees and interest on each card

Using the same balance transfer amount and installment payment, calculate the fees and interest for both cards, then compare the amounts side by side.

For example, in the table below, we compare the costs of transferring a $5,000 balance to the Discover it Balance Transfer card and the Amex EveryDay* cards with a repayment period of 21 months. Even though the introductory period on the EveryDay is shorter, you would save more than $100 with it in this scenario, due to its waived balance transfer fee.

Credit cards without a balance transfer fee

• Amex EveryDay* card - within the first 60 days
• Chase Slate® card** - within the first 60 days

Step 4: Compare the cards' remaining features

Finding the card that will cost you the least to pay down your balance should be your first priority. However, if all else is equal between the cards, you should look at remaining features on the cards to see if either is worth holding onto in the long run. For instance, the Discover it Balance Transfer card from our example has a very valuable cash back program. You can enroll every quarter to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases made in various categories throughout the year.

Tips on using balance transfer cards

Balance transfer cards can be an excellent savings tool, but they also tend to carry high APRs, which can be a pitfall if you aren't diligent in paying down your balance. Here are a few tips to keep you from digging yourself into more debt:

Figure out the best amount to transfer

Usually it makes sense to transfer as much of your debt as possible onto a 0% card to minimize your interest payments – but not always. Balance transfer cards usually carry higher-than-average APRs, and if you can't repay the balance before the introductory period, it could potentially cost you more in interest rates and fees than if you leave the balance where it is. If your current account has a lower interest rate, you should do some math to figure out whether transferring all of your balance or just a portion of it will cost less.

Pay your bill on time

Be sure to send your payment by the due date to avoid penalty fees. Set up an automatic payment through your bank and schedule it a few days before your due date to be on the safe side.

Try to pay it off before the introductory period expires

You should try to pay off your balance before the regular APR kicks in. However, you should also take into account balances on other cards. You may want to focus on paying down accounts with higher interest rates first, and then make larger payments toward your 0-percent card once you've paid off your other accounts.

Keep your old card open

Don't close down your old account once you've transferred your balance from it, especially if you've had it for a long time. Doing so could significantly lower your credit score, by lowering the average age of your accounts and raising your credit utilization ratio. However, you don't want to incur new debt either. Instead, put a small charge on the old card and pay it off in full each month to keep the account active.

What to do if your balance transfer is rejected

Sometimes, you are approved for a balance transfer card but when it comes time to make the actual transfer, it is rejected. What to do?

Here's what you can do if this happens to you:

• If the balance transfer is denied – Simply ask the card issuer to reconsider. The reason why you were denied can be the deciding factor.
• If your credit is poor – If your credit score was too low or you don't have high enough income, you may be denied. Sometimes you can get approval if there are extenuating circumstances.
• If it's due to lack of available credit – Try resubmitting with a lower amount. If your first problem hasn't been solved (transferring the old balance), you might consider another card. Just make sure you have sufficient income and credit score for that card. Keep in mind that each hard inquiry impacts your score by about 5 points.

* All information about The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express is no longer available through CreditCards.com.
** All information about Chase Slate® has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. The Chase Slate® credit card is no longer available through CreditCards.com.

Laura is an editor and writer at CreditCards.com. She has written extensively on all things credit cards and works to bring you the most up-to-date analysis and advice. Laura's work has been cited in such publications as the New York Times and Associated Press. You can reach her by e-mail at laura.mohammad@creditcards.com and on Twitter @creditcards_lm.

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