Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of May 2025

All information about the Chase Freedom Flex and the BankAmericard credit card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

Comparing the best balance transfer credit cards of 2025

What is a balance transfer credit card?

If you’re ready to break out of credit card debt, you have options, and one of the most effective is using a balance transfer card. With a balance transfer card, you can move an existing balance to another credit card that offers 0% APR on the transferred debt for a limited period.

The main benefits of a balance transfer credit card include:

• Avoiding interest. These cards are a great tool for temporarily avoiding interest charges since many offer a 0% intro offer of six to 18 months. By paying no interest during the introductory period, all of your payments go toward the principal balance and you can pay off debt faster.
• Consolidating debt. A balance transfer card is an option if you want to simplify payments by combining them into one bill, making it easier for you to manage your debt and pay on time.
• Improving your credit score. After paying off your balance, you may find yourself with a higher credit score due to lowering your credit utilization ratio. Plus, you also expand your overall credit limit if you keep your original account open after paying off your debt.

Although balance transfers are primarily used for credit card debt, each issuer has its own rules for what types of debt you can transfer. Depending on the issuer, your balance transfer options could include credit card balances, auto loans, personal loans, and student loans.

Most issuers will not let you transfer a balance from an existing account to another with that same issuer. Also, some issuers allow you to transfer multiple debts to one balance transfer card as a form of debt consolidation.

See related: How does a balance transfer work?

What is a balance transfer fee?

A balance transfer fee is a payment to transfer an existing credit card balance from one card to another. The issuer you’re transferring to charges the balance transfer fee.

The fee total depends on both the fee percentage and the total balance transferred. Most credit cards charge between 3% to 5%, often with a minimum fee of at least $5 to $10. So if a credit card charges a 5% balance transfer fee and you transfer a $1,000 balance, the balance transfer fee amount is $50.

Pros and cons of balance transfer credit cards

Should I get a balance transfer credit card?

A balance transfer credit card can help you pay off debt faster, but it is not suited for everyone. Some cardholders will benefit from transferring their balances to a balance transfer credit card, while others may realize that another method of debt repayment makes more sense — as it all depends on your specific situation.

You should get a balance transfer card if:

• You need to pay off high-interest credit card debt.
• You’re treading water paying off credit card debt as interest charges add to your balance each month.
• You want to improve your credit score.

You should get a balance transfer card if:

• You consider rewards more important than interest savings.
• You plan to carry a balance on new charges.
• You can’t make a dent in your balance before the introductory period expires.
• You want luxury travel perks.

How to choose a balance transfer credit card

Choosing the right balance transfer credit card may seem difficult— but if you ask the right questions before making a decision, you’ll have a much better idea of which one is right for you.

• How long is the 0% intro APR period? Not all balance transfer credit cards are created equal. Standout balance transfer cards offer introductory APR periods as long as 18 to 21 months. Always check the APR period first when deciding on a balance transfer credit card.

• Do you need low-interest or zero-interest? Although it seems obvious at first that you should take the card with 0% interest, that’s not always the case. A card with an ongoing low-interest rate might be best for you if you think you’ll need longer than the introductory period to pay off your debt completely.

• What are the fees? Watch out for fees that can make it harder to pay off your debt. While some balance transfer cards don’t charge a fee to transfer debt, most charge between 3% and 5% of the balance being moved. Also, avoid any late fees by paying on time and pay off the full balance before your introductory APR rate expires to avoid interest charges. If you’re unable to do so, make sure that the regular APR on the new account is lower, and scan the fine print to be sure a penalty APR isn’t involved.

• Do you want a card with long-term value? Balance transfer offers often provide excellent short-term value, but some cards may lack additional features. If you’re looking for a card you can use long after an intro APR period ends, look for one that offers rewards, especially if you intend to consistently pay your balances in full each month. Or a low-interest credit card with an intro APR offer and a low ongoing interest rate can be a good fit if you tend to carry a balance.

• Do you have the right credit score? Most balance transfer cards offering competitive 0 percent introductory periods require good to excellent credit for both approval and qualifying for the best ongoing interest rates — which means at least 670 or higher on the FICO scale. Even with bad credit, you may still qualify for a balance transfer card. However, your options are limited. If you’re concerned your credit score is too low for approval, you could try applying for a secured credit card or another credit-building card and start rebuilding your score to increase your approval odds in the future.

Will a balance transfer hurt my credit score?

Balance transfers do impact your credit score in a number of ways, including some that can both help and hurt your credit score. When you complete a balance transfer, you will get a small, temporary ding to your score for applying for a new card, whether an issuer approves your application or not. Though a balance transfer may hurt your score temporarily, paying off your balance will have a positive long-term impact.

Completing a balance transfer can help your credit score because you may increase your overall available credit when you take out a new card. That should lower your credit utilization ratio. It’s recommended that you keep your credit utilization below 30%, so adding a new card can help maintain a positive ratio. Also, since you are not accruing interest during the card’s intro period, it should be easier to pay off your balance. Eliminating or lowering any credit card debt will often have a significant positive impact on your credit score.

How to do 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 balance transfer process is relatively simple. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Select and apply for the right balance transfer card. Each balance transfer card is unique, so the right card for you will depend on your individual needs. Do you need the most time to pay down a balance? Choosing a card with a very long intro offer on balance transfers may be a good fit. Are you hoping to finance a purchase if needed with your card? Picking one with an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers could be the way to go.
2. Thoroughly review the card’s terms and conditions. Each issuer has its own set of rules. For example, some companies may require you to complete the balance transfer within a specific time frame. You can find the information you need in a card’s Schumer Box, a standardized disclosure form that helps people understand the full scope of a card’s terms and conditions. Some of the most important terms to note will be the balance transfer fee (usually 3% or 5% of the transferred balance) and how long you have to pay the transferred debt back before the regular APR kicks in.
3. Initiate the transfer. Once you have selected, applied and been approved for a card, initiating the transfer is a simple process. You can initiate a transfer to the new card online or through your new card issuer’s mobile app.
4. Monitor your accounts and keep up with the minimum payments. Transfers usually take between five days and six weeks to complete. While you’re waiting, it’s important to continue making payments on your old card to maintain your credit-building efforts. Once the money is transferred to your new account, take note of the date and time so that you have a record of the successful transaction and can begin your payoff timeline.

Note: The process for how to do a balance transfer varies slightly from issuer to issuer. We’ve put together the resources below to provide more details on how some major credit card issuers conduct them.

• How to do a balance transfer with an American Express credit card
• How to do a balance transfer with a Bank of America credit card
• How to do a balance transfer with a Chase credit card
• How to do a balance transfer with a Citi credit card
• How to do a balance transfer with an HSBC credit card
• How to do a balance transfer with a U.S. Bank credit card

How to make the most of your balance transfer credit card

A balance transfer card can provide a fresh start when used appropriately. Once you find a card that’s right for you, stick to the plan and keep your spending in check. The following guidelines will help you get on track and stay the course:

• Look into high-limit credit cards. It’s possible to get approved for a card, but at a lower credit limit than the balance you’re looking to transfer. To increase the odds of qualifying for a credit limit that covers the full amount you’re trying to pay off, consider applying for these balance transfer cards that could offer you a high limit based on your creditworthiness.
• Avoid new, unplanned charges. While you might have a balance transfer credit card that offers rewards on spending or a 0% intro APR on new purchases for a limited time, make sure you have a plan before making new charges. That way, you won’t go into further debt. Focus instead on paying the transferred balance off before the card’s regular APR applies.
• Set up auto-payments to ensure you don’t miss a monthly bill. This step is particularly important with balance transfer credit cards, given some issuers note that their introductory terms are contingent on an account being in good standing (meaning a late payment can cost you that 0% introductory APR, even if the intro period hasn’t ended). Plus, late fees and penalty APRs will only add to your debt load.
• Pay off your balance before the promotional APR period ends. Many balance transfer credit cards charge average-to-high go-to interest rates, depending on your credit, so if you don’t pay balances back by the time the 0% introductory APR expires, you’ll risk foregoing any savings and getting caught in a cycle of debt. Draft a payment plan and consider redoing your budget to ensure you’re out of the red by the deadline.
• Look into low-interest offers. If you anticipate that you might still have a balance after the 0% intro APR offer ends, take a look at balance transfer cards with low-interest rates. Keep in mind that the better your credit, the lower your regular APR will likely be on a card.

Alternatives to balance transfer cards

While a balance transfer can be a great tool, it’s also a new commitment. If you’re looking for breathing room rather than another card, here are some options:

• Personal loan. If you need to pay off credit card debt swiftly – especially if you’re carrying high balances on numerous cards – a personal loan may be better than a balance transfer card. By combining multiple debts into a single payment, you could pay less interest over time and save money on fees.
• Credit-building card. If you’re concerned that your credit is not good enough yet to apply for a balance transfer card, then looking at a credit-building card could be a good option. Be aware that the interest can be high on these cards, so weigh your options carefully.
• Payoff calculator. Often, looking at the amount owed can be overwhelming. Instead of looking at the larger number, it can be beneficial to break it down into smaller, more manageable payments using a payoff calculator. Play around with the numbers until you find one you are comfortable with as a starting point.
• Negotiate interest. If you’re having a hard time paying off your credit card balances, you can try negotiating the debt with the credit card company. You can work with the credit card company to reduce your monthly payments, lower your interest rate or even lower your fees.

How we picked the best credit cards for balance transfers

Our editorial team and expert review board analyzed over 1,000 balance transfer credit cards to identify some of the best offers on the market. The major factors we considered were:

• Length of 0% intro APR period: The longest balance transfer offers on the market currently offer 0% intro APR periods on balance transfers that last between 15 to 21 months. Historically, there have been offers that tout a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for close to two years.
• Balance transfer fee: Most credit cards charge a balance transfer fee between 3% to 5% of the transferred balance (minimums apply). A few cards have historically skipped the charge or waived the charge if a balance is transferred within a certain time period.
• Regular APR after the intro period: There’s always a chance that cardholders won’t pay their balance off by the time the 0% introductory APR expires. As such, we considered whether the go-to APR on that balance was reasonable, compared to the current industry average. (See the current average credit card interest rates.)
• Annual fee: The best balance transfer credit cards minimize the cost of a credit card so cardholders have more money to put toward their balance. As such, we more heavily weighted credit cards with no annual fee.

Our full criteria include 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 and miscellaneous benefits.

More information on balance transfer credit cards

For more information on all things balance transfer cards and credit card debt, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

• Balance transfer calculator
• Why did my credit score drop after paying off debt?

About the Author

Jeanine Skowronski

Jeanine Skowronski is a credit card expert, analyst, and multimedia journalist with over 10 years of experience covering business and personal finance. She has previously served as the Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, Deputy Editor at American Banker, Staff Reporter at TheStreet and a columnist for Inc. Magazine.

About the Editor

Tracy Stewart

Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.

About the Reviewer

Sally Herigstad

Sally Herigstad is a certified public accountant, author and speaker who writes about personal finance for CreditCards.com. She also writes regularly for MSN Money, Interest.com, Bankrate and RedPlum.com, and has been a guest on Martha Stewart radio and other programs.