Direct credit card payments are rarely possible, and the ones that work charge fees that make them expensive
Most credit card issuers do not accept another credit card as payment. When you log into your account to make a payment, the system typically asks for a bank account (for an ACH transfer), a debit card, or a wire transfer — not another credit card. The few payment methods that do technically work involve third-party services, and each one charges a fee that eats into any benefit you might gain.
The reason is straightforward: credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) treat a credit card payment as a cash advance or a purchase, depending on the method. Either way, your card issuer charges you a fee — usually 3% to 5% of the amount — plus interest starts accruing when ready. You end up paying more than if you had straightforward paid the bill from your bank account.
Key Takeaways
- Most credit card issuers will not accept another credit card as direct payment; they require a bank account, debit card, or wire transfer.
- Third-party payment services like Plastiq or Square Cash can process credit card payments to credit card bills, but they charge 2% to 3% per transaction.
- Using one credit card to pay another usually triggers a cash advance fee (3% to 5%) plus when ready interest, making it more expensive than paying from a bank account.
- Balance transfers move debt between cards at a lower rate but do not pay off the original card — they shift the balance and may charge a one-time fee.
- If you cannot pay from a bank account, a personal loan or 0% balance transfer card is cheaper than paying with another credit card.
Why credit card issuers block credit card payments
Credit card networks charge merchants (and sometimes cardholders) a processing fee every time a transaction happens. When you pay a credit card bill with another credit card, the network processes it as either a purchase or a cash advance. Your card issuer then charges you a fee on top of the network fee, and interest begins accruing when ready — even if you normally get a grace period on purchases.
From the issuer's perspective, accepting credit card payments would create a loop: you could theoretically pay one card with another indefinitely, racking up fees and interest while the issuer profits. In practice, this would also increase fraud risk and make it harder for them to collect actual money. So most issuers straightforward block the option at the payment portal.
How to pay a credit card with another credit card if you must
If your bank account is unavailable and you have no other way to pay, a few workarounds exist. Plastiq and Square Cash are third-party payment platforms that accept credit cards and can send the money to your credit card issuer. Plastiq charges 2.5% per transaction; Square Cash charges 2% to 3% depending on the card type. You would enter your credit card details, specify the amount and the recipient (your credit card issuer), and the service sends a check or ACH transfer to the issuer on your behalf.
This method is legal and works, but the fee is real money out of your pocket. On a $1,000 payment, Plastiq costs $25 and Square Cash costs $20 to $30. You are paying for the convenience of not having a bank account available — a high price for a temporary problem.
Some people also use credit cards to withdraw cash at an ATM, then deposit that cash into their bank account and pay from there. This also costs money: ATM fees (usually $2 to $5) plus a cash advance fee (3% to 5%) and interest starting when ready. On a $1,000 withdrawal, you could pay $35 to $55 in fees alone.
Balance transfers versus paying with another card
A balance transfer is different from paying a credit card bill with another credit card, and the distinction matters. A balance transfer moves your debt from one card to another — usually one with a lower interest rate or a 0% promotional period. The original card's balance goes to zero, but you now owe the new card instead. Most balance transfers charge a one-time fee (3% to 5% of the amount transferred) but no ongoing interest during the promotional period.
A balance transfer makes sense if you are trying to lower your interest rate or buy time to pay down debt. Paying one card with another does not solve the underlying problem — you still owe the same amount, now on two cards, and you have paid a fee to move the money. If you are considering paying a credit card with another credit card because you cannot afford the payment, a balance transfer to a 0% card might give you breathing room, but it does not eliminate the debt.
Cheaper alternatives if you cannot pay from your bank account
If your bank account is frozen, overdrawn, or straightforward unavailable, paying with another credit card is expensive. A personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender typically charges 6% to 36% interest, depending on your credit score. On a $1,000 loan at 15%, you would pay roughly $75 in interest over a year — less than the combined fees and interest of paying with another credit card and carrying a balance.
A 0% balance transfer card is another option if you have decent credit. You transfer the balance to the new card, which charges no interest for 6 to 21 months (depending on the offer). You pay a one-time transfer fee (3% to 5%), but then you have months to pay down the balance interest-free. This works only if you can pay the balance before the promotional period ends; after that, the interest rate jumps to the card's regular APR.
If you have a credit union membership, ask about a credit union loan. Credit unions often offer small personal loans at lower rates than banks, sometimes as low as 6% to 8%, and the approval process is faster. You borrow the money, pay your credit card bill from the loan proceeds, and then repay the loan over a set term.
What happens if you use a credit card for a cash advance instead
Some people try to work around the credit card payment block by taking a cash advance on one card and using that cash to pay another. This is legal but expensive. Cash advances charge a fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount, with a minimum of $5 to $10) and a higher interest rate than purchases — often 25% to 30% APR. Interest starts accruing when ready; there is no grace period.
On a $1,000 cash advance, you would pay $30 to $50 in fees plus interest from day one. If you carry the balance for a month, you could owe an additional $20 to $25 in interest. This is more expensive than using Plastiq or Square Cash, and it does not solve the problem of paying your original credit card bill — it just moves the debt to a different card with worse terms.
When paying with another credit card might make sense
There are narrow situations where the fee is worth it. If you are earning a sign-up bonus on a new credit card that requires you to spend a certain amount in the first three months, and you are short of the spending target, paying a credit card bill through Plastiq or Square Cash counts as a purchase toward that bonus. If the bonus is worth more than the fee, the math works out.
For example, if a card offers a $500 sign-up bonus for $5,000 in spending in three months, and you are $1,000 short, paying $1,000 through Plastiq costs $25 in fees but earns you the $500 bonus — a net gain of $475. This only works if you were going to meet the spending requirement anyway and the bonus is may provide. It does not work if you are paying interest on the balance or if the bonus is uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will paying a credit card with another credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, indirectly. If you carry a balance on either card, your credit utilization increases, which lowers your score. If you miss a payment on the card you used to pay, both cards are affected. The payment itself does not hurt your score, but the debt it creates does.
Can I use a prepaid card to pay my credit card bill?
Most credit card issuers treat prepaid cards the same way they treat credit cards — they either block them or charge a cash advance fee. Some prepaid card providers also block outgoing transfers to credit card issuers. Check with both your prepaid card issuer and your credit card issuer before trying.
What if my credit card issuer offers a payment plan?
Some issuers allow you to split a large balance into monthly installments with a fixed fee or interest rate. This is different from paying with another card and is usually cheaper. Ask your issuer whether they offer a plan option before you try a third-party payment service.
Is it ever a good idea to pay one credit card with another?
Only in the narrow case where a sign-up bonus is worth more than the fee, and you were going to meet the spending requirement anyway. Otherwise, paying from a bank account, taking a personal loan, or using a 0% balance transfer card are all cheaper options.