You can pay one credit card with another, but it usually costs money and may not solve your debt problem
Yes, you can use one credit card to pay off another credit card. The most common way is a balance transfer, where you move the debt from one card to a second card, usually at a lower interest rate. You can also use a cash advance from one card to pay another card's bill, though this is more expensive. A third option is to use a payment app or online bill pay to send money from your checking account (funded by a credit card) to another card's payment address — but this counts as a cash advance and triggers fees.
The catch: moving debt between cards does not erase it. You still owe the money. Balance transfers often come with upfront fees (typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount transferred), and the lower interest rate is usually temporary — it expires after 6 to 21 months, depending on the card. If you do not pay down the balance before the promotional rate ends, you will owe interest at the card's regular rate, which can be as high as 25 percent or more.
Key Takeaways
- A balance transfer moves debt from one card to another at a lower rate, but charges an upfront fee of 3 to 5 percent and only lasts 6 to 21 months.
- A cash advance from one card to pay another costs 3 to 5 percent upfront plus daily interest starting when ready — there is no grace period.
- Using a payment app to send money from a credit card counts as a cash advance and carries the same high fees and when ready interest.
- Paying one card with another makes sense only if you have a concrete plan to pay down the balance before the promotional rate expires.
- If you are juggling multiple cards because you cannot afford the payments, a balance transfer will not fix the underlying problem.
How a balance transfer works
A balance transfer moves your debt from one card to another card — usually one with a lower interest rate or a 0 percent promotional rate. You request the transfer through the new card's issuer (the bank or company that issues the card). The new card's issuer pays off your old card's balance, and you now owe the new card instead.
The new card charges a balance transfer fee, typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount you move. If you transfer $5,000, expect to pay $150 to $250 upfront. This fee is usually added to your new balance, so you owe more than you started with. The promotional interest rate (often 0 percent) lasts for a set period — commonly 6, 12, or 21 months, depending on the card and the offer. After that period ends, the regular interest rate kicks in.
Balance transfers work best if you have a plan to pay down the balance during the promotional period. If you transfer $5,000 at 0 percent for 12 months, you need to pay roughly $417 per month to clear the debt before interest starts. If you only make minimum payments, you will still owe most of the balance when the promotional rate expires, and then interest will accrue on what remains.
Cash advances: the expensive alternative
A cash advance lets you borrow money against your credit card's credit limit and use that cash to pay another card. You withdraw the cash at an ATM or through a bank teller, then use it to pay your other card's bill. This is different from a balance transfer because you are borrowing new money rather than moving existing debt.
Cash advances are expensive. You pay an upfront fee (usually 3 to 5 percent, sometimes higher) and interest starts accruing when ready — there is no grace period like there is for regular purchases. The interest rate on a cash advance is often higher than the rate on purchases, sometimes 2 to 3 percentage points above your card's standard APR. If your card charges 20 percent APR on purchases, the cash advance rate might be 23 or 24 percent.
A $2,000 cash advance with a 4 percent fee and 24 percent APR costs you $80 upfront plus roughly $40 in interest for the first month alone. This method should be a last resort, not a routine strategy.
Payment apps and online bill pay: why they count as cash advances
Some people try to pay one credit card with another by using a payment app (like PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash) or by setting up a bill payment through their bank's online portal. They link their credit card as the funding source and send money to their other card's payment address.
Most payment apps and bill pay systems treat credit card funding as a cash advance, not a regular transaction. This means you pay the cash advance fee and interest rate, not the purchase rate. Even though you are not physically withdrawing cash, the card issuer treats it the same way. Some apps explicitly block credit card funding for this reason — they will only accept a debit card or bank account.
Before you try this method, check your card's terms or call the issuer to confirm whether the transaction will be treated as a cash advance. If it will be, the fees and interest make this an expensive way to move money between cards.
When a balance transfer makes sense
A balance transfer is worth considering if you meet three conditions: you have high-interest debt on one card, you can may have access to for a card with a significantly lower promotional rate, and you have a realistic plan to pay down the balance before the promotional period ends.
For example, if you owe $3,000 on a card charging 22 percent APR, and you can transfer that balance to a card offering 0 percent for 12 months, the math works in your favor — but only if you commit to paying roughly $250 per month. The $90 to $150 balance transfer fee is worth it because you will save hundreds in interest over the year.
A balance transfer does not make sense if you are moving debt just to lower your monthly payment. If you cannot afford your current payments, moving the debt to another card will not solve that problem. You will still owe the same amount, and once the promotional rate expires, you will owe interest again. If you are struggling with multiple cards, consider talking to a credit counselor or exploring a debt management plan instead.
How to request a balance transfer
Most card issuers let you request a balance transfer online through your account portal, by phone, or through a paper form. You will need the account number of the card you want to pay off, the amount you want to transfer, and the name and address of the old card's issuer.
The transfer usually takes 5 to 14 business days to complete. During that time, keep making payments on your old card to avoid late fees. Once the transfer posts, your old card's balance will drop (or go to zero if you transferred the full amount), and your new card's balance will increase by the transfer amount plus the balance transfer fee.
Check the terms of the new card before you request the transfer. Confirm the length of the promotional period, the regular APR after the promotion ends, and any annual fee. Some cards charge an annual fee even during the promotional period, which eats into your savings.
Alternatives to paying one card with another
If you are considering paying one credit card with another because you cannot keep up with payments, there are other options to explore first.
A debt management plan through a nonprofit credit counselor can consolidate your payments into one monthly amount, often at a lower interest rate negotiated with your creditors. This is different from a balance transfer because the counselor works directly with your card issuers on your behalf. You make one payment to the counselor each month, and they distribute it to your creditors.
A personal loan from a bank or credit union can pay off multiple credit cards at once. Personal loans typically charge lower interest rates than credit cards (though rates vary based on your credit score and income), and they have a fixed repayment schedule. Once you pay off the cards with the loan, close those accounts so you do not run up new balances.
If you are drowning in debt, a bankruptcy attorney can explain whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is an option. This is not a casual choice, but it is a legal tool designed for situations where other strategies will not work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will paying one credit card with another hurt my credit score?
A balance transfer will temporarily lower your credit score because it increases your credit utilization on the new card and triggers a hard inquiry. However, if you pay down the balance during the promotional period, your score will recover and likely improve. Paying off debt is good for your credit in the long run.
Can I do multiple balance transfers to keep my interest rate low?
Technically yes, but it is not a sustainable strategy. Each balance transfer charges a fee and triggers a hard inquiry. If you keep moving debt between cards to chase 0 percent offers, you will spend thousands in fees and damage your credit score. This approach only works if you are genuinely paying down the balance, not just moving it around.
What happens if I do not pay off the balance before the promotional rate expires?
The regular APR kicks in on whatever balance remains. If you owe $2,000 when the 0 percent period ends and the regular rate is 20 percent, you will owe roughly $33 per month in interest alone. You will be back where you started, except you paid a balance transfer fee to get there.
Is a balance transfer better than a personal loan?
It depends on your situation. A balance transfer has a lower upfront cost (3 to 5 percent) but only works if you pay off the balance quickly. A personal loan has a higher interest rate but a fixed repayment schedule and no promotional period that expires. If you need more than 12 months to pay off the debt, a personal loan might be cheaper overall.
Can I use a balance transfer to pay off a card from a different bank?
Yes. Balance transfers work between any two card issuers. You can transfer a balance from a Chase card to a Bank of America card, or vice versa. The process is the same — you request the transfer through the new card's issuer and provide the old card's account information.