You cannot pay a credit card balance with another credit card directly, but you have three real routes: a balance transfer, a cash advance, or paying through a third-party service.
A balance transfer moves your debt from one card to another, usually at a lower interest rate for a set period. A cash advance lets you borrow cash against your credit limit and use it to pay the other card, though this costs more in fees and interest. A third-party payment service like Plastiq or Paypal Credit acts as a middleman, charging a fee to process the payment.
Each route has different costs, approval timelines, and long-term effects on your credit. The right choice depends on your balance size, how quickly you can pay it down, and whether you may have access to for promotional rates.
Key Takeaways
- Balance transfers move debt to a new card at a lower rate, often 0% for 6 to 21 months, but charge an upfront fee of 3% to 5% of the amount transferred.
- Cash advances let you withdraw money against your credit limit to pay another card, but charge higher fees (2% to 5%) and start accruing interest when ready with no grace period.
- Third-party payment services charge 2% to 3% per transaction and report to credit bureaus as new credit inquiries, affecting your score temporarily.
- All three routes increase your total debt if you do not pay down the balance during the promotional or low-rate period.
- Balance transfers work best if you can pay off the transferred balance before the promotional rate ends; cash advances and payment services are better for short-term cash flow problems.
How a balance transfer works and what it costs
A balance transfer moves your existing credit card debt to a new card, usually one offering a 0% introductory rate on transferred balances. You open the new card, request the transfer through the card issuer, and the new card pays off the old one. The transferred amount becomes your balance on the new card.
The card issuer charges a balance transfer fee, typically 3% to 5% of the amount you move. On a $5,000 transfer, that is $150 to $250 added to your new balance when ready. The 0% rate lasts for a set period — commonly 6 to 21 months depending on the card and your creditworthiness — after which the regular purchase rate applies to any remaining balance.
Balance transfers make sense if you have a high-interest card (18% to 25%) and can pay down the debt during the promotional period. If you transfer $5,000 at 22% interest, you pay roughly $55 per month in interest alone. Moving that to 0% for 12 months saves you $660 in interest, which more than covers the $150 to $250 transfer fee. The catch: you must not use the new card for purchases during the promotional period, because new purchases usually accrue interest at the regular rate when ready.
When a cash advance makes sense and when it does not
A cash advance lets you borrow money against your credit limit and withdraw it as cash or a check. You can then use that cash to pay your other credit card. Unlike a balance transfer, a cash advance is a separate transaction with its own fees and interest rate.
Cash advances charge an upfront fee of 2% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, plus a higher interest rate than purchases — often 20% to 30% — and interest starts accruing when ready. There is no grace period. On a $3,000 cash advance at 3% fee plus 25% interest, you pay $90 upfront and roughly $62 per month in interest if you carry the balance.
Cash advances are rarely the best option for paying off another credit card, because the fees and interest rates are higher than a balance transfer. They make sense only if you cannot may have access to for a balance transfer card and need to move money quickly — for example, to avoid a late payment or overdraft. Even then, the cost is steep, and you should treat it as a temporary measure while you work toward paying down the debt.
Using payment services to pay a credit card with a card
Services like Plastiq, PayPal Credit, and Square Cash let you pay a credit card bill using another credit card. The service charges a fee — usually 2% to 3% of the payment amount — and processes the transaction on your behalf. The payment appears on your original card's statement as a charge from the service, not as a credit card payment.
These services are useful if you need to move money between cards quickly and do not may have access to for a balance transfer, or if you are trying to meet a minimum spending requirement on a rewards card. However, the fee adds to your total debt. On a $2,000 payment, a 2.5% fee is $50, which you must pay in addition to the $2,000 itself.
Payment services also trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report if you are opening a new account with them, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. If you use them repeatedly, the inquiries and new accounts can damage your credit over time. Use them only when the benefit — such as earning cash back or points that exceed the fee — outweighs the cost.
How each route affects your credit score
A balance transfer opens a new credit account, which triggers a hard inquiry (a small, temporary dip in your score) and lowers your average account age. However, it also increases your available credit, which can improve your credit utilization ratio if you do not carry a balance on the old card. Over time, a successful balance transfer — one you pay down during the promotional period — improves your score because it shows you can manage debt responsibly.
A cash advance does not open a new account; it borrows against your existing credit limit. It does trigger a hard inquiry and counts against your available credit, raising your utilization ratio. This hurts your score more than a balance transfer in the short term. If you carry the cash advance balance, the damage persists.
Payment services vary by provider. Some report as new credit inquiries, others do not. Check the service's terms before using it. In general, payment services have a smaller impact on your score than opening a new card, but repeated use can add up.
Comparing the three routes side by side
| Route | Upfront Cost | Interest Rate | Timeline | Credit Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance Transfer | 3–5% fee | 0% for 6–21 months, then regular rate | 3–7 business days | Hard inquiry, new account, improves if paid down |
| Cash Advance | 2–5% fee | 20–30% when ready, no grace period | 1–2 business days | Hard inquiry, raises utilization, damages score |
| Payment Service | 2–3% per transaction | Depends on your card; no additional rate | 1–3 business days | Varies by provider; usually minimal |
Steps to take before choosing a route
Before you move money between cards, calculate the total cost of each option. Write down your current balance, the interest rate you are paying, and how much you can pay toward it each month. Then compare: How much interest will you pay if you keep the balance on the current card? How much will you pay if you use a balance transfer, cash advance, or payment service?
Check your credit score and recent credit report. Balance transfer cards often require a score of 670 or higher; if yours is lower, a cash advance or payment service may be your only option. Review your credit report for errors that might be lowering your score unnecessarily — you can get a free report from annualcreditreport.com.
If you choose a balance transfer, read the card's terms carefully. Note the promotional period end date, the regular purchase rate, and whether transferred balances and new purchases have different rates. Set a reminder to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends. If you cannot pay it off in time, you may want to look for another balance transfer card to move the remaining balance to — but this only works if you have good credit and can do it before the first promotional period ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance from one card to the same card?
No. You cannot transfer a balance from a card to itself. You must open a new card or use a different card you already own. Some issuers offer balance transfer checks that let you move debt within their own card family, but you still need a separate account to receive the transfer.
What happens if I do not pay off the balance transfer before the promotional rate ends?
The remaining balance converts to the card's regular purchase rate, which is usually 18% to 25%. You then pay interest on whatever is left. If you transferred $5,000 and paid down $3,000, the remaining $2,000 starts accruing interest at the full rate. This is why balance transfers only save money if you pay down the balance during the promotional period.
Do I have to close my old card after a balance transfer?
No, and you should not close it when ready. Closing an old card lowers your average account age and reduces your available credit, both of which hurt your score. Keep the old card open with a zero balance for at least six months after the transfer. You can close it later once your credit score has recovered.
Can I use a balance transfer to pay off a personal loan or other debt?
No. Balance transfers only work between credit cards. If you want to pay off a personal loan or medical debt with a credit card, you would need a cash advance or payment service, both of which are more expensive. Personal loans usually have lower interest rates than credit cards, so paying them off with a card is rarely worth the cost.
How long does a balance transfer take to show up on my new card?
Most balance transfers post within 3 to 7 business days. During this time, you are still responsible for payments on your old card. Do not stop paying the old card until you see the transfer complete on your new card's statement. If the transfer fails, you need to have made the payment to avoid a late fee.