What Chase balance transfer cards offer and how they work
Chase offers several credit cards with 0% introductory APR periods on balance transfers. These cards let you move debt from another card to a Chase card, and during the intro period you pay no interest on that transferred balance. After the intro period ends, a standard APR applies to any remaining balance.
The most common Chase balance transfer cards are the Chase Slate Edge (no annual fee, 0% intro APR for 6 months on transfers), the Chase Freedom Unlimited (0% intro APR for 12 months on transfers with a 3% transfer fee), and the Chase Sapphire Preferred (0% intro APR for 12 months on transfers with a 3% transfer fee). Each card has different intro periods and fees, so the right choice depends on how much you owe and how quickly you can pay it down.
When you move a balance to Chase, the card issuer pays off your old debt directly to your previous creditor. You then owe that amount to Chase instead, at 0% interest during the intro period. This gives you a window to pay down principal without interest charges accumulating.
Key Takeaways
- Chase balance transfer cards charge a one-time transfer fee (usually 3% of the amount moved) but offer 0% APR for 6 to 12 months depending on the card.
- You must open a new Chase card to do a balance transfer; you cannot transfer debt to an existing Chase card you already own.
- The transfer typically posts to your new Chase account within 7 to 14 business days, though the old creditor may take longer to show the payoff.
- Any balance remaining after the intro period ends will accrue interest at the card's regular APR, so a payment plan during the 0% window is essential.
- Chase will only approve you for a balance transfer if you meet their credit and income requirements, which typically means a credit score of 670 or higher.
Check your credit score and review Chase card options
Before you start, pull your credit report from one of the three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) or use a free service like Credit Karma. Chase balance transfer cards generally require a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. If your score is below 650, a balance transfer card may not be the right fit.
Once you know your score, compare the Chase cards that offer balance transfer terms. Look at three things: the length of the 0% intro period (6 months versus 12 months), the transfer fee (usually 3% of the amount you move), and whether the card has an annual fee. The Chase Slate Edge has no annual fee and no transfer fee for the first 60 days, which can save money if you move your balance quickly. The Chase Freedom Unlimited and Sapphire Preferred charge a 3% fee but offer longer 0% periods.
Write down the total amount you want to transfer and calculate what the transfer fee will be. A 3% fee on a $5,000 balance is $150, which gets added to your Chase balance. Factor that into your payoff plan.
Open the Chase card and submit your balance transfer request
Go to Chase.com or call 1-800-935-9935 to open the card you chose. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and employment status. Chase will pull your credit report and tell you within minutes whether you are approved and what credit limit you receive.
Once your account is open, you have two ways to request the balance transfer. The easiest is to log into your new Chase account online, go to the "Transfers" or "Balance Transfer" section, and enter the name of your old creditor, the account number, and the amount you want to move. Chase will then contact that creditor and arrange payment.
If you prefer to do it by phone, call the number on the back of your new Chase card and tell them you want to transfer a balance. Have your old card number and statement handy so you can give them the exact balance or the amount you want to move. Chase will ask which creditor to pay and confirm the transfer amount before processing.
Understand the timeline and what happens to your old account
The balance transfer typically posts to your Chase account within 7 to 14 business days. During that time, your old creditor is still showing an open balance, so continue making minimum payments on that card until you see the payoff post. Missing a payment during the transfer window can hurt your credit score and may disqualify you from the 0% offer.
Once Chase pays off your old creditor, that account will show a zero balance. Your old creditor may close the account automatically, or it may stay open with a zero balance. Closing old accounts can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit, so if you want to keep the account open, contact the old creditor and ask them not to close it.
Your new Chase card will show the transferred balance, plus the transfer fee added to it. For example, a $5,000 transfer with a 3% fee will show as a $5,150 balance on your Chase statement. That entire amount is subject to the 0% intro APR.
Create a payoff plan for the 0% period
The 0% intro period is a fixed window—usually 6 or 12 months depending on your card. After that period ends, any remaining balance will accrue interest at the card's regular APR, which is typically 15% to 25%. This means you need a concrete plan to pay down the balance before the intro period expires.
Divide your total balance (including the transfer fee) by the number of months in your intro period. If you have a $5,150 balance and a 12-month 0% period, you need to pay at least $430 per month to eliminate the debt before interest kicks in. Set up automatic payments from your bank account to Chase on the same day each month so you do not miss a payment.
Pay more than the minimum if you can. Any amount above the required monthly payment goes directly to principal and reduces the total you owe. The faster you pay it down, the less the transfer fee costs you in real terms.
Avoid new charges and watch your credit utilization
Do not use your new Chase card for new purchases during the balance transfer period. New purchases typically do not get the 0% rate and will accrue interest when ready. Keep the card for the transferred balance only, and use a different card or cash for everyday spending.
Your credit utilization—the percentage of your available credit you are using—affects your credit score. If your Chase credit limit is $10,000 and your transferred balance is $5,150, you are using 51.5% of your limit. Try to keep utilization below 30% if possible. If your limit is too low relative to your balance, you can call Chase and ask for a credit limit increase, which may help your score.
Continue paying your other debts on time. A single late payment on any account can trigger a penalty APR on your Chase card, which would end the 0% offer early. Set phone reminders or calendar alerts for all your payment due dates.
What to do if your balance transfer is denied
If Chase denies your process, it is usually because your credit score is too low, your income is too high relative to your debt, or you have too many recent credit inquiries. You can call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and ask why you were denied, though they may not give detailed reasons.
If you were denied, wait at least 30 days before explore for another Chase card. Multiple applications in a short time can lower your score further. In the meantime, focus on paying down existing balances and checking your credit report for errors at AnnualCreditReport.com (the only free, official source).
If your score is the issue, you may be able to add an authorized user with better credit to your old card, which can sometimes boost your score. Alternatively, you could look for a balance transfer card from another issuer with lower credit requirements, though the terms may not be as favorable as Chase's.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance from another Chase card to a new Chase card?
No. Chase does not allow you to transfer a balance from one Chase card to another Chase card. You can only transfer balances from cards issued by other banks or credit card companies. If you have debt on an existing Chase card, you would need to pay it down separately or explore other options.
What happens to my credit score when I do a balance transfer?
A balance transfer typically lowers your score slightly in the short term because it triggers a hard credit inquiry and opens a new account. However, if you pay down the balance consistently during the 0% period, your score should recover and improve within a few months. Keeping your old account open (even with a zero balance) also helps because it preserves your credit history length.
Can I do multiple balance transfers to the same Chase card?
Yes, you can request multiple transfers to the same Chase card as long as your credit limit allows. Each transfer will incur its own transfer fee and count toward your total balance. All transfers to that card will share the same 0% intro period, so plan accordingly if you are moving balances from multiple creditors.
What if I cannot pay off the balance before the 0% period ends?
Any remaining balance will start accruing interest at the card's regular APR once the intro period expires. You could then do another balance transfer to a different Chase card (or a card from another issuer) to extend the 0% period, but each transfer incurs a new fee. It is better to adjust your budget now and pay as much as possible during the interest-free window.
Do I have to use the full credit limit for a balance transfer?
No. You can transfer any amount up to your credit limit. If Chase approves you for a $10,000 limit, you could transfer $3,000, $7,000, or any amount in between. Transfer only what you need and can realistically pay down during the 0% period.