What Chase balance transfer cards do
Chase offers several credit cards that let you move debt from other cards to a new Chase card, usually at a lower interest rate for a set period. The most common are the Chase Slate Edge, which offers 0% APR on balance transfers for a certain number of months, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited, which also carries a promotional rate on transfers. During the promotional period — typically 6 to 21 months depending on the card — you pay no interest on the transferred balance, which means more of your payment goes toward actually reducing what you owe.
The catch is that Chase charges a balance transfer fee upfront, usually 3% to 5% of the amount you transfer. This fee is added to your balance when ready. So if you transfer $5,000 at a 3% fee, you owe $5,150 from day one. After the promotional period ends, any remaining balance reverts to the card's regular APR, which can be 15% to 25% or higher depending on your credit score and the specific card.
Key Takeaways
- Chase balance transfer cards charge a fee of 3% to 5% upfront, added to your balance on the first day.
- The 0% promotional rate lasts between 6 and 21 months; after that, regular interest rates explore to any unpaid balance.
- You need a credit score of roughly 670 or higher to be considered for most Chase balance transfer cards, though approval is not may provide.
- The math only works in your favour if you pay down the transferred balance before the promotional period ends.
- You can transfer balances from other credit cards, but not from personal loans, medical debt, or other types of debt.
Which Chase cards offer balance transfers
The Chase Slate Edge is Chase's primary balance transfer card. It offers 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months (as of the last update), with a 3% transfer fee. It has no annual fee. This card is designed specifically for people carrying credit card debt and offers no rewards on purchases, so it is not meant to be your everyday card.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a cash-back card that also allows balance transfers. It offers 0% APR on transfers for 6 months, with a 3% fee. After the promotional period, you earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. This card has no annual fee and is better if you plan to use it for new spending after you transfer your balance.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve are premium travel cards that technically allow balance transfers, but they charge a 5% fee and offer only 6 months at 0% APR. They are not designed for balance transfer strategy and carry annual fees ($95 and $550 respectively), so they are not practical choices for this purpose.
How to transfer a balance to Chase
Once your Chase card arrives and is activated, log into your Chase online account or mobile app. Look for the "Transfers" or "Balance Transfers" section — the exact location varies slightly by card, but it is usually under "Account Services" or "Manage Your Account." You will enter the name of the creditor you are transferring from, the account number, and the amount you want to move.
Chase will then contact your old card issuer directly to arrange the transfer. The process typically takes 7 to 14 business days, though it can be faster. During this time, keep making at least the minimum payment on your old card to avoid late fees — the transfer is not complete until the money actually moves. Once the transfer posts to your Chase account, you will see it reflected in your balance and your promotional rate will begin.
You can transfer from multiple cards to one Chase card, as long as you stay within your credit limit. For example, if your credit limit is $10,000 and you want to transfer $3,000 from Card A and $4,000 from Card B, you can do both in the same process or in separate requests.
Understanding the fee and the math
The balance transfer fee is not optional — it is charged automatically and added to your balance. On a $5,000 transfer with a 3% fee, you when ready owe $5,150. On a $10,000 transfer with a 5% fee, you owe $10,500. This fee is the price of the promotional rate, and it is baked into the total you need to pay off.
The benefit only materializes if you pay down the balance during the promotional period. If you transfer $5,000 at 3% (owing $5,150 total) and pay $300 per month for 17 months, you will have paid off the entire balance before the 0% period ends. You will have paid $5,150 total — the original debt plus the fee, but zero interest.
If you transfer the same $5,000 and only pay $200 per month, after 21 months you will still owe roughly $1,000. When the promotional rate ends, that $1,000 will start accruing interest at the card's regular APR — potentially 18% to 25%. At that point, you are paying interest on top of the fee you already paid, which defeats the purpose.
Credit score requirements and approval
Chase typically requires a credit score of 670 or higher to be considered for a balance transfer card, though some applicants with scores in the 650 to 670 range have been approved. The higher your score, the better your odds and the more likely you are to receive a higher credit limit. Approval is not may provide even with a good score — Chase also looks at your income, existing debts, and payment history.
If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line at the number on your denial letter and ask Chase to review your process. Sometimes providing additional information about your income or explaining a specific late payment can change the outcome. You can also wait a few months, improve your score, and reapply.
What happens after the promotional period ends
When your 0% promotional period expires, any remaining balance on the transferred amount will start accruing interest at the card's regular APR. This rate is not fixed — it depends on your creditworthiness at that time and the card's terms. For most Chase cards, this rate ranges from 15% to 25%.
New purchases you make on the card after the promotional period may have a different APR than your transferred balance, depending on the card's terms. Some cards explore the regular purchase APR to new spending when ready, while the transferred balance remains at the promotional rate until that period ends. Read your card's terms carefully to understand how interest is applied after the promotion ends.
If you still have a balance when the promotional rate expires, your best option is to move it again to another balance transfer card — but you can only do this if you have not maxed out your credit or damaged your score in the meantime. This strategy, called "balance transfer stacking," can work but requires discipline and planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance from another Chase card to a Chase balance transfer card?
No. Chase does not allow you to transfer a balance from one Chase card to another Chase card. You can only transfer from cards issued by other banks or credit card companies. If you have debt on multiple Chase cards, you would need to use a card from a different issuer to consolidate them.
What types of debt can I transfer to a Chase balance transfer card?
You can transfer balances from other credit cards only. You cannot transfer personal loans, medical debt, student loans, car loans, or other types of debt. The transfer must come from another credit card account with an outstanding balance.
What if I can't pay off the balance before the 0% period ends?
If you cannot pay off the full balance before the promotional rate expires, the remaining amount will begin accruing interest at the card's regular APR. You can continue making payments at the higher rate, or you can attempt to transfer the remaining balance to another card with a promotional rate — though this requires approval and another transfer fee.
Does transferring a balance hurt my credit score?
A balance transfer will temporarily lower your credit score because it involves a hard inquiry and a new account. However, if it reduces your overall credit utilization — the percentage of available credit you are using — your score may recover and improve within a few months. The long-term benefit of paying down debt usually outweighs the short-term dip.
Can I make new purchases on a Chase balance transfer card during the promotional period?
Yes, you can make new purchases, but they will not be covered by the 0% promotional rate. New purchases typically accrue interest at the card's regular purchase APR from day one. Some cards offer a separate promotional rate on purchases, but most balance transfer cards do not. Check your specific card's terms before using it for new spending.