What Chase offers and how to find the current terms
Chase runs balance transfer offers on several of its credit cards, but the specific card, interest rate, and length of the promotional period change throughout the year. You cannot find these offers on Chase's main website by browsing — you have to either explore for a specific card or call Chase directly to learn what they are currently offering to new cardholders.
The cards most likely to carry balance transfer promotions are the Chase Slate Edge, Chase Freedom Unlimited, and Chase Sapphire Preferred, though Chase rotates which cards feature these offers and what the terms are. A typical offer might be 0% APR on balance transfers for 6 to 21 months, depending on the card and the month you explore, plus a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5% of the amount you move.
The fee is charged upfront — if you transfer $5,000 at a 3% fee, you pay $150 when ready, and that $150 is added to your balance. This means the total amount you owe is higher than the amount you transferred, even before any interest accrues after the promotional period ends.
Key Takeaways
- Chase balance transfer offers vary by card and change monthly, so you must check the specific card's terms before you explore or call Chase to ask what they currently offer.
- The promotional 0% APR period typically lasts 6 to 21 months, after which the regular APR applies to any remaining balance.
- Balance transfer fees range from 3% to 5% and are charged upfront, meaning you pay them when ready even if you are in the 0% period.
- You can only transfer balances from other credit cards or lines of credit, not from bank accounts, loans, or other debt types.
- The amount you can transfer is limited to your credit limit on the new Chase card, and Chase may approve you for less than you request.
How to find Chase's current balance transfer offers
Start by visiting the Chase credit cards page and looking at individual card details. Each card's page lists current promotions, but not all cards show balance transfer offers at all times. If you see a card you are interested in, click "Learn More" or "See Terms" to read the exact promotional period and fee.
If you do not see a balance transfer offer listed on the card page, call Chase at the number on the back of your current Chase card (or 1-800-935-9935 if you are not yet a customer) and ask whether they have balance transfer offers available. Chase customer service can tell you which cards currently carry these offers and what the terms are. This is faster than explore and being denied because the offer you thought existed has ended.
You can also check third-party credit card comparison sites like NerdWallet, The Points Guy, or Bankrate, which track Chase's current offers. These sites update regularly, though the exact terms may shift by the time you explore, so always confirm with Chase before submitting an process.
What happens when you transfer a balance
Once you are approved for a Chase card with a balance transfer offer, you initiate the transfer through your Chase online account or by calling Chase. You provide the name of the creditor you are transferring from, your account number with that creditor, and the amount you want to move. Chase then contacts that creditor and arranges the payment directly.
The transfer typically takes 7 to 14 days to complete. During that time, you should continue making minimum payments on the old card to avoid late fees — the transfer does not happen when ready, and you are still responsible for that debt until Chase has paid it off. Once the transfer posts to your Chase card, the balance appears on your Chase statement with the promotional 0% APR rate applied.
The 3% to 5% balance transfer fee is added to your balance when ready. If you transferred $5,000 at 3%, your new Chase balance is $5,150. That $150 fee does not earn rewards and does not benefit from the 0% promotional rate — it is straightforward added to what you owe.
The math: when a balance transfer makes sense
A balance transfer saves you money only if the interest you would pay on your old card during the promotional period is more than the balance transfer fee plus any interest after the promotional period ends. Here is a concrete example:
You owe $5,000 on a credit card charging 18% APR. If you make no payments, you would owe about $945 in interest over one year. If you transfer that $5,000 to a Chase card with 0% APR for 12 months and a 3% fee, you pay $150 upfront and $0 in interest during those 12 months — a savings of $795. But if you still owe $5,000 after the 12 months end and the Chase card's regular APR is 16%, you then start paying interest on the remaining balance at that rate.
The benefit shrinks if you cannot pay down the balance during the promotional period. If you transfer $5,000, pay $150 in fees, and make no payments for 12 months, you still owe $5,150 when the 0% period ends. You have saved the interest you would have paid on the old card, but you have not reduced the debt itself. A balance transfer is a tool to buy time to pay down what you owe, not a tool to make debt disappear.
Limits on how much you can transfer
Chase will not let you transfer more than your credit limit on the new card. If you are approved for a $6,000 limit and you request a $5,000 transfer, Chase processes it. If you request a $7,000 transfer, Chase either declines the full amount or transfers only up to your limit, depending on their policy at the time.
Additionally, most Chase cards do not let you transfer a balance in the first 60 days after you open the account. This is a standard industry practice designed to prevent fraud. If you need to move a balance quickly, ask Chase customer service whether the specific card you are considering allows transfers when ready or requires you to wait.
You also cannot transfer balances between Chase cards you already own. If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred and want to move a balance to a Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase will not allow it. You can only transfer from cards issued by other banks or credit card companies.
What to do after the promotional period ends
Mark your calendar for the day the 0% promotional period expires. On that date, any remaining balance will start accruing interest at the card's regular APR, which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. Chase will send you a notice 30 to 60 days before the promotional period ends, but do not rely on that notice alone — set your own reminder.
If you still owe money when the promotional period ends, you have three options: pay off the remaining balance in full, continue paying it down at the regular APR, or transfer the remaining balance to another card with a promotional offer (if you can may have access to). The third option is sometimes called "balance transfer stacking" and can work if you have good credit and can find another card with a 0% offer, but each new transfer comes with its own fee.
The best outcome is to pay off as much as possible during the promotional period. If you transferred $5,000 and paid $2,000 of it down, only $3,000 would be subject to interest after the promotion ends. This is why balance transfers work best when you have a concrete plan to reduce the balance, not just a hope that you will eventually pay it off.
How balance transfers affect your credit score
explore for a new Chase card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. Opening a new account also lowers your average account age, which can reduce your score slightly. These effects usually fade within a few months.
However, a balance transfer can improve your credit score over time if it lowers your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit that you are using. If you owed $5,000 on a card with a $6,000 limit (83% utilization) and you transfer that balance to a new Chase card, your utilization on the old card drops to 0%, which helps your score. Your utilization on the new Chase card is initially high, but as you pay down the balance, it improves.
The net effect on your credit depends on your specific situation, but most people see a small temporary dip followed by improvement as they pay down the transferred balance. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan in the next few months, a balance transfer might not be the right timing because the hard inquiry and new account will temporarily lower your score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance from another Chase card to a different Chase card?
No. Chase does not allow balance transfers between its own cards. You can only transfer balances from credit cards or lines of credit issued by other banks or credit card companies. If you want to move a balance to a Chase card, it must currently be on a non-Chase account.
What happens if I cannot pay off the balance before the 0% period ends?
The remaining balance will start accruing interest at the card's regular APR. You can continue making payments at that rate, or you can attempt to transfer the remaining balance to another card with a promotional offer if you may have access to. Each new transfer comes with its own fee, so weigh whether the savings are worth it.
Is the balance transfer fee worth it if the promotional period is short?
It depends on your current card's APR and how much you owe. If you are paying 20% APR and the promotional period is only 6 months, the 3% to 5% fee might still save you money compared to paying interest for those 6 months. Use a balance transfer calculator to compare your specific numbers before you explore.
Can I use a balance transfer to pay off a personal loan or medical debt?
No. Balance transfers work only with credit card balances and lines of credit. You cannot transfer personal loans, medical debt, student loans, or other types of debt to a credit card. If you need to consolidate non-credit-card debt, you would need a personal consolidation loan instead.
How long does it take for a balance transfer to show up on my Chase account?
Most transfers take 7 to 14 days to complete, though some may take up to 21 days depending on the creditor you are transferring from. Continue making payments on your old card during this time to avoid late fees. Once the transfer posts, you will see it on your Chase statement with the promotional rate applied.