Which cards let you move a balance and what they cost
Balance transfer cards exist to move debt from one card to another, usually at a lower interest rate for a set period. The cards that do this best offer a 0% introductory rate for 12 to 21 months, charge 0% to 3% to move the balance, and have no annual fee. The catch is that the introductory rate expires — after that period ends, the regular purchase and balance transfer rates kick in, and they are usually 15% to 25%.
Not every card advertises balance transfer options equally. Some are built around them; others offer them as a secondary feature. The difference matters because a card designed for balance transfers typically has a longer 0% window and lower transfer fees than a card where balance transfers are an afterthought.
The cards that work best for this strategy share three traits: a long introductory period (18 months or longer), a low or zero transfer fee, and a reasonable regular APR if you cannot pay off the balance before the rate expires. Cards with annual fees usually do not make sense unless the introductory period is exceptionally long.
Key Takeaways
- Balance transfer cards charge a one-time fee (usually 0% to 3% of the amount moved) to move your debt, so calculate whether the interest savings cover that cost.
- The 0% introductory period typically lasts 12 to 21 months, and the regular APR applies to any remaining balance after that period ends.
- Cards designed specifically for balance transfers usually offer longer 0% windows and lower fees than general-purpose cards.
- You need a credit score in the good to excellent range (usually 670 or higher) to be considered for the best balance transfer offers.
- Any new purchases you make on a balance transfer card usually accrue interest when ready at the regular purchase APR, even during the 0% period.
How balance transfer fees work and what to expect
The balance transfer fee is a percentage of the amount you move, charged once when the transfer posts. Most cards charge between 0% and 3%, though some older or less competitive cards charge up to 5%. A 2% fee on a $5,000 transfer costs $100. A 0% fee costs nothing, but those cards are rare and usually require excellent credit.
The fee is typically added to your new balance on the transfer card. So if you move $5,000 with a 2% fee, you now owe $5,100 on the new card. This matters because you are paying interest on that fee amount if you do not pay off the balance during the 0% period.
To decide whether a balance transfer makes sense, compare the fee against what you would pay in interest on your current card during the same time frame. If your current card charges 20% APR and you have $5,000 on it, you would pay roughly $1,000 in interest over 12 months. A 2% transfer fee ($100) plus 0% interest for 12 months saves you $900 — a clear win. But if you only plan to carry the balance for three months, the fee might not be worth it.
Cards with the longest 0% introductory periods
The longest introductory periods currently available range from 18 to 21 months, though the exact length depends on your credit score and the card issuer's current offers. Cards in this range typically require a credit score of 700 or higher. A few cards offer 0% for 20 or 21 months on balance transfers, which gives you nearly two years to pay down the debt before regular interest kicks in.
Longer periods are valuable because they give you more time to pay off the principal without interest accumulating. On a $5,000 balance, an extra six months of 0% interest can mean the difference between paying it off and carrying it forward into the regular APR period.
The trade-off is that cards with the longest periods often have higher transfer fees (2% to 3%) or higher regular APRs (18% to 25%) once the introductory period ends. Some also require you to have no late payments in the past 24 months. Check the specific terms before you explore, because the offer changes based on your credit profile.
Cards with no transfer fee or low fees
A handful of cards offer 0% balance transfer fees, meaning you pay nothing to move the balance. These are uncommon and usually require excellent credit (750 or higher). When they appear, they are competitive advantages — you save the 1% to 3% that other cards charge.
More common are cards with 1% transfer fees. These are easier to may have access to for than 0% fee cards and still save you money compared to 2% or 3% options. On a $5,000 balance, a 1% fee is $50 versus $100 for a 2% fee.
Low-fee cards sometimes have shorter introductory periods (12 to 15 months) to offset the lost fee revenue. This is a real trade-off: you save on the fee but have less time to pay off the balance. Calculate both the fee cost and the interest cost over the full payoff timeline before deciding.
What happens when the introductory period ends
When the 0% period expires, any remaining balance on the card converts to the regular balance transfer APR. This rate is usually 15% to 25%, depending on your credit score and the card. If you have $2,000 left unpaid when the period ends, you will start paying interest on that $2,000 at the regular rate.
This is why the introductory period length matters so much. A 21-month window gives you nearly two years to pay down the balance. A 12-month window gives you one year. The longer the period, the more time you have to pay without interest, and the more manageable your monthly payments can be.
Some people use a strategy called "stacking" — they open a second balance transfer card near the end of the first card's introductory period and move any remaining balance to the new card's 0% period. This works if you can may have access to for multiple cards and if you are disciplined about paying down the balance each time. It also requires tracking multiple due dates and card terms.
Credit score requirements for balance transfer cards
Balance transfer cards are not available to everyone. Most require a credit score of 670 or higher, and the best offers (longest periods, lowest fees) typically require 700 or higher. A few cards accept scores as low as 650, but the terms are less favorable.
Your credit score affects not just whether you are considered, but what terms you receive. Two people approved for the same card might get different introductory periods or transfer fees based on their credit profiles. Someone with a 750 score might get 21 months at 0% with a 0% fee, while someone with a 680 score might get 12 months at 0% with a 2% fee.
If your score is below 670, you may not may have access to for a balance transfer card at all. In that case, other strategies like a personal loan, a debt management plan, or negotiating a lower rate with your current card issuer might be more realistic options.
How new purchases are treated during the 0% period
This is a critical detail that many people miss: new purchases made on a balance transfer card usually do not get the 0% introductory rate. Instead, they accrue interest when ready at the regular purchase APR, which is typically 15% to 25%.
Some cards offer a separate 0% period for new purchases (for example, 0% for 12 months on balance transfers and 0% for 6 months on purchases). But these are separate timers. If you use the card to buy groceries or gas during the balance transfer 0% period, that purchase is on a different interest clock.
The best practice is to treat a balance transfer card as a payoff tool, not a spending tool. Make the transfer, set up a payment plan to pay it off before the introductory period ends, and do not use the card for new purchases. This keeps the math straightforward and prevents you from accidentally adding new debt while you are trying to eliminate old debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance from one card to the same card issuer?
No. You cannot transfer a balance from a Chase card to another Chase card, or from a Bank of America card to another Bank of America card. The transfer must go to a different issuer. This is a rule enforced by all major card companies.
What if I cannot pay off the balance before the 0% period ends?
The remaining balance converts to the regular APR, and interest starts accruing. Some people open a second balance transfer card and move the remaining balance to a new 0% period, but this only works if you may have access to and if you commit to paying it down during the second period. Otherwise, you are back to paying regular interest rates.
Does explore for a balance transfer card hurt my credit score?
Yes, temporarily. A hard inquiry and a new account both lower your score by a few points in the short term. Your score usually recovers within a few months. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage or car loan soon, wait until after that process to open a balance transfer card.
Can I transfer balances from multiple cards to one balance transfer card?
Yes. You can move balances from two, three, or more cards to a single balance transfer card, as long as the total does not exceed your credit limit. Each transfer is charged the same transfer fee. This simplifies your payments to one card, but make sure your payoff plan covers the entire combined balance before the 0% period ends.
What is the difference between a balance transfer card and a personal loan?
A balance transfer card offers 0% interest for a limited time, then a higher rate. A personal loan has a fixed interest rate and fixed term from the start. Personal loans are often better if you cannot pay off the balance during the 0% period, because the rate is usually lower than a card's regular APR. Balance transfer cards are better if you can pay off the debt within the introductory window.