How to transfer a balance to a Chase credit card
You can transfer a balance from another credit card to Chase by calling Chase customer service, using the Chase mobile app, or logging into your online account. Chase will give you a balance transfer offer when you open a new card or sometimes on an existing account — the offer includes a window of time (usually 60 days) during which you can move the balance without paying interest for a set period, often 6 to 21 months depending on the card.
The process itself is straightforward: you provide the name of the card issuer you're transferring from, your account number on that card, and the amount you want to move. Chase then contacts that issuer, arranges the transfer, and the money moves directly from one card to the other. You do not send money yourself. The entire transfer typically takes 7 to 14 business days to complete.
One important detail: the card you're transferring to must already be open and active. You cannot initiate a balance transfer during the process process — you have to be approved and receive the card first, then request the transfer within the promotional window.
Key Takeaways
- Chase balance transfer offers last for a specific number of days from when you open the card, so check your offer letter to see your important date.
- You can request the transfer by phone, through the Chase app, or online, and the money moves directly between card issuers without you handling cash.
- The transfer takes 7 to 14 business days, and you'll owe a balance transfer fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount moved) added to your Chase balance.
- Interest-free periods vary by card and offer, ranging from 6 to 21 months, and the promotional rate applies only to the transferred balance, not new purchases.
- You must have an open Chase card before you can transfer a balance; the transfer cannot happen during the process process.
Where to request the transfer
You have three ways to start a balance transfer with Chase. The fastest is usually the Chase mobile app: open the app, go to your card account, look for "Transfers" or "Balance Transfer" in the menu, and follow the prompts to enter the card details you're transferring from and the amount.
If you prefer online, log into your Chase account at chase.com, select the card you want to transfer the balance to, and look for a "Balance Transfers" or "Manage Your Account" section. The exact menu location varies slightly by card type, but the option is always there if you have an active offer.
You can also call Chase customer service at the number on the back of your card. Have your other card's account number and issuer name ready. The representative will confirm your offer details, verify the amount you want to transfer, and submit the request on the call. This method is useful if you have questions about fees or the promotional period before you commit.
What information you'll need to provide
Chase will ask for the name of the card issuer you're transferring from (for example, "American Express" or "Bank of America"), your account number on that card, and the dollar amount you want to move. Have your other card in front of you when you make the request so you can read the account number correctly.
You do not need to provide your Social Security number, password, or any security codes from the other card. Chase contacts the issuer directly using the account number you give them, so the transfer happens between institutions without you passing sensitive information around.
If you're unsure of your account number, check your statement or the card itself. If you're transferring from a card you've already paid off or closed, you can still use the account number — it remains valid for transfer purposes even if the account is inactive.
Balance transfer fees and how they work
Chase charges a balance transfer fee on every transfer, typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount you move. This fee is added to your Chase balance when ready — it is not a separate charge. If you transfer $5,000 with a 4 percent fee, you'll owe $5,200 on your Chase card.
The fee is calculated once, at the time of the transfer. It does not grow or compound. Some Chase cards offer a promotional period with no balance transfer fee (0 percent), but these are less common and usually only available to new cardholders with strong credit. Check your offer letter to see whether your card includes a fee waiver.
The fee applies to the transferred balance, not to new purchases you make on the card. If you transfer $5,000 and then charge $500 in new purchases, the fee is only on the $5,000.
How the interest-free period works
When you transfer a balance, Chase gives you a set number of months during which you pay no interest on that transferred amount. The length varies by card — common periods are 6, 12, 15, or 21 months. Your offer letter will state the exact number of months you receive.
The interest-free period starts when the transfer posts to your account, not when you request it. If you request a transfer on January 5 and it posts on January 15, the promotional period begins on January 15. Mark that date on your calendar so you know when the period ends.
The promotional rate applies only to the balance you transferred. Any new purchases you make on the card after the transfer will accrue interest at the card's regular purchase rate when ready — they do not get the promotional period. To avoid confusion, many people stop using the card for new purchases while the promotional period is active.
After the promotional period ends, any remaining balance on the transferred amount will start accruing interest at the card's standard rate. This is why it's important to pay down the transferred balance during the interest-free months if you can.
Timeline from request to completion
The transfer request itself takes minutes to submit, but the actual movement of money takes longer. Most Chase balance transfers complete within 7 to 14 business days. Some complete faster — occasionally within 3 to 5 days — but you should plan for the full two weeks.
During this waiting period, you still owe your original card issuer. Do not stop making payments to your old card until the transfer shows up on your Chase statement. If you miss a payment on the original card while the transfer is pending, you could face late fees and damage to your credit score.
Once the transfer posts, your Chase statement will show the transferred balance, the balance transfer fee, and the promotional interest rate. Your old card's balance will drop by the transferred amount. You can then focus on paying down the Chase balance during the interest-free period.
What happens if your transfer is declined
Chase may decline a balance transfer request if the amount exceeds your available credit limit, if you've requested a transfer outside the promotional window, or if there's a problem with the account information you provided. If this happens, you'll receive a notice explaining the reason.
If the issue is your credit limit, you can request a credit limit increase on your Chase card and then resubmit the balance transfer request. If the issue is an incorrect account number or issuer name, double-check the information and try again. If the promotional window has closed, you cannot transfer a balance on that offer — you would need to open a new Chase card with a balance transfer offer if you want to continue.
Contact Chase customer service if you're unsure why a transfer was declined. They can review your request and tell you what needs to change for the transfer to go through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance from multiple cards to one Chase card?
Yes. You can request multiple transfers to the same Chase card, and they all fall under the same promotional period. If you transfer $3,000 from one card and $2,000 from another, both amounts get the same interest-free period. However, the balance transfer fee applies to each transfer separately, so you'll pay the fee on both amounts.
What if I can't pay off the balance before the promotional period ends?
Any remaining balance will start accruing interest at the card's regular rate once the promotional period expires. You can continue making payments after that date — there's no penalty for carrying a balance past the promotional window. However, you'll pay interest on whatever remains, so it's worth trying to pay down as much as you can during the interest-free months.
Does a balance transfer hurt my credit score?
A balance transfer request triggers a hard inquiry, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. However, moving a balance from one card to another can actually help your score over time because it lowers your credit utilization on the original card. The overall impact depends on your credit profile, but most people see their score recover within a few months.
Can I transfer a balance to a Chase card I already own?
Yes, if you have an active balance transfer offer on an existing card. Log into your account or call customer service to check whether you have an offer. Not all existing cardholders receive balance transfer offers, but Chase sometimes sends them to customers with good payment history and available credit.
What if the other card issuer won't accept the transfer?
This is rare, but it can happen if the account is closed, frozen, or flagged for fraud. If Chase tells you the transfer was rejected by the other issuer, contact that card company directly to find out why. Once the issue is resolved, you can request the transfer again.