The Short Answer: Usually No, and It Costs More When You Can
You cannot pay a credit card bill directly with another credit card through your card issuer's normal payment methods. When you log into your account to make a payment, the system accepts bank transfers, checks, and debit cards — not credit cards. If you try to use a credit card number, the payment will be rejected.
There are workarounds, but each one carries a fee or a catch. A cash advance lets you borrow against your credit limit as cash, but you pay an upfront fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus a higher interest rate from day one. Balance transfers move debt from one card to another, but again charge a fee and work only if you're moving the balance, not making a one-time payment. Third-party payment services like Plastiq or Square Cash can process credit card payments, but they also charge a percentage fee.
The reason credit card companies block direct credit card payments is straightforward: they want to avoid a cycle where you borrow against one card to pay another, running up debt on both. The fees and friction are intentional.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card issuers do not accept credit card payments through their standard payment portals, and attempting to use one will be declined.
- Cash advances and balance transfers are the main ways to move money from one credit card to another, but both charge fees and higher interest rates.
- Third-party payment platforms can process credit card payments to credit card bills, but charge a percentage fee that makes this expensive for anything but emergencies.
- If you are behind on a payment, contact your card issuer directly — many offer hardship programs or payment plans that cost less than fees.
Why Credit Card Payments Are Blocked
Credit card companies treat credit card payments differently from other payment methods because the transaction carries more risk. When you pay with a debit card or bank account, the money comes from funds you already have. When you pay with another credit card, you are borrowing to pay borrowed money, which increases the chance you will default on both accounts.
Blocking direct credit card payments also protects the card network itself. If cardholders could freely pay one card with another, the volume of transactions between issuers would spike, and the system would become harder to manage. The fees associated with workarounds — cash advances, balance transfers, third-party processors — are partly how issuers recoup the cost of managing these riskier transactions when they do occur.
Cash Advances: Borrowing Against Your Credit Limit
A cash advance lets you withdraw cash against your credit limit, either at an ATM using your card or at a bank teller window. You can then use that cash to pay your other credit card bill by check, bank transfer, or in person. The process works, but the cost is steep.
Cash advances charge an upfront fee, usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $5 to $10. If you advance $1,000, you might pay $30 to $50 just to get the cash. More importantly, cash advances do not get the same grace period as purchases. Interest starts accruing when ready — often at a rate 5 to 10 percentage points higher than your purchase APR — and there is no interest-free window. If your purchase APR is 18 percent, your cash advance APR might be 28 percent.
Use a cash advance only if you are truly stuck and have no other option. The cost adds up fast, especially if you carry the balance for more than a month or two.
Balance Transfers: Moving Debt Between Cards
A balance transfer moves an existing balance from one credit card to another, usually one with a lower interest rate or a promotional 0 percent APR period. This is different from making a payment — you are not paying off the debt, you are moving it. But if you have a high-interest balance on one card and want to shift it to a card with better terms, a balance transfer can save you money on interest.
Balance transfers also charge a fee, typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount transferred, though some cards offer 0 percent transfer fees during promotional periods. The fee is usually added to your new balance, so if you transfer $2,000 with a 3 percent fee, you owe $2,060 on the new card. However, if the new card offers a 0 percent APR for 12 to 21 months, you can pay down the balance interest-free during that window — a real advantage if your current card charges 20 percent or more.
Balance transfers work best when you are consolidating debt and have a plan to pay it down during the promotional period. They do not work if you need to make a one-time payment to avoid a late fee, because the transfer takes several business days to post.
Third-Party Payment Platforms and Their Fees
Services like Plastiq, Square Cash, and some bill-pay platforms allow you to submit a credit card as payment for almost any bill, including credit card bills. The transaction processes like a regular payment, and your credit card issuer sees it as a standard charge. The catch is the fee: most charge 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount.
If you pay a $500 credit card bill through Plastiq, you will pay $10 to $15 in fees on top of the $500. That is expensive, but it may be worth it if you are facing a late payment and have no other way to pay. Some of these services also offer rewards or points on the transaction, which can offset part of the fee — check the terms before you sign up.
These platforms are most useful for one-time emergencies, not regular payments. If you find yourself using them every month, you have a cash flow problem that needs a different solution.
What to Do If You Cannot Pay Your Credit Card Bill
If you are short on cash and worried about missing a payment, contact your card issuer before the due date. Most issuers have hardship programs that offer temporary relief: a lower interest rate, a reduced monthly payment, or a pause on payments for a set period. These programs are designed for people facing temporary financial difficulty, and they cost nothing to request.
Explain your situation clearly — job loss, medical emergency, unexpected expense — and ask what options are available. Many issuers will work with you rather than let an account go to collections. A hardship program is far cheaper than a cash advance fee or a third-party payment service, and it does not damage your credit as much as a late payment would.
If you have multiple credit cards and are juggling payments, consider whether a balance transfer to a 0 percent APR card makes sense for consolidation. This is different from paying one card with another; you are moving the debt to a card with better terms and a clear payoff plan. This only works if you stop using the old cards and commit to paying down the balance during the promotional period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to pay another credit card online?
No. Credit card issuers do not accept credit card payments through their online portals or phone lines. The payment system will reject a credit card number. You can pay with a debit card, bank account, or check, but not with another credit card.
What is the cheapest way to move money from one credit card to another?
A balance transfer is usually cheapest if you are moving an existing balance and can take advantage of a 0 percent APR promotional period. The transfer fee (3 to 5 percent) is offset by months of interest-free payments. A cash advance is more expensive because interest starts when ready and the rate is higher. Third-party payment services are the most expensive option and should be used only for emergencies.
Will paying one credit card with another hurt my credit score?
Using a cash advance or third-party payment service will not directly hurt your score, but it will increase your credit utilization (the amount of your available credit you are using), which can lower your score temporarily. A balance transfer also increases utilization but may lower your score less if the new card has a higher limit. Late payments hurt your score far more than any of these options, so if you are choosing between a fee and a late payment, the fee is the better choice.
Can I use a rewards credit card to pay my bill and earn points?
Only if you use a third-party payment platform that codes the transaction as a purchase rather than a cash advance. Plastiq and similar services do report to your card issuer as a charge, so you may earn points or cash back. However, the fee (2 to 3 percent) usually exceeds the value of the rewards, so you come out behind. Check the terms of your rewards card and the payment service before you assume you will profit.
What happens if I ignore the block and try to pay with a credit card anyway?
The payment will be declined. Your card issuer's system will reject the transaction and return an error message. You will not be charged, and the payment will not go through. You will need to use a different payment method or choose one of the workarounds described above.