You can pay a credit card with another credit card, but only through specific methods, and most of them cost money
The short answer is yes — but the way you do it matters, and it usually costs you. You cannot straightforward swipe one card to pay another card's bill directly. Instead, you use a balance transfer, a cash advance, or a third-party payment service. Each method has different fees, interest rates, and consequences for your credit.
The reason this matters: paying one card with another does not reduce your total debt. It moves debt from one card to another, and the fees and interest you pay along the way can make your situation worse, not better. Understanding which method costs what, and when each one makes sense, is the difference between a useful tactic and a costly mistake.
Key Takeaways
- Balance transfers move debt from one card to another and often come with a one-time fee (typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount transferred) plus a lower introductory interest rate.
- Cash advances let you withdraw money from a credit card to pay another card, but charge higher interest rates when ready and include an upfront fee (usually 3 to 5 percent).
- Payment services like PayPal, Venmo, and Square Cash accept credit cards but charge a percentage fee (typically 2 to 3 percent) to process the transaction.
- Using any of these methods to pay off high-interest debt with a lower-interest card can save money only if the new card's rate and fees are genuinely lower than what you are currently paying.
- Paying one card with another does not reduce your total debt — it only moves it — so these methods work best as part of a plan to pay down the balance, not as a permanent solution.
Balance Transfers: Moving debt to a lower-rate card
A balance transfer moves your debt from one credit card to another, usually one with a lower interest rate. The receiving card charges a balance transfer fee, typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount you transfer. So if you transfer $5,000, you pay $150 to $250 upfront. That fee is added to your new balance.
The payoff comes from the introductory rate. Many cards offer 0 percent APR for a set period — often 6 to 21 months — on transferred balances. During that time, your payment goes entirely toward principal instead of interest. If you can pay down the balance before the introductory period ends, you save significantly compared to carrying the debt on a high-interest card.
The catch: once the introductory period ends, the regular APR kicks in. If you still carry a balance, you pay that rate going forward. Also, most cards do not let you transfer a balance from another card issued by the same bank. You cannot transfer from one Chase card to another Chase card, for example.
Cash advances: Expensive and when ready interest
A cash advance lets you withdraw money from your credit card's available credit, usually at an ATM or through a bank teller. You can then use that cash to pay your other card. The problem is the cost structure: cash advances charge a fee (typically 3 to 5 percent) and start accruing interest when ready — there is no grace period like there is for regular purchases.
The interest rate on a cash advance is also usually higher than the regular purchase APR on the same card. If your card charges 18 percent on purchases, it might charge 24 percent on cash advances. This means a $5,000 cash advance costs you $150 to $250 in fees plus interest that starts the day you withdraw the money.
Cash advances make sense only in rare situations — for example, if you need to pay a bill that does not accept credit cards and you have no other way to pay. As a strategy to move debt between cards, it is almost always more expensive than a balance transfer.
Payment services: A simpler route with its own fee
Services like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Google Pay let you send money to someone else's bank account or card. You can use one credit card to send money to a bank account, then use that money to pay another card. The fee is usually 2 to 3 percent of the transaction amount.
This method is straightforward and does not require you to open a new card or negotiate with your card issuer. But the fee adds up quickly. On a $5,000 payment, you pay $100 to $150 just to move the money. And unlike a balance transfer, there is no introductory interest rate — the money you send is treated as a regular payment, and any remaining balance on the receiving card accrues interest at its normal rate.
Payment services work best for small, one-time payments rather than moving large balances. If you are paying $200 to $300 toward a card, the $5 to $10 fee is manageable. If you are moving $5,000, the cost becomes hard to justify.
When paying one card with another actually saves money
The only scenario where this strategy works is when the new card's total cost (fee plus interest) is lower than what you would pay on the original card. This requires math.
Say you have a $5,000 balance on a card charging 22 percent APR. If you do nothing and pay $200 per month, you will pay roughly $2,800 in interest over the life of the loan. Now say you transfer that balance to a card with a 3 percent transfer fee and 0 percent APR for 12 months. You pay $150 upfront in fees. If you pay $417 per month for 12 months, you pay off the balance with zero interest. Total cost: $150.
The difference is $2,650 — a real saving. But this only works if you actually pay down the balance during the introductory period. If you transfer the balance and then stop paying, or if you only make minimum payments, the introductory rate expires and you are back to paying high interest on a new card.
How these methods affect your credit score
All three methods — balance transfers, cash advances, and payment services — report to the credit bureaus and affect your score in different ways.
A balance transfer opens a new account, which lowers your average account age and temporarily lowers your score. But it also lowers your credit utilization on the original card (the percentage of available credit you are using). Over time, as you pay down the transferred balance, your score usually recovers and then improves.
A cash advance does not open a new account, but it counts as a separate balance on your card and increases your utilization. It also signals to lenders that you are borrowing against your credit limit, which can lower your score.
Payment services do not directly affect your credit score — they are just money transfers. But if you use them to avoid paying a bill on time, the missed payment will hurt your score.
The real reason people do this — and why it usually backfires
Most people try to pay one card with another because they are behind on payments or because they want to consolidate multiple debts into one place. Both are understandable, but neither reason justifies the fees and complexity.
If you are behind on payments, paying one card with another does not solve the problem — it just moves it. You still owe the money, and now you owe it on a different card. The late payment still reports to your credit file. The better move is to contact your card issuer, explain your situation, and ask about hardship programs or payment plans.
If you want to consolidate debt, a personal loan or a debt consolidation loan is almost always cheaper than moving balances between credit cards. Personal loans have fixed rates, fixed terms, and no surprise fees. You know exactly what you will pay and when you will be done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to pay my credit card bill online?
Most card issuers do not let you pay your bill directly with another credit card through their website. You can only pay with a bank account, debit card, or check. If you want to use a credit card, you have to use a third-party payment service, which charges a fee.
What is the difference between a balance transfer and a cash advance?
A balance transfer moves your debt to a new card and usually comes with a lower introductory interest rate. A cash advance withdraws money from your card's credit line and charges a higher interest rate when ready. Balance transfers are cheaper if you are moving a large balance; cash advances are simpler but more expensive.
Will paying one card with another hurt my credit score?
A balance transfer will temporarily lower your score because it opens a new account, but it usually improves your score over time as you pay down the balance. A cash advance can lower your score because it increases your utilization. Payment services do not directly affect your score unless you miss a payment as a result.
Is there a way to pay a credit card with another card without a fee?
No. Every method — balance transfers, cash advances, and payment services — charges a fee. The only way to avoid fees is to pay with a bank account, debit card, or check. If you do not have access to those, a balance transfer with an introductory 0 percent rate is usually the cheapest option.
Should I do a balance transfer if I am trying to pay off debt?
A balance transfer makes sense only if you have a concrete plan to pay down the balance during the introductory period and if the new card's fee and interest rate are genuinely lower than your current card. If you are just moving debt around without a payoff plan, you are making your situation worse, not better.