You cannot use one credit card to pay another credit card directly, but you have several workarounds
Most credit card issuers block direct payments from another credit card. If you try to pay your Visa bill with your Mastercard, the payment will be rejected. The card networks treat this as a cash advance or balance transfer, which they restrict to protect themselves from fraud and to prevent you from endlessly cycling debt between cards.
However, you can move money between cards through an intermediary step. The most common routes are a bank account transfer, a balance transfer offer, or a cash advance. Each has different costs, different timelines, and different reasons to use it. Which one makes sense depends on why you need to move the money in the first place.
Key Takeaways
- Direct card-to-card payments are blocked by the card networks, so you must route the payment through a bank account or use a balance transfer.
- Transferring money to your bank account first, then paying from that account, is free if both cards are from the same bank, but may cost a fee if they are not.
- Balance transfers move debt from one card to another and often come with a promotional rate, but charge a transfer fee (typically 3 to 5 percent) and require a credit check.
- Cash advances let you withdraw money from a credit card, but charge high interest rates and fees, making this the most expensive option for most people.
- If you are behind on a payment, contact your card issuer directly rather than trying to pay with another card — they may offer a hardship plan or payment extension.
Paying through a bank account transfer
The simplest workaround is to transfer money from one credit card to a bank account, then pay the other credit card from that account. Most credit card issuers allow you to transfer funds to a linked bank account, though they call this a cash advance and charge a fee.
If both cards are issued by the same bank, the transfer is often free and when ready. For example, if you have a Chase checking account and a Chase credit card, you can move money between them at no cost. Check your card issuer's website or call to confirm whether the transfer counts as a cash advance (which would trigger interest when ready) or a regular transfer.
If the cards are from different banks, expect a fee of 1 to 3 percent of the amount transferred, plus interest starting when ready. This route is most useful when you need to move money quickly and the fee is smaller than the cost of missing a payment.
Balance transfers: moving debt between cards
A balance transfer moves an existing balance from one credit card to another, usually at a lower interest rate for a set period. Many card issuers offer 0 percent introductory rates for 6 to 21 months, which can save you hundreds of dollars in interest if you are carrying a balance.
Balance transfers charge an upfront fee, typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount transferred. On a $5,000 transfer, that is $150 to $250 paid when ready. You also need a credit check, and approval is not may provide — the new card issuer will review your credit score and payment history before accepting the transfer.
Balance transfers make sense when you have high-interest debt on one card and want to move it to a card with a lower rate. They do not work if you are trying to pay off a card entirely; the balance transfer just moves the debt, it does not eliminate it. You still owe the money, now on a different card.
Cash advances: the most expensive option
A cash advance lets you withdraw money from a credit card at an ATM or bank branch. You can then use that cash to pay another credit card. This is technically possible but almost always the wrong choice financially.
Cash advances charge a fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus a much higher interest rate than regular purchases — often 25 to 30 percent. Interest starts accruing when ready, with no grace period. On a $1,000 cash advance, you might pay $30 to $50 in fees plus interest that compounds daily.
Use a cash advance only if you are in a genuine emergency and have no other way to make a payment. Even then, pay it off as quickly as possible.
When you are behind on a payment
If you are behind on a credit card payment and are considering using another card to catch up, stop and call your card issuer first. Most issuers have hardship programs that can pause interest, lower your rate, or extend your payment important date at no cost.
Paying a late balance with another card's cash advance or balance transfer will cost you more in fees and interest than a hardship plan. The card issuer would rather work with you than send your account to collections. Explain your situation honestly — job loss, medical emergency, unexpected expense — and ask what options they offer.
Comparing your options side by side
| Method | Cost | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank account transfer (same bank) | Free | when ready to 1 day | Moving money between your own accounts quickly |
| Bank account transfer (different banks) | 1–3% fee | 1–3 days | Moving money when you need it but can wait a few days |
| Balance transfer | 3–5% fee + promotional rate | 5–14 days | Moving high-interest debt to a lower rate for months |
| Cash advance | 3–5% fee + 25–30% interest | when ready | Emergency only; most expensive option |
| Hardship program | Free | 1–2 days | You are behind on a payment and need relief |
Why card issuers block direct payments
Credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) prohibit direct card-to-card payments for two reasons. First, they want to prevent fraud — a stolen card number could be used to pay off another stolen card, making the fraud harder to detect. Second, they profit from interest and fees. If you could endlessly cycle money between cards at no cost, you would never pay interest, and the card issuer would make nothing.
The restriction also protects you. It prevents you from taking out a cash advance on one card to pay another card's balance, which would lock you into high-interest debt. The networks assume that if you need to move money between cards, you should think carefully about why and what it will cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a debit card to pay a credit card bill?
Yes. Debit card payments work the same way as bank account transfers — you provide your debit card number and the payment goes through. There is no fee for paying a credit card with a debit card from any bank. This is the standard way most people pay their credit card bills.
What if I have a 0 percent balance transfer offer?
A 0 percent offer means you pay no interest on the transferred balance for the promotional period (usually 6 to 21 months), but you still pay the upfront transfer fee. After the promotional period ends, any remaining balance reverts to the card's regular interest rate. Use the 0 percent period to pay down the balance as much as possible.
Does paying one credit card with another hurt my credit score?
A balance transfer shows up on your credit report and may temporarily lower your score because it is a new account inquiry and a new line of credit. However, if you use the lower interest rate to pay off the balance faster, your score will recover and improve over time as your overall debt decreases.
Can I use a credit card to pay a credit card at the same bank?
Most banks block this, but some allow you to transfer funds from a credit card to a checking account at no cost, then pay the other credit card from that account. Call your bank to ask whether this counts as a cash advance (which charges interest when ready) or a regular transfer.
What happens if I miss a payment while trying to move money between cards?
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus after 30 days and damages your credit score. It also triggers late fees and a higher interest rate on that card. If you are worried about missing a payment, contact your card issuer and ask about a payment extension or hardship program before the due date passes.