The Short Answer: Usually No, and the Few Ways That Exist Cost Money
You cannot pay a credit card bill directly with another credit card. If you try to use one card to pay another card's balance, the card issuer will reject the transaction — they do not accept credit cards as a payment method. The only ways to move money between cards involve third-party services, and nearly all of them charge a fee that makes the move expensive.
The reason is straightforward: credit card companies treat a credit card payment as a cash advance, not a purchase. A cash advance comes with a higher interest rate (often 25% or more), an upfront fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount), and no grace period — interest starts accruing when ready. That combination makes it one of the costliest ways to borrow money.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card issuers do not accept another credit card as a direct payment method, and attempting to do so will be declined.
- Moving money from one card to another through a third party (like a money transfer service or cash advance) triggers fees and higher interest rates that can cost hundreds of dollars.
- If you need to pay down one card's balance, transferring money to a bank account first and then paying from that account avoids the cash advance trap.
- A balance transfer to a new card with a 0% introductory rate is cheaper than a cash advance if you have time to open a new account and meet the requirements.
Why Credit Card Companies Block Card-to-Card Payments
When you use a credit card to pay another credit card, the issuer sees it as a request for cash, not a purchase. This distinction matters because it changes the rules. A purchase has a grace period (usually 21 to 25 days before interest kicks in), but a cash advance does not. Interest on a cash advance begins the day you take it out.
Card issuers also treat cash advances as higher-risk transactions. You are borrowing money at the card's cash advance rate, which is separate from and almost always higher than your purchase rate. A card might charge 18% on purchases but 28% on cash advances. The issuer protects itself by charging an upfront fee — typically 3% to 5% of the amount — on top of the interest.
Some issuers will allow you to take a cash advance at an ATM or through a balance transfer check (a check that draws from your credit line). These are technically ways to move money between cards, but they carry the same fees and rates as any other cash advance.
The Real Cost of Moving Money Between Cards
Let's say you have a $2,000 balance on Card A and you want to pay it with Card B. If Card B allows a cash advance, here is what happens:
- Cash advance fee: $60 to $100 (3% to 5% of $2,000)
- Interest rate: 25% to 30% annually (compared to maybe 18% on purchases)
- Interest accrual: Starts when ready, not after a grace period
If you carry that $2,000 for one month before paying it off, you will owe roughly $40 to $50 in interest alone, plus the upfront fee. Over six months, the interest alone could exceed $250. A balance transfer to a new card with a 0% introductory rate would cost nothing in interest during that period, though it would still charge a transfer fee (usually 3% to 5%).
The math is clearer when you compare it to other borrowing options. A personal loan for $2,000 at 15% interest costs far less than a credit card cash advance at 28% interest, even after the loan origination fee.
What Actually Works: Moving Money Without the Cash Advance Trap
If you need to pay one card with money from another, the cheapest route is to move money to your bank account first, then pay from there. Here is how:
- Request a cash advance from Card B at an ATM or through your card's app. Yes, this charges a fee and interest, but you control the amount and timing.
- Deposit the cash into your checking account.
- Pay Card A's bill from your checking account using the card issuer's website or app.
This sounds like it adds steps, but it does not change the cost — a cash advance is a cash advance whether you take it at an ATM or through a transfer service. The difference is that you avoid getting trapped in a service that charges even higher fees on top of the cash advance fee.
A balance transfer is cheaper if you have time and may have access to. You open a new card (or use an existing one if it offers balance transfers), transfer the balance from Card A to the new card, and pay off the balance during the 0% introductory period. The transfer fee is usually 3% to 5%, but you pay no interest during the promotional window — typically 6 to 21 months depending on the card. This works only if you can pay off the balance before the rate jumps to the regular APR.
When You Might See a Card-to-Card Payment Go Through
Occasionally a payment that looks like a card-to-card transaction will go through. This usually happens when you use a third-party payment service like PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash to send money to someone, and that person then pays your credit card bill. The service treats your card as a funding source for a money transfer, not as a direct payment to another card.
These services charge their own fees — typically 2% to 3% of the amount for credit card funding — on top of any fees the recipient's payment processor charges. You end up paying to move the money, then the recipient pays to deposit it. For a $2,000 transfer, you could easily spend $40 to $60 in fees alone.
Some employers and government agencies accept credit card payments through third-party processors (like when you pay taxes or tuition by card). These also charge a processing fee, usually 1.5% to 2.5%, which the payer covers. This is not the same as paying one credit card with another, but it shows how third-party services add cost to any card-based transaction.
Better Alternatives If You Are Stuck With High-Interest Debt
If you are trying to move money between cards because you are carrying a balance you cannot pay off, the card-to-card route will make things worse, not better. Consider these options instead:
A personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender typically charges 10% to 25% interest, depending on your credit score. The interest rate is fixed, the repayment term is set (usually 2 to 7 years), and there is no grace period trap. For a $2,000 balance, a personal loan at 18% over three years costs less in total interest than a credit card cash advance at 28%.
A balance transfer card works if you can may have access to and if you commit to paying off the balance during the 0% period. Many cards offer 0% for 12 to 21 months on transferred balances. The transfer fee (3% to 5%) is a one-time cost, and you pay nothing in interest if you clear the balance before the promotional rate ends.
If you are behind on payments or facing hardship, contact your card issuer directly. Many offer hardship programs that temporarily lower your interest rate, waive fees, or restructure your payment plan. These are not advertised, but they exist, and asking costs nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I try to pay my credit card with another credit card online?
The transaction will be declined. Credit card issuers do not accept other credit cards as a payment method. If you attempt it through your card's payment portal, the system will reject it before it processes. Some payment processors might allow it and treat it as a cash advance, but the card issuer will still charge you the cash advance fee and rate.
Is a balance transfer the same as paying one card with another?
No. A balance transfer moves your debt from one card to another card (usually a new one with a promotional 0% rate). You are not paying the first card off — you are moving the balance. You still owe the money, but you owe it to a different issuer and at a different rate. This is cheaper than a cash advance if the new card has a 0% introductory period.
Can I use a payment app like PayPal or Venmo to pay my credit card?
You can fund a payment app with a credit card and then send money to someone else, but that person would have to pay your credit card bill for you. The app charges a fee (usually 2% to 3%) for credit card funding, and the recipient might face their own fees when depositing the money. This is expensive and impractical for paying your own bill.
What is the difference between a cash advance and a balance transfer?
A cash advance is borrowing money against your credit line — you get cash (or a check) and pay interest when ready at the cash advance rate, plus an upfront fee. A balance transfer moves an existing balance from one card to another, usually at a promotional rate. Balance transfers are cheaper if the new card offers 0% interest, but they require opening a new account and meeting the issuer's requirements.
If I cannot afford to pay my credit card, should I try to pay it with another card?
No. Paying one card with another through a cash advance or third-party service adds fees and higher interest rates, making your debt more expensive, not less. Instead, contact your card issuer about a hardship program, look into a personal loan at a lower rate, or speak with a credit counselor about your options. Many nonprofits offer free counseling through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.