You cannot pay a credit card bill directly with another credit card
Most credit card issuers will not let you make a regular payment on your card using another credit card. If you try to pay your Visa bill with your Mastercard through the card issuer's website or phone line, the payment will be rejected. The payment system is built to accept only bank accounts, debit cards, or checks — not other credit cards.
The reason is straightforward: credit card companies want to avoid the risk and cost of processing card-to-card payments. Every transaction has a fee attached to it, and allowing credit card payments would create a chain of fees that makes the transaction unprofitable for the issuer. It also creates a higher risk of fraud and disputes.
However, there are a few workarounds that do exist, and each one comes with real costs and consequences you need to understand before you use them.
Key Takeaways
- Direct credit card payments are blocked by most issuers, but you can move money from one card to your bank account through a cash advance or balance transfer, then pay your other card from that account.
- A cash advance lets you withdraw money from a credit card's credit line, but charges an upfront fee (usually 3–5% of the amount) plus a higher interest rate than regular purchases.
- A balance transfer moves debt from one card to another and may offer a low introductory rate, but also charges a fee and only works if you have available credit on the receiving card.
- Using either method to pay another credit card is expensive and should only be considered if you are facing a late payment and have no other way to fund it.
- If you are regularly short on money to pay credit cards, the real issue is spending or income, not the payment method — addressing that will save you far more than any workaround.
Cash advances: Getting money from your credit card to pay another
A cash advance lets you borrow money directly from your credit card's credit line. You can get the cash at an ATM, through a bank teller, or sometimes through a convenience store. Once you have the cash in your bank account, you can use it to pay your other credit card bill.
The cost is steep. Most issuers charge a cash advance fee of 3% to 5% of the amount you withdraw — so a $1,000 cash advance costs $30 to $50 just to get the money out. On top of that, the interest rate on a cash advance is usually higher than the rate on regular purchases, often 5% to 10% higher. Interest starts accruing when ready; there is no grace period like there is for purchases.
If you withdraw $1,000 and pay it back over three months, you could easily pay $100 or more in fees and interest combined. That is a real cost to move money from one card to another.
Balance transfers: Moving debt between cards
A balance transfer moves the balance from one credit card to another. If you have $3,000 on your Visa and transfer it to a Mastercard with a 0% introductory rate, you owe $3,000 on the Mastercard instead.
This is not the same as paying one card with another — you are not paying off the debt, you are moving it. But it can help if your original card has a high interest rate and the new card offers a low or zero rate for a set period (usually 6 to 21 months, depending on the card and the issuer).
The catch is the balance transfer fee, usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred. A $3,000 transfer costs $90 to $150 upfront. You also need available credit on the receiving card — if you only have a $2,000 limit, you cannot transfer $3,000. And once the introductory period ends, the regular interest rate kicks in, which is often high.
A balance transfer makes sense if you are trying to pay down debt at a lower rate, not as a way to make a payment you cannot afford.
Why using one card to pay another is a warning sign
If you are considering paying one credit card with another, stop and ask yourself why. The most common reason is that you do not have enough money in your bank account to cover the payment. That is a real problem, but using another credit card does not solve it — it just spreads the debt across more cards and adds fees on top.
Using one card to pay another is like taking out a loan to pay a loan. You are not reducing what you owe; you are increasing the cost of owing it. If you do this once, you might do it again, and soon you have multiple cards with balances, multiple interest rates, and a much harder situation to climb out of.
If you are short on money, the real solutions are: reduce your spending, increase your income, or both. If you are behind on a payment and worried about your credit score, contact your card issuer and ask about a hardship program — many offer lower interest rates or payment plans for people in temporary financial difficulty.
When a balance transfer actually makes sense
A balance transfer is worth considering in one specific situation: you have existing credit card debt at a high interest rate, you have a steady income, and you can pay down the balance during the introductory period before the regular rate kicks in.
For example, if you owe $5,000 on a card charging 22% interest, and you find a card offering 0% for 18 months, a balance transfer might save you money. You pay the 3% to 5% transfer fee upfront, but you save thousands in interest if you pay the balance down during those 18 months. The math only works if you actually pay the card down — if you just move the debt and keep spending, you end up worse off.
Before you transfer, use a balance transfer calculator to see whether the fee and the interest you will save actually add up to a benefit. Many card issuers have calculators on their websites.
Alternatives if you cannot pay your credit card bill
If you are facing a payment you cannot make, here are your real options:
- Contact your card issuer. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and explain your situation. Many issuers offer hardship programs that lower your interest rate, waive fees, or set up a payment plan. You have to ask, and you have to do it before you miss a payment.
- Ask for a personal loan from a bank or credit union. If you have a relationship with a bank or credit union, you may be able to borrow money at a lower rate than a credit card cash advance. Use the loan to pay off the card, then pay back the loan on a fixed schedule.
- Borrow from family or friends. If possible, this is usually the cheapest option. Be clear about when you will repay and put it in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
- Look into a nonprofit credit counseling service. Organizations like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offer free or low-cost counseling and can help you create a budget or negotiate with creditors. They do not charge you to talk to a counselor.
- If you are behind on multiple debts, explore a debt management plan. A credit counselor can help you set one up, which consolidates your payments into one monthly payment to the counselor, who distributes it to your creditors. This is different from bankruptcy and does not require a lawyer.
How this affects your credit score
Using a cash advance or balance transfer does not directly hurt your credit score, but it does affect the numbers that make up your score. Both actions increase your credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit that you are using. If you have a $5,000 limit and you take a $2,000 cash advance, your utilization jumps to 40%. High utilization can lower your score by 10 to 50 points, depending on your current score and how much you are using.
A missed payment, on the other hand, will hurt your score much more — usually 100 points or more. So if you are choosing between taking a cash advance and missing a payment, the cash advance is the lesser damage. But the best choice is neither: pay on time from your bank account, and if you cannot, contact your issuer before the payment is due.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a debit card to pay my credit card bill?
Yes. Debit cards are treated like bank accounts by credit card issuers, so you can use a debit card to make a payment through the issuer's website, phone line, or in person. There is no fee for this, and it counts as a regular payment toward your balance.
What if I use a credit card to pay a bill at a store, then use that store's payment to pay my credit card?
This does not work as a workaround. Most stores that accept credit cards for payment (like utility companies or rent payment services) charge a fee for credit card payments, often 2% to 3%. You would be paying a fee to move money from one card to another, with no benefit. Stick to bank account or debit card payments.
Is it ever okay to use a cash advance to pay another credit card?
Only if you are facing a late payment and have no other option, and only if you can pay back the cash advance within a month or two. The fees and interest are too high to make this a regular strategy. If you find yourself doing this repeatedly, you need to address your spending or income, not your payment method.
Will paying one credit card with another hurt my credit score more than missing a payment?
Missing a payment hurts your score much more. A missed payment stays on your credit report for seven years and can lower your score by 100 points or more. A cash advance or balance transfer may lower your score by 10 to 50 points through increased utilization, but the damage is temporary and recovers as you pay down the balance.
What is a hardship program, and how do I ask for one?
A hardship program is an agreement between you and your card issuer to lower your interest rate, waive fees, or set up a payment plan because you are facing temporary financial difficulty. Call the number on the back of your card, explain your situation (job loss, medical emergency, etc.), and ask if they offer hardship options. There is no formal process — it is a conversation with a representative who has the authority to help.