You can pay a credit card with another credit card, but it usually costs money and may not help your debt
Paying one credit card balance using another credit card is technically possible through a few methods, but each one charges a fee — typically 3% to 5% of the amount transferred. The most common route is a balance transfer, where you move debt from one card to another, usually one with a lower interest rate. A second option is a cash advance, where you withdraw money from one card and use it to pay another, though this is expensive and starts accruing interest when ready. A third, less common method is using a payment service like PayPal or Square Cash to move money between cards, which also charges a fee.
The reason these methods exist is not to solve debt — they exist to move debt around. If you are considering paying one card with another because you cannot pay either one in full, the fee you pay makes your total debt larger, not smaller. If you are doing it to lower your interest rate temporarily, that can make sense, but only if you have a plan to pay down the new balance before the promotional rate ends.
Key Takeaways
- Balance transfers move debt to a new card, usually with a lower interest rate for a set period, but charge a one-time fee of 3% to 5% of the amount moved.
- Cash advances let you withdraw money from one card to pay another, but charge both a fee and when ready interest, making them the most expensive option.
- Payment apps like PayPal can transfer money between cards for a fee, but this does not lower your interest rate or reduce what you owe.
- Moving debt between cards only helps if the new card has a lower rate and you pay down the balance before any promotional period ends.
- If you cannot pay either card in full, moving debt between them increases your total cost and does not solve the underlying problem.
Balance transfers: moving debt to a lower-rate card
A balance transfer moves your debt from one credit card to another, usually one offering a lower interest rate for a limited time. You initiate the transfer through the new card's issuer — for example, if you want to move a balance from Chase to Capital One, you contact Capital One and provide your Chase account details. Capital One then pays Chase directly, and your debt moves to the Capital One card.
The catch is the balance transfer fee, which most issuers charge as a percentage of the amount transferred. This fee ranges from 3% to 5% and is added to your new balance when ready. If you transfer $5,000 at a 4% fee, you now owe $5,200 on the new card before you make a single payment. Some cards offer 0% balance transfer fees for a limited time, but these are rare and usually only available to people with very good credit.
Balance transfers make sense only if the interest rate on the new card is significantly lower than your current card, and only if you can pay down the balance during the promotional period. Most promotional rates last 6 to 21 months, depending on the card. After that period ends, the regular interest rate kicks in. If you still owe money at that point, you are back where you started, having paid a fee for the privilege.
Cash advances: the most expensive way to move money between cards
A cash advance lets you withdraw money from one credit card as if it were an ATM, then use that cash to pay another card. You can do this at an ATM, at a bank teller window, or through a cash advance check that comes with some credit cards. The money appears in your bank account within one to three business days.
Cash advances are expensive for three reasons. First, most issuers charge a fee of 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. Second, cash advances do not get a grace period — interest starts accruing the day you withdraw the money, even if you pay it back when ready. Third, the interest rate on cash advances is usually higher than the rate on regular purchases, often 2% to 3% above your standard APR. If your card charges 18% APR on purchases, the cash advance rate might be 21% or 22%.
Because of these costs, a cash advance should be your last resort. It makes sense only if you have an when ready need for cash and no other way to get it. Using it to pay another credit card is almost never the right move, because you are paying fees and interest on money you are straightforward moving from one debt to another.
Payment apps and third-party services
Services like PayPal, Square Cash, Venmo, and Google Pay let you send money between people and between bank accounts. Some of these services also let you link a credit card as your payment method, which means you can use a credit card to send money to someone else's bank account or to another person's card.
If you use a credit card to fund a payment through one of these services, the service typically charges a fee — usually 2% to 3% of the amount sent. The money goes to the recipient's bank account or card, not directly to your credit card issuer. This means you would have to transfer the money to your own bank account first, then use your bank account to pay your credit card bill. This adds time and complexity without lowering your interest rate.
Some issuers also block credit card payments made through third-party services, treating them as cash advances and charging cash advance fees instead. Before you try this route, contact your card issuer to ask whether they allow it and what fees they charge.
When paying one card with another actually makes sense
There are two situations where moving debt between cards can be worth the fee. The first is when you have a high-interest card and can move the balance to a card with a significantly lower promotional rate — for example, moving a balance from a 22% card to a 0% card for 18 months. Even after paying the 3% to 5% transfer fee, you save money if you pay down the balance during the promotional period. Use a calculator to compare: the fee you pay upfront versus the interest you would pay on the original card over the same time period.
The second situation is when you are in a temporary cash flow crisis and need to buy time. If you have a large bill due and cannot pay it this month, moving the balance to a card with a lower rate gives you breathing room to pay it down over the next few months. This only works if you actually use that time to pay down the balance, not to accumulate more debt.
In both cases, the key is having a specific payoff plan before you move the debt. If you do not know when or how you will pay it off, moving it between cards just makes your situation more complicated.
The real problem: debt you cannot pay
If you are considering paying one credit card with another because you cannot afford to pay either one, moving debt around will not solve the problem. Each method charges a fee, which increases what you owe. You end up with more debt, not less.
If you are in this situation, the better options are to contact your card issuer and ask about hardship programs, which can lower your interest rate or pause payments temporarily; to work with a nonprofit credit counselor through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, which offers free or low-cost guidance; or to explore whether a debt consolidation loan from a bank or credit union might offer a lower rate than your cards. These options do not involve moving debt between cards and do not charge the same kind of fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my credit card bill with a different credit card?
Most credit card issuers do not accept payments from another credit card directly. If you want to move debt between cards, you use a balance transfer, which the new card issuer initiates. You cannot straightforward call your card company and ask them to charge another card for your payment.
Will paying one card with another hurt my credit score?
A balance transfer itself does not hurt your score, but it can affect it in two ways. First, the new card issuer does a hard inquiry, which may lower your score by a few points. Second, if the balance transfer increases your total credit card debt, your credit utilization ratio goes up, which can lower your score. Once you pay down the balance, your score typically recovers.
What happens if I can't pay off the balance transfer before the promotional rate ends?
The regular interest rate kicks in on any remaining balance. If you owe $3,000 when the 0% promotional period ends, you start paying interest on that $3,000 at the card's standard APR, which could be 18% or higher. You should have a payoff plan in place before you do the transfer.
Is a balance transfer better than a personal loan?
It depends on the numbers. A personal loan from a bank or credit union often has a lower interest rate than a credit card, even after a balance transfer fee. Personal loans also have a fixed payoff date, which forces you to stick to a schedule. Compare the total cost of each option — the fee plus interest over the payoff period — before deciding.
Can I do multiple balance transfers to keep getting 0% rates?
Technically yes, but each transfer charges a fee and each one shows up on your credit report. Doing multiple transfers in a short time can lower your credit score and may signal to issuers that you are in financial trouble, making it harder to get approved for new cards. This strategy only works if you are genuinely paying down debt with each transfer, not just moving it around.