If you're carrying high-interest debt, a balance transfer credit card can be a helpful option.
Many balance transfer credit cards offer no-interest periods for new purchases and balances transferred from other debts. Other balance transfer credit cards only offer a 0% intro APR on balance transfers, so make sure you read the fine print to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Business Insider's personal finance experts reviewed dozens of options, comparing benefits, rewards, annual fees, and potential drawbacks to bring you this list of the best balance transfer credit cards available right now.
All of our recommendations have no annual fees, and offer new cardholders at least one year to pay off what they owe without incurring more interest.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of May 2025
| Best For | Card | Annual Fee |
| Long 0% Intro APR | Wells Fargo Reflect® Card | $0 (rates and fees) |
| Best for flexible rewards | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $0(rates and fees) |
| Best for no late fees | Citi Simplicity® Card | $0 |
| Best for families | Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | $0 (rates and fees) |
| Best for reward maximizers | Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card | $0 |
| Best for building credit | Chase Slate Edge℠ | $0 |
Long Zero Interest Intro Offer Credit Card for Balance Transfers and New Purchases
$0
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days
17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable
N/A
Good to Excellent
- Extra-long intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
- No rewards
- Foreign transaction fees
If you're looking for the best Wells Fargo credit card for balance transfers, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a great choice. And it offers an extra-long interest-free period on new purchases, too.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card doesn't earn rewards, but it's best for people who need an extra-long intro APR offer for both balance transfers and new purchases.
New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days (then 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR). Balance transfers come with a fee of 5% (minimum $5).
Although this balance transfer credit card doesn't earn Wells Fargo rewards for spending, cardholders get a handful of worthwhile benefits, including cell phone protection, which is compelling because no-annual-fee credit cards typically don't offer this benefit.
When you use the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card to pay your monthly cellphone bill, you'll receive up to $600 in coverage for eligible cellphone damage or theft, after a $25 deductible, with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Card for Flexible Rewards
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Earn a $200 bonus
Good to Excellent
- Solid flat cash-back rate
- You can combine cash-back rewards with Ultimate Rewards points if you have an eligible card
- No annual fee
- Some other cards offer a higher rate of cash back on certain types of purchases
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for credit card beginners and experts alike. With no annual fee and a high earnings rate, it's worth considering as an everyday card — and it's even better when you pair it with an annual-fee Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Chase Freedom Unlimited- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great balance transfer credit card for earning generous rewards on day-to-day spending while taking advantage of a 0% intro APR on balance transfers.
Cardholders earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then a 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR). They can also earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening — a generous bonus with low spending requirement that's easy for most people to earn.
This balance transfer credit card has an intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater) on transfers made within 60 days of account opening, then $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater).
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee, but you will pay foreign transaction fees on international purchases. It earns rewards in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be redeemed through Chase Travel℠ and for gift cards, merchandise, and more. You can also combine points between certain Chase cards that allow you to book award travel through Chase transfer partners.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Card for No Late Fees
The Citi Simplicity® Card doesn't charge late fees, annual fees, or penalty rates — a boon if you struggle with paying what you owe on time.
New cardholders get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months. After that, your rate goes up to 18.24% - 28.99% Variable APR based on your creditworthiness.
You can pay down a lot of debt by responsibly taking advantage of this offer, but you'll pay a 3% balance transfer fee (minimum of $5) for the privilege. You'll also need to complete any transfers within the first four months after you open this balance transfer credit card to qualify for the introductory APR.
Learn more in our Citi Simplicity card review.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Card for Families
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn a $200 statement credit
Good to Excellent
- Good bonus cash-back rate at U.S supermarkets
- No annual fee.
- If you spend more than $6,000 at U.S supermarkets in a year, you should use another card to earn bonus rewards once you hit that cap.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid cash-back card with no annual fee. It's an especially valuable choice for purchases at US supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases, thanks to its bonus earning categories.
Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 20.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Amex offers a handful of cards with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers. One is the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (rates and fees).
This balance transfer credit card earns bonus rewards on common family expenses such as groceries, gas, and online shopping and comes with monthly statement credits toward Home Chef and The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Terms apply.
New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening, followed by 20.24% - 29.24% Variable APR (rates and fees). Balance transfers must be completed within the first 60 days of account opening to qualify for the 0% intro APR. You'll also pay a balance transfer fee.
There's also a welcome bonus offer of a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Card for Reward Maximizers
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for people who want to maximize rewards from their top expenses.
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice and automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases. Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and on any balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening APR, followed by a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR. You'll pay a balance transfer fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4% per transaction.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Card for Building Credit
The Chase Slate Edge℠ is designed for people who want to improve their financial situation and boost their credit score while paying down credit card debt.
With the Chase Slate Edge℠, you'll get a great 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening (then a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR). So if you're looking for 0% APR on both balance transfers and purchases, this balance transfer credit card is definitely worth considering.
Moreover, you can receive an automatic, one-time review of your credit for the chance of a higher credit limit. But you'll first need to consistently pay on time and spend at least $500 in the first six months of opening the Chase Slate Edge℠.
On each account anniversary, you'll be considered for a 2% APR reduction, as long as you've paid your balance on time and spent at least $1,000 on purchases in the previous anniversary year. The reduction is capped and will reach its lowest point once your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74% (Prime Rate is 7.50% as of 12/19/2024).
Understanding Balance Transfer Credit Card Basics
A zero-interest introductory period doesn't give you license to splurge. Be sure to use your balance transfer credit card responsibly and avoid spending more than you can afford to prevent incurring even more debt.
The average credit card interest rate is over 20%, and can be significantly higher depending on your credit score and the card you're using. The last thing you want to do is find yourself in the quicksand of credit card interest.
How A Balance Transfer Credit Card Works
A balance transfer credit card allows people with existing debt to move their outstanding balance over from another credit card to avoid interest fees. You can avoid interest on a balance transfer credit card thanks to an intro 0% APR offer, which typically lasts anywhere from nine to 21 months.
After this introductory period is over, your APR will reset to the standard variable rate, so you must pay off your credit card debt in full before the intro APR period ends to avoid paying hefty interest charges.
What's the catch? One disadvantage is that balance transfer credit cards typically charge an upfront fee of 3% to 5% of your balance.
If you don't need to transfer a balance but need to make a large purchase that requires time to pay off, see our list of the best zero interest credit cards.
Plan Ahead with a Balance Transfer Credit Card
Before you decide to use a 0% intro APR balance transfer credit card, be sure you have the means and a plan to pay off the full amount you owe before the introductory APR period ends. Otherwise, you'll have to pay interest on your remaining balance.
If you don't think you'll be able to pay off your debt in full by the time the introductory APR offer expires, a balance transfer credit card may not be worth the risk.
Credit Card Balance Transfers: Pros and Cons
Like most things in life, balance transfer credit cards have their pros and cons.
Pros:
- More time to pay off an existing balance without incurring sky-high interest
- Consolidate credit card debt to one account
- Potentially improve your credit score by lowering your credit utilization ratio
Cons:
- Balance transfer fee of 3% to 5%
- High interest once your promotional APR ends
Balance Transfer Credit Card Customer Reviews
Our credit card experts reviewed Reddit and other popular online forums to see what current cardholders had to say about balance transfer credit cards.
Factor In Your Balance Transfer Fee
Balance transfer fees typically vary between 3% to 5%, and different cards charge different fees. In some cases, you may even receive a lower transfer fee rate early on when you first open the card.
Cardholders say that balance transfer fees are significantly more affordable than the high interest rate accrued from credit card debt, and well worth paying if you have the option of doing so.
If you have a choice between several different credit cards, opt for the one with the lowest balance transfer fee to save yourself some money.
Approval Typically Requires Good to Excellent Credit
Most balance transfer credit card applications require good to excellent credit for approval.
If you have a lower credit score, you may need to focus on a card like the Chase Slate Edge℠ for the time being, and use it responsibly to boost your credit in order to qualify for better products in future.
Military Folks: Look Into Navy Federal Credit Union
If you qualify for Navy Federal Credit Union membership, Redditors recommend looking into NFCU balance transfer credit cards because they don't charge balance transfer fees.
The Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum Credit Card has a 0.99% intro APR for 12 months on balances transferred from non-Navy Federal credit card within 60 days of account opening (from 4/1/2025 through 1/1/26), then 10.99% - 18.00% VariableAPR.
The Navy Federal Credit Union GO REWARDS® Credit Card offers a 0.99% intro APR on purchases for six months (from 1/2/2025 through 1/1/2026), then 14.24% - 18.00% Variable APR.
While these cards typically offer shorter interest-free periods and fewer benefits than those featured in our best credit cards guide, you'll save money by not paying 3% to 5% in balance transfer fees.
If you are confident you can pay off your balance in a few months, transferring your debt to an NFCU balance transfer credit card can save you some interest.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Business Insider selected the best balance transfer credit cards by looking at all the credit cards with balance transfer offers that are currently available to new applicants.
From there, we narrowed our list to balance transfer credit cards offering 0% introductory offers. We arrived at our final picks by evaluating the terms of each introductory APR offer and other credit card benefits.
We prioritized balance transfer credit cards that charge lower balance transfer fees, as well as credit cards with the longest 0% intro APR periods on balance transfers.
We also factored in any balance transfer credit card benefits such as cash back or travel rewards, annual fees, and waived late fees.
Here's Business Insider's methodology on how we rate credit cards.
FAQs
How do balance transfer credit cards work?
Balance transfer credit cards work by allowing you to pay lower interest rates on existing credit card debt, which can save you a significant amount of money in a short amount of time. With a balance transfer credit card, you'll pay a 3% to 5% fee per transaction to transfer existing debt from an existing card.
How do I do a balance transfer?
To complete a balance transfer, you'll first have to apply and get approved for a balance transfer credit card. You might also be targeted for a 0% APR offer on one of your existing credit cards. Once you have a credit card with an introductory APR offer on balance transfers, you'll need to initiate the transfer through the bank that issues your new balance transfer credit card. You can usually complete this process online, or by calling the number on the back of your 0% intro APR credit card.
How long does a balance transfer take?
A balance transfer generally requires five to seven days to complete, but the actual time can vary by issuer. Your bank may ask you to allow up to 21 days for a balance transfer to go through, but the transfer should usually be completed sooner.
What credit score do I need for a balance transfer card?
You'll usually need at least a good credit score to qualify for a balance transfer credit card. If you have bad credit — typically defined as a FICO score below 670 — you probably won't be approved for a balance transfer card. A bank may be less inclined to approve you for a balance transfer card if your credit score and credit report indicate that you haven't consistently paid off past debts.
Do balance transfers affect your credit score?
Yes, balance transfers can affect your credit both positively and negatively. Opening a balance transfer credit card can help your credit score by increasing your total available credit, which in turn improves your credit utilization rate. Paying down your debt will also benefit your credit score. However, opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can decrease your credit score in the short term. You'll also pay a 3% to 5% balance transfer fee, which adds to your existing debt.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
