12 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of December 2024

You get a 0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-27.49% Variable APR. (There's a 3% introductory balance transfer fee and a fee of up to 5% on future balance transfers; see terms.) In addition to the introductory 0% period, this card pays 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate, on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter, and 1% on everything else. Discover matches the cash back you earn in your first year — although ideally in that first year you'll be focused more on paying down balances than adding to them.

The 0% period on purchases is considerably shorter than that for balance transfers, so it's best to avoid putting purchases on the card until you've paid off transferred debt. When it comes to rewards, the activation requirement for bonus categories can be a hassle.

The long 0% period on balance transfers is this card's primary selling point. (Balance transfer fee: 3% or $5, whichever is greater, in the first four months; 5% or $5, whichever is greater, after that.) The absence of late fees is a benefit for the absent-minded, although you don't want to get in the habit of paying bills late. Other lenders aren't as forgiving, and chronic lateness can kill your credit score.

Because it doesn't earn rewards, there's not a lot of ongoing value to the card once that 0% period runs out.

You get a 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 19.74%-28.49% Variable APR. (Balance transfer fee: 3% or $5, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days; 5% or $5, whichever is greater, after that.) The card has ongoing value with 1.5% cash back on most purchases, plus 5% on travel booked through Chase and 3% at drugstores and restaurants. There's an attractive bonus offer for new cardholders, too.

You can get a longer 0% period on transfers with other cards, including a couple that also earn cash back.

The card offers an outstanding 0% period to help you wipe out debt: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 15.49%-25.49% will apply. (Balance transfer fee: 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%.) The annual fee is $0.

The card doesn't earn ongoing rewards.

The highlight of this $0-annual-fee card: It offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable APR. It also offers cell phone insurance.

The balance transfer fee of 5% (minimum $5) is on the high end for cards in its class. The card doesn't earn ongoing rewards on everyday spending. (It's possible to earn rewards through the issuer's "My Wells Fargo Deals" feature, but those are one-off deals that require activation.)

As a balance-transfer card, there's a lot to like, including a lengthy introductory interest-free period for transfers. (Balance transfer fee: 3% or $5, whichever is greater, in the first four months; 5% or $5, whichever is greater, after that.) And the card has tremendous ongoing value: 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you buy something and 1% when you pay it off.

There's no 0% period for purchases. That means if you transfer a balance onto this card, you'll get no grace period, and you'll be paying interest on purchases right away. Your best move is to pay off the transferred debt first, then start using this card for the rewards.

The card comes with a generous intro APR offer: 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.99%-28.99% Variable APR.* You can choose your own due date with this card, which allows you to schedule debt payment for when its easiest on your wallet. It also offers cell phone protection if you use it to pay your cell phone bill.

Once the 0% period ends, so does the chief benefit of this card. Still, the cell phone coverage is a good reason to hold onto it.

You get a 0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 19.74%-28.49%, Variable APR. (Balance transfer fee: 3% or $5, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days; 5% or $5, whichever is greater, after that.) The card offers bonus cash back of 3% to 5% on certain travel, at restaurants and drugstores, and in categories that change each quarter. Other spending earns 1% cash back.

You can get a longer 0% period on transfers with other cards, including a couple that also earn cash back. The rotating quarterly 5% cash back categories give this card a lot of its appeal, but they do require some work, since you have to opt into them every three months.

You get a 0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-27.49% Variable APR. (There's a 3% introductory balance transfer fee and a fee of up to 5% on future balance transfers; see terms.) In addition to the introductory 0% period, this card pays 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations, on up to $1,000 in purchases each quarter; other purchases earn 1%.

The 0% period on purchases is considerably shorter than that for balance transfers, so it's best to avoid putting purchases on the card until you've paid off transferred debt.