To pay off credit card debt, you can adopt a repayment method like the debt snowball or debt avalanche, consolidate any high-interest debts or enroll in a debt management plan, among other things. What works for you will depend on your debt load and your specific situation.
Here are 10 methods to consider:
1. Pay more than the minimums
Credit card issuers give you a monthly minimum payment, often around 2% of the balance. In the second quarter of 2026, about 1 in 10 cardholders were making only the minimum payment each month.
Remember: Banks make money off the interest they charge each billing period, so the longer it takes you to pay, the more money they make, and the more you end up paying. Increasing your payment even a small amount can make a big difference.
For example, if you owe $5,000 on your credit card and make a minimum payment of $100 each month, it’ll take 11 years and cost $8,678 in interest to pay off the balance (assuming a 22% APR). But if you increase your payment amount even $50, you’ll shorten the timeline by seven years and save $5,880 in interest
2. Use the debt snowball
The debt snowball method of paying down your debt uses your sense of accomplishment as motivation.
You organize your debts by amount, then focus on wiping out the smallest one first, while paying minimums on the rest. When you’ve paid off that first debt, you roll that payment into the amount you’re paying toward the next-smallest debt, and so on.
“Each payoff is a victory,” says Kate Ashford, lead wealth writer for NerdWallet. “Find a small way to celebrate each debt you eliminate so you keep your momentum going.”
3. Try the debt avalanche method
Similar to the snowball approach, the debt avalanche method starts with listing your debts. But instead of paying off your credit card with the lowest balance first, you pay off the card with the highest interest rate.
This can be a faster and cheaper method than the snowball, since more of your money goes toward the principal debt, instead of just paying down interest.
4. Negotiate with credit card issuers
“You don’t have to wait until you’ve missed a payment to ask for help,” Ashford says. “Tell your issuer what you can afford and ask whether they can work with you.”
A credit card issuer may even be willing to drop your interest rate or waive fees, especially if you’re a longtime customer with a good track record of payments.
Hardship programs are another option, and may provide relief when circumstances beyond your control, such as unemployment or illness, affect your ability to manage payments. Even if you aren’t experiencing unemployment or illness, the cost of living can cause hardship for many people.
One caveat: Participating in a hardship program may temporarily hurt your credit score. But if it makes it possible for you to make on-time payments and get your balance down, the end result should be positive.
5. Look into a 0% balance transfer credit card
Find a card that offers a long 0% introductory period — preferably 18 to 21 months — and transfer some or all of your outstanding credit card debt to that one account.
You'll have one simple payment each month, and you won’t pay interest during the introductory period.
“Figure out what you’d need to pay each month to clear the balance before the introductory rate ends,” Ashford says.
That means if you have a $3,500 balance on a 0% card, with an 18-month promotional period, you’d need to pay about $194 to clear the debt in time. Afterward, you’re subject to the card’s standard APR, which may be higher than your current debts.
» COMPARE: The best 0% balance transfer cards
6. Get a debt consolidation loan
You can take out a fixed-rate debt consolidation loan to pay off your debt in one fell swoop. You then repay the loan in monthly installments, usually over a term of two to seven years.
Interest rates for personal loans tend to be lower than for credit cards, especially if your credit is strong. A lower rate helps you save some extra cash and may even get you out of debt faster.
Use our calculator below to decide if debt consolidation would save you money.
» COMPARE: The best debt consolidation loans
Should I consolidate my debt? (Calculator)
7. Research a debt management plan
Debt management plans are created with the help of a credit counseling agency. Counselors negotiate new terms with your creditors and consolidate your credit card debt. You’ll pay the counseling agency a fixed amount each month.
Your credit accounts may be closed, and you may have to forgo new ones while you’re enrolled in the plan, which can last three to five years.
» MORE: How debt relief works
8. Learn more about bankruptcy
Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out unsecured debt such as credit cards, while Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you restructure debts into a payment plan over three to five years and may be best if you have assets you want to retain.
Bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years, though your credit score is likely to bounce back in the months after filing.
9. Weigh the risks of debt settlement
Under debt settlement, a creditor agrees to accept less than the amount you owe. Typically, you hire a debt settlement company to negotiate with creditors on your behalf.
This option is expensive, and it isn’t guaranteed to work. It can also seriously damage your credit score, so consider other payoff options first.
» MORE: How does debt settlement work?
10. Cut spending to pay off credit card debt faster
Alongside paying off your credit card debt with the methods above, it’s also helpful to look for ways to lower your bills and other living expenses. Doing so may free up more money to put toward wiping out your existing credit card debt and keep you from taking on more debt.
Some ways to lower your living expenses include:
Negotiate with your service providers to get a better deal on internet, cell phone service, car insurance and more.
Prioritize free or low-cost experiences.
Learn how to set a budget and stick to it.
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Article sources
- 1.Federal Reserve Bank Philadelphia. Large Bank Credit Card and Mortgage Data. Accessed Oct 15, 2026.
