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Get out of debt faster while paying less

Learn how you can save big
by using a balance transfer card.

Use the right tools for the job

Credit card debt stings. The good news, however, is there’s a way to pay it down with less money in a shorter time. How? By moving your debt to a balance transfer card, which is a credit card that offers a lengthy 0% interest period. Unlike an everyday credit card (which charges interest on balances you carry from month to month), balance transfer cards give you time to pay down debt while preventing interest charges from stacking up.

Take advantage of introductory 0% APRs

When you’re paying down debt, interest rates matter – a lot. For example, compare the differences between paying down a $10,000 debt on an 18% APR card and a 0% balance transfer card. Using the balance transfer card could save you around $1,431, even after paying a transfer fee of $300. Want to save even more? Sign up for a card that doesn’t charge a transfer fee. As a heads up, the amount you may qualify to transfer and save depends on a variety of factors including your credit worthiness.
A balance transfer card can save over $1,000
chartchart
Total savings:
Financial savings:
$1,431
Pay off debt faster by:
3months

How to choose the right balance transfer card

Know the fees
Know the fees
Make sure you factor in the balance transfer fee (typically 3% to 5%) when choosing a card.
Avoid paying interest
Avoid paying interest
To get the most savings, aim to pay off your debt before interest kicks in.
Use a different provider
Use a different provider
You can’t transfer balances between cards from the same issuer. So be sure to apply to a different issuer.

A few of our favorite cards

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card

on American Express' website

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

on American Express' website

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Rewards rate

1%-6%

Cashback

Intro offer

$250

Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • Bonus categories
  • Intro APR period
  • Cash rewards

Cons

  • Has annual fee
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.74% to 29.74%
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Preferred Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.
Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Rewards rate

1%-6%

Cashback

Intro offer

$250

Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • Bonus categories
  • Intro APR period
  • Cash rewards

Cons

  • Has annual fee
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
  • Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.74% to 29.74%
  • 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
  • 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
  • Get $7 back each month after using your Blue Cash Preferred Card to spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Enrollment required.
  • Terms Apply.
Citi® Double Cash Card

on Citibank's application

4.6

NerdWallet rating 

on Citibank's application

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-2%

Cashback

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • High rewards rate
  • Intro balance transfer fee

Cons

  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No bonus categories
  • No bonus offer
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-2%

Cashback

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • High rewards rate
  • Intro balance transfer fee

Cons

  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No bonus categories
  • No bonus offer
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
BankAmericard® Credit Card

on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 322-7707

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

on Bank of America's website, or call (800) 322-7707

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

No rewards

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No ongoing rewards
  • No annual fee.
  • No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply.
  • Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

No rewards

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No ongoing rewards
  • No annual fee.
  • No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply.
  • Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Citibank Diamond Preferred Credit Card

on Citibank's application

4.4

NerdWallet rating 

on Citibank's application

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

N/A

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Intro balance transfer fee

Cons

  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No rewards
  • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 17.74% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
  • There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
  • Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
  • With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

N/A

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Intro balance transfer fee

Cons

  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No rewards
  • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 17.74% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
  • There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
  • Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
  • With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
Discover it® Balance Transfer

on Discover's website

4.9

NerdWallet rating 

on Discover's website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

Cashback Match™

Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Bonus categories
  • Cash rewards

Cons

  • Complicated rewards
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Lower acceptance abroad
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
  • No annual fee.
  • Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

Cashback Match™

Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Bonus categories
  • Cash rewards

Cons

  • Complicated rewards
  • Spending caps on bonus rewards
  • Lower acceptance abroad
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
  • No annual fee.
  • Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

on Wells Fargo's website

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

on Wells Fargo's website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

2%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period

Cons

  • No bonus categories
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
  • $0 annual fee
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
  • Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
  • Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
  • Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

2%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period

Cons

  • No bonus categories
  • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
  • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable APR; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5
  • $0 annual fee
  • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open
  • Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at a selection of the world's most intriguing and prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge
  • Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
  • Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Citibank Simplicity Credit Card

on Citibank's application

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

on Citibank's application

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

N/A

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period

Cons

  • No rewards
  • No new cardholder bonus offer
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
  • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.74% - 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
  • There is an introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening.
  • Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock
Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

N/A

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period

Cons

  • No rewards
  • No new cardholder bonus offer
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
  • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.74% - 29.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
  • There is an introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening.
  • Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock
US Bank Visa Platinum Credit Card

on US Bank's website

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

on US Bank's website

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

N/A

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Cell phone insurance

Cons

  • No rewards
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No bonus offer
  • 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.24% - 29.24%.
  • Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
  • Choose a payment due date that fits your schedule
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

N/A

Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Intro APR period
  • Cell phone insurance

Cons

  • No rewards
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • No bonus offer
  • 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 19.24% - 29.24%.
  • Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S.Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
  • Choose a payment due date that fits your schedule
  • No Annual Fee
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card

on Citibank's application

4.7

NerdWallet rating 

on Citibank's application

Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • 5% bonus categories
  • Intro APR Period

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.
Annual fee

$0

Rewards rate

1%-5%

Cashback

Intro offer

$200

Recommended Credit Score

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • 5% bonus categories
  • Intro APR Period

Cons

  • Low rate outside bonus categories
  • Requires good/excellent credit
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.