The best balance transfer credit cards for 2025: Don't pay any interest until 2026

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2 days ago

Why we like it: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is another cash-back credit card with a competitive introductory 0% APR period on both balance transfers and new purchases. You'll have 15 months before interest kicks in, with an ongoing variable APR of 20.49%–29.24% when the intro period ends. There's a 3% fee ($5 minimum) for balances you transfer within 60 days of account opening; after that, the fee goes up to 5% ($5 minimum).
Like the other cash-back cards on this list, you can still get plenty of value from the Chase Freedom Unlimited after the introductory period ends. You'll earn 5% cash back on Chase Travel℠ purchases, 3% back on dining and at drugstores, and 1.5% back on everything else. This card can make a great choice if you already have a Chase card, too. You can use the rewards you earn to book travel through Chase Travel and even combine them with other Chase cards that may get added multipliers on travel redemptions (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®).Given the Chase Freedom Unlimited's high ongoing APR though, it's important to make sure you don't fall into old habits of racking up revolving balances. One of this card's best features is its first-year welcome offer, for example. But if you're not able to pay down your debt balance quickly enough to take advantage of it, or you're worried it'll encourage overspending that could lead you back into debt, you may want to consider another card.Why we like it: The Blue Cash Everyday from American Express is one of our favorite cash-back credit cards today. It can also be a helpful tool for paying down existing credit card debt. The card's introductory 0% APR on balance transfers lasts for 15 months after account opening, with a variable APR of 20.24% to 29.24% thereafter (see rates & fees). The balance transfer fee is 3% ($5 minimum) of the amount you transfer.
But the Blue Cash Everyday shines for its long-term savings once you've paid off your existing debt. You'll earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases, each up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1% back (and 1% cash back on everything else).
Plus, annual benefits can help you save even if you don't want to charge many new purchases to your card during the promotional period. You can get $7 in monthly statement credits (up to $84 annually; with enrollment) when you spend at least $9.99 on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription.Why we like it: The Citi Double Cash Card is our overall pick for anyone looking to pay down debt with a balance transfer. With a long 0% APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months (18.24%-28.24% variable APR after that), it's an excellent option for debt payoff. You'll pay a 3% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum) for each balance you transfer within the first four months of account opening, which increases to 5% ($5 minimum) after four months. Throughout the extended intro period, you can make major progress on existing balances or even commit to paying the amount you transfer in full.
There's plenty to like about this card after you pay down your balance, too. You'll earn up to 2% on every purchase you make with the Citi Double Cash: 1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you pay it off. That rewards structure may even add some incentive to avoid carrying a balance once you've paid down your debt, since you won't earn the total cash rewards until you pay in full.
Unlike other balance transfer credit cards, the Citi Double Cash Card does not offer an introductory 0% APR on new purchases — the only detail that kept it from a perfect score in our methodology. However, if you're planning to use this card primarily to pay down debt (and then for its cash-back benefits after the intro period), we don't think that holds this card back from being a top choice among balance transfer offers today.Why we like it: The Citi Rewards+ Card is another rewards credit card with a solid 15-month introductory 0% APR period, which applies to both new purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period ends, you'll pay a 17.74%-27.74% variable APR. That's still very high for any balance you carry, but it is one of the lowest you'll find among balance transfer credit cards today.
After the intro period ends, you can earn Citi ThankYou® Points on your purchases: 5x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel through the end of 2025; 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations (up to the first $6,000 spent per year, then 1x); and 1x on all other purchases. For each purchase you make, your rewards are rounded up to the nearest 10 — so you could get 30 points from a $24 purchase — and for each redemption you make, you'll get 10% points back (up to the first 100,000 points you redeem per year). Each of these can help you maximize points to use on travel, statement credits, gift cards, and more.
The Citi Rewards+ Card isn't the only rewards card from Citi with a competitive intro period and a lower ongoing APR, but it took the edge over the potentially higher-earning Citi Custom Cash® Card for its slightly lower balance transfer fee. When you transfer a balance to the Citi Rewards+ within the first four months of account opening, you'll pay a 3% fee ($5 minimum). After that, the fee goes up to 5% of your transfer ($5 minimum), which is the same as the Citi Custom Cash Card's fee.Why we like it: Discover it Cash Back similarly offers great ongoing rewards alongside a useful 0% APR. It has an introductory 0% APR period for 15 months after account opening for new purchases and balance transfers (as long as you make your transfer within a given time period). The ongoing variable APR after the intro period is 18.24%-27.24%, and there's a standard balance transfer fee that's in line with other balance transfer credit cards.
The Discover it Cash Back also has great long-term value with revolving 5% cash back Discover rewards categories. You'll earn 5% back on the first $1,500 spent across the revolving categories — which may include grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, streaming services, and more — each quarter when you activate and 1% on everything else.
Like some other cards on our list, one of the Discover it Cash Back card's top features is its welcome offer: a Cashback Match on all the rewards you earn in your first year. Of course, maximizing this offer depends on earning rewards on your purchases throughout the year. If you want to take advantage of the bonus offer (and the card's revolving bonus rewards categories), make sure you can balance your spending with your debt payoff plan so you don't end up back where you started when the balance transfer intro period ends.If you're looking for the absolute longest 0% APR promotional period on balance transfers, here are a few more of our top-rated cards with long intro periods.
Why we like it: BankAmericard has a solid combination of long introductory 0% APR and relatively low ongoing APR, which can be great for people solely focused on debt payoff. The introductory period for balance transfers is 18 billing cycles and applies to balances you transfer within 60 days of account opening. The same 0% APR intro period applies for new purchases. After that, you'll pay a variable 15.24%-25.24% APR on any remaining balance. While that can easily add up over time, it's significantly less than you'll find from many credit cards today.
There's an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 60 days, then it goes up to 4%. There's also no penalty APR; while you should always make your credit card payment on time (especially while carrying a balance), paying late or having a payment returned won't automatically increase your BankAmericard APR.
Why we like it: The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is an excellent choice for balance transfers primarily because of its extraordinarily long 0% APR offer of 21 months. This feature allows cardholders to transfer existing balances and enjoy a prolonged period without incurring interest, providing ample time for debt management and reduction.
The 5% balance transfer fee needs to be considered, but for many, the benefit of the extended interest-free period outweighs this cost. This card is particularly advantageous for those who anticipate needing more time to pay off their balances and want to avoid the rapid accumulation of interest charges.Why we like it: The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card also has one of today's longest intro periods, with an introductory 0% APR for 21 billing cycles. That intro offer applies to new purchases and to balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, your remaining balances will earn a variable 17.74%-28.74% APR.
In exchange for the long intro period, you'll again earn no rewards and pay a slightly higher balance transfer fee than other cards on our list: 5% of your transferred balance or $5, whichever is greater.
Why we like it: The primary appeal of the Citi Simplicity Card for balance transfers lies in its extended 0% APR offer, lasting an impressive 21 months. This length of time is one of the longest available, providing cardholders with a substantial period to manage and pay off transferred balances without accruing interest.
The 0% APR offer for 12 months on purchases also adds flexibility, allowing cardholders to make new purchases without immediate interest concerns. While the card does not offer cash-back rewards or a welcome bonus, its strength is its simplicity and the potential for significant interest savings.
The balance transfer fee of $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, is a standard rate and should be considered when evaluating the overall benefit of transferring balances to this card. The Citi Simplicity Card is particularly well-suited for those prioritizing a lengthy interest-free period for their balance transfer needs, offering a straightforward and cost-effective approach to managing debt.
Not only is credit card interest expensive, but it's as high as it's ever been. Today's average credit card interest rate is over 21% — higher than at any other point since the Federal Reserve began tracking rates in the 1990s. For those who carry a balance on their card, the average is more than 23%.
Credit cards with 0% APR on balance transfers can offer significant savings compared to standard double-digit interest rates.
Maximize your balance transfer savings by paying your balance in full before the intro period ends. If you can't pay the balance within the 0% APR period, you can still shave months and potentially thousands of dollars from your debt payoff.
Your total savings will depend on a few details, including the length of your intro period and how much you can pay each month.
Let's say you have a credit card balance of $5,500 today — just below the average balance for U.S. households with credit card debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. That balance is all on a credit card earning 21% APR. Here's what your journey to pay down debt could look like over a few different scenarios:
Minimum payments: This is by far the most costly option. Making only minimum payments, you would add nearly $9,000 in interest over more than two decades before paying your balance off in full. Total paid: $14,499
Fixed monthly payment: You can minimize costs by paying more than your monthly minimum, even if you cannot pay your balance in full. Maybe you can afford to contribute a fixed payment of $200 each month toward your debt. In this case, you'll pay your balance in full after three years, but still add more than $2,000 to your total balance. Total paid: $7,566
Now, let's see how a balance transfer credit card could make a difference in your $5,500 debt. This card comes with an 18-month 0% introductory APR and a 3% balance transfer fee (more on that below). After the intro period, you'll take on the same 21% APR.
Pay in full: If you can put at least $314 toward your credit card bill each month, you could wipe out your balance in full by the end of the intro period without paying any additional interest. The only payment added to your principal is the 3% fee when you transfer, equal to $165. Total paid: $5,665
Fixed monthly payment: If the amount you need to pay in full is out of your budget, you can still save with a balance transfer offer. Maybe you can afford the same $200 monthly payment as before the transfer. Over the introductory period, you would pay down $3,600 of your principal balance, lowering your debt to $2,065. Once the APR starts to accrue, you could cover the remainder in one year with only $235 in added interest. Transferring your balance would allow you to pay your balance in full over 30 months and with about $400 in added interest and fees. Total paid: $5,900
There are many factors to consider for a balance transfer credit card, most notably whether this is the right tool to help with your debt repayment journey. Make sure you're considering balance transfer credit cards that match your financial goals. Here are a few details to look for:
Introductory APR: Credit cards offer introductory APRs for new cardholders, either on new purchases or balance transfers (or both). The introductory rate for many balance transfer cards is 0% over a given intro period, which can help you pay down your existing balance without interest.
Regular APR: APR stands for annual percentage rate, the percentage you get charged by the credit lender each payment period you carry a balance. This will likely be different than your intro rate. Credit cards typically have variable APRs, which means your rate goes up and down over time.
Transfer period: On some cards, balance transfers are only eligible for 0% APR offers when you transfer your balance within a given time frame: within 60 days of account opening or 120 days of account opening, for example. While it makes sense to transfer your debt as soon as possible to take advantage of the full intro period, you'll also want to keep any time limits like this in mind, so you don't miss out on the offer.
Issuer: You generally won't be able to transfer a balance from one card account to another card account with the same bank. Look for balance transfer offers from different credit card issuers than the card on which you have an existing debt balance.
Annual fees: Your issuing bank might charge an annual fee for your card, though annual fees aren't common among top balance transfer cards. If you do choose a card with an annual fee, you should make sure you're getting enough value to offset the yearly cost.
Balance transfer fees: If you want to transfer debt to an existing balance from one credit card to another, the new card issuer can charge you a fee. This is usually a percentage of your transfer amount ranging from 3% to 5% with at least a $5 minimum.
Your credit score: Balance transfer credit cards generally require a good credit score. A credit score is a number that represents your credit health, and is based on the information in your credit report. You can request a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) These reports contain your credit history, like how many credit card accounts you've had. Credit scores range from 300-850. Above around 700 is considered good, and above 800 is considered excellent — the higher your score, the more likely you are to qualify for great loan terms and rewarding credit cards in the future.A balance transfer credit card can save you money, but you should still prepare for the potential costs you'll incur.
Balance transfer cards don't typically carry an annual fee. However, there is often a fee for transferring your balance. Balance transfer fees can range from 3%-5% of your overall balance, usually with a minimum of around $5 or $10.
Say you want to transfer a $3,000 balance to a card with a 0% intro APR and a 3% balance transfer fee. The balance transfer would cost you $90 in total. The larger your balance, the more you'll pay for the balance transfer. Still, these fees are likely only a small fraction of the interest you would otherwise pay.
Some balance transfer credit cards waive this fee. If you have a very high balance that could lead to a costly fee — or you want to avoid any added cost altogether — you may want to focus on balance transfer cards with no fee.
Balance transfers have pros and cons. While benefits include the intro APR offer for debt payoff, cons include balance transfer fees and potentially few.
0% introductory APR: With no-interest balance transfer credit cards, any payments you make throughout the intro period will go directly toward your principal balance. Instead of interest making it more challenging to pay off your debt, you can use this tool to eliminate the underlying balance.
No annual fee: The best balance transfer cards available today have no annual fee, so you don't have to worry about any additional cost of owning the card.
Debt consolidation: If you have balances spread across multiple credit cards, you may be able to consolidate them onto a single balance transfer card. Not only can you benefit from the period of interest-free payments, but you'll also minimize the number of individual monthly payments you need to remember. Just make sure the total transferred balance is less than your card's credit limit.
Risk of not paying your balance off in full: You may not be able to maximize your balance transfer if you cannot prioritize your monthly payments over the intro period. These cards work best if you can commit to paying down a significant portion of your balance over the 0% APR offer. Otherwise, you'll be left with a growing balance once again when your regular interest rate begins.
Balance transfer fees: The fees issuers charge to make your transfer can add to your overall balance. But for most cardholders, a 3% or 5% fee will still be far less than the amount you would otherwise accrue in interest charges.
Credit limits: Make sure you know the credit limit of your balance transfer credit card before you attempt to make your transfer. If your existing debt is more than the limit, you won't be able to transfer the entire balance.
Take advantage of your new card. Not only is a balance transfer credit card a great way to pay down debt, but it can also set you up for a better financial future. Here are three things you should do when you open up a new card:
The introductory period on your balance transfer card only lasts so long. Take full advantage by transferring your balance as soon as possible after approval. If your new credit card offers an 18-month 0% APR intro period but you wait two months to make your transfer, paying down your debt in that shorter time frame will be more difficult.
Some balance transfer cards even require you to transfer your balance within a specific timeframe. For example, your card agreement may specify that the 0% APR offer applies to transfers made within the first 30 days of account opening. Alternatively, you could take on a more significant balance transfer fee the longer you wait. For example, there may only be a 3% fee for balances transferred within 60 days of account opening, but a 5% fee for balances transferred after that time.
Always read the fine print of an introductory balance transfer offer before opening your account so you can avoid any surprises that may set you back.
Throughout the intro period, prioritize paying down your debt without making new purchases that increase your balance. If you're adding to your balance throughout the 0% APR period, you'll only leave yourself with more to pay off.
Instead, focus on buying only what you can afford to pay in full. Whether you make purchases with another credit card, use your debit card, or pay with cash, ensure you have enough money in the bank to cover your spending.
This may also help you become more aware of any spending habits that led to taking on the debt in the first place, so you can avoid ending up in the same place again.
If debt payoff is your priority, long-term rewards or benefits may not be the biggest concern when choosing your balance transfer card, but they are worth considering.
Balance transfer credit cards with the longest introductory 0% APR periods (up to 21 months) typically offer few ongoing benefits. They are designed for cardholders looking to pay off as much debt as possible over a more extended period.
On the other hand, credit cards with balance transfer offers and ongoing rewards or other benefits tend to have slightly shorter intro periods of around 12 to 15 months. Even after you pay down your debt, these cards can offer long-term value on your everyday purchases. Just make sure you plan to avoid overspending and taking on debt again.Only you can decide if opening a new account is right for you. A balance transfer credit card can help if you're in debt or have high-interest debt. But you should always consider all the options that could help you pay down debt balances and know the potential risks involved. Think about these things before you make your decision:
A balance transfer isn't your only option for debt payoff. Consolidating debt with a personal loan may be a better option for some people.
If your debt far exceeds the credit limit on a new balance transfer card or you need more time than 0% APR intro periods offer today, opting for a personal loan with a fixed APR lower than your current credit card could be a good solution.
Not only do you need good credit to qualify for a balance transfer card, but a balance transfer itself can also potentially affect your credit.
For one, when you open any new credit card (including a balance transfer card), the required hard inquiry on your credit could lead to a small, temporary credit score drop. To keep multiple applications from sinking your score, only apply for cards you're confident you'll qualify for or get prequalified before applying.
Another potential credit impact involves your credit limit. If you transfer a debt balance that makes up nearly your entire credit line, you could increase your credit utilization ratio — the amount of credit you're using compared to the amount you have available. This is one of the most influential factors in your credit score; the lower it is, the better. However, if you can keep up with your payments and begin to quickly bring down your balance over the intro period, you can mitigate the negative effect and balance the ratio.A good plan is the most important thing you can have before opening a balance transfer credit card.
Using your card details (length of intro period, balance transfer fee, etc.), determine precisely how much you need to pay each month to eliminate your balance in full before the 0% APR period ends. If necessary, look at your budget and spending before you apply to find areas where you can reduce spending to dedicate more toward your monthly payments.
If you can't pay off your balance completely, think about what next steps you'll take once interest kicks in to keep the remainder from growing out of your control.
And don't forget to rethink your spending over the long term to ensure you don't wind up with another debt balance in the future. Practicing good credit habits and spending only what you can afford is the best way to take advantage of the rewards and benefits of credit cards without paying the price tag of high interest rates.
Balance transfer cards can be a savvy financial move if you're looking to tackle high-interest debt. By transferring your existing debt to a card with a 0% introductory APR, you stop accruing interest and only make payments toward the principal balance.
However, if you can't clear the balance before the introductory period ends, you'll face the card's standard APR on the remainder. You should be confident you can make a significant difference in your balance before this ongoing interest kicks in to make the balance transfer worth it. It's also important to note that most balance transfer credit cards come with a transfer fee — usually 3%-5% of the amount transferred — which adds to your costs.
Navigating a balance transfer can be tricky; you need a solid strategy to maximize it.
First, find a balance transfer card that offers a long 0% introductory APR period — ideally, 15 to 21 months. The longer this no-interest period lasts, the more time you have to pay down your balance without worrying about interest charges. Also pay attention to the balance transfer fee; most balance transfer cards will have at least a 3% fee that you should be prepared to add to your total amount due.
Once you've opened your new card, transfer the balances from your highest-interest credit cards first to maximize savings over the 0% APR period. Double-check your balance transfer limit before you start so you don't attempt to transfer more than the card allows.
Prioritize paying more than the minimum payment each month. To truly take advantage of the 0% APR, calculate how much you must pay monthly to clear the debt before the introductory period ends. If you just stick to the minimum, you likely won't reduce the balance by much.
Never make a late payment on your balance transfer card. One missed payment could mean losing your 0% APR and being hit with a much higher penalty APR, along with late fees. Set up autopay or reminders to ensure you never miss a due date.
Avoid using your new card for new purchases while you pay down the balance. Keep your spending in check and focus solely on paying off the debt you transferred.
Finally, don't get caught off guard when the 0% APR period expires. If you think you won't be able to pay off the full balance by then, start planning ahead for how you'll continue paying down your debt.
A balance transfer can temporarily lower your credit score because it triggers a hard inquiry by the card issuer on your credit report. This is true for all new credit applications, not just balance transfer cards.
A balance transfer can also affect your credit utilization ratio, potentially lowering your score if the balance transferred to your new card represents a large percentage of its limit. Credit utilization, which measures how much credit you're using compared to your total available credit, is a major factor in calculating your credit score. your credit score. It's best to keep this ratio under 30%.
The good news is that if you use a balance transfer card wisely — by paying down your balance and avoiding more debt — your credit score should improve over time.
Like most credit cards, the higher your score is, the better your chances of getting the best available balance transfer offers with long 0% APR periods and other benefits.
In general, you're most likely to qualify for a balance transfer card with a good-to-excellent credit score. According to FICO, that means a score of at least 670 and up to the maximum 850 credit score. With a solid credit score (especially one closer to the 'excellent' end of the range around 750 or higher), you can usually score the best balance transfer terms, a relatively lower interest rate after the intro period, and additional perks like cash-back rewards and a sign-up bonus.
To create our list of the best balance transfer credit cards, we prioritized a holistic look at what these cards offer cardholders, even after the intro period ends.
First and foremost, though, we analyzed the details of each card's balance transfer offer. This includes the length of the intro period for balance transfers, the balance transfer fee, and whether it also has an intro period for new purchases. We also rated each card on other features that may apply throughout the intro period and beyond: the ongoing variable APR, any rewards on spending, annual fee cost, and credit score access.
Finally, we reviewed customer service, security, and accessibility features that apply to any of our card rankings. These include mobile app reviews, fraud monitoring, number of ways to contact the issuer, and more.
Using this system, we evaluated more than two dozen credit cards from major issuers with balance transfer offers available today. The cards we looked at are widely available for American consumers (with the credit to qualify), no matter where you're located or what institution you bank with.
Of course, not everyone looking for a balance transfer credit card is interested in long-term rewards and benefits. For some, finding the longest intro period available to begin paying down debt is more important than any ongoing card features. While the cards with today's longest intro periods (typically 18 to 21 months) generally scored lower in our overall ranking system because of their lack of ongoing value, we did want to include them on our list.
In the 'more cards to consider' section, we include these cards, which offer the longest introductory periods and next-best overall scores after those cards that made the primary list.to bring down your balance over the intro period quickly
This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken
Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.