Balance-transfer cards
A lower introductory rate may help reduce the cost of existing card debt. Compare the transfer fee with the interest you expect to avoid, then check that the payment can clear the balance before the promotion ends.
A transfer fee can apply even when the promotional rate is 0%.
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Get startedWhat to compare
- Transfer fee, including any minimum
- Deadline for requesting a qualifying transfer
- Promotional rate and end date
- Ongoing APR and eligible balances
Work out the payment before comparing offers.
A balance transfer moves eligible debt from another account. A 0% rate gives the repayment plan a deadline: include any fee added to the balance, then count the payment dates before your target payoff date.
For example, a $4,800 transfer with a 3% fee starts at $4,944. Sixteen payments of $309 clear that amount. Sixteen payments of $200 leave $1,744 unpaid.
This hypothetical example assumes the fee is added to the balance, 0% applies to the entire amount, every payment reduces that balance and no other charges are added. Meet each statement’s required minimum payment on time.
Calculate the payment for your planIf the payment is too high
Work out what your budget can reliably cover before opening another account. A lower rate still leaves the balance and any fee to repay.
Compare the cost of a transfer with repaying the current balance under the same monthly budget. If the existing balance would be cleared soon, a transfer fee could outweigh the interest saved.
Compare these details together.
- Transfer fee
- Include the percentage fee and any minimum. A fee can apply even when the promotional rate is 0%.
- Transfer-request deadline
- The date for requesting a qualifying transfer may differ from the date the promotional rate ends.
- Promotional end date
- Count the payment dates available before your payoff target. Leave time to confirm the final payment.
- Rate afterward
- Check the ongoing APR if a balance could remain after the promotion.
- Eligible balance and amount
- The provider’s terms determine which debts can be moved and the permitted amount. Approval for an account does not establish that the full requested transfer will be accepted.
Keep new purchases separate in your plan.
A transfer promotion may not cover new purchases. Carrying the transferred balance can affect the purchase grace period, so read those terms before using the account for everyday spending.
While a transfer is processing
Keep making required payments on the old account until you have confirmed that the transfer posted and checked for a remaining balance. On the new account, meet each statement’s payment requirements as well as your planned payoff schedule.
Sources and further reading
General education from consumer-protection guidance and provider references. Sources checked September 16, 2026.