Credit-card category
Balance transfer
A balance transfer moves an existing credit-card balance to another card. Compare any transfer fee with the promotional rate, its end date, and the ongoing APR.
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What to compare
- Balance-transfer fee
- Promotional APR and duration
- Deadline for completing transfers
- Ongoing APR and eligible balances
Trade-offs to notice
- A transfer fee can apply even when the promotional rate is 0%.
- Transfers may need to be requested soon after opening the account.
- Purchases and transfers can follow different interest rules.
A practical next step
Compare the transfer fee with the interest you expect to avoid, then build a payoff schedule.
Balance-transfer fees: a simple cost example →Before you apply
Review the current fees, interest rates, and eligibility requirements on the provider’s website. Browsing a category here does not submit an application or predict a decision.
Related categories
Sources and further reading
General education from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Sources checked September 11, 2026.