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Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of 2026
By CardAnalyst EditorsFact checkedUpdated September 30, 2026
The best balance transfer credit cards can give you a long stretch of time to pay down credit card debt without interest. If you’re carrying a large balance at a high APR, that can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest.
We’ve evaluated 261 credit cards across 31 data points, with a ratings model built specifically for balance transfer cards.
The cards below are the ones we think give you the strongest path to getting expensive credit card debt paid off.
Best Balance Transfer Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Pick this card if: You want serious breathing room to pay down debt. We haven’t come across a longer 0% intro APR period for balance transfers than this.
- Balance Transfer Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months
- Purchases Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
- Regular APR
- 16.49%-27.24% Variable APR
- Recommended Credit Score
- 670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Annual Fee
- $0
Card Details
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 16.49% - 27.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- 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).
- No Annual Fee - our low intro rates and all the benefits don't come with a yearly charge.
- Buy now and pay later. Split your payment for eligible purchases of $75 or more into a fixed payment with Citi® Flex Pay.
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely long intro balance transfer period
- Low intro balance transfer fee
- No annual fee
Cons
- Does not offer rewards
- Relatively short intro purchases period
Why we like it
This is a fantastic choice if your priority is paying down debt with an ultra-long balance transfer intro APR period and low fees. It won’t earn you rewards, but for most people looking for a balance transfer card, that’s not the point. This card is hard to beat if your main goal is getting debt under control while limiting costly interest charges.
Opens in a new tab: Apply now for the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card →Best 0% Intro APR Card
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Pick this card if: You want an exceptionally long 0% intro APR period, whether you’re paying down existing debt, avoiding interest on new purchases, or both.
- Balance Transfer Intro APR
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Purchases Intro APR
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases
- Regular APR
- 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR
- Recommended Credit Score
- 670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Annual Fee
- $0
Card Details
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent 0% intro APR offer for balance transfers
- Excellent 0% intro APR offer for purchases
- No annual fee
Cons
- No rewards
- Balance transfer fee is higher than some competitor cards
Why we like it
It’s rare to find a card this strong for balance transfers and purchases -- this is one of the longest 0% intro APR periods available for both. It doesn't offer rewards, but if your priority is getting the longest 0% period you can, that doesn't matter much. This is an excellent pick whether your goal is paying down existing debt, avoiding interest on new spend, or both.
Opens in a new tab: Apply now for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card →Best Overall Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Pick this card if: You want one card that does nearly everything well, with strong rewards, a valuable welcome bonus, and a useful 0% intro APR period.
- Balance Transfer Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
- Purchases Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 18.24%-27.74% Variable APR
- Recommended Credit Score
- 670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Welcome Bonus
- $200
- Rewards Rate
- 1.5%-5% cash back
- Annual Fee
- $0
Card Details
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lucrative, easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Above-average 0% intro APR period
- Solid unlimited cash back rate
Cons
- Other cards can earn more (but are often more complicated)
- Foreign transaction fee
Why we like it
There just aren’t many credit cards that are this good at this many things. You get strong rewards, a valuable welcome bonus, and a solid 0% intro APR period, all with no annual fee. It may not lead every individual category, but it's very good at pretty much everything. That’s why it’s our Best Overall Credit Card for 2026 and one of the most popular credit cards in America.
Opens in a new tab: Apply now for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® →Citi Simplicity® Card
Pick this card if: You want a long 0% intro APR period for both balance transfers and purchases, plus lower fees than you’ll find on many competing cards.
- Balance Transfer Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months
- Purchases Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- Regular APR
- 17.49%-28.24% Variable APR
- Recommended Credit Score
- 670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Annual Fee
- $0
Card Details
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 18 months from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- 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).
- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
- $0 liability on unauthorized charges.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Long 0% intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases
- Low introductory balance transfer fee
- No late fees, no penalty rate, no annual fee
Cons
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
- 0% intro APR period is excellent, though not quite top of market
Why we like it
This card is built to keep the cost of carrying a balance down. You get a long 0% intro APR period on both balance transfers and purchases, a relatively low intro transfer fee, and no late fees or penalty APR. It doesn’t earn rewards, but if your priority is saving on interest and avoiding extra fees while you pay down a balance, this is a very strong card for the job.
Opens in a new tab: Apply now for the Citi Simplicity® Card →Chase Slate®
Pick this card if: You want to pause interest with one of the longest 0% intro APR periods for both balance transfers and purchases.
- Balance Transfer Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months
- Purchases Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months
- Regular APR
- 18.24%-28.24% Variable APR
- Recommended Credit Score
- 670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Annual Fee
- $0
Card Details
- 0% Intro Offer- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 28.24% thereafter
- No Annual Fee- You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Slate Card
- Zero Liability Protection & Fraud Protection - You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card. We help safeguard your credit card purchases using sophisticated fraud monitoring. We monitor for fraud 24/7 and can text, email or call you if there are unusual purchases on your credit card.
- Chase Pay Over Time- Access more options to pay over time for eligible purchases made with your participating Chase credit card. With Pay Over Time, you can break up eligible purchases you've already made
- Get more purchasing power: Chase Slate® cardmembers may be eligible for a credit limit increase in as few as six months.
- Stay protected with purchase & travel benefits - Enjoy peace of mind with purchase protection, which safeguards your eligible new items against damage or theft for 120 days from the date of purchase, up to $500 per item. Plus, extended warranty protection adds an extra year to U.S. manufacturer warranties of three years or less, giving you up to four full years of coverage from the date of purchase
- Credit Journey: Access your credit score, receive customized score improvement plans from Experian™, and benefit from identity monitoring—all for free with Chase Credit Journey®
- Member FDIC
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ultra-long 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- Ultra-long 0% intro APR on purchases
- - No annual fee
Cons
- No rewards
- Balance transfer fee applies
Why we like it
This card is built to help you save on interest, and it does that exceptionally well for both balance transfers and purchases. It doesn’t earn rewards, but if your goal is simply to get an ultra-long 0% intro APR period, that doesn't matter. This is a top choice if you want plenty of time to pay down existing debt, avoid interest on new purchases, or both.
Opens in a new tab: Apply now for the Chase Slate® →Best for flat rate cash back
Citi Double Cash® Card
Pick this card if: You want one of the best flat cash back rates available, or an excellent balance transfer offer — or both.
- Balance Transfer Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- Regular APR
- 18.24%-28.49% Variable APR
- Recommended Credit Score
- 670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Welcome Bonus
- $200
- Rewards Rate
- Earn 2% cash back on every purchase
- Annual Fee
- $0
Card Details
- 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.
- 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. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.49%, 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).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fantastic unlimited flat cash back rate
- Long 0% intro APR balance transfer offer
- No annual fee
Cons
- No 0% intro APR offer for purchases
- Higher spend required to trigger welcome bonus than some competing cards
Why we like it
The flat rate cash back is one of the best available today (Earn 2% cash back on every purchase). This card pairs that with a well above-average balance transfer offer and a solid welcome bonus. It's a great option for those who value simplicity and high flat cash back earnings you don't have to think about, or a strong balance transfer offer, or both.
Opens in a new tab: Apply now for the Citi Double Cash® Card →Great for balance transfers plus bonus
Discover it® Chrome
Pick this card if: You want a solid balance transfer offer plus ongoing value with rewards and a potentially lucrative bonus.
- Balance Transfer Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- Purchases Intro APR
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months
- Regular APR
- 17.49%-26.49% Variable APR
- Recommended Credit Score
- 670-850 (Good to Excellent)
- Welcome Bonus
- Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
- Rewards Rate
- 1-2% cash back
- Annual Fee
- $0
Card Details
- Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers and 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months; balance transfer fee applies. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
How to choose a balance transfer credit card
Start with a simple question: How much time do you realistically need to pay off the debt?
A longer 0% intro period gives you more time to spread out your payments, which can make a large balance much easier to manage. But duration is only part of the comparison.
Here’s what we’d look at most closely:
- Balance transfer intro period. More time means a lower monthly payoff target if you want the balance gone before the promotional rate expires.
- Balance transfer fee. This is the upfront cost of moving the debt. On a large balance, the difference between two fees can easily amount to hundreds of dollars. Also check whether the fee changes depending on when you make the transfer. Some cards offer a lower fee for transfers made soon after opening the account and a higher fee later.
- Transfer deadline. An introductory balance transfer offer may only apply to transfers completed within a certain window after opening the card. If you choose a card for its promotional offer, don’t assume you can wait indefinitely to use it.
- Whether you can transfer the debt at all. You generally can’t transfer a balance between two cards issued by the same bank. Pay attention to the actual issuer, especially with co-branded and store cards.
- How much you’ll be able to transfer. Approval for the card doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to move your entire balance. The amount you can transfer depends in part on the credit limit you’re assigned.
- Regular APR. Ideally, you’ll pay the transferred balance off before the introductory period ends. If you don’t, the APR that applies afterward matters.
- Annual fee. We generally don’t want to pay an annual fee for a card whose main job is reducing the cost of existing debt.
- Purchase intro APR. Some balance transfer cards also give you an introductory rate on new purchases. That can be useful if you need it, but it can also make it easier to add new debt while you’re trying to pay off the old debt.
The best offer is the one that gives you enough time to pay down the balance without making you pay more than necessary to get that time.
How balance transfers work
A balance transfer moves debt from one credit card to another, usually so you can take advantage of a lower introductory interest rate. You’ll generally pay a fee to make the transfer, but the interest you avoid can be much larger than that fee.
For the full mechanics, including transfer timing, fees, payments, and what happens to your old card, see our guide to how balance transfers work.
Longer isn’t always better
A long balance transfer offer is valuable when you actually need the time.
Suppose one card gives you a longer 0% period but charges more to transfer the debt. Another gives you fewer months but costs less upfront.
If the shorter offer still gives you plenty of time to pay off the balance, paying extra for additional months you won’t use doesn’t accomplish much.
On the other hand, if the shorter offer would force you into a monthly payment you can’t realistically sustain, the longer period may easily justify a higher fee.
That’s why we don’t rank balance transfer cards by intro-period length alone. The best balance transfer offers combine enough payoff time with a reasonable cost to move the debt.
Know your monthly payoff target
Before choosing a card, work out roughly how much you’ll need to pay each month.
A useful calculation is:
(Transferred balance + transfer fee) ÷ payments remaining before the intro period ends = monthly payoff target
The exact offer matters less than whether that monthly number works with your budget.
If one card gives you a $500 monthly payoff target and another gets that down to $400, the additional time may be genuinely useful. If both offers give you a payment you can comfortably handle, the cheaper transfer may make more sense.
When is a balance transfer worth it?
A balance transfer tends to make the most sense when you’re carrying credit card debt at a high interest rate and can move it to a substantially cheaper promotional offer.
The larger the amount of interest you’re avoiding, the easier it is for a transfer fee to be worth paying.
Paying a fee to move a large balance that would otherwise sit at a high APR for a year can be a very different decision from transferring a small balance you were going to pay off next month anyway.
You also need a plan for the debt after it moves. A 0% period can make paying off a balance much easier, but it doesn’t reduce the amount you owe.
Should you choose rewards or a longer balance transfer offer?
If paying down debt is your main goal, we’d usually prioritize the stronger balance transfer offer.
Some cards give you both an introductory balance transfer offer and ongoing rewards. Those can make sense if you don’t need the maximum amount of time to pay down the transferred debt.
The tradeoff is that cards with stronger rewards may offer a shorter balance transfer period or less favorable transfer economics.
We wouldn’t give up payoff time you genuinely need just to earn cash back or points. If a shorter offer still gives you plenty of time, though, choosing a card with rewards can leave you with a more useful card after the balance is gone.
Also look at the purchase APR offer. A card that gives you 0% APR on both balance transfers and purchases can be useful if you need to finance new spending too. Just be careful not to let a new 0% offer turn a debt-payoff plan into an excuse to keep adding to the balance.
How we rate balance transfer credit cards
Balance transfer cards have a fairly specific job, so we rate them accordingly.
The length of the promotional balance transfer period and the cost of transferring the debt carry a lot of weight. We also consider things like annual fees, the terms surrounding the promotional offer, and how practical the card is for someone actually trying to pay off debt.
Rewards and other perks can add value, but they aren’t the main event here.
A card can have plenty of attractive features and still be a mediocre balance transfer card if the underlying debt-payoff offer isn’t competitive.
[See how we rate credit cards →]
Frequently asked questions about balance transfer credit cards
What is a balance transfer credit card?
A balance transfer credit card lets you move debt from another credit card to the new card, usually to take advantage of a lower introductory interest rate while you pay the debt down.
Do balance transfers hurt your credit score?
Applying for a new balance transfer card can affect your credit because the application may involve a hard inquiry and you’ll be opening a new account. The new credit limit and what you do with the old account can also affect your credit utilization.
The overall effect depends on your credit profile and how you manage the accounts afterward.
Do you have to pay a fee for a balance transfer?
Usually. Many balance transfer cards charge a percentage of the amount you move.
Pay attention to timing, too. Some offers charge one fee for transfers completed shortly after opening the card and a higher fee for transfers made later.
Can you transfer a balance between cards from the same bank?
Generally, no. Credit card issuers typically don’t allow you to transfer debt from one of their cards to another card they issue.
Check the actual issuing bank before applying, especially if you have a co-branded or store credit card.
Can you transfer your entire credit card balance?
Not necessarily.
The amount you can move depends on the credit limit you receive and the issuer’s balance transfer rules. If your existing debt is larger than the amount available for transfers, you may only be able to move part of it.
How quickly should I make a balance transfer?
Check the card’s terms as soon as you open the account.
Some promotional offers require you to complete the balance transfer within a specific period to qualify for the advertised introductory terms. There can also be an earlier deadline for getting the lowest transfer fee.
Is the longest 0% balance transfer offer always the best?
No.
The longest offer is most valuable when you actually need the extra time. If you can comfortably pay the debt off sooner, a card with a lower transfer fee or other features you value may be a better deal.
What happens if I still have a balance when the 0% period ends?
Any remaining balance will generally begin accruing interest at the card’s applicable regular APR once the promotional period expires.
That’s why we recommend checking the regular APR and calculating your monthly payoff target before choosing a card.
Can you earn rewards on a balance transfer?
The transferred balance itself generally doesn’t earn rewards.
Some cards that offer balance transfers also earn rewards on new purchases, which can make them more useful after you’ve finished paying down the transferred debt.