Stop Paying Interest on Your Credit Card Debt
A balance transfer card lets you move high-interest debt to a new card with 0% APR for up to 21 months. Pay down what you owe — not your bank's interest.
0% APR for up to 21 months
Many cards have no annual fee
Save hundreds or thousands in interest
BankAmericard is our current best pick for best balance transfer credit cards of 2026
Start here if you want the shortest path to action. This card leads the ranking on the combination of earn rate, fee tradeoff, and current offer value for this category.
Best for people who want one clear next move
Apply if this category is a real spending priority for you. If you still want a tie-breaker, compare it against the next-best option before applying.
Best for
people who care most about an intro APR decision
Avoid if
you do not expect to use an intro APR offer or pay down transferred debt
Some outbound application links may be affiliate links. Rankings are still based on card fit, not commission.
Top Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of 2026
Expert-ranked cards based on rewards, fees, and benefits
Use the ranking to narrow the field, then apply from the cards that actually fit your spend.
Bank of America
Best for
people focused on a long intro APR window
Avoid if
you will not carry a balance or do not care about intro APR length
Wells Fargo
Best for
people focused on a long intro APR window
Avoid if
you will not carry a balance or do not care about intro APR length
Citi
Best for
people focused on a long intro APR window
Avoid if
you will not carry a balance or do not care about intro APR length
Citi
Best for
people focused on a long intro APR window
Avoid if
you will not carry a balance or do not care about intro APR length
U.S. Bank
Best for
people focused on a long intro APR window
Avoid if
you will not carry a balance or do not care about intro APR length
Bank of America
Best for
people focused on a long intro APR window
Avoid if
you will not carry a balance or do not care about intro APR length
Bank of America
Best for
people focused on a long intro APR window
Avoid if
you will not carry a balance or do not care about intro APR length
Bank of America
Best for
people focused on a long intro APR window
Avoid if
you will not carry a balance or do not care about intro APR length
Discover
Best for
people focused on a long intro APR window
Avoid if
you will not carry a balance or do not care about intro APR length
Some outbound application links may be affiliate links.
Want to compare these cards side-by-side?
Compare Top 4 CardsWhat to Look For
Key factors to consider when choosing your card
Longest possible 0% intro APR period (look for 18–21 months)
Low or no balance transfer fee (typically 3–5% of transferred amount)
No annual fee — debt payoff cards rarely need to cost you anything
Regular APR after the promo ends (look for under 25%)
Transfer window — most cards require you to complete the transfer within 60–120 days
No penalty APR — some cards will end your promo rate if you miss a payment
How to Choose
Divide your total debt by the promo period to find your required monthly payment. If you can realistically pay it all off within the promo window, pick the longest 0% period you qualify for. If the math is tight, prioritize a lower transfer fee. Avoid cards with penalty APR clauses — one missed payment shouldn't cost you the entire promo rate.
Learn More About Credit CardsFrequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about choosing the right card
You apply for a balance transfer card and request that it pay off your existing card balance(s). The new card takes on that debt, and you pay the new card at 0% APR during the promo period. Most cards charge a transfer fee of 3–5% upfront, but that's often far less than months of high-interest charges on your current card.
Still Have Questions?
Chat with our AI assistant or explore our learning center for more information
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