Best balance transfer cards with 0% intro APR of April 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 9:03 a.m. UTC April 4, 2024
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Sometimes a zero can be a hero. Here’s an example: A credit card with a 0% intro APR offer can be a smart way to pay off a big purchase over time or help you shed existing debt more quickly. The best 0% intro APR credit cards feature interest-free financing periods of well over a year, while keeping annual fees and balance transfer fees at a minimum. We carefully analyzed all of the available 0% APR credit cards to put together our list of the very best. Here are our selections for best balance transfer credit cards with 0% APR in April 2024.
Editor’s note: This article contains updated information from a previously published story.
Best balance transfer cards with 0% APR
- Discover it® Balance Transfer: Best for earning rewards.
- Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Best for longer transfer window.
- Wells Fargo Reflect® Card*: Best balance transfer card with an intro APR.
- U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card*: Best for no-frills debt-busting.
- Citi Simplicity® Card*: Best for late payment forgiveness.
- BankAmericard® credit card*: Best for no penalty APR.
- Chase Slate Edge℠*: Best for lower ongoing APR potential.
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 85+ cards analyzed.
- 8+ data points analyzed.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Best for earning rewards
Discover it® Balance Transfer
Best for longer transfer window
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Best balance transfer card with an intro APR
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
*The information for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for no-frills debt-busting
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
*The information for the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for late payment forgiveness
Citi Simplicity® Card
*The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for no penalty APR
BankAmericard® credit card
*The information for the BankAmericard® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for lower ongoing APR potential
Chase Slate Edge℠
*The information for the Chase Slate Edge℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Compare the best balance transfer cards
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. 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.
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Why it’s the best
The Discover it Balance Transfer is the only card on our list that earns rewards, making it worthy of a spot in your wallet long after the intro APR period expires. The card earns 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Not only are the rewards generous, but cardholders are also eligible for Discover’s unique welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
Pros:
- Earns rewards.
- Offers a first-year welcome bonus.
- No annual fee.
Cons:
- Balance transfer fee increases after the intro offer.
- You have to activate the highest bonus categories.
- Other cards offer longer balance transfer terms.
Card details:
- Intro balance transfer offer period: 0% intro APR for 18 months.
- Regular balance transfer APR: 17.24% – 28.24% Variable APR.
- Balance transfer fee: 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*.
- Credit score: Good, Excellent.
Why it’s the best
Most balance transfer cards give you a fairly limited amount of time to take advantage of an introductory APR offer, but with the Citi Diamond Preferred Card the intro balance transfer APR offer applies to balance transfers made within four months from account opening. This can be helpful if you’re looking to consolidate debt from multiple cards or you just want extra time to get everything in order.
Pros:
- Also comes with an intro offer on purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Choose your own payment date.
Cons:
- No rewards.
- Lacks meaningful benefits outside of the intro APR.
- Has a foreign transaction fee.
Card details:
- Intro balance transfer offer period: 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers completed within four months of account opening.
- Regular balance transfer APR: 18.24% – 28.99% (Variable).
- Balance transfer fee: 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
- Credit score: Good, Excellent.
The information for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card * The information for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers one of the longest intro APR periods you’ll find, and the longer the intro period, the more money you’ll save on interest, allowing you to knock out debt more quickly.
Pros:
- Long intro APR period.
- Cellphone protection.
- Access to roadside assistance.
Cons:
- No rewards.
- No meaningful card benefits after the intro APR ends.
- Has a balance transfer fee.
Card details:
- Intro balance transfer offer period: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers.
- Regular balance transfer APR: 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR.
- Balance transfer fee: 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5.
- Credit score: Good, Excellent.
The information for the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum card excels at helping you fend off mounting interest charges with an extra-lengthy introductory APR period on both purchases and balance transfers. It may not have a lot of fancy features, but the card does what it’s designed for: Lets you tackle your debt.
Pros:
- No annual fee.
- Cellphone protection.
- Offers a fee-based installment plan on eligible purchases after the intro period ends.
Cons:
- No rewards.
- Minimal perks beyond cellphone protection.
- The free credit score is a VantageScore, not the more widely used FICO Score.
Card details:
- Intro balance transfer offer period: 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles on balance transfers.
- Regular balance transfer APR: 18.74% – 29.74% (Variable).
- Balance transfer fee: Either 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
- Credit score: Good, Excellent.
The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
When mistakes do happen, this card is one you’ll be glad to have in your wallet. The Citi Simplicity® Card * The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. doesn’t charge any late fees if you occasionally don’t make a payment on time. Keep in mind that making late payments can damage your credit score, however.
Pros:
- Accidentally missing or skipping a payment won’t negate the intro APR offer.
- Low balance transfer fee.
- Enroll in complimentary Mastercard ID theft protection.
Cons:
- Lacks perks beyond the intro offer.
- No rewards.
- Has a balance transfer fee.
Card details:
- Intro balance transfer offer period: 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer.
- Regular balance transfer APR: 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable).
- Balance transfer fee: 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum after 4 months of account opening.
- Credit score: Good, Excellent.
The information for the BankAmericard® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The BankAmericard® credit card * The information for the BankAmericard® credit card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers a longer-than-average introductory period for both purchases and balance transfers. Notably, if you’re accidentally late with a payment, the card won’t hit you with a penalty APR and terminate your intro APR offer, like many other cards with an intro APR offer will.
Pros:
- No annual fee.
- Free FICO Score access.
- Lengthy intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers.
Cons:
- No rewards.
- High balance transfer fee.
- Has a foreign transaction fee.
Card details:
- Intro balance transfer offer period: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days.
- Regular balance transfer APR: 16.24% – 26.24% Variable APR on balance transfers.
- Balance transfer fee: 4% of the amount of each transaction.
- Credit score: Good, Excellent.
The information for the Chase Slate Edge℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why it’s the best
The Chase Slate Edge earns its place on our list with its unique offer to potentially reduce a cardholder’s ongoing APR by 2% when they pay their bill on time and spend at least $1,000 on the card by the next account anniversary, until the card’s APR reaches the prime rate plus 9.74%. This means the Slate Edge could eventually transition to an ongoing lower-than-average APR card.
Pros:
- No annual fee.
- Intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers.
- Opportunity for lower ongoing APR.
Cons:
- No rewards.
- Has a balance transfer fee.
- Has a foreign transaction fee.
Card details:
- Intro balance transfer offer period: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months.
- Regular balance transfer APR: 20.49% – 29.24% Variable.
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Credit score: Good, Excellent.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered when evaluating the best balance transfer cards included:
- The length of the promotional APR on balance transfers: 75%
- Annual fees: 10%
- Rewards: 10%
- Introductory balance transfer fees: 5%
Want to know how to do a balance transfer? Here’s a step-by-step guide
What is a 0% APR balance transfer?
A 0% introductory APR balance transfer card is a credit card that offers a promotional no-interest period for a specific amount of time — usually six to 21 months. During the intro period, cardholders must still make minimum payments. Ideally, the goal is to pay off the entire balance before the introductory offer expires as the card’s regular ongoing interest rate will apply on any balances remaining at the end of the intro period.
A balance transfer card with a 0% intro APR can be a stepping stone toward effective debt management. When you get a reprieve from paying interest, it means your payments will go entirely toward knocking out the principal rather than being siphoned off to pay interest charges.
The potential catch with a balance transfer offer is that the best offers are typically reserved for those with good to excellent credit, which may put some of the longest offers out of reach for those who may need the break on interest the most.
Also, know that a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5% will likely apply to any transfers you make, so be sure to do the math and double check that you’ll actually save money overall with a balance transfer.
One way to evaluate if a balance transfer could be worthwhile is with an interest calculator — plug in your current card’s balance and interest rate and your payment preferences, and see how much interest you’d pay over time. If the interest charges are more than you’d pay for a balance transfer fee, a balance transfer might help you save in the long run.
How does 0% APR help me? Here’s what you can do with that zero-interest period
How does a balance transfer work?
A balance transfer is a process by which you can move one or more of your existing credit card balances onto a new credit card. You can usually do this by contacting your new credit card company, providing it with the details of your old credit card and authorizing the new issuer to transfer the balance from your old card to the new one.
This can be done online during the application process or by calling the issuer of your new card once approved. You will typically incur a balance transfer fee, so be sure to understand the terms and conditions before applying for a new card to make a transfer.
Thinking about a balance transfer and your credit? Here’s how a balance transfer could impact your credit score
What is a balance transfer fee?
A balance transfer fee is a percentage-based fee tied to the dollar amount of debt you’re moving to a balance transfer card. Most balance transfer cards charge a fee of 3% to 5%.
For example, if you transfer $10,000 in debt to a card that charges a 3% balance transfer fee, your balance on the new card will be $10,300. Balance transfer fees vary by card and should be spelled out in the terms and conditions of any card you’re thinking about applying for. It’s rare to find a card with an intro APR on balance transfers and no balance transfer fee.
How to choose the best balance transfer card
When considering credit card balance transfer offers, consider the following card attributes:
- Annual fees: There are plenty of excellent 0% balance transfer credit cards available that don’t charge annual fees. You should be able to find an option without an annual price tag.
- Length of the 0% APR period: When deciding on a balance transfer card, you’ll want to pick one with a 0% APR period offering enough time to pay off all or a good chunk of your balance.
- Cost of the balance transfer fee: If you’re trying to decide between cards with similar 0% APR intro periods, take a look at how much the balance transfer fee is. Every extra dollar you pay to transfer a balance reduces the value of your overall savings on interest.
- Useful benefits beyond the intro APR offer: After the promo period ends, does the card come with any perks like rewards, cellphone protection or travel insurances that make this card worth owning long term?
How to do a balance transfer
Here’s a breakdown of the basic steps involved:
- Apply for a balance transfer credit card. You may also be able to take advantage of a balance transfer offer on a card you already have, but keep in mind you can’t transfer debt between cards from the same issuer.
- Request the balance transfer. You can do this during the application process or by contacting the issuing bank of the new card.
- Verify your original creditors receive their payments. Confirm that the balances are no longer showing on your old accounts. Until the transfer is completed, you’re responsible for making any payments that may be due on the old account or accounts.
- Repay your debt. Have a plan in place to pay off all or as much as you can of the debt you transferred before the 0% APR period expires as you’ll be back to paying interest charges on any remaining balance.
Keep in mind that the balance transfer process can vary between issuers. How you go about a balance transfer with American Express might be different to how you’d conduct a balance transfer with Citi.
Looking for an in-depth overview of what to do before, during and after a balance transfer? Here’s our step-by-step balance transfer guide
How long does a balance transfer take?
A balance transfer can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to complete. Generally, it can be faster to do a balance transfer online than via postal mail.
You should continue to make any payments due on the old account until the transfer is complete. When your new account shows the new balance, check with your original lender to make sure that the old account correctly reflects the amount that’s been transferred.
How much can I save with a 0% balance transfer card?
Here are some examples of how much you might save by transferring a $10,000 balance from a card with an APR of 20% to a card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and a 3% balance transfer fee. See how different 0% APR offer lengths can help the same monthly payment of $310 go even further and save you more in interest.
How to maximize your 0% balance transfer card
While the right balance transfer card for you will depend on several factors, including your debt amount and payoff plans, here are some general tips for making the most of a no-interest balance transfer offer:
- Make a list of all your existing credit card debt: This will give you a full picture of how much debt you need to pay down and, depending on the limit on your new card, help you prioritize which balances to transfer first.
- Weigh the balance transfer fee: If you’re struggling with high credit card debt, the 3% to 5% balance transfer fee on most cards is often well worth the opportunity to save in interest, but your mileage may vary.
- Create a repayment plan: Calculate how much you’d need to pay off each month to clear your balance by the end of the intro APR period. If those payments don’t fit into your budget, pay as much as you can afford each month to reduce your balance, as any remaining amount after the intro offer will be subject to the regular APR.
- Set up autopay to ensure you don’t miss payments: Setting up automatic payments in line with your repayment plan can help ensure steady progress and reduce the risk of missed payments, which may attract a penalty APR, cancel your 0% APR offer and negatively impact your credit score.
- Avoid adding new purchases to the card: New charges on your card mean it will take longer to pay off your balance. Depending on your card’s terms, new purchases may be subject to interest, even if you pay them in full before the end of the month.
Pros and cons of a 0% balance transfer card
Balance transfer cards, like any financial product, come with pros and cons to be aware of:
Pros
- 0% interest rate: A 0% APR offer can give you a chance to save money on interest payments during the promotional period, helping you put more toward knocking out the principal debt as quickly as possible.
- Debt consolidation: If you carry a balance on multiple accounts, transferring them all to a balance transfer card can simplify your payments.
Cons
- Good credit required: You typically need good to excellent credit to qualify for a balance transfer credit card offer, although it is possible to find balance transfer credit cards for fair credit.
- Balance transfer fee: Most credit card issuers charge a balance transfer fee between 3% to 5% of each amount you transfer to your new account. So, if you transfer $10,000 to an account with a 5% balance transfer fee, $500 will be added to the amount transferred.
- The 0% isn’t forever: The introductory APR will only last for a limited time. Once the promotional period ends, any balance remaining will be subject to your balance transfer card’s ongoing APR.
- You can’t transfer balances with the same issuer: You can only transfer your credit card balance to a card from a different issuer. For example, you can’t transfer a balance from a Chase credit card to a Chase balance transfer card.
Best alternatives to a 0% balance transfer card
If one of the best credit cards for balance transfers isn’t an option for you, there are still ways to save money if you’re looking for a helping hand to pay down high-interest credit card debt.
A personal loan or a home equity loan may be a good option for those who need to consolidate debt without using a balance transfer card. Credit counseling services can help you develop a plan to pay off your debt in a more manageable way if you’re still feeling stuck.
Ultimately, the best option will depend on your individual needs and situation.
Is a balance transfer credit card right for you?
A balance transfer card could be right for you if you’re looking to knock out your existing debt, and are in a financial position to make regular monthly payments large enough to pay off all or a significant chunk of your balance before the promo period expires. Generally you’ll have to have good or better credit to qualify for the best balance transfer offers. If you do, a balance transfer credit card can be an excellent way to meet your debt-busting goals.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A balance transfer won’t directly affect your credit score, but it can have an indirect effect. Opening a new credit card account can increase your overall available credit and reduce your credit utilization — but conversely, if you choose to close the old account, it may reduce your overall available credit and increase your credit utilization. Also, opening a new credit card typically involves a hard inquiry, which will likely ding your credit score by a few points.
The way you manage your debt after the transfer can always affect your credit, too. For example, if you transfer a balance and then end up making late payments on the new card, that could have a negative impact on your credit score.
The exact credit score you need to qualify for a balance transfer card will depend on the lender. Generally speaking, you’ll need a credit rating of “good” or better to qualify for a balance transfer card (typically considered 670 or better on the FICO scale), but some lenders may require a higher score.
The length of the promotional period varies from lender to lender. By law, the promotional period must be at least six months, but in most cases it’s typically between 12 and 18 months — although some cards may offer longer promotional periods, including several of the ones on this list. It’s important to make sure you understand the specific terms and conditions of a card before you apply.
Your goal with a balance transfer card is to pay off your balance before the introductory APR period ends, or you may be left with a high-interest balance once again. A balance transfer card is meant to be a temporary solution to tame high-interest debt.
If you continue to spend beyond your means on a credit card, you could get stuck in a cycle of applying for new balance transfer cards, which can have a negative impact on your credit. Credit cards in general typically come with high ongoing APRs, and balance transfer cards are no different once the promotional offer expires.
The amount of debt you’re able to transfer to a new credit card will depend on two things: the credit line you are approved for on the new card and if the issuing bank has any set limits on the amount you can transfer.
If you’re looking to transfer $10,000 in debt but you’re only approved for a $5,000 credit limit on a new card, then $5,000 (minus the amount of the balance transfer fee) is the maximum amount you can transfer.
Also, beware that someone seeking to move larger amounts of debt who is approved for a high credit line may run up against the policies of the issuing bank. For example, Chase states that they have a maximum limit of $15,000 that you can transfer to a new credit card.
Yes, you can transfer multiple balances to one card as long as you don’t exceed the credit limit on the new card.
For example, if you are approved for a credit limit of $5,000 and you have Card A with a balance of $1,500 and Card B with a balance of $2,000, you can transfer both to the new card.
However if you’re also looking to transfer a $3,000 balance from Card C, you won’t be able to transfer the full balance, since the combined amount would exceed the credit limit on the new card.
You can transfer a balance from any credit card to another credit card that accepts balance transfers with one caveat: You cannot transfer a balance from one card to another card from the same bank.
If you have bad credit, you may be able to find a secured credit card that offers balance transfers. However, since most secured cards require a security deposit that’s usually equal to the available credit limit, you’d likely be better off simply putting that cash towards paying off your debt, or looking into other options such as debt consolidation loans.
*The information for the BankAmericard® credit card, Chase Slate Edge℠, Citi Simplicity® Card, U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card and Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
