What credit score do I need for a balance transfer?

Top balance transfer cards typically require a good FICO score (between 670 and 739), but many factors are considered for approval. Some issuers offer prequalification tools that can help consumers know which cards they might qualify for.

How long does it take to pay off debt?

That depends on how much debt you have as well as other considerations, but you should aim to pay off your entire debt before the intro APR ends to avoid interest.

Can I pay off credit card debt without using a credit card?

If you prefer to not use a zero-interest card, you have alternative ways to pay down credit card debt. For example, you can take out a personal loan, which might have a fixed lower interest rate, or you could borrow against your home’s equity.

Best credit cards for paying off debt

Written by

Reena Thomas, Ph.D.,

Edited by

Courtney Mihocik

Published on January 30, 2024 | 4 min read

Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Our is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

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A recent Bankrate survey found that 49 percent of credit card holders carry a balance from month to month, while data from Clever Real Estate reveal that credit card users owe an average of $5,875. Twenty-three percent of card users from that same study thought it would take them more than five years to pay off their credit card debt.

Credit card debt can be especially hard to recover from, partially because of ongoing exorbitant interest rates. Many consumers use a balance transfer credit card with a 0 percent intro APR offer as a pathway toward debt relief. If you need a leg up when paying credit card debt off, here are some of the best cards that can help you pay off credit card debt faster with minimal costs.

Comparing the best cards for paying off debt

Check out the table to compare intro APR periods and other card features to discover the right card for you. All are no-annual-fee cards.

Credit card	Intro APR period on balance transfers	Intro APR period on new purchases	Ongoing variable APR	Balance transfer fee
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card	21 months	21 months	18.24 percent, 24.74 percent, or 29.99 percent	($5 minimum), then 5 percent fee ($5 minimum)
BankAmericard® credit card	18 billing cycles	18 billing cycles	16.24 percent to 26.24 percent	3 percent for 60 days from account opening, then 4 percent
Citi® Double Cash Card	18 months	N/A	19.24 percent to 29.24 percent variable	3 percent intro fee ($5 minimum) for transfers completed within the first four months, then 5 percent fee ($5 minimum)
Citi Simplicity® Card	21 months	12 months	19.24 percent to 29.99 percent	3 percent intro fee ($5 minimum) for transfers completed within the first four months, then 5 percent fee ($5 minimum)
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card	21 billing cycles	21 billing cycles	18.74 percent to 29.74 percent	3 percent ($5 minimum)
Citi Diamond Preferred®	21 months	12 months	18.24 percent to 28.99 percent	$5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Top cards for paying off debt

Best intro APR offers

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

4.3

The Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers one of the longest intro APR periods on the market for both balance transfers and new purchases, a rare feature. It’s low on fees too, with no annual fee or penalty APR. If you need a card to help manage a large purchase as well as existing credit card debt, then this card might be ideal.
Pros

It has competitive intro APR offers for both purchases and balance transfers, which can help when managing debt.

This card's valuable cellphone protection adds to its long-term benefit.
Cons

You'll pay a high balance transfer fee compared to rival cards, which might cut into your savings.

Other than cellphone and basic card protection, this card doesn't feature robust perks.

Best for low interest

BankAmericard®

4.1

The BankAmericard offers competitive intro APR offers for both balance transfers and new purchases. But if you won’t be able to pay off your balance entirely before the intro period ends, then you can take advantage of its low APR, which can also help you minimize debt.
Pros

If you qualify for this card's low-end APR, you can benefit from a low-interest card.

You have access to credit education tools on topics like budgeting and responsible card use.
Cons

It has a short, 60-day transfer window to qualify for the intro APR offer.

This card only features standard card protection, so it lacks long-term value.

Best for cash back rewards

Citi Double Cash Card

4.2

The Citi Double Cash Card is essentially a 2 percent cash back card with a long intro APR on balance transfers to boot (1 percent when you buy, 1 percent when you pay). As long as you don’t overspend to earn rewards, you can stand to benefit even after the intro APR offer ends. Other perks include comprehensive card protection and access to exclusive experiences through Citi Entertainment.
Pros

As a cash back rewards card, this card has terrific long-term value with its high flat rate

You can also take advantage of an intro balance transfer fee offer to help minimize costs.
Cons

The intro APR offer doesn't apply to purchases, so you can't save on interest if you want to manage a new expense.

Though this card offers a signup bonus, it might tempt you to overspend, which could add to your debt.

Best for late payment protection

Citi Simplicity Card

4.5

The Citi Simplicity Card stands out because it’s low on fees: no annual fee, no late payment fee and no penalty APR. While you should always aim to pay on time, you won’t have to worry about debt piling up if you happen to miss a payment. And like the Citi Double Cash, you can enjoy an intro balance transfer fee offer.
Pros

Enjoy peace of mind with no late payment fees or penalty APRs in case you can't pay the minimum balance by the due date.

The lengthy intro APR for balance transfers is one of the top offers available.
Cons

This card's intro purchase APR period runs shorter than its balance transfer offer, so you won't have as much time to save on interest if you're managing a large purchase.

The balance transfer fee jumps to a relatively high 5 percent after the intro offer ends.

Best for alternative payments

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

4.3

The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card deserves a spot on our list not only for its impressive intro APR offers but because it also features the U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan. You can pay off balances for new purchases in fixed monthly payments over time while avoiding interest. Any unpaid balance remaining on the plan after the chosen pay-back period will be subject to the ongoing variable APR.
Pros

You have more flexibility in how you manage debt with this card's intro APR offers, potential payment plans and the option to choose your own payment due date.

This card comes with valuable cellphone protection in addition to extensive identity protection and free credit score access.
Cons

You only have 60 days to transfer balances from other cards, so you'll have to act quickly to qualify for the intro APR.

Without a rewards program, the long-term value of this card is limited.

Best for balance transfers and low interest

Citi Diamond Preferred® Card

If you need significant time to pay down credit card debt, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card features a stellar intro APR offer for balance transfers. Like the Citi Simplicity Card, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on payments. But if you still have a balance remaining after the intro period ends, you can benefit from a potentially lower interest rate than its sibling card.
Pros

You can also take advantage of an intro APR on purchases, though it's shorter.

You have free access to your FICO score to track progress if you are building credit.
Cons

This card comes with a late payment fee and penalty APR, so costs could add up if you frequently miss a payment.

There is no intro balance fee offer with this Citi card, so you'll have to pay a comparatively high fee of either $5 or 5 percent of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

How to choose the best credit card for paying off debt

Using a credit card to pay off debt may be a surprising strategy, but the 0 percent introductory terms some balance transfer cards offer can make it a smart move. Paying off credit cards in full is easier when you don’t have to make monthly interest payments. And the savings can be substantial — even after balance transfer fees.

If you’re considering a card that offers a 0 percent intro APR for a limited time, these tips can help you find the right one:

Decide if you want a 0 percent intro APR on purchases, balance transfers or both. Some cards offer an intro APR on either balance transfers or new purchases, while others include both. If you want to save money on purchases while you consolidate debt, look for an option that offers a 0 percent intro APR on both.
Figure out how long you need to pay off your debt. Compare the length of the introductory offers available, keeping in mind that the longest zero-interest term on the market is 21 months. If you need as much time as possible to pay off your credit card debt, look for the longest offer you can qualify for.
Determine if you want to earn rewards. While most balance transfer cards won’t offer rewards, you likely can find a couple that do or a rewards card that has decent intro APR offers. But you’ll typically wind up with a shorter introductory offer.
Compare fee structures. Make sure to compare fees, including annual fees, balance transfer fees and late fees. Also, take note of the ongoing variable APR, and remember any debt left when your introductory period is over will accrue interest at this rate.

Find the right card for you using Bankrate's CardMatch™. Discover prequalified offers for credit cards that can help with debt management.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions

Top balance transfer cards typically require a good FICO score (between 670 and 739), but many factors are considered for approval. Some issuers offer prequalification tools that can help consumers know which cards they might qualify for.
That depends on how much debt you have as well as other considerations, but you should aim to pay off your entire debt before the intro APR ends to avoid interest.
If you prefer to not use a zero-interest card, you have alternative ways to pay down credit card debt. For example, you can take out a personal loan, which might have a fixed lower interest rate, or you could borrow against your home’s equity.

What’s next?

Bankrate has several debt management tools that can help you figure out the best strategy to reduce debt and raise your credit score.

Credit Card Payoff Calculator

Start a plan to pay off card debt

Debt Paydown Calculator

Get a schedule to manage all debt

Personal Loan Calculator

Know your monthly loan payments

Minimum Payment Calculator

See when you'll be card debt-free

The bottom line

Paying off debt becomes considerably easier when you get the chance to avoid interest for a year or more. After all, the average credit card interest rate is more than 20 percent, and avoiding this added charge each month means that every dollar you pay on your credit card goes directly toward the principal balance.

That being said, using a credit card payoff calculator to figure out how long you might need to pay off your debt can be helpful. Also, make sure to compare your picks to our list of the best balance transfer credit cards before you apply, in case another card piques your interest.

Information about the BankAmericard® credit card was last updated on February 9th, 2024.

Written by

Reena Thomas, Ph.D.

Editor II, Credit cards

Comparing the best cards for paying off debt

Top cards for paying off debt

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Bankrate’s view

Pros & cons

Pros

Cons

BankAmericard®

Bankrate’s view

Pros & cons

Pros

Cons

Citi Double Cash Card

Bankrate's view

Pros & cons

Pros

Cons

Citi Simplicity Card

Bankrate’s view

Pros & cons

Pros

Cons

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Bankrate’s view

Pros & cons

Pros

Cons

Citi Diamond Preferred® Card

Bankrate’s view

Pros & cons

Pros

Cons

How to choose the best credit card for paying off debt

Frequently asked questions

What credit score do I need for a balance transfer?

How long does it take to pay off debt?

Can I pay off credit card debt without using a credit card?

What’s next?

The bottom line

Article sources

Explore our top credit card picks

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