What credit card has the longest balance transfer offer?

Currently, the Wells Fargo Reflect, Citi Diamond Preferred and Citi Simplicity cards offer some of the longest intro APR periods. Although any temporary break from credit card APR is beneficial, a longer intro offer will give you the best opportunity to pay off your transferred balance.

Do balance transfers hurt your credit score?

A few factors could cause you to experience a temporary dip in your credit score: applying for a new credit card usually involves a hard inquiry that affects your credit score and opening a new card shortens your average account age. Also, if you apply for many new accounts in a short time or close an account as soon as you transfer a balance, these actions could negatively affect your score. However, if you pay down the balance on time every month and keep your debt-to-credit ratio low overall, then your credit score might not be impacted as much.

How do you do a balance transfer?

To complete a balance transfer, you’d need to complete the following: Apply for a balance transfer credit card and get approved Initiate a transfer to your new balance transfer card through your online account with your new issuer Wait for verification that the transfer is complete Set your payment plan in motion Keep in mind that there can be a few differences in limits and policies depending on the card’s issuers: How to do a balance transfer with Chase How to do a Discover balance transfer How to do a balance transfer with American Express How to do a balance transfer with Citi How to do a balance transfer with Wells Fargo How to do a balance transfer with Capital One How to do a balance transfer with Bank of America Read more: Should I cancel my balance transfer?

Can you transfer a balance multiple times?

Yes, but transferring balances multiple times can quickly deplete your available credit and increase your overall debt-to-credit ratio since you're only moving the debt and not paying it off. That makes it harder for you to get approved for future credit and can cause your interest rates to rise as well. If you are in a position where you need to transfer your credit card balance more than once, then you should consider alternative options before doing so.

Best Balance Transfer Cards Of March 2025: Intro APR offers up to 21 months

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*The information about the Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Researching the best balance transfer cards

We thoroughly rate and research the best balance transfer credit cards based on key criteria to help you make confident decisions when choosing your next credit card. Learn more about our methodology below.

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What is a balance transfer credit card?

A balance transfer card lets you move a balance from one credit card to another. Balance transfer cards typically come with an introductory 0 percent APR offer for a set period, usually between 12 and 21 months. During this period, you won't be charged interest on your transferred balance, which lets you pay off your debt more efficiently.

After your intro period ends, an ongoing APR applies to any remaining balance left over on the card that received the balance transfer. Dedicated balance transfer cards typically offer fewer rewards or perks than rewards cards, but will often feature longer intro APR periods than their reward counterparts.

What makes a great balance transfer card?

You have plenty of options when searching for the best balance transfer card to help you pay down debt. Look for the top features that balance transfer cards have when shopping around to find the one that meets your needs in getting rid of credit card debt.

Long intro APR period

The best balance transfer cards have intro periods of at least 15 months, but the longer, the better when your goal is paying off debt. A few cards offer some of the longest periods of 21 months, which give you almost two years free from interest to focus on your goal.

Best examples: Citi Simplicity® Card, Wells Fargo Reflect® Card and Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Reasonable balance transfer fee

It's unlikely you'll find a balance transfer card from a major issuer that doesn't charge a balance transfer fee. They're usually 3 percent to 5 percent of the balance you transfer, tacked onto your total. However, some cards have intro balance transfer fees of 3 percent to 4 percent if you transfer your balance within the first few months of opening the card.

Best examples: Citi Simplicity® Card, Discover it® Chrome and BankAmericard® credit card

Low rates and fees

Your goal with a balance transfer is to avoid interest and extra costs, but sometimes you can't pay off the debt by the end of the intro period. If you don't think you can pay the whole balance, then look for cards with low rates and fees. Any APR near 35 percent is a no-go — consider cards with an APR range less than that.

Best examples: BankAmericard® credit card, USAA Rate Advantage Card and Gold Visa® Card

Long-term value

What should you do with a balance transfer card after the intro APR ends? If you've paid off the card and met your debt-management goals, you might want to start earning cash back and credit card rewards. If you want a balance transfer card that earns rewards, you'll sacrifice a few months of the intro APR period, but get more long-term value from the card.

Best examples: Citi Double Cash® Card, Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express and Chase Freedom Unlimited®

How much money could you save with a 0% APR balance transfer?

Transunion’s most recent data shows that the average credit card balance hit $6,380 as of November 2024. That’s nearly a 5 percent increase from 2023 and a 31 percent jump since 2021. While credit card balances increased over the last three years, so were the interest rates attached to them. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reported that the average interest rate on credit cards was 14.51 percent in 2021. By November 2024, that modest interest rate vanished, and borrowing with a credit card became almost 7 percent more expensive, with average credit card interest rates reaching 21.47 percent.

If you’re part of the nearly half of Americans carrying a balance on your card, the right balance transfer card could save you hundreds of dollars when paying off credit card debt. Here’s how much you could save transferring $6,380 to a balance transfer card with an 18-month 0 percent intro APR offer — even with a 5 percent balance transfer fee — versus keeping it on a 21 percent APR credit card.

APR	Starting amount	Monthly payment	Total interest	Total paid
21% for 18 months	$6,380	$416	$1,112	$7,492
0% intro on balance transfers for 18 months	$6,699 (includes 5% balance transfer fee)	$355	$0	$6,699

Your transfer limit is usually equal to or less than your credit limit. For example, if an issuer approves you for a credit limit of $5,000, you can transfer up to the same amount with most issuers. However, what debts you can transfer and the balance transfer policies of your specific issuer will also determine the amount you can transfer.

Balance transfer calculator

Dig deeper: Pros and cons of a balance transfer

How to maximize your balance transfer savings

A balance transfer card is an effective tool to help you pay off debt, but it's only helpful if you use it wisely. To maximize your savings with a balance transfer, keep these tips in mind:

Make a budget

Once you've picked and been approved for a balance transfer card, make a budget. Divide the total amount you're transferring (plus the balance transfer fee) by the months in your intro APR period. That's how much you'll need to pay each month to clear your debt by the end of the offer period.

Transfer your balance immediately

Most balance transfer cards give you two to six months to initiate your balance transfer. Consider this timeframe when choosing your card, and make sure you transfer your balance on time.
Always pay on time

If you miss a payment on your balance transfer card, you could forfeit the remainder of your intro APR offer. Put your credit card account on auto-pay for the monthly amount you budgeted for and double check that it goes through so you can take advantage of the full offer. Plus, missing a payment can hurt your credit score.
Avoid shuffling your debt around

Repeatedly transferring your credit card balances every time the 0 percent intro rate ends will likely do more harm than good. If you find yourself using balance transfers as more of a Band-Aid for your cash flow issues instead of using them to eliminate debt entirely, then it’s time to re-evaluate. If that sounds like you, it might be time to consider other solutions like debt consolidation or a debt management plan to help you tackle those balances.

Balance transfer card news & views

High inflation and other economic factors have pushed consumer credit card balances to new heights over the past two years. In the latest report from the Federal Reserve, credit card balances clocked in at $1.21 trillion in Q4 of 2024 — an increase of $220 billion. Americans attempt to stay afloat in the face of record inflation by relying heavily on their credit cards.

According to a recent Bankrate survey, 2 in 5 cardholders have maxed out a credit card or come close to it since the Fed started raising interest rates in 2022. But only 10 percent of those who maxed out a card applied for a balance transfer to help ease their debt burden.

Balance transfer cards are an effective tool to dig yourself out of debt, but getting approved for one is harder these days. According to Bankrate’s proprietary data, approval rates for balance transfer cards decreased overall for applicants starting January 2025 — regardless of credit score. Among Bankrate users who applied for balance transfer cards, only about 43 percent were approved in February 2025, compared to almost 60 percent in October 2024.

Although your approval odds for a card depend on your credit profile, these trends suggest that opening a balance transfer card is getting more difficult. If you’re unsure of your approval odds for a card you’re interested in, consider checking whether you can get preapproved cards with different issuers or use tools like Bankrate’s CardMatch™ to understand your chances better. Exploring preapproval odds before applying could save your credit score a hit.

For the best chances of getting approved for a balance transfer card, don’t wait until your credit score tanks or you’re struggling with payments to apply. It’s a common mistake that one Redditor consulted the community about after being denied a loan and a balance transfer card to pay down a $26,000 balance.

Once your credit score drops into the fair credit range due to credit utilization or late payment issues, it’s much harder to qualify for a balance transfer card or other lending options. In response, a commenter suggested doing a debt management plan with American Consumer Credit Counseling (a non-profit credit counseling organization) instead.

It’s an under-utilized tactic that Bankrate lead writer Benét Wilson used to pay off her debts several years ago. “After going up the credit card debt escalator again in early 2002, I decided to play it smart and get help to tackle my debt," she says. "I signed up with Stafford, Texas-based Money Management International, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers with credit card counseling and debt relief. MMI taught me a lot about budgeting, managing my credit cards and financial education and my debt was paid off in 2004.”

Dig deeper: What is a balance transfer, and is it a good idea for debt?

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Alternatives

Debt consolidation loan vs. balance transfer card

Here’s how Bankrate experts used their balance transfer cards

Bankrate staff experience

“In late 2020, I used the Discover it® Cash Back card’s balance transfer offer to pay down the credit card debt that I accumulated from changing jobs and moving to a new apartment. I was a bit naive and didn’t have a solid monthly budget, so I still ended up with a balance at the end, but it was low enough that I could pay off the rest soon after. But when I mixed up my due dates and missed a payment early on, Discover forgave the first late payment (up to $41 after), which I appreciated.”

Courtney Mihocik, credit cards senior editor

“When I was trying to pay off credit card debt as a freelancer two years ago, I compared balance transfer options and chose to go with the Citi Simplicity® Card. My main priority was finding the longest intro APR period. The Citi Simplicity beat most other options and made it easy for me to pay down my balance on schedule without destroying my fluctuating budget at the time.

Keeping fees to a minimum was next on my list, because every little bit counts when you're paying off debt. When I compared it to the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card (a card with a similar offer) I noticed that the Citi Simplicity had no late fees, a lower balance transfer fee as an intro offer and no penalty APR rate. That was a no-brainer for me."

Seychelle Thomas, credit cards writer

BANKRATE EXPERT FAQ

Ask the experts: What is the biggest mistake people make with balance transfers?

Thomas Nitzsche

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

As a credit counselor, there are two big mistakes I see people make with balance transfers. First, they transfer the balance and then only make the minimum payment. As a result, when the promotional rate ends they are stuck with a high interest rate again and they often cycle from one balance transfer to the next, paying a fee each time and often not making any real progress on paying down the balance. Secondly, much like when taking out a debt consolidation loan, people often transfer the balance and then either continue to accrue debt on the previous account or put new charges on the balance transfer account, resulting in more debt and a high interest rate paid on those new charges.

Frequently asked questions about balance transfer credit cards

Currently, the Wells Fargo Reflect, Citi Diamond Preferred and Citi Simplicity cards offer some of the longest intro APR periods. Although any temporary break from credit card APR is beneficial, a longer intro offer will give you the best opportunity to pay off your transferred balance.
A few factors could cause you to experience a temporary dip in your credit score: applying for a new credit card usually involves a hard inquiry that affects your credit score and opening a new card shortens your average account age. Also, if you apply for many new accounts in a short time or close an account as soon as you transfer a balance, these actions could negatively affect your score.

However, if you pay down the balance on time every month and keep your debt-to-credit ratio low overall, then your credit score might not be impacted as much.
To complete a balance transfer, you’d need to complete the following:
1. Apply for a balance transfer credit card and get approved
2. Initiate a transfer to your new balance transfer card through your online account with your new issuer
3. Wait for verification that the transfer is complete
4. Set your payment plan in motion
Keep in mind that there can be a few differences in limits and policies depending on the card’s issuers:
Read more: Should I cancel my balance transfer?
Yes, but transferring balances multiple times can quickly deplete your available credit and increase your overall debt-to-credit ratio since you're only moving the debt and not paying it off. That makes it harder for you to get approved for future credit and can cause your interest rates to rise as well. If you are in a position where you need to transfer your credit card balance more than once, then you should consider alternative options before doing so.

How we assess the best balance transfer credit cards

When evaluating the best balance transfer and low-interest cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders.

This includes users who need to carry a balance long term, need as much time as possible to chip away at debt or are looking for maximum long-term value via rewards.

Here’s a quick look at how our rating methodology breaks down for balance transfer cards:

Overall Score

Intro APR and offer length for balance transfers 45%
Balance transfer, annual and other fees 22%
Intro APR and offer length for new purchases 18%
Ongoing APR 15%

We analyzed over 100 of the most popular balance transfer and low-interest cards and scored each based on its introductory APR, intro APR period length, ongoing APR, balance transfer fee, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

The primary factor in a balance transfer or low-interest card’s rating and its inclusion in our list is the quality of its introductory APR offer and ongoing APR. This includes both the introductory rate itself and the length of the intro APR on both balance transfers and new purchases.

For cards designed primarily for balance transfers, the intro APR offer on balance transfers has the largest impact on overall score. The quality of these cards’ intro APR on new purchases is also considered, but holds less weight than the intro APR on balance transfers.

For general low-interest cards, the intro APR offer on new purchases has the largest impact on overall score, followed by the ongoing APR and intro APR offer on balance transfers. This weighting assumes cardholders considering a card in this category will prioritize payment flexibility on new purchases or may need to carry a balance long term, whereas cardholders trying to pay off debt will opt for a dedicated balance transfer card.

The cards that score the highest in these categories and are most likely to be included in our list tend to offer long 0% intro APRs on both balance transfer and new purchases as well as a lower-than-average low-end APR.
Along with evaluating each card’s intro APR offers, we score balance transfer and low-interest cards based on their fees.

Of primary importance is a card’s balance transfer fee, since this can play a large role in the total cost of a balance transfer. We rate each card’s balance transfer fee based on how it stacks up against the fee you’ll find on competing cards.

While this fee carries less weight when we assess general low-interest cards than dedicated balance transfer cards, it still factors into our evaluation since cardholders may decide to transfer debt to a low-interest card even if it offers no intro APR or an intro APR higher than 0 percent.

And while a lower balance transfer fee could save you more overall than a few extra months of 0 percent intro APR, this fee carries less weight in our scoring system than a card’s introductory APR and intro APR period. This is because many users prioritize getting as much time as possible to pay off debt while avoiding interest.

Other fees considered in our assessment include the presence of annual, foreign transaction, cash advance and late payment fees, along with penalty APRs. Annual fees are weighted most heavily since these are the only “unavoidable” fees in the list and tend to be less common on dedicated balance transfer and low-interest credit cards.
While getting a generous intro APR offer and low ongoing APR are likely to be the biggest priorities for someone looking for a low-interest or balance transfer card, we also consider how much value a card can offer after its intro APR comes to an end.

Balance transfer and low-interest cards receive a higher rating and are more likely to be included in our list of best cards if they also include an ongoing rewards program or unique and valuable perks. Such features make a card more useful long term and make it less likely you’ll need to apply for a new card (and temporarily hurt your credit score) after you pay off debt.

With this in mind, our best cards list often includes a number of rewards and cash back cards alongside dedicated balance transfer cards. These cards tend to offer slightly shorter intro APR periods, but could help you save more overall, either via rewards earned on everyday spending, valuable perks or a lower balance transfer fee.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. "Commercial Bank Interest Rate on Credit Card Plans, All Accounts." Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Accessed on March 10, 2025.
2. "Balances and Delinquencies Begin to Stabilize Across Many Credit Products." TransUnion. Accessed on March 10, 2025.
3. “Household Debt and Credit Report (Q4 2024)” Federal Reserve Bank of New York Center for Microeconomic Data. Accessed on March 10, 2025.

Seychelle Thomas, CFEI® Writer, Credit Cards

Seychelle is a credit card writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ at Bankrate where she employs a cumulative 12 years of experience in the finance industry to help…

Courtney Mihocik Senior editor, credit cards

Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at…

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

	Our picks for		Card highlights	Learn more
Citi Simplicity® Card Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees	No late fee + Best overall	21 months 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)	Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees	Long-term value	21 months 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR	Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Chrome Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees	Welcome offer	18 months 0% for 18 months	Intro Offer: Cashback Match Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR	Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Citi Double Cash® Card Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees	Long-term value	18 months 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers	Intro Offer: $200 cash back Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)	Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Everyday spending	15 months 0% on balance transfers for 15 months	Intro Offer: Earn $200 Regular APR: 18.24%-29.24% Variable	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Apply now on Chase's secure site	Dining	15 months 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months	Intro Offer: Earn $250 cash back Regular APR: 18.99% - 28.49% Variable	Apply now on Chase's secure site
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees	Excellent credit	21 months 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 17.24% - 27.99% (Variable)	Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Groceries	12 months 0% on balance transfers for 12 months	Intro Offer: Earn $250 Regular APR: 18.24%-29.24% Variable	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
TD FlexPay Credit Card Apply now on TD Bank's secure site See Rates & Fees	Late fee forgiveness	18 billing cycles Get our best balance transfer offer: 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for first 18 billing cycles after account opening. After that 18.24% - 28.24% variable APR based on your creditworthiness.	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 18.24%, 20.24%, 23.24%, 26.24% or 28.24% variable APR based on your creditworthiness.	Apply now on TD Bank's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Apply now on Bank of America's secure site	Travel	15 billing cycles 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4% will apply.	Intro Offer: 25,000 points Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees	Flat-rate cash rewards	12 months 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers	Intro Offer: $200 cash rewards Regular APR: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR	Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Apply now on Bank of America's secure site	Customizable rewards	15 billing cycles 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4% will apply.	Intro Offer: $200 Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card Apply now on USAA's secure site See Rates & Fees	Low interest	15 months 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 11.15% to 25.15% variable regular APR	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 11.15% to 25.15% variable	Apply now on USAA's secure site See Rates & Fees
BankAmericard® credit card	No penalty APR	18 billing cycles 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4% will apply.	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Gold Visa® Card	Credit union card	15 months 0% Balance Transfers Promo APR for 15 months	Intro Offer: N/A Regular APR: 17.99% Variable APR

Best balance transfer cards of March 2025

+ Show Summary

Compare Bankrate's best 0% balance transfer credit cards

Citi Simplicity® Card

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Discover it® Chrome

Citi Double Cash® Card

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

TD FlexPay Credit Card

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card

BankAmericard® credit card

Gold Visa® Card