What credit card has the longest balance transfer offer?

Previously, the Wells Fargo Reflect, Citi Diamond Preferred and Citi Simplicity cards had some of the longest intro APR periods. However, U.S. Bank's new product, the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card, beats Wells Fargo and Citi's intro APR offers.

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.

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.

How do you maximize a balance transfer card?

To get the most out of a balance transfer card, follow these three tips: Transfer your balance immediately and make a budget to pay it off. Always pay on time — missing a payment can cancel your intro period and affect your credit score. Don't use the balance transfer card for new spending unless it has an intro period for purchases.

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

Balance transfer cards come in three main types: pure balance transfer, versatile and rewards-focused. There are tons of cards out there, so we ranked the top balance transfer cards on the market and shared how you can choose the best option for your situation.

Compare Bankrate's best 0% balance transfer credit cards

*The information about the Citi Custom Cash® Card and Citi Simplicity® 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

100+

Cards rated

400+

APRs tracked

3000

Data points analyzed

40+

Perks evaluated

We thoroughly rate and research the best balance transfer credit cards based on intro APR length, fees, ongoing APR and more to help you make confident decisions about your debt payoff strategy. Learn more about our methodology below.

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.

Is a balance transfer right for you?

Paying zero interest or low interest for several months can seem like the right move, especially since it has the potential to save you money on high-interest card debt. But it’s not always the right move for everyone. Before pulling the trigger on a balance transfer, you’ll need to consider how much you’ll save, the alternatives and how you’ll avoid common balance transfer mistakes.

How much can a balance transfer save me?

TransUnion’s most recent data shows that the average credit card balance hit $6,371 as of March 2025 — a 2.5 percent increase from 2024. Credit card balances have consistently increased over the last three years alongside the interest rates attached to them. And Bankrate historical data shows that the average interest rate on credit cards was 16.30 percent at the beginning of 2022. However, the current average credit card interest rate is now 20.10 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 by transferring $6,371 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	$6,371	$415	$1,111	$7,482
0% intro on balance transfers for 18 months	$6,690 (includes 5% balance transfer fee)	$372	$0	$6,690

Calculate your balance transfer costs

Run the numbers on what you need to pay down your debt

What type of balance transfer card is best for you?

The type of balance transfer card that’s right for you depends on your unique situation. Some cards are best-suited only for balance transfers or best serve rewards-seekers, but some versatile cards offer the best of both worlds. Whether you’re new to this, true to this or somewhere in between, you’ll want to get clear on what you need your balance transfer card to do for you.

Long introductory APR period balance transfer cards are a great fit if you don’t mind paying off your debt at a slower pace. Pure balance transfer cards usually have a balance transfer period of 18 to 21 months or more. And it’s focused on one priority — balance transfers. That's why Bankrate editor Steve Dashiell chose the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card.

“When a series of house and car repairs ballooned my credit card balances, my biggest concern was giving myself some breathing room to pay off the sum over a long period of time. Once my balance was transferred and my card came in the mail, I immediately set up comfortable auto payments that would pay off the balance well ahead of the intro period’s end and tossed the card into a drawer.”

So you won’t find top-tier rewards, but you will have plenty of time to pay off your debt without interest. A card with a long intro APR is a good fit if you:

Have a larger balance to pay off.
Need more time to pay off the balance due to budget constraints.
Want a short-term debt payoff solution, not a long-term credit card.
Couldn’t care less about earning rewards.

Here are three cards to consider if you need as much time as possible to pay off your debt:

U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card*
Citi Simplicity® Card*
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Transferring a moderate balance takes less time to pay off, so you might not need a particularly lengthy intro APR period. And no credit card rewards is a big downside, but you don’t want to kick this card to the curb and apply for another one after a year.

A versatile balance transfer card offers the best of both worlds with a 12- to 15-month intro period and a solid rewards program. Bankrate senior editor Courtney Mihocik chose the Discover it® Cash Back in late 2020 to pay down her modest balance, and she still uses the card's rotating bonus categories almost five years later.

“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,. But now I closely follow Discover's rotating cash back calendar and use the bonus categories that fit into my everyday budget and spending to get extra rewards.”

So once you’ve paid off your balance transfer, you can still use the card to cover your everyday expenses. A more versatile balance transfer card might be the right fit if:

You’re motivated to pay off this balance quickly.
The balance you have to pay off isn’t overwhelming.
No rewards on a credit card seems pointless to you.
You need your credit card to be a workhorse, not a one-trick pony.

Sure, you’d like to pay off debt, but rewards and added benefits make for a more well-rounded credit card. Here are some to consider:

Citi Double Cash® Card
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Chase Freedom Unlimited®

When a balance transfer is on the back burner, but rewards are top of mind, go for a rewards balance transfer card. A rewards-focused balance transfer card will have a shorter introductory offer period of around 12 months or less. It’s handy for knocking out small balances while picking up top-tier rewards on new purchases. This type of card isn’t right for everyone, but it might be the right one if you:

See a balance transfer offer as secondary to rewards.
Have a relatively light balance, but would still like to save money on interest.
Can confidently pay off your balance transfer in 12 months or less.
Know how to maximize a card with strong rewards rates.

Here are the top balance transfer cards with strong rewards to consider if this seems like the right option for you:

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

How to choose the right balance transfer card for you

No matter what you’re looking for in a balance transfer card, there are a few factors you’ll want to evaluate to make sure it’s the right fit for you. With a general idea of which type of balance transfer card you need, you’ll want to scope out certain features to make sure you’re choosing the best balance transfer card for you.

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 — or specified dollar amount minimum — 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®

Common balance transfer mistakes and how to avoid them

There are a few mistakes you should be wary of before going through with a balance transfer. Because as helpful of a tool as it is, it loses its effectiveness when it’s not used properly. These balance transfer mistakes can derail debt payoff for even the most experienced balance transfer users:

Forgetting about the balance transfer fee: Most balance transfer cards have a 3 percent to 5 percent balance transfer fee — per transfer — tacked on to your total. Make note of this fee and include it in your budgeting.
Transferring a balance without a plan: 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.
Adding to the balance as you’re paying it off: Using your balance transfer card for purchases as you're paying it off won't help you eliminate your debt. Unless your card also has an intro APR for purchases, new spending on the card will accrue interest.
Making a late payment: 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.
Missing the balance transfer deadline: 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.

Alternatives

Debt consolidation loan vs. balance transfer card

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

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.
To get the most out of a balance transfer card, follow these three tips:
1. Transfer your balance immediately and make a budget to pay it off.
2. Always pay on time — missing a payment can cancel your intro period and affect your credit score.
3. Don't use the balance transfer card for new spending unless it has an intro period for purchases.

How we choose the best balance transfer credit cards

We select cards for “Best” credit cards pages based primarily on how cards score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features.

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on a “Best” list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way.

Card selection and ordering may vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

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:

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. “TransUnion March 2025 Credit Industry Snapshot.” TransUnion. Accessed on May 8, 2025.
2. "Balances and Delinquencies Begin to Stabilize Across Many Credit Products." TransUnion. Accessed on May 8, 2025.
3. “Household Debt and Credit Report (Q4 2024)” Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Accessed on May 8, 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		Ongoing APR	Learn more
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees	No-frills debt payoff	21 months 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers	Regular APR: 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR	Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
Citi Double Cash® Card Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees	Encouraging payments	18 months 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers	Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)	Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees	Dining	15 months 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months	Regular APR: 18.99% - 28.49% Variable	Apply now on Chase'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	Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Discover it® Chrome Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees	Welcome offer	18 months 0% for 18 months	Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR	Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
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	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	Regular APR: 20.24%-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.	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
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	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.	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	Regular APR: 11.15% to 25.15% variable	Apply now on USAA's secure site See Rates & Fees
Citi Simplicity® Card	Minimal fees	21 months 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers	Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)
BankAmericard® credit card	Low intro balance transfer fee	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.	Regular APR: 15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Gold Visa® Card	Credit union balance transfer card	15 months 0% Balance Transfers Promo APR for 15 months	Regular APR: 17.99% Variable APR
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card	Long balance transfer intro APR	24 billing cycles 0% introductory APR for the first 24 billing cycles for balances transferred within 60 days from account opening. After that, 17.74% to 28.74% based on your creditworthiness when you open your account.	Regular APR: 17.74% - 28.74% Variable

Best balance transfer cards of May 2025

+ Show Summary

Compare Bankrate's best 0% balance transfer credit cards

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Discover it® Chrome

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

TD FlexPay Credit Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card

Citi Simplicity® Card

BankAmericard® credit card

Gold Visa® Card

U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card

Researching the best balance transfer cards

What is a balance transfer credit card?

Is a balance transfer right for you?

How much can a balance transfer save me?

Run the numbers on what you need to pay down your debt

What type of balance transfer card is best for you?

How to choose the right balance transfer card for you

Long intro APR period

Reasonable balance transfer fee

Low rates and fees

Long-term value