
Can you earn rewards with a balance transfer credit card?
Credit card rewards can be a helpful and lucrative benefit. You can earn cash back or frequent flyer miles or points that are redeemable for travel or other perks.
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There are cards that offer both low-interest balance transfers and rewards. But you shouldn’t let the promise of rewards be the deciding factor in choosing a card.
Benefits of a balance transfer credit card
A balance transfer can help you pay off a large balance in a timely manner, without getting charged interest (but typically for a balance transfer fee of 3% or 5% of the transferred amount).
Let’s say, right now, you have a $2,000 balance on a credit card that has 25% annual interest. It would take payments of around $200 per month to pay off your credit card balance in 12 months. You would also pay approximately $267 in interest charges.
But if you transferred your balance to a card with a promotional rate of 0% APR for 12 months, no annual fee and a 3% balance transfer fee, you could pay off your balance in 12 months by making payments of $172 per month.
You won’t pay interest on that balance, but you will pay immediate interest on any other charges unless your card also has a 0% introductory APR on purchases.
Can you earn rewards for a balance transfer?
Before you choose a balance transfer rewards card, you should know you do not earn rewards on the amount of a balance transfer. You earn rewards only on new spending. And if you’re carrying a balance, you’ll pay interest immediately on any new spending.
Let’s look at some examples. If you look at the best balance transfer credit cards, you’ll notice a wide variety of cards from different issuers. The cards on this list tend to have lower interest rates than other cards – as well as introductory balance transfer APRs of 0% for 12 to 18 months.
Some of the best balance transfer cards also happen to have rewards programs:
- The Citi® Double Cash Card offers a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months (followed by a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99%). You can also earn 1% cash back when you spend and another 1% when you pay off your purchases. But the card does not offer an introductory APR on purchases.
- The Chase Slate Edge℠* offers a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 12 months (followed by a variable APR of 14.99% to 23.74%). Other notable features of the card include an annual 2% reduction in your APR if you pay your balance on time and spend at least $1,000 in the first year after opening the card, and a $100 bonus when you spend $500 in the first six months.
- The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases for the first 15 billing cycles (then a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99%). This card also allows you to earn 3% cash back on one of the following categories: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores or home improvement – it’s your choice. It also offers 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% back on everything else. Note that you’ll earn bonus cash back on up to a combined $2,500 in spending in the 3% and 2% categories each quarter.
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ card offers a 0% introductory APR on qualifying balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening (then a variable APR of 14.99% to 24.99%). Additional card benefits include a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first three months and a flat rate 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Should you get a balance transfer credit card without rewards?
If you are dead-set on earning rewards, you might want to separate the cards that have balances from those that have rewards. In other words, don’t try to earn rewards with cards on which you carry balances, because you will pay interest on those charges.
Instead, if you qualify for a rewards-earning card, don’t carry a balance on it. Rather, carry the balance on a card with low or introductory 0% interest.
And there are some good non-rewards-earning options among balance transfer cards. For instance, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months and a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (then a variable APR of 13.74% to 23.74%). Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening. It also provides cardholders with VIP access to ticket sales, preferred seating and other perks through Citi Entertainment.
Should you get a balance transfer credit card with rewards?
If you like any of the aforementioned balance transfer cards that offer rewards, by all means, apply for it. But you may want to consider holding off on making any new purchases on the new card until you’ve paid off your transferred balance. So, if you want one of these cards and want to earn rewards now, don’t transfer a balance to it.
Bottom line
It’s better to focus on paying down your debt than worry about rewards. But if you absolutely must have a rewards card, make it one that you’re not paying interest for the privilege of earning rewards.
*All information about the Chase Slate Edge has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Editorial Disclaimer
The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.
Tony Mecia is a freelance business writer based in Charlotte, N.C. In addition to his articles for CreditCards.com, Tony writes for a variety of trade and general-interest publications and companies. As a reporter and editor with the Charlotte Observer, he won “Best in Business” awards from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers for his coverage of the airline and textile industries.
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Credit card 0% APR balance transfer offers are disappearing—here's why and alternatives
If you don't qualify for a balance transfer card, there are a few other ways you can get out of debt.
- Ask a family member or close friend for a loan: You may have the option to ask someone who's in a better financial position for a loan. This provides an affordable and easy way to pay off debt without the need to pay interest to a creditor. Before you borrow money, create a repayment plan so you don't damage your relationship.
- Take out a personal loan:Personal loans typically have more lenient credit requirements compared to balance transfer cards which are often reserved for borrowers with good and excellent credit. With a personal loan, you'll receive a preset amount of money that you'll repay over a predetermined time period and at a fixed interest rate.
If these options don't work for you, aim to improve your credit score before applying for a balance transfer card. Check out these six easy tips to help raise your credit score.
Don't miss:
Information about the Aspire Platinum Mastercard® has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the cards prior to publication.
© 2007–2016 Credit Karma, Inc. Credit Karma™ is a registered trademark of Credit Karma, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Product name, logo, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Credit Karma are the property of their respective trademark holders. This site may be compensated through third party advertisers.
iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
The Equifax logo is a registered trademark owned by Equifax in the United States and other countries.
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Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Of October 2021
Best Balance Transfer Cards Of 2021
Best Overall
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Regular APR
14.49% - 24.49%* (Variable)
Credit Score
Good/Excellent (700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers a very lengthy intro APR rate and no annual fee. There are two caveats, which are the balance transfer fee and the lack of a rewards program. Still, the savings on interest during the introductory period can eclipse the fee.
Pros & Cons
- No penalty APR
- Long 0% intro APR period
- Cell phone protection coverage is a handy benefit
- Balance transfer fee applies
- No rewards program
- No welcome bonus
- Foreign transaction fee
Card Details
- 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 14.49% – 24.49%.
- Great offer from U.S. Bank, a 2021 World’s Most Ethical Company® – Ethisphere Institute, February 2021.
- No Annual Fee*
- Flexibility to choose a payment due date that fits your schedule.
- Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
Best Balance Transfer Card for Cash Back
Citi® Double Cash Card
Up to 2% Reward Rate
First, you earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase you make. Then, as you pay for those purchases, youRead More
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
The Citi Double Cash card's simple cash back structure and long lasting APR offer make the Citi Double Cash a favorite among those who want to set it and forget it. It offers a solid cashback rate on all purchases, plus a long-lasting 0% intro APR offer, all without an annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- Earn up to 2% cash back—1% when the purchase is made and 1% when payment is made on the account
- No cash back cap—no limit on the amount of cash back that can be earned
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR period for balance transfers
- Foreign transaction fee
- Balance transfer fee
- Lack of benefits seen in other no annual fee cards
- No introductory 0% APR on purchases
Card Details
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% – 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
Best Balance Transfer Card for Long Transfer Window
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Regular APR
13.74% - 23.74% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
Those looking to consolidate debt and pay it off over time will appreciate the long introductory offer on balance transfers. A $0 annual fee further enhances its frugal appeal. On the downside, this card is light on perks and comes with a heavy balance transfer fee.
Pros & Cons
- $0 fee
- 0% intro APR for 21 months on eligible balance transfers from the date of the first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 13.74% - 23.74% based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening. There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- $0 liability on unauthorized purchases, travel and entertainment benefits
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No welcome bonus or rewards program
- High variable APR when introductory period ends
Card Details
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 13.74% – 23.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Purchases and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.74% – 23.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
Honorable Mention
Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card
Regular APR
12.99%-24.99% Variable APR
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
Those seeking a balance transfer card will likely appreciate that the Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers a generous introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. However, the card doesn’t offer rewards or other notable benefits, so give it a pass if you don’t need a long introductory APR period.
Pros & Cons
- Generous introductory APR period for purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- $0 Annual Fee
- No rewards program or welcome bonus
- Balance transfer fee
- Foreign transaction fee
Card Details
- 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Intro APR extension of up to 3 months with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods. 12.99% to 24.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min $5
- $0 Annual Fee
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can earn cash back in the form of a statement credit while you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using your eligible Wells Fargo Credit Card
- Select “Apply Now” to learn more about the product features, terms and conditions
Best Balance Transfer Card For Small Purchases
Citi Rewards+® Card
Up to 2X Reward Rate
Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter.Read More
Welcome Bonus
20,000 points
Regular APR
13.49% - 23.49% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
The Citi Rewards+® Card is an intriguing option as an everyday card for small purchases. In terms of rewards earnings, Citi rounds up all purchases to the next 10 points. Meaning, that a $3 purchase will earn 10 points. Earn additional rewards with a 10% redemption bonus each year (on up to 100,000 redeemed points) plus an increased earning rate on supermarkets and gas spending up to the annual $6,000 cap— with no annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- All purchases rounded up to the nearest 10 rewards points.
- 10% points bonus added to the first 100,000 points redeemed annually.
- No rotating categories to manage.
- 3% foreign transaction fee.
- Potentially high APR depending on your creditworthiness.
- 3% balance transfer fee (min $5).
- Annual $6,000 spending cap on 2x points category.
Card Details
- For a Limited Time, earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 13.49% – 23.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfer fee – either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The Citi Rewards+® Card – the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase – with no cap.
- Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou® Points on All Other Purchases.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.49% – 23.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
Best Balance Transfer Card With Travel Perks
HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card *
Regular APR
13.99% - 23.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Credit Score
Good/Excellent (700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
The HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card comes with a very long 0% intro APR period, no annual fee, and no penalty APR. No rewards program and no welcome bonus make this a pure balance transfer or major purchase card. It could have been a fantastic one, but the 4% balance transfer fee reduces its appeal.
Pros & Cons
- No foreign transaction fees
- Once-every-twelve-months late fee waiver
- No penalty APR
- 18-month 0% introductory APR, followed by the standard APR
- High balance transfer fee (4%)
- No welcome bonus
- No rewards
Card Details
- 0% Introductory APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for the first 18 months from account opening
- Late Fee waiver: If your payment is late, we’ll waive the late fee once every 12 months
- Tap & go® with any HSBC credit card: Tap & go® contactless payments are faster than swiping or inserting your card for payment
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: There are no added costs when using your card to make purchases in a foreign country
- Mobile Pay: All HSBC Credit Cards are available with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- MasterRental Coverage: Provides protection for physical damage and theft to most rental vehicles
- Emergency Card Services: Mastercard Global Service® provides worldwide, 24-hour assistance with Lost and Stolen Card Reporting
Best Balance Transfer Card for Late Fee Forgiveness
Citi Simplicity® Card
Regular APR
14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good (700 - 749)
Why We Picked It
The Citi Simplicity Card offers a very long intro APR offer for balance transfers, with the catch that each transfer incurs a 5% fee ($5 minimum). You'll also get a long intro APR offer on purchases. However, there is no rewards program nor any welcome bonus, making this truly a "simple" card for those looking to hold a balance for a long period of time.
Pros & Cons
- No late fees
- No penalty APR
- No annual fee
- Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- Purchase protection
- High regular APR
- No rewards program
Card Details
- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee… Ever
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 14.74% – 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 14.74% – 24.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
- Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock and $0 liability on unauthorized charges
Best for No Transfer Fee
Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum Credit Card *
Regular APR
5.99% - 18.00% variable APR
Credit Score
Average to Excellent (650 - 699)
Why We Picked It
Many people skip credit union cards because they assume they won't qualify. Navy Federal might be easier to join than you realize, and the card doesn't charge a fee for balance transfers, making for a low cost balance transfer option.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee
- No balance transfer fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- Low ongoing interest rates
- No promotional interest rate on purchases
- No rewards program
- There are longer promotional APR periods available
Card Details
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction, cash advance or balance transfer fee
- Zero Liability policy for unauthorized transactions
- 24/7 access to stateside member reps
- Enjoy the ability to freeze and unfreeze your cards
- Gain free access to your FICO® Score
© 2007–2016 Credit Karma, Inc. Credit Karma™ is a registered trademark of Credit Karma, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Product name, logo, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Credit Karma are the property of their respective trademark holders. This site may be compensated through third party advertisers.
iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
The Equifax logo is a registered trademark owned by Equifax in the United States and other countries.
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Reddit Questions Answered: Your Balance Transfer Guide
From ‘what is a balance transfer’ to the best credit cards for balance transfers, Reddit’s finance threads have asked many questions. Here are the most popular balance transfer questions answered
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What is a balance transfer ?
A: A balance transfer is a process of transferring credit card debt from a card with a high-interest rate to one with a lower interest rate. A balance transfer credit card allows you to carry out this process. Balance transfer credit cards may have no fees or a 0% APR (interest rate) for a specified period of time, costing less money and sometimes enabling you to get out of credit card debt more easily.
When is it a good idea to do a balance transfer?
A: When you can’t pay off the debt of your old credit card in full because its interest rate is too high. If your old credit card debt can be paid off in a relatively short period (say two months or so), it may not be worth it, as these cards sometimes have a transfer fee of 3-5%.
Do balance transfers hurt your credit?
A: The answer to this is twofold. In the short term, yes, they may cause a temporary dip in your credit score. Since you’re adding a new account but also have the balance of your old account with unpaid debt showing up in your reports at first, your credit score will likely fall. However, this only lasts for a few weeks, until your credit reports are updated. In the long term, however, it may actually boost your credit score. A balance transfer will mean that you have a larger credit line but with a lower debt which you’ll be able to pay off faster.
How long do you have to pay off your debt on a balance transfer card?
A: You should pay off your debt before the period with a 0% or nominal APR expires. This period varies from bank to bank but is generally up to fifteen months. If the debt is not paid off during this period, the higher interest rate or transaction fee is applied, negating the benefits of getting a balance transfer.
Can existing small loans be transferred onto a balance transfer card?
A: Balance transfer cards can only transfer credit card debt between cards. Most loans are not taken out on credit cards. Therefore, balance transfer cards cannot be used for this. The cards that can be used for this are called money transfer cards.
A: Firstly, they help banks capture more customers and collect their balance transfer fees (although these don’t exist for every bank). Secondly, the 0% or nominal APR generally expires after a given period. If customers miss this window to make their payments, they can charge fees, higher interest, and sometimes even charge retroactive interest. They can also increase the interest rate if a minimum monthly payment is missed. Therefore, banks usually profit off fees related to balance transfers.
What’s the best advice on using balance transfer credit cards?
A:
- Assess whether you need it based on how long you can pay off your existing debt in
- Research and find the best balance transfer credit card for you
- Keep $0 of balance in your balance transfer card because some companies may charge interest on the unpaid amount already in the card
- Don’t use the balance transfer card to make too many purchases as interest could be accrued from them
- Set up autopay so that you do not miss monthly payments
- Be cognizant of the promotional period APR and pay off your debt within this period