10 Best Balance Transfer Cards

When looking for the best balance transfer cards, there are a few key points to consider. The best balance transfer credit cards will of course have 0% interest on balance transfers. But a long balance transfer period, 0% interest on purchases, and a 0% balance transfer fee are other factors in the best balance transfer card deals.

Other benefits of the best balance transfer cards are no annual fee and a low interest rate after the balance transfer period is over. Since the best balance transfer credit cards all offer different combinations of perks and benefits, the best balance transfer cards for one consumer might be very different from the best balance transfer cards for others.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards for You

The best balance transfer cards for a consumer depend heavily on the person’s situation. To help, we’ve listed the best balance transfer cards for each consumer type below.

  • Best balance transfer card for bad credit: The CapitalOne QuicksilverOne card.
  • Best balance transfer card for big balances: The Chase Slate credit card. (Because there’s no balance transfer fee.)
  • Best balance transfer card for people on a tight budget: The Citi Diamond Preferred or Citi Simplicity cards. (Because they have a long 21 month 0% period, allowing you to take more time to pay off the balance.)

See our full list of the best balance transfer credit cards below.

Balance Transfer Card Gotchas

best balance transfer cards gotchasBalance transfer credit cards are a great way for people with credit card debt to avoid interest. Be warned though that all balance transfer cards come with hidden gotchas. The best balance transfer cards have less gotchas than the others. To help you navigate through all the balance transfer offers out there and find the best ones, we’ve put together our picks for the best balance transfer cards below.

When choosing a balance transfer card, be on the lookout for these hidden drawbacks that can sting you when you’re trying to save interest with a balance transfer.

  • Interest rate on balance transfers. The best balance transfer cards won’t charge interest for balance transfers. They’ll offer 0% interest on any balance transfer amount.
  • Short balance transfer period. Sure, some balance transfer cards charge 0% interest on transfers, but for how long? Some  introductory periods run out in just a few months, leaving the consumer shelling out big bucks for high interest charges. The best balance transfer cards offer 0% interest for 12 to 21 months.
  • Balance transfer fee. Even the best balance transfer card offers often tack on a 3% fee to all balance transfers. However, there are a few credit cards that don’t.
  • High interest after the introductory period. A credit card that offers 0% interest on transfers, then a high rate afterward is basically a bait-and-switch. The best balance transfer cards charge lower interest when the clock strikes on the 0% rate.balance transfers interest charge
  • High interest on purchases. Some cards offer 0% interest on transfers, but charge through the roof for purchases. This sneaky tactic isn’t practiced by the best balance transfer cards. Instead, they also offer 0% interest on purchases.
  • Annual Fees. The best balance transfer cards don’t add on annual fees. One card on our list does charge an annual fee, but it’s also available to people with less than perfect credit. That’s a rare trait among the best balance transfer cards.
  • Other drawbacks. There are other downsides to even the best balance transfer credit cards. But then again, there are other perks as well. For instance, some cards offer 0% fraud liability, automatic trip insurance or free credit scores. We’ve provided a complete list of all the perks and drawbacks of every balance transfer card below.

best balance transfer cards debtThe biggest gotcha with any balance transfer card though is in the consumer. Even the best balance transfer card won’t work for someone who continues to rack up an ever growing pile of credit card debt. Balance transfer cards work best for those who’ve made the commitment to pay down their debt. People who’ve stopped using credit cards for purchases benefit the most from balance transfer cards. For more info about balance transfer cards, see our article, “Should I Do a Balance Transfer? 17 Tips and Tricks for Mastering Credit Card Balance Transfers” by clicking here.

Also see: Best Student Credit Cards

List of the Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Our list of the best balance transfer cards follows. For the quick view, scroll to the bottom to sell all the features of all the best balance transfer cards compared side by side in a table. While seeing intricate details of each card can be handy, sometimes getting it all at a glance is easier on the brain.

1. The Chase Slate Balance Transfer Card

best balance transfer cards chase slateThis is our #1 top pick from all the best balance transfer cards out there. The Chase Slate card is unique because it doesn’t charge a fee for balance transfers.

Standout perk: 0% fee on balance transfers in the first 60 days.

Like other best balance transfer credit cards, this card charges 0% interest on balance transfers. It also charges 0% interest on purchases, which is excellent. The 0% period lasts for 15 months. By far the biggest bonus is that while most balance transfer cards charge a 3% fee on all balance transfers, the Chase Slate card doesn’t, as long as the transfer is made in the first 60 days.

The one major drawback of this card is that some customers have complained Chase doesn’t let them transfer balances from another Chase account. Even so, it’s still one of the best balance transfer cards around.

Other info:

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 15 months
Balance Transfer Fee 0% if transferred in 60 days, 3% if after that
APR After Balance Transfer Period 12.99% to 22.99%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 15 months
Annual Fee none
Other Bonuses
  • Free monthly FICO credit score
  • Fraud alerts
  • Fraud protection
  • Purchase protection
  • Zero liability protection.
Other Drawbacks Can’t transfer balances from another Chase account, complaints of relatively low credit limits.
Apply Click here

2. The Citi Diamond Preferred Balance Transfer Card

citi diamond best balance transfer credit cardsThis card is a close second to the Chase Slate balance transfer card. The Citi Diamond Preferred card finds its place among the best balance transfer cards by virtue of its long 21 month 0% balance transfer period.

Standout Perks:

  • 21 month 0% interest rate on balance transfers and purchases.
  • No late fees, no penalties EVER!

Perhaps the single biggest annoyance of even the best balance transfer cards is when they charge 0% interest on transfers but then sting you with high interest on purchases. The Citi Diamond Preferred card charges 0% on purchases and transfers alike.

Caution: Balance transfer cards are best used for people trying to pay down debt. Taking advantage of 0% interest on purchases is a good incentive to build a bigger pile of debt. Not the best strategy for using balance transfer cards.

Another very nice perk of this card is, if you miss a payment, they’ll never charge a late fee. This card is the only one on our list of best balance transfer cards that can claim this feature.

Other Info:

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 21 months
Balance Transfer Fee 3%
APR After Balance Transfer Period 11.99% to 21.99%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 21 months
Annual Fee none
Other Bonuses
  • No late fees, no penalties, EVER!
  • $0 liability
  • Extended warranty up to 5 years and $10,000
  • Citi Identity Theft Solutions
  • Car rental insurance up to $50,000
  • Automatic emergency and travel assistance
  • Works with Apple Pay
  • Citi Price Rewind means Citi searches for lower prices on items purchased for 60 days, then refunds up to $300 per item or $1,200 per year.
Other Drawbacks Balance must be transferred in first four months
Apply Click here to apply.

3. The Citi Simplicity Balance Transfer Card

best balance transfer cards citi simplicitySimilar to the Citi Diamond Preferred card in most respects, the Citi Simplicity card makes it onto our list of best balance transfer cards as well. The only difference between this card and the Diamond Preferred card is its slightly higher interest rate after the introductory period.

Standout perk: Available to those with slightly less than perfect credit.

Citi designed this card for customers who wanted all the benefits of their Diamond Preferred card, but didn’t have quite the credit score chops to warrant the very best balance transfer cards. This card charges a little more interest after the initial 0% period expires, but still carries all the bennies of the Diamond card, including no late fees or penalties and a 21 month 0% interest period.

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 21 months
Balance Transfer Fee 3%
APR After Balance Transfer Period 12.99% to 22.99%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 21 months
Annual Fee none
Other Bonuses
  • No late fees, no penalties, EVER!
  • $0 liability
  • Extended warranty up to 5 years and $10,000
  • Citi Identity Theft Solutions
  • Car rental insurance up to $50,000
  • Automatic emergency and travel assistance
  • Works with Apple Pay
  • Citi Price Rewind means Citi searches for lower prices on items purchased for 60 days, then refunds up to $300 per item or $1,200 per year.
Other Drawbacks Balance must be transferred in first four months
Apply Click here to apply.

4. U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Balance Transfer Card

best balance transfer cards us bank platinumThis card has a shorter 0% interest period than the first three cards on our list of best balance transfer cards. However, it also has a lower interest rate range once the introductory period is over. The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum card has only a 12 month 0% interest period, but its interest range is 9.99% to 20.99% when that runs out. Compare that to the cards above, with 11.99% or 12.99% to 22.99% interest after the initial 0% grace period is over.

This card is a good way to hedge your bets. This balance transfer card works out best for someone who transfers a balance to it but then runs into some hard knocks financially. As an example, let’s say you transferred a balance to this card, then something went wrong and your credit score tanked. In that case, you’d likely be unable to qualify for another balance transfer card. Getting stuck with debt at 9.99% interest is a lot better than getting stuck with debt at 12.99% interest.

This card isn’t quite as good as the top three cards on our list, but it’s still one of the best balance transfer cards going.

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee 3%
APR After Balance Transfer Period 9.99% to 20.99%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 12 months
Annual Fee none
Other Bonuses
  • Fraud protection (the card notifies about suspicious activity)
  • Zero fraud liability
  • Automatic auto rental insurance
Apply Click here to apply.

5. Discover It Balance Transfer Card

best balance transfer credit cards discover it#5 on our list of the best balance transfer cards, the Discover It card offers 0% interest for 12 months on transfers and purchases.  it has no annual fee and also offers 1% cash back on purchases.

We’ve got to take a little issue with balance transfer cards that reward customers for racking up additional debt. The entire purpose of seeking the best balance transfer cards is to pay down debt. That entails putting a stop to future credit purchases. That said, people who temporarily need to continue using credit cards can benefit from the 1% back this card offers on purchases.

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee 3%
APR After Balance Transfer Period 10.99% to 22.99%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 12 months
Rewards
  • 1% cash back on all purchases, no limit.
  • 5% cash back in rotating categories up to $1,500 per year.
Annual Fee none
Other Bonuses
  • No late fee on first late payment
  • No over the limit fee
  • Paying late never raises APR
Apply Click here to apply.

6. U.S. Bank Perks + Visa Signature Card

us banks perks best balance transfer cardsThe sixth of our best balance transfer cards, the U.S. Bank Perks + Visa Signature Card gives 0% interest on transfers and purchases for 12 months. There’s a 3% balance transfer fee, but the card also offers rewards perks and other benefits. Not the best offer, but this card still gets a slot in the roster of the best balance transfer cards available.

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee 3%
APR After Balance Transfer Period 11.99% to 21.99%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 12 months
Rewards “Perks and Rewards”:

  • 1 point for purchases.
  • 2x points for grocery and gas net purchases.
  • Points can be redeemed for merchandise, cash back, airline tickets and gift cards.
Annual Fee none
Other Bonuses Fraud protection, (the card notifies about suspicious activity) zero fraud liabilityairline tickets and gift cards.
Apply Click here to apply.

7. Capital One Quicksilver Rewards

capital one quicksilver best balance transfer cardsWith 0% interest on all balance transfers and purchases for nine months, this card gets slot #7 on our list of the best balance transfer cards. There’s a 3% fee on transfers and a 12.99% to 22.99% interest rate after the nine month introductory period expires.

This card offers the biggest rewards scheme of any of the cards on our list of best balance transfer cards. Customers get an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. We still think offering incentives to amass more debt to those who are trying to do the opposite is a little more of a drawback than a perk, but +1 for the effort.

The card does offer some really nice perks, like 0% fraud liability and free credit scores. There’s also free travel upgrades and extended warranties, plus 20% back on Uber rides. These perks alone cement this card’s position as one of the best balance transfer cards available.

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 9 months
Balance Transfer Fee 3%
APR After Balance Transfer Period 12.99% to 22.99%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 9 months
Rewards Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Annual Fee none
Other Bonuses
  • 0% fraud liability.
  • Free credit scores.
  • Free travel upgrades and extended warranties.
  • 20% back on Uber rides.
Apply Click here to apply.

8. The Chase Freedom Balance Transfer Card

best balance transfer cards chase freedom#8 on our list of best balance transfer cards is the Chase Freedom card. This card gives 0% on transfers and purchases for the first 15 months. Not too shabby. There’s a 13.99% to 22.99% interest rate after that, which is a little high compared to the other best balance transfer cards on the list. There’s also 1% unlimited cash back, plus 5% cash back up to $1,500 in rotating categories like gas and groceries.

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 15 months
Balance Transfer Fee 3%
APR After Balance Transfer Period 13.99% to 22.99%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 15 months
Rewards
  • 1% unlimited cash back.
  • 5% total cash back up to $1,500 in rotating categories.
Annual Fee none
Other Bonuses $100 bonus for spending $500 in first 3 months
Apply Click here to apply.

9. Capital One QuicksilverOne

best balance transfer cards capital one quicksilver oneThe next of our best balance transfer cards is the Capital One QuicksilverOne card. While it’s not the flashiest and doesn’t have the longest 0% interest period, it has a special place in our hearts because of a unique feature.

This card gets a spot in our list of best balance transfer cards because it’s designed for those with less than stellar credit.

Standout Feature: Great balance transfer card for those with average credit.

The Capital One QuicksilverOne card is for those with bad credit or average credit. It still has a 0% interest rate for 9 months on balance transfers and purchases.

The card also has unlimited 1.5% cash back. We’re not crazy about offering cash back to people struggling to pay down their debt, since it’s an easy enticement to rack up more debt. This is still one of the best balance transfer cards around though, because it’s available to those without the best credit.

One big warning about this card: Don’t apply unless you’re sure you can pay down your balance during the nine month 0% period. If you don’t, you’ll get stuck with a whopping guaranteed 22.90% interest rate.

The card also carries a $39 annual fee.

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 9 months
Balance Transfer Fee 3%
APR After Balance Transfer Period 22.90%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 9 months
Rewards Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Annual Fee $39
Other Bonuses Average credit OK
Apply Click here to apply.

10. Alliant Credit Union Visa Platinum Card

The #10 position on our best balance transfer credit cards list goes to Alliant Credit Union’s Visa Platinum Card. The card offers 0% interest on purchases and transfers for 12 months. It also gives a not too bad 9.24% to 21.24% interest rate after that. There’s also no balance transfer fee.

best balance transfer cards alliant credit union

Screenshot from Alliance Credit Union’s website advertising rates on their best balance transfer cards.

With specs like that, you’d think this card would be higher up on our list of best balance transfer cards. However, some customers have complained that the 0% rate isn’t guaranteed. Instead, it’s contingent on the applicant’s creditworthiness. In other words, you might apply for the card and wind up with a 2.99% rate on balance transfers.

Balance Transfer APR% 0%
0% Balance Transfer Period 12 months
Balance Transfer Fee 0%
APR After Balance Transfer Period 9.24% to 21.24%
Interest on Purchases 0% for 12 months
Annual Fee none
Other Bonuses
  • 0% fraud liability.
  • Works with Apple Pay
Apply Click here to apply.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards, Side by Side Comparison

To get a sense of how the best balance transfer cards stack up against each other, take a look at the table below.

Balance Transer Cards Balance Transfer Interest 0% Balance Transfer Period Balance Transfer Fee APR After Balance Transfer Period Interest on Purchases Rewards Annual Fee Other Bonuses Other Drawbacks Apply
Chase Slate 0% 15 months 0% if transferred in 60 days, 3% if after that 12.99% to 22.99% 0% for 15 months none none Free monthly FICO credit score, fraud alerts, fraud protection, purchase protection, zero liability protection Can’t transfer from another Chase account, complaints of relatively low credit limits Click here.
Citi Diamond Preferred Card 0% 21 months 3% 11.99% to 21.99% 0% for 21 months none No late fees, no penalties, EVER! $0 liability, extended warranty up to 5 years and $10,000, Citi Identity Theft Solutions, car rental insurance up to $50,000, automatic emergency and travel assistance. Works with Apple Pay. Citi Price Rewind means Citi searches for a lower price on items you’ve purchased for 60 days after you buy, then refunds up to $300 per item or $1,200 per year. Balance must be transferred in first four months Click here.
Citi Simplicity 0% 21 months 3% 12.99% to 22.99% 0% for 21 months none No late fees, no penalties, EVER! $0 liability, extended warranty up to 5 years and $10,000, Citi Identity Theft Solutions, car rental insurance up to $50,000, automatic emergency and travel assistance. Works with Apple Pay. Citi Price Rewind means Citi searches for a lower price on items you’ve purchased for 60 days after you buy, then refunds up to $300 per item or $1,200 per year. Balance must be transferred in first four months Click here.
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum 0% 12 months 3% 9.99% to 20.99% 0% for 12 months none Fraud protection, (the card notifies about suspicious activity) zero fraud liability, auto rental insurance. Click here.
Discover it 0% 12 months 3% 10.99% to 22.99% 0% for 12 months 1% cash back on all purchases, no limit. 5% cash back in rotating categories up to $1,500 per year. none No late fee on first late payment, no over the limit fee, paying late never raises APR Click here.
U.S. Bank Perks + Visa Signature Card 0% 12 months 3% 11.99% to 21.99% 0% for 12 months “Perks and Rewards” (1 point for purchases, 2x points for grocery and gas net purchases. Points can be redeemed for merchandise, cash back, airline tickets and gift cards. none Fraud protection, (the card notifies about suspicious activity) zero fraud liabilityairline tickets and gift cards. Click here.
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards 0% 9 months 3% 12.99% to 22.99% 0% for 9 months Unlimited 1.5% cash back none $100 bonus for spending $500 in first 3 months 0% fraud liability, free credit scores, free travel upgrades and extended warranties. 20% back on Uber rides. Click here.
Chase Freedom 0% 15 months 3% 13.99% to 22.99% 0% for 15 months 1% unlimited cash back, 5% total cash back up to $1,500 in rotating categories. none $100 bonus for spending $500 in first 3 months Click here.
Capital One QuicksilverOne 0% 9 months 3% 22.90% 0% for 9 months Unlimited 1.5% cash back $39 Average credit OK Click here.
Alliant Credit Union 0% 12 months 0% 9.24% to 21.24% 0% for 12 months none 0% fraud liability, works with Apple Pay 0% not guaranteed. Must become a member of the credit union first, though that’s not hard to do. Click here.