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13 Best Balance Transfer Cards with 0% intro APR of March 2024

Updated March 14, 2024

A balance transfer credit card can help you manage and eliminate debt with introductory APR offers that provide a temporary break from interest charges. The best balance transfer credit cards available from our partners have introductory 0 percent APR offers lasting 15 to 21 months, allowing you to avoid paying interest on a transfer until mid-2025.

Read on to learn more about our picks for the best balance transfer cards of February 2024.

Info
Best for balance transfer beginners
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Info
Apply now Lock
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

N/A

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Info
Best for excellent credit
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Info
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

N/A

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Info
awards-badge
2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
BEST FOR EVERYDAY SPENDING
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

1% - 3%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Best for rotating bonus categories
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Info
Apply now Lock
on Discover's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

1% - 5%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Best travel and balance transfer card
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Info
Apply now Lock
on Bank of America's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

1.5X

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Info
awards-badge
2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
BEST FOR GROCERIES
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Info
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

1% - 6%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Info
awards-badge
2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
BEST FOR CUSTOMIZABLE REWARDS
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Info
Apply now Lock
on Bank of America's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

1% - 3%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Info
awards-badge
2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
Best for 2 percent cash rewards
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
Info
Apply now Lock
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

2%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Best for dining and drugstores
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
Info
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

1.5% - 5%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Info
Best for good credit
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Info
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Fair to Good (580 – 740)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

1% - 5%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Info
Best for unlimited 1.5 percent cash back
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
3.8
Info
Apply now Lock
on Bank of America's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

1.5%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Info
awards-badge
2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
Best for automatic bonus category
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Info
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit
Info

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

1% - 5%

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Best for low ongoing interest rate
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
3.0
Info
Apply now Lock
on USAA's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

N/A

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

awards-badge
2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
Best for no late fees
Image of Citi Simplicity® Card

Citi Simplicity® Card
*

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Info
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

N/A

Intro offer

Info

N/A

Rewards Rate

Info

Annual fee

Regular APR

BEST FOR INTRO APR WITH LOW ONGOING APR
Image of BankAmericard® credit card

BankAmericard® credit card
*

Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Info
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

N/A

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

BEST CREDIT UNION BALANCE TRANSFER CARD
Image of Gold Visa® Card

Gold Visa® Card
*

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Recommended Credit

Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

N/A

Rewards rate

Info

Annual fee

Compare Bankrate's best 0% balance transfer credit cards

Card Name Bankrate's pick for
0% balance transfer intro APR period
Regular APR
Bankrate Review Score

Balance transfer beginners

21 months 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Intro Offer: N/A
Regular APR: 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR

4.3 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Wells Fargo's secure site
Excellent credit
21 months 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers
Intro Offer: N/A
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)

4.1 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site

Everyday rewards 

15 months 0% on balance transfers for 15 months
Intro Offer: Earn $200
Info
Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.99% Variable

4.6 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Rotating bonus categories
18 months 0% for 18 months
Intro Offer: Cashback Match
Info
Regular APR: 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

4.6 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Discover's secure site
Travel card
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
Info
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

4.1 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Bank of America's secure site

Groceries

12 months 0% on balance transfers for 12 months
Intro Offer: Earn $250
Info
Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.99% Variable

4.4 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply

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
Info
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

4.3 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Bank of America's secure site
2% cash rewards
15 months 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Intro Offer: $200 cash rewards
Info
Regular APR: 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR

4.3 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Wells Fargo's secure site

Dining and drugstores

15 months 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
Intro Offer: Up to $300 cash back
Info
Regular APR: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable

5.0 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site

Good credit

18 months 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Intro Offer: $200 cash back
Info
Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

4.2 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Unlimited 1.5 percent cash back
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
Info
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

3.8 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Bank of America's secure site

Automatic bonus category

15 months 0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Intro Offer: $200
Info
Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

4.4 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site

Low ongoing interest rate

15 months 0% intro apr for 15 months on balance transfers, then 12.15% to 29.15% variable regular apr
Intro Offer: N/A
Regular APR: 12.15% to 29.15% variable regular APR

3.0 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on USAA's secure site
Image of Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi Simplicity® Card

No late fee

21 months 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers
Intro Offer: N/A
Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)
Image of BankAmericard® credit card
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: 16.24% - 26.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Image of Gold Visa® Card
Gold Visa® Card
Credit union card
15 months 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made in the first 90 days after account opening
Intro Offer: N/A
Regular APR: 17.99% Variable APR

How we assess the best balance transfer credit cards

Document
100+
Cards rated
Credit Card Apr
400+
APRs tracked
Search
3000
Data points analyzed
Credit Card Reviews
40+
Perks evaluated

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.

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.

What is a balance transfer credit card?

A balance transfer credit card is a tool people can use to help pay off debt. Balance transfer cards typically come with an introductory 0 percent APR offer for a set time, and you won’t pay any interest on your transferred balance during that time. This interest-free period allows you to pay off the principal balance without interest charges adding to your debt.

A balance transfer is the process of moving a balance from one credit card to another. In some cases, you can transfer more than just credit card balances to a balance transfer card.

When the intro APR period ends, interest applies to any remaining balance at the end of each billing cycle like a regular credit card. The average intro APR period is 12 to 21 months, with many of the best balance transfer intro periods offering 18 to 21 months.

Balance transfer terms to know

Balance transfer fee
In exchange for letting you transfer a balance, the new card will typically charge a balance transfer fee. This fee is usually 3 percent to 5 percent of the balance you’re transferring, usually with a $5 minimum.
Intro APR offer
This is the time you have to make use of a low- or zero-interest APR on your new credit card. 
Transfer window
Some balance transfer cards require you to transfer a balance within a designated timeframe to qualify for the intro offer. Common transfer windows are 60 to 120 days.
Ongoing APR
This interest rate is what applies to any remaining balance you have after the intro period ends.

Pros and cons of 0% balance transfer credit cards

Plenty of things make a balance transfer card worthwhile, but some of the drawbacks may have you eyeing other options. Consider the following pros and cons when taking a look at a balance transfer credit card. 

Pros

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    Save money: You could save on interest charges by temporarily pausing interest on transferred debt.

  • Checkmark

    Improve credit utilization ratio: Debt reduction can lower your credit utilization ratio over time, which means you’re using less of your available credit and potentially improving your credit score.

  • Checkmark

    Reduce monthly payments: The temporary break from interest on your transferred balance could translate to a lower monthly payment during the intro APR period.

  • Checkmark

    Consolidate debts: If you have multiple cards with high balances, you can simplify your debt payment process by consolidating the debt onto one card.

Cons

  • High credit approval threshold: The best balance transfer cards with the longest 0 percent intro offers tend to be available to people with good or excellent credit.

  • Interest on remaining balance: If you don’t pay off the transfer entirely during the introductory period, the remaining balance will be subject to the new card’s regular APR.

  • Less attractive rewards (if any): The main feature on most balance transfer cards is a lengthy intro APR period, and many intro APR-focused cards don’t earn rewards, though some cards do offer relatively modest cash back rewards.

  • Limits on transfer amounts: Balance transfer cards may limit the amount you’re allowed to transfer and it can be difficult to know these limits until you apply for the card.

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Bankrate Expert Advice

What happens if you reach the end of a balance transfer intro offer and still have a balance? Bankrate's experts break down your options for lingering credit card debt.

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

A 0 percent intro APR offer could save you several hundred dollars or more if you're paying down a large balance. 

Want to try it out? Use Bankrate’s balance transfer calculator below to quickly estimate how much you can save with the right balance transfer card.

Calculate estimated balance transfer savings

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Expert advice on choosing a 0% balance transfer card

A balance transfer card is an effective tool to help you pay off debt, but you’ll want to consider key details before putting in an application. To help guide you on choosing a balance transfer credit card that fits your unique financial situation, consider the following questions:

Here’s how a Bankrate expert chose her balance transfer card

When Bankrate editor Ashley Parks chose a balance transfer card to help her pay off debt, she prioritized certain card details over others. But there’s one detail that she wishes she’d looked at more closely before deciding.  

I chose the BankAmericard credit card for a couple key reasons. The first was the card’s lack of a rewards program. This detail was important to me since I needed the extra discipline that came with eliminating the possibility to earn rewards. Second, I also wanted the longest intro APR offer I could get because I felt most comfortable having a long payoff timeline just in case something came up to disrupt my plan. I’m grateful that I managed to snag the card before the length of the intro offer decreased from 21 months to 18 months. It reminded me of how card offers can change, and it could be a good idea to take advantage of a competitive offer while it’s available.

One thing I wish I had given more thought to when I was choosing a balance transfer card is the transfer window. There came a time when I would have liked to transfer another balance to my BankAmericard, but since the 60-day transfer window had passed, I was out of luck. I didn’t want to transfer a balance knowing that I would still have to pay interest on it.

— Ashley Parks, Bankrate editor

Tips for maximizing a balance transfer card

  • Initiate your balance transfer immediately: Some cards have a window of time within which you must transfer your credit card balance to be eligible for the offer. Additionally, the sooner you transfer the balance, the sooner interest stops accruing on that debt.
  • Keep up with old card payments until your transfer is complete: You don’t want to run the risk of seriously hurting your credit by missing a payment, since payment history is the most significant factor affecting your credit score. Until you have confirmation from your previous issuer that your card balance is zero, keep up with payments on your card to protect your credit. 
  • Design your payoff strategy around your intro APR window: The best way to maximize your balance transfer card is to make sure you pay off your transferred balance within the intro period. Doing so lets you avoid interest charges and provides a clear timeline for you to pay down your debt.
  • Don’t miss a payment: Missing a payment on your balance transfer card could void your intro offer, so nailing down a payment plan and sticking to it is crucial to maximizing the offer. If for some reason you can’t pay the full amount that’s part of your personal debt payoff strategy, at least pay the minimum amount on your card statement.

In the news: Credit card interest rates are set to remain high in 2024

Bankrate’s recent interest rate forecast indicates that while rates may begin to fall slightly, they’ll still remain at record-breaking highs for the foreseeable future. Additionally, a 2024 Bankrate survey found that 49 percent of cardholders carry a balance month-to-month. The longer you carry a balance on a card with a high interest rate, the faster your credit card balance can snowball into debt.

As rates remain high, completing a balance transfer could be one of the most helpful ways to manage your debt and save as much as you can on interest charges.

Frequently asked questions about balance transfer credit cards

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


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.

Contributor, Personal Finance

Often people transfer card balances to take advantage of a 0 percent intro APR offer, but then they’re surprised by the much higher APR they’re hit with at the end of the introductory period. You must understand the rules of each individual card when you’re making a balance transfer and know that 0 percent doesn’t mean $0. Be sure to check for transfer fees or limits, and always understand what is going to happen if you don’t pay off the transfer within the bank’s designated time frame.

Contributor, Credit Cards

Balance transfer cards can save people who have expensive, overwhelming debt so much money on interest fees. But you have to consider your overall financial picture and commit to paying the transferred balance off and not adding new debt. By far the biggest mistake people make is running up a balance on the old card again. Then, if they don’t pay the transferred balance off before the intro rate reverts to the regular rate, they’re really in trouble. To make balance transfer credit cards work in your favor, you absolutely have to be committed to the process.