How to do a balance transfer with Chase

Balance transfer credit cards can be a valuable tool if you’re stuck paying off credit card debt with a high APR. After all, the right balance transfer card can help you consolidate and pay down debt with zero interest for a limited time, which could help you pay off debt faster and potentially save hundreds of dollars per month.

If you’re hoping to ditch debt this year and start working toward a better financial future, then a Chase credit card with an intro APR offer could be exactly what you need.

What to know before transferring a balance with Chase

There are several important things to note before you request a balance transfer with Chase:

• There is no guarantee that your balance transfer request will be approved.
• You are not allowed to transfer debt from one Chase card to another Chase card.
• Balance transfers aren’t free. On most Chase cards, you’ll be charged a 3 percent intro balance transfer fee (minimum $5) of the amount you transfer, so be sure to add that amount to your total balance to pay off.
• You must transfer a balance within 60 days of account opening to qualify for the intro balance transfer fee. After that, you may be subject to a higher balance transfer fee of 5 percent (minimum $5).
• If you are approved for a Chase card, you cannot transfer more than your available credit limit with Chase. If you try to transfer an amount that’s greater than your credit limit, Chase will either decline the transfer request or approve a smaller amount for transfer.

How to do a balance transfer with Chase

Whether you opt to make your balance transfer online or over the phone, transferring a balance to a Chase card is fairly simple.

How to transfer a balance to a new Chase card

Before applying for a new Chase balance transfer card, keep in mind that you must be approved for the account before you can fill out a balance transfer request.

1. Select the Chase credit card you’re interested in and click “Apply Now.”
2. Fill out the application and click “Submit.”
3. Once you’re approved, you’ll need to request a balance transfer and provide additional information, such as the account number of the old card you want to transfer a balance from, the card issuer name and the amount you want to transfer.
4. Follow the prompts, accept the terms and conditions, and submit.

How to transfer a balance to an existing Chase card

If you want to transfer a balance to an existing Chase card, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Chase account.
2. Go to the credit card for which you’d like to transfer a balance and see if you’re eligible for any balance transfer offers.
3. If you’re eligible for a balance transfer offer, enter the details of your transfer, including the account number of the credit card you want to move a balance from and the amount you want to transfer.
4. Confirm you have read the terms and conditions and follow the prompts to initiate the transfer to your Chase credit card.

If you prefer to transfer balances with help from a customer service representative, call the number on the back of your credit card to get started.

What to know after requesting a balance transfer with Chase

You can log in to your Chase account to see if the balance transfer has taken place. Keep in mind it can take up to 21 days for Chase to process your balance transfer, so make sure to give it some time. While you wait, continue making on-time payments to all of your credit card accounts to avoid late fees and penalties.

Also, once the balance has been transferred to your Chase card, make sure to check your old account to confirm that the full amount of the transfer has taken place. If your old account still has a small balance and you don’t pay your bill, you could face late fees and damage to your credit score.

Best Chase balance transfer credit cards

Chase Slate Edge

The Chase Slate Edge℠ comes with no annual fee and a 0 percent intro APR offer for 18 months on balance transfers and purchases (19.74 percent to 28.49 percent variable APR thereafter). Additionally, note that a 3 percent intro balance transfer fee (minimum $5) applies to transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, a 5 percent balance transfer fee (minimum $5) applies.

The card does not include any rewards or welcome offers. However, cardmembers are rewarded for responsible payment history: Each year that you charge $1,000 to your account and make consistent on-time payments, Chase will consider lowering the APR by 2 percent — a relatively rare perk in the credit card industry (additional terms apply).

Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Chase Freedom Unlimited®* credit card is another good option to consider. It offers a 0 percent intro APR offer on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months after opening your account (variable APR of 19.74 percent to 28.49 percent after). Balance transfers completed within the first 60 days are subject to a 3 percent intro balance transfer fee (minimum $5). After that period is up, a 5 percent balance transfer fee (minimum $5) will apply for each transfer.

This card also includes no annual fee, a solid rewards program and a welcome offer. You’ll earn 5 percent cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5 percent cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025), 3 percent cash back on dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5 percent cash back on all other purchases. As for the welcome offer, you’ll earn an extra 1.5 percent cash back on top of all cash back category rates on up to $20,000 in purchases for the first year (offer through Bankrate). That’s 6.5 percent on Lyft rides and Chase travel, 4.5 percent on dining and drugstores and 3 percent on all other purchases.

Chase Freedom Flex

The Chase Freedom Flex℠* is another smart choice for a balance transfer. It, too, comes with no annual fee and a 0 percent intro APR offer on balance transfers and purchases for the first 15 months (variable APR of 19.74 percent to 28.49 percent after). Like with the Chase Slate Edge and Chase Freedom Unlimited, balance transfers completed in the first 60 days will include an intro balance transfer fee of 3 percent (minimum $5). Any balance transfers made after the first 60 days will be subject to a 5 percent balance transfer fee (minimum $5).

This card also comes with a welcome offer of $200 cash back after spending $500 within the first three months. As for the rewards program, you’ll earn 5 percent cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 percent back). You’ll also earn 5 percent cash back on Chase Ultimate Rewards travel purchases, 5 percent cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025), 3 percent cash back on dining and drugstore purchases and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases.

FAQs for Chase balance transfers

• • 
    

    How long do Chase balance transfers take?

    Chase says on its FAQ page that balance transfer requests can take anywhere from one week to 21 days to process.
  • 
    

    How often can you transfer a balance with Chase?

    Chase lets customers transfer up to $15,000 within any 30-day period. If you need to transfer more than $15,000 in high-interest debt, consider using more than one balance transfer credit card with an intro APR offer.
  • 
    

    Can you transfer a balance from one Chase card to another?

    Like most issuers, Chase doesn’t allow cardmembers to transfer a balance from one Chase credit card account to another Chase credit card account. If you have debt on a Chase card that you want to transfer, you should choose a balance transfer card from another issuer.
  • 
    

    Do Chase balance transfers qualify for rewards?

    Balance transfers don’t earn rewards. With any credit card, you’ll only earn rewards for the purchases you make with your card.

The bottom line

If you want to consolidate high-interest credit card debt, transferring a balance to a Chase credit card with an intro APR offer could help you to save on interest for a limited time and pay down your debt faster.

However, before choosing a balance transfer card, be sure to compare all of the best balance transfer offers on the market today. Some cards offer much longer intro APR periods than others, and you may be able to find an intro offer for purchases, among other benefits.

*The information about the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.