Best balance transfer cards with 0% APR of August 2023
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 3:57 a.m. ET Aug. 2, 2023
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
The best balance transfer cards with 0% introductory APRs can help you save money over time by allowing you to move existing debt from one credit card to another and pay no interest during an introductory period.
Balance transfer cards with intro 0% APR offers typically don’t charge an annual fee and occasionally come with other incentives such as rewards programs or welcome bonuses — but the main attraction is the 0% APR. Keep in mind that when you do a balance transfer to a new card, you’ll likely be charged a fee for you to transfer your balance, usually 3% to 5% of the amount being transferred. This amount is something you should factor into your calculation when trying to determine how much you might save with a balance transfer.
At their core, balance transfer cards with 0% intro APRs are a tool for people looking to make progress on paying down a high-interest credit card balance. They can help minimize the interest charges associated with carrying a balance, allowing you to make faster progress on paying off your debt.
We analyzed a broad swath of balance transfer cards with 0% intro APRs, from a variety of issuers, to curate a list of the very best. Here are our selections.
Editor’s note: This article contains updated information from a previously published story
-
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card *
The information for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: Best balance transfer card with 0% APR
-
Citi Simplicity® Card *
The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: Best for late payment forgiveness
-
Citi® Double Cash Card *
The information for the Citi® Double Cash Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: Best for staying power after the intro offer
-
BankAmericard® credit card
: Best for no penalty APR
-
Chase Slate Edge℠
: Best for lower ongoing APR potential
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 24+ cards analyzed.
- 5 data points considered.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
Best balance transfer cards with 0% introductory APRs of August 2023
Best balance transfer card with 0% APR
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
*The information for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for late payment forgiveness
Citi Simplicity® Card
*The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for staying power after the intro offer
Citi® Double Cash Card
*The information for the Citi® Double Cash Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for no penalty APR
BankAmericard® credit card
Best for lower ongoing APR potential
Chase Slate Edge℠
Compare the best balance transfer cards with 0% introductory APRs:
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
The information for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card * The information for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers what’s likely to be the longest 0% APR period you’ll find: A lengthy 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and on balance transfers made within the first 120 days, afterwards a 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR applies. There’s a balance transfer fee of 5% with a $5 minimum. The longer the 0% period, the more money you’ll save on interest and can use to knock out your existing debt. Other benefits include cellphone protection when you pay your bill with the card, access to roadside assistance and my Wells Fargo Deals for discounts and money-saving offers.
- APR: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and on balance transfers made within the first 120 days, afterwards a 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable APR applies. There’s a balance transfer fee of 5% with a $5 minimum.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
When mistakes do happen, this card is one you’ll be glad to have in your wallet. The Citi Simplicity® Card * The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. doesn’t charge any late fees if you occasionally don’t make a payment on time. Keep in mind that consistently making late payments can have a negative affect on your credit score, however.
Although the card doesn’t offer rewards or a welcome bonus, the extra-lengthy introductory APR on balance transfers makes it a highly attractive balance transfer option. As a Mastercard, you can also enroll in complimentary ID theft protection.
- APR: 0% intro balance transfers APR for 21 months from the first transfer and 0% intro purchase APR for 12 months from account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.24%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the transfer, whichever is greater, for transfers made in the first four months. After that, a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
The information for the Citi® Double Cash Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
With a lengthy introductory APR period on balance transfers, the Citi® Double Cash Card * The information for the Citi® Double Cash Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is an excellent option for those looking to pay off high-interest debt transferred from a non-Citi card. And, this card’s ongoing rewards program gives it value that extends beyond the length of the introductory offer.
- APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.24%. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed in the first 4 months. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: Earn an unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
The BankAmericard® credit card offers a longer-than-average introductory period for both purchases and balance transfers. Notably, if you’re accidentally late with a payment, the card won’t hit you with a penalty APR and terminate your intro APR offer, like most other cards with an intro APR offer will. The main event with this card is the intro offer as the card benefits beyond that are minimal.
- APR: 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, and then a variable APR of 16.24% to 26.24%. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%.
The Chase Slate Edge℠ earns its place on our list with its highly competitive introductory APR, but seals its spot with its unique offer to potentially reduce a cardholder’s ongoing APR by 2% when they pay their bill on time and spend at least $1,000 on the card by the next account anniversary, until the card’s APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74%. This means the Slate Edge could eventually transition from being a 0% APR card to an ongoing lower-than-average APR card.
Other unexpected benefits that give the card staying power include secondary auto rental collision coverage, access to roadside dispatch, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
- APR: 0% intro APR for the first 18 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.24% – 28.99% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies on transfers made in the first 60 days. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater applies.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Guide to balance transfer credit cards with 0% APR
A balance transfer card with a 0% APR offer can be a stepping stone towards effective debt management. When you get a reprieve from paying interest, it means your payment will go entirely toward knocking out the principal rather than being siphoned off to pay interest fees.
Balance transfer cards with a 0% intro APR offer can help you transfer high-interest balances from other credit cards to a new card with a low intro APR. That 0% offer can last anywhere from six months to nearly two years and can be an effective technique to save money on interest payments or function as a longer runway for those who need extra time to pay off a big buy.
The potential catch with a balance transfer offer is that the best offers are typically reserved for those with good to excellent credit, which may put some of the longest offers out of reach for those who may need the break on interest the most.
While considering the best balance transfer credit cards with 0% introductory APRs, it’s important to remember that the zero-interest period won’t last forever, and the card’s regular ongoing interest rate will apply on any balances remaining at the end of the intro period.
Additionally, a balance transfer fee will likely apply to any balance you move from another card, so you’ll want to do the math to make sure you’ll actually save money overall by doing a balance transfer.
What is a 0% APR balance transfer?
A 0% introductory APR balance transfer card is a type of credit card that offers a no-interest-during-the-period promotion for a specific period of time — usually six to 21 months. During the intro period, users must still make minimum payments and should aim to pay off the entire balance before the introductory offer expires, when the card will revert back to charging the normal ongoing interest rate on any balance left.
Balances transferred to a new card will still be subject to a balance transfer fee, so it’s important to do the math before getting a new card to make sure the transfer isn’t more expensive than the cost to simply carry it on your existing card while you pay it down. Balance transfer fees typically range from 3% to 5% of the amount being transferred.
Pros and cons of a 0% balance transfer card
The main benefit of a 0% balance transfer card is the potential to save money on interest payments during the promotional period and apply those savings towards knocking out the principal debt more quickly. However, balance transfer cards typically come with a balance transfer fee and the 0% APR may not apply to additional purchases made on the card.
Your goal with a balance transfer card is to pay off your balance before the introductory APR period ends or you may be left with a high-interest balance once again. A balance transfer card is meant to be a temporary solution to tame high-interest debt. If you continue to spend beyond your means on a credit card, you could get stuck in a cycle of applying for new balance transfer cards which can have a negative impact on your credit. Credit cards in general typically offer high ongoing APRs, and balance transfer cards are no different.
What to look for in a 0% balance transfer credit card
When considering a 0% balance transfer credit card, look for one that offers a long enough 0% APR period to give you enough time to pay off all or a good chunk of your balance. You should also consider a card with a low balance transfer fee, as every extra dollar you pay to transfer a balance reduces the value of your overall savings on interest. Finally, when comparing cards, think about if the card offers any useful benefits beyond the introductory APR period, like rewards or other perks that make it a card you’d still want to use. Be sure to read the fine print and make sure you understand all the terms and conditions of any card before applying.
Best alternatives to a 0% balance transfer card
If a 0% balance transfer card isn’t an option for you, there are still ways to save money if you’re looking for a helping hand to pay down high-interest credit card debt. A personal loan or a home equity loan may be a good option for those who need to consolidate debt without using a balance transfer card. Credit counseling services can help you develop a plan to pay off your debt in a more manageable way if you’re still feeling stuck. Ultimately, the best option will depend on your individual needs and situation.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered in determining the best balance transfer cards with a 0% APR include:
- The length of the promotional APR on balance transfers.
- Any annual fees.
- The amount of the balance transfer fees.
- The value of any additional benefits outside of the low intro period, rewards or other perks.
A balance transfer is a process by which you can move one or more of your existing credit card balances onto a new credit card. You can usually do this by contacting your new credit card company, providing it with the details of your old credit card and authorizing the new issuer to transfer the balance from your old card to the new one. This can be done online during the application process or by calling the issuer once approved. Transferring a balance typically incurs a balance transfer fee, so be sure to understand the terms and conditions of the specific transfer you’re seeking to make before applying for a new card to make a transfer.
A balance transfer won’t directly affect your credit score, but it can have an indirect effect. Opening a new credit card account can increase your overall available credit and reduce your credit utilization, but if you choose to close the old account, it may increase your credit utilization and even lead to other negative effects. The way you manage your debt after the transfer can always affect your credit, too. For example, if you transfer a balance and then end up making late payments on the new card, that could have a negative impact on your credit score.
The exact credit score you need to qualify for a balance transfer card will depend on the lender. Generally speaking, you’ll need a credit rating of “good” or better to qualify for a balance transfer card (670 or better on the FICO scale), but some lenders may require a higher score.
The length of the promotional period varies from lender to lender. By law, the promotional period must be at least six months, but in most cases it’s typically between 12 and 18 months, although some cards may offer longer promotional periods, including several of the ones on this list. It’s important to check with the lender before applying to make sure you understand their specific terms and conditions of a card before you apply.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
