How do balance transfer checks work?

Have you ever wondered why you got a blank check from a credit card company? Before you take it to the bank, learn more about what balance transfer checks and how to use them.

What are balance transfer checks and how do they work?

Balance transfer checks work much like normal checks — only instead of drawing from your bank account, they draw from your credit line. A credit card provider will send out balance transfer checks tied to a credit card you already have open, or to a card you prequalify for. The checks can be used to pay accounts outside of the issuing provider.

The card tied to the offer doesn’t necessarily have to be a card you got for the purpose of a balance transfer. It could simply be one that allows balance transfers and has unused credit.

Usually balance transfer checks come with promotional terms, often intro APRs starting at 0% — depending on your creditworthiness.

Which issuers offer balance transfer checks?

Credit card provider	Offers balance transfer checks	Offers convenience checks	Can I request balance transfer checks?
American Express
Bank of America
Barclaycard
Capital One
Chase
Citibank
Discover
HSBC
USAA

How can you use a balance transfer check?

Using a balance transfer check is fairly similar to using a normal check. You’ll just want to fully understand its terms before signing off on it.

1. Know the terms. To truly get the most out of the transfer offer, make sure there’s a low or 0% introductory APR, and that you can use it before the rate expires. Also, check for any balance transfer fees you may incur.
2. Fill out the check. Make the check out to the high-APR credit card you want to transfer, or to yourself. If you’re cashing it yourself, check what additional fees may apply and what the standard APR will be.
3. Wait for the transfer to process. Depending on the account you’re transferring from and to, this time will range. If it’s not immediate, be sure to continue making the minimum payments on the old account until it processes.

Is using a balance transfer check a good deal?

Balance transfer checks can be a good deal if the rates are lower than what you’re paying. Here’s how to tell if a balance transfer check might be the right fit for you:

• Intro APR.
  Introductory windows vary based on the lender and your creditworthiness, as do promotional rates. If you can’t pay off a large balance you want to transfer before the period ends, or if the intro rate is over 0%, it might be worth skipping.
• Revert APR rate.
  After the introductory period is over, the provider applies a revert APR rate to any remaining balance. Be sure the interest rate is either less than what you’re transferring from or that you can pay the balance off fully before the intro period ends to avoid paying more.
• Balance transfer fees.
  A typical balance transfer fee ranges from 3% to 5% of the transaction. Balance the cost of the fee with the interest you’ll save to determine if it’s really worth it.

Not all balance transfer checks will have offers that are worth pursuing. For longer APRs or lower balance transfer fees, you may want to consider taking out a new balance transfer card after comparing the options available.

If you’re not sure how long you’ll need to pay off your balance, you can use our balance transfer calculator to get a quick and easy estimate.

When should I use a balance transfer check

If a balance transfer check arrives in your mail, here’s what to consider before you decide whether to use it:

• Does it come without interest? If the balance transfer check comes with a 0% intro APR offer, it may be well worth using it.
• Are you paying interest on your debt? If you have high-interest debt and the balance transfer check has a 0% intro APR period, you could save money.

Consider a balance transfer card instead

If the balance transfer check does not have a good balance transfer offer, consider opening a credit card specifically designed for balance transfers. Below you can compare cards with balance transfer offers.

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Name	Product	Amount saved	Balance transfer APR	Balance transfer fee	Minimum Credit Score	Filter values
Chase Freedom Flex℠			0% intro for the first 15 months (then 17.24% to 25.99% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days	For each transfer: 3% intro fee ($5 min) in first 60 days, after that 5% ($5 min)	670		Get up to 5% cashback in rotating and newly added everyday categories. The refreshed Freedom Flex card has lots of earning potential.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card			17.99%	3%	670		2% cash back for all PenFed Honors Advantage members and 1.5% cash back on all purchases made with your card.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Freedom Unlimited®			0% intro for the first 15 months (then 17.24% to 25.99% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days	For each transfer: 3% intro fee ($5 min) in first 60 days, after that 5% ($5 min)	670		This solid 1.5% cashback card gets even better with the addition of up to 6.5% back in categories like travel, drug stores and dining.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Balance transfer checks vs. convenience checks

If you get a check in the mail from your bank or credit card provider, it could be a convenience check. You’ll want to take care before using them like traditional balance transfer checks.

What is a convenience check?

Convenience checks appear similar to balance transfer checks and are also issued by your bank. In addition to performing balance transfers with them, you can also use them to make purchases or as cash advances instead of using your credit card.

But be careful — they often don’t come with an intro APR, and in fact, can accrue the same high rate as a cash advance. You could also be charged a convenience fee as high as 4% of the check amount.

In comparison, balance transfer checks usually offer some sort of incentive for using them — a lower APR or longer terms and no fees. And they can come from a bank or credit card that you don’t already have a balance with.

Downsides to using a convenience check

No matter whether you received a balance transfer check or a convenience check, you’ll want to check out the terms and fees of those checks before using them. Some items to keep your eye on include:

• Revert rate.
  Once your intro APR window closes, you’ll wind up with a higher APR. Any balance you haven’t yet paid off begins earning interest just as it would with any other credit card.
• Costly cash advances.
  When a balance transfer check acts as a cash advance, it carries a higher interest rate.
• Transaction fees and finance charges may apply.
  You could be on the hook for transaction fees as high as 5% of the borrowed amount.

How to stop these offers from coming

If you’re not interested in balance transfer checks or other credit card mail offers clogging up your mailbox, send the credit card issuer a secure online message, mail or call them directly to tell them to stop. If it’s a local bank, you can visit a branch and make the request in person.

Balance transfer checks can be tempting and have the potential to get you into financial trouble. They also can lead to fraud if someone finds them and cashes them in your name. Always shred these checks if you don’t plan on using them.

Bottom line

Looking into the different types of balance transfer cards and comparing them against balance transfer checks can make a big decision easier. The option to convert your debt to a lower APR is tempting but look at your financial situation to make sure the credit card suits your needs before signing up.

Frequently asked questions

• Who sends balance transfer checks?

  Balance transfer checks may be sent by a credit card provider you already bank with or one that wants your business.

• Can I write a balance transfer check to myself?

  In some cases, yes. Be careful though, writing the check out to yourself could count as a cash advance, rather than a balance transfer. Cash advance transactions generally come without an intro APR, with steep transaction fees and a higher APR overall.

  If you’re not sure whether writing the check to yourself will qualify as a cash advance, contact your provider.

• How do I request balance transfer checks?

  Some providers allow you to request a balance transfer and convenience checks through your online account or at branch locations. Check with your credit card provider to find out if you can request them, and how.

Balance transfer calculator