Best balance transfer credit cards of 2022

We ranked the best balance transfer card picks for 2022 based on our research and placed them into six major categories. We considered factors such as the length of the intro APR period, balance transfer fees and rewards. Finder’s experts provide unbiased, trustworthy evaluations of all balance transfer credit cards and providers, not just those we partner with on the site.

Best for ongoing rewards program

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Finder rating 4.7 / 5 ★★★★★

See offer on Creditcards.com's secure site Terms apply, see rates & fees

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ combines a 15 months 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers with a lucrative mix of rotating and flat rate rewards categories. And given the value and flexibility of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ should be one of your top choices if you're looking for value long after your balance transfer period ends.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
  • Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 14.99% to 23.74% variable.

  Cons

  • You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter. Also, you'll need to activate your cashback categories, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
  • Categories not always known. Often, Chase won't reveal the whole year's rotating categories until they're close to launching.
  • Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable)
  Balance transfer fee	For each transfer: 3% intro fee ($5 min) in first 60 days, after that 5% ($5 min)
  Rewards	5% cash back

Intro Balance Transfer APR	0% for 15 months
Rewards	5% cash back
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

See offer on Creditcards.com's secure site Terms apply, see rates & fees

Best for carrying a balance long term

Chase Slate Edge℠

Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★

See offer on Creditcards.com's secure site Terms apply, see rates & fees

The old Chase Slate returns from the dead as the Chase Slate Edge℠, bringing with it a few new features. Notably, the card allows you to lower your interest rate by up to 2% each year when you meet the requirements. You can get your APR as low as 9.74%, which is excellent if you need to carry a balance.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Signup bonus. Spend $500 on purchases in the first 6months your account is open to earn in statement credit.
  • Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months, reverting to 14.99% to 23.74% variable.
  • No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.

  Cons

  • Intro offer on balance transfer fees gone. The original Chase Slate offered a 0% balance transfer fee offer for 60 days. This is no longer the case, as the Chase Slate Edge℠ offers a 60 days period of $3 balance transfer fees, reverting to 5%.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 18 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable)
  Balance transfer fee	For each transfer: 5% intro fee ($3 min) in first 60 days, after that 5% ($5 min)
  Rewards	None

Disclaimer

All information about this card has been collected independently by Finder.

Intro Balance Transfer APR	0% for 18 months
Rewards	None
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

See offer on Creditcards.com's secure site Terms apply, see rates & fees

Best for simple 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Finder rating 4.6 / 5 ★★★★★

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The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is back to offering its market-leading 21 months intro APR on balance transfers. The Diamond Preferred is especially notable for having an intro APR on purchases as well, giving you some flexibility in how you wish to use your new card.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Intro APRs. You'll get an 21 months 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, reverting to 13.74% to 23.74% variable.
  • No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
  • Additional cards free. You won't pay a fee to add additional cardholders to your account.

  Cons

  • Balance transfer fees. You'll pay the greater of $5 or 5% on all balance transfers.
  • Four month transfer limit. You'll have just four months to take advantage of the balance transfer intro period. Penalty APR. The penalty APR for missed payments is steep at up to 29.99% variable.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 21 months (then 13.74% to 23.74% variable)
  Balance transfer fee	$5 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater
  Rewards	None

Intro Balance Transfer APR	0% for 21 months
Rewards	None
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

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Best for cash back

Citi® Double Cash Card

Finder rating 3.8 / 5 ★★★★★

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Though the Citi® Double Cash Card isn't the best flat-rate cash back card by our estimation — that goes to the Chase Freedom Flex — market changes have made it one of the better balance transfer card options available in 2021. That's because the card possesses not only a higher-than-average cashback rate at 2%, but a higher-than-average balance transfer period at 18 months — just behind the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum's 20 months.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Intro balance transfer APR. 0% intro APR for the first 18 months - then 13.99% to 23.99% variable.
  • Unlimited cash back. Earn 1% cash back when you make purchases, and an additional 1% back when you pay your balance.
  • No annual fee. Keep this card in your wallet without worrying about an annual fee.

  Cons

  • Potentially high fees. You'll incur up to $40 in fees for each late payment. Citi may also impose a penalty APR of up to 29.99% for repeat offenses.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	Up to 23.99% variable
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 18 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
  Balance transfer fee	For each transfer: 3% intro fee ($5 min) in first 4 months, after that 5% ($5 min)
  Rewards	2% cash back

Intro Balance Transfer APR	0% for 18 months
Rewards	2% cash back
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

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Best for small purchases

Citi Rewards+® Card

Finder rating 4.1 / 5 ★★★★★

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The Citi Rewards+® Card combines a solid 15 months intro APR on balance transfers with a unique rewards feature. On all purchases, Citi will round your points earned to the nearest 10 points. That measure once your balance transfer period is over, you have a great rewards card for racking up points on small purchases on your hands.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Rewards points. Earn 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations on up to $6,000 in combined purchases each year. Once you reach the cap and on all other purchases, you earn 1x points.
  • Round up points. A rewards rate of 2x and 1x points may not seem like it's worth earning a spot as one of the best rewards credit cards, but with the rounding up feature, your rewards rate is actually higher. Say you buy a $2 coffee. Your reward points will round up at 10x points, thus earning a 5% reward.
  • Bonus points. The card comes with 20,000 bonus points once you spend $1,500 in your first 3 months when you open your credit card account. Also, you get additional 10% bonus points for the first 100,000 points you redeem annually.

  Cons

  • Foreign transaction fees. Using the card abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost 3% of the amount.
  • Balance transfer limitation. You'll need to complete your balance transfer within four months of account opening to take advantage of the intro APR.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.49% to 23.49% variable)
  Balance transfer fee	For each transfer: 3% intro fee ($5 min) in first 4 months of account opening, after that 5% ($5 min)
  Rewards	2x points

Intro Balance Transfer APR	0% for 15 months
Rewards	2x points
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

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Best for a long 0% intro APR

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Finder rating 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★

Read review Terms apply, see rates & fees

After the Citi Diamond Preferred and Citi Simplicity lost their 21-month intro APRs, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card became the defacto choice for a balance transfer card with the longest intro APR period. It helps that the card is solid in other respects, including requiring no annual fee and perks like cell phone protection.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Intro APR period. Get 20 months of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases when you open your account. After the intro APR period ends, your rate reverts to variable 14.49% to 24.49%.
  • No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to own the card.
  • Cell phone protection. Pay your cell phone bill with your card to get coverage against phone damage or theft up to $600. You're limited to two claims in a 12-month period for a total of $1,200.

  Cons

  • Foreign transaction fees. Avoid using this card online at foreign merchants or when traveling abroad or you'll pay 3% fee of the amount of each transaction.
  • No reward program. You won't earn any rewards on your purchases.
  • No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn upon signup.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 20 months (then 14.49% to 24.49% variable)
  Balance transfer fee	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater
  Rewards	None

Intro Balance Transfer APR	0% for 20 months
Rewards	None
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	740

Read review Terms apply, see rates & fees

Best for cash back flexibility

U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card

Finder rating 4.4 / 5 ★★★★★

Read review Terms apply, see rates & fees

The U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card is another great example of a rewards card that doubles as a more than solid balance transfer card. While the Citi Double Cash is still the king of cash back when it comes to such a card, the flexibility offered by the U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card is an asset for targeted spending.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Intro APR. Enjoy a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 12 months, reverting to 13.99% to 23.99% variable.
  • Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on up to $2,000 each quarter in combined purchases on two categories of your choice, reverting to 1%. Earn 2% back on one selected category all year round, and 1% back on everything else.
  • Signup bonus. Earn a $150 after you spend $500 in your first 90 days of card membership.

  Cons

  • Cash back requires enrollment. You'll need to enroll in you bonus categories each quarter to earn the accelerated rewards.
  • Balance transfer time limit. You have just 60 days to make your balance transfer and receive the intro period.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	Up to 23.99% variable
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
  Balance transfer fee	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater
  Rewards	5% cash back

Intro Balance Transfer APR	0% for 12 months
Rewards	5% cash back
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

Read review Terms apply, see rates & fees

Best for foodies

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card

Read review Terms apply, see rates & fees

Not only is the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card the new standard for foodies, boasting a 4x rate on dining (including delivery and bars), but it offers plenty of other perks as well, including an intro period on balance transfers. Couple that with no annual fee and you've got big value on dining rewards and saving in just one card.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Intro APR. Get a 12 months 0% intro APR on balance transfers, reverting 14.99% to 23.99% variable.
  • Rewards. Earn 4x points on dining, including delivery, takeout and bars. Earn 2x points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, select streaming services and gas stations. Earn 1x points on everything else.
  • No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this credit card.

  Cons

  • High requirements. You'll need an excellent credit score to qualify for this card.
  • No entertainment category. While this card is excellent for dining, it lacks the entertainment category offered by its competitor the Capital One Savor Cash.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 12 months (then 14.99% to 23.99% variable)
  Balance transfer fee	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater
  Rewards	4x points

Intro Balance Transfer APR	0% for 12 months
Rewards	4x points
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	740

Read review Terms apply, see rates & fees

Best for no balance transfer fee

Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card

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The Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card is one of the few cards on the market right now that don't charge a balance transfer fee on transfers. In fact, the card is light on fees on the whole, requiring no annual fee, no cash advance fee, no foreign transaction fee and a low average APR. The tradeoff is you'll need to be a Navy Federal Credit Union member to obtain this card.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers, reverting to 5.99% to 18% variable.
  • Low fees. You won't pay an annual fee, balance transfer fees, cash advance fees or foreign transaction fees with this card.
  • Low interest rate. The low end of this card's interest rate is just 5.99%, which is among the lowest on the market.

  Cons

  • Membership required. You need to be a member of the NFCU to obtain this card.
  • No rewards. This card doesn't earn rewards on purchases.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	0% intro
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 12 months (then 5.99% to 18% variable)
  Balance transfer fee	None
  Rewards	None

Intro Balance Transfer APR	0% for 12 months
Rewards	None
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	580

Read review

5 steps to choose the best balance transfer card

To make the right credit card choice and save money, you’ll want to perform the following steps.

1. Figure out how long you’ll need to pay off your debt. Intro periods for 0% APR typically reach as high as 18 to 21 months — for example, with the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. Some cards, such as the SunTrust Prime Rewards, have intro APRs higher than 0% but offer their promotional rates for very long periods.
2. Take balance transfer fees into account. Some cards offer no balance transfer fees for either a promotional period or at all times. Keep in mind that some cards that never charge transfer fees come with less-attractive intro APRs or interest rates.
3. Factor the card’s annual fee into your payments. Many balance transfer cards have no annual fees. If your card has an annual fee, consider how this will cut into your potential savings from a balance transfer.
4. Look for a low revert APR. If you can’t pay off your card in full by the end of the intro period, it reverts to an APR rate that immediately applies to the balance you owe. APRs for these cards skew high, so consider whether you can pay down the full transferred balance before the intro expires.
5. Look at the card’s rewards. If you want rewards, you may need to sacrifice the length of your card’s intro APR. Many balance transfer cards with rewards have intro periods only around 15 months.

Pros and cons

A balance transfer card is a terrific tool for saving on interest, but there are some tradeoffs to face for using one.

A balance transfer card can save you money

A balance transfer is worth it when the money saved on interest outweighs any balance transfer fees.

Let’s say you owe $4,000 on a credit card with an interest rate of 19% and you intend to pay $300 each month. Instead, you move the debt to a balance transfer card with a 0% intro APR for 15 months and a 3% balance transfer fee. Although you would pay $120 in balance transfer fees, you would pay off the debt in just under 14 months and avoid paying any interest during this time.

If you kept the debt on the original card, you would pay $529 in interest. By moving the debt to the balance transfer card, you end up saving $405 dollars. In this case, the balance transfer card is clearly worth it.

4 options for repaying credit card debt

Here are four common options for tackling this kind of debt that help illustrate how they stack up.

Details of the original card

In this case, a balance transfer card is the best option. Although you’ll pay a balance transfer fee, you’ll save the most in interest over time.

You asked, we listened: Top 5 common questions

There can be a lot of fine print when it comes to balance transfers. Here are the five most common questions we receive on the subject.

1. How much can I transfer? The minimum and maximum amount you can transfer during a balance transfer is typically determined by your card’s credit limit.
2. What credit score do I need? Generally, you need a good credit score or better to qualify for a balance transfer card.
3. What kinds of debt can I transfer? Aside from credit card debt, you can transfer nearly any type of monthly payment owed, such as student loans, auto loans and personal loans.
4. What mistakes should I avoid in my application? Applying for a balance transfer card with your existing credit card issuer is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
5. What happens if I can’t pay off my balance in time? If you can’t pay your full balance in time, the revert APR will kick in and you’ll need to start paying that interest on future payments.

Bottom line

The best balance transfer card for you depends on your finances, debt repayment plan and how you spend. If none of the cards on our list of best picks feel like the right fit, compare more cards to find one that’s right for you.