Best Balance Transfer Cards 2026: Compare 0% Intro APR Offers

How Balance Transfers Work

This can be a strategic move if you're carrying a balance on a high-APR card and want to stop paying interest for a set period.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), balance transfers are used predominantly by cardholders with prime or superprime credit scores, accounting for more than 98% of balance transfer volume in 2021 and 2022. That's because these offers are typically reserved for borrowers with good to excellent credit.

When you transfer a balance, the new card issuer pays off your old debt, and you then owe that amount (plus any fees) to the new card.

Balance transfers shift existing debt from one credit card to another.
After the intro period ends, the regular APR applies to any remaining balance.

Sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Balance Transfer Fees

Intro APR periods vary by card; check the specific offer.
After the intro period, the regular APR applies to the remaining balance.

Sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Yahoo Finance

Top Balance Transfer Cards Compared

We compared six popular balance transfer cards based on intro APR, regular APR, balance transfer fees, and annual fees. All of these cards have no annual fee, but the intro APR periods and fee structures vary. Use the table to find a card that matches your timeline for paying off debt.

Wells Fargo Reflect offers the longest intro APR at 21 months.
Citi Diamond Preferred also offers 21 months, but has a lower intro fee for the first 4 months.
BankAmericard requires transfers within the first 60 days to qualify for the intro APR.

Selected options comparison
Option	Category	Intro APR on balance transfers	Regular APR	Balance transfer fee	Annual fee
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card	balance transfer cards	0% for 21 months	17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable	5% (min $5)	$0
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card	balance transfer cards	0% for 21 months	16.49% - 27.24% Variable	3% intro fee ($5 min) for first 4 months, then 5% ($5 min)	$0
Citi Simplicity® Card	balance transfer cards	0% for 18 months	17.49% - 28.24% Variable	3% intro fee ($5 min) for first 4 months, then 5% ($5 min)	$0
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card	balance transfer cards	0% for 21 billing cycles	16.99% - 27.99% Variable	5% (min $5)	$0
BankAmericard® credit card	balance transfer cards	0% for 21 billing cycles (transfers made in first 60 days)	14.99% - 25.99% Variable	5%	$0
Citi Double Cash® Card	balance transfer cards	0% for 18 months	18.24% - 28.49% Variable	3% intro fee ($5 min) for first 4 months, then 5% ($5 min)	$0

Sources: Bank of America, CreditCards.com, Yahoo Finance, Bankrate, Experian, Citi, NerdWallet

Maximizing the 0% Intro Period

To get the most out of a balance transfer, you need a plan to pay off as much of the transferred balance as possible before the intro APR period ends.

Start by calculating how much you need to pay each month to clear the balance before the intro APR expires. Divide the total balance (including any transfer fee) by the number of months in the intro period.

Also, avoid using the card for new purchases during the intro period unless you can pay them in full each month. As the CFPB warns, if you use the card for purchases, you won't get a grace period on those purchases and will pay interest until the entire balance, including the transferred balance, is paid in full. This can undermine your debt payoff plan.

Create a monthly payment plan to clear the balance before the intro APR ends.
Avoid new purchases on the card to prevent interest charges.
Set reminders for when the intro period ends so you're not caught off guard.

Sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

What to Avoid When Transferring Balances

Balance transfers can be helpful, but they come with pitfalls. One major risk is missing a payment. The CFPB notes that if you are more than 60 days late on a payment, the credit card company can increase your interest rate on all balances, including the transferred balance. This penalty APR can erase the benefit of the 0% intro offer.

Another trap is using the same card for new purchases without paying them off in full. As mentioned, you'll lose the grace period and start accruing interest on those purchases immediately.

Also, be mindful that balance transfer fees add to your total debt. Compare the fee against the interest savings you expect to gain from the intro APR period.

Finally, remember that balance transfer offers are typically available only to those with good or excellent credit. If you have a fair or average credit score, you may not qualify for the best 0% APR offers, and your options may be limited.

Avoid late payments—60+ days late can trigger a penalty APR on all balances.
Don't use the card for purchases unless you can pay them in full each month.
Factor in the transfer fee when calculating potential savings.
Check your credit score; most balance transfer cards require good or excellent credit.

Sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Citi

Frequently asked questions

What is the average balance transfer fee?

The average balance transfer fee among the largest 25 issuers was 4.3% of the transferred amount in the second half of 2024, with an average minimum fee of $5.51. Fees generally range from 3% to 5% of the transferred balance, depending on the card. Some cards offer a lower intro fee (such as 3%) for transfers made within the first few months.