Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Citi Simplicity® Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, Citi® Double Cash Card, Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, Citi Premier® Card, Citi Prestige® Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.If you’re carrying credit card debt, you can reduce high interest by using one of the best credit cards with introductory 0% APR offers on balance transfers.But a 0% intro APR isn’t a license to splurge. Be sure to use your credit card responsibly, and avoid spending more than you can afford to prevent incurring even more debt. Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days, then 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR$00% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variableN/AGood to ExcellentIf you’re looking for the best Wells Fargo credit card for balance transfers, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a great choice. And it offers an extra-long interest-free period on new purchases, too.The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card tops our list for its extra-long intro APR offer on both balance transfers and purchases. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days (then 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable). Balance transfers must occur within 120 days of account opening to qualify for the intro 0% APR rate, and will come with a fee of 5%, min: $5.Although the card doesn’t earn Wells Fargo rewards for spending, cardholders do get a handful of good benefits, including cell phone protection and roadside dispatch. Cell phone protection is particularly compelling because no-annual-fee cards typically don’t offer this benefit. When you use the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card to pay your monthly cell phone bill, you’ll receive up to $600 in coverage for eligible cell phone damage or theft, after a $25 deductible. with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period.Pros: Ultra-long 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases (then 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable), no annual feeCons: No welcome bonus offer or rewards, and few benefits aside from cell phone protection Wells Fargo Reflect review0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months, then 19.24% – 29.99% Variable APR.$00% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months19.24% – 29.99% VariableN/AGood to ExcellentThe Citi Simplicity® Card can be helpful to those carrying big balances on high-interest credit cards. The card can give you a chance to get ahead of crippling monthly interest fees by giving you a long intro APR on balance transfers and purchases.Consumers with a lot of high-interest credit card debt could save more with a card that offers a 0% intro APR for as long as possible. The Citi Simplicity® Card extends one of the best offers in this category.There’s no annual fee, yet you get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months. After that, your rate goes up to 19.24% – 29.99% Variable based on your creditworthiness.Having a full 21 months with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers could help you pay down a ton of debt. But you’ll pay a 3% balance transfer fee (minimum of $5) for the privilege. You’ll also need to complete any transfers within the first four months after you open the card in order to qualify for the introductory APR. Other perks this card offers include automatic account alerts, 24/7 customer service, and the ability to choose your payment due date. Pros: No annual fee, solid 0% intro APR, no late feesCons: 3% intro balance transfer fee (minimum $5) on transfers completed within four months, then 5% (minimum $5), few cardholder perks Citi Simplicity Card reviewEarn 1% to 3% cash back on purchases.$00% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening19.24% – 29.99% VariableEarn a $200 statement creditGood to ExcellentThe Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid cash-back card with no annual fee. It’s an especially valuable choice for purchases at US supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases, thanks to its bonus earning categories.Amex offers a handful of cards with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers. One of the best is the no-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which comes with useful bonus categories and monthly statement credits toward Home Chef and The Disney BundleNew cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening, followed by 19.24% – 29.99% Variable. To qualify for the introductory rate, balance transfers must be completed within the first 60 days of account opening, and there’s a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.There’s also a welcome bonus offer of a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership.With the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express you’ll earn: Otherwise, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express gets you perks like car rental insurance, purchase protection, access to the Global Assist Hotline, and the Amex Offers** program. Pros: Long 0% intro APR, no annual fee, great earning rates in useful categoriesCons: Balance transfer fee, foreign transaction feesBlue Cash Everyday Amex card reviewEarn 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.$00% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months20.49% – 29.24% VariableSpecial Offer: Unlimited Matched Cash BackGood to ExcellentThe Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great choice for credit card beginners and experts alike. With no annual fee and a high earnings rate, it’s worth considering as an everyday card — and it’s even better when you pair it with an annual-fee Chase card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great pick if you’re looking for an intro APR on balance transfers and purchases with the opportunity to earn generous rewards for your day-to-day spending. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then a 20.49% – 29.24% Variable).The intro balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount of each transfer (or $5, whichever is greater) on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, the fee jumps to 5% of the amount of each transfer (or $5, whichever is greater). This card has no annual fee, but you will pay foreign transaction fees on international purchases.While the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is marketed as a cash-back credit card, it actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. You can use these points as cash, or you can redeem them for travel booked through the Chase Portal, gift cards, merchandise, and more.If you have more than one Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card, you can also transfer your points on a card with elevated redemption rates, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for additional value. This card starts you out with a welcome bonus offer of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. You’ll also earn 5% back (5x points) on travel booked through Chase, 5% back (5x points) on Lyft rides through March 2025, 3% back (3x points) on dining (including takeout) and drugstores, and 1.5% back (1x points) on all other eligible purchases.If you also have an annual-fee Chase card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can combine your rewards and unlock more redemption options, including transferring points to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.Pros: Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases, strong earning on all spending, earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards pointsCons: 3% intro balance transfer fee (then 5% or $5, whichever is greater, if transfers are made more than 60 days after account opening), foreign transaction feesChase Freedom Unlimited reviewEarn 1-5% cash back on purchases.$00% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months20.49% – 29.24% VariableEarn $200 cash bonus plus 5% cash back on PayPal, wholesale clubs, and select charitiesGood to ExcellentThe Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a great pick if you want one of the best no-annual-fee cards with big earning potential and impressive benefits. It’s an even better choice if you already collect Ultimate Rewards points with other Chase cards, because you can combine your points and potentially get even more value.The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers cardholders a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (then 20.49% – 29.24% Variable). The card offers an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer (or $5, whichever is greater) for transfers made within 60 days of account opening (then a fee of 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5, whichever is greater). You can earn $200 cash bonus (received as 20,000 bonus points) after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus earn 5% cash back on PayPal, wholesale clubs, and select charities on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in this quarter’s bonus categories, as well as 5% (or 5x) in rotating categories each quarter (once activated) on up to $1,500 spent in combined spending. That’s why we rank this card as the best 5% cash back credit card overall.The Chase Freedom Flex℠ also earns: From October 1 to December 31, 2023, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ bonus categories are PayPal, wholesale clubs and select charities.It’s possible to combine your rewards from the Chase Freedom Flex℠ with eligible annual-fee Chase cards to get more value from your points.Pros: Earn up to 5x points on spending, no annual fee, earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards pointsCons: 3% intro balance transfer fee (then 5% or $5, whichever is greater, if transfers are made more than 60 days after account opening), foreign transaction feesChase Freedom Flex reviewEarn 3% cash back in the category of your choice. Earn automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases.$00% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and on any balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening18.24% – 28.24% VariableEarn a $200 online cash rewards bonusGood to ExcellentThe Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is worth considering if you’re looking for a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card that lets you choose your highest rewards category.The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a long interest-free period on both balance transfers and purchases, and it’s a solid choice if you want to earn a high rate of cash back in the category you choose. New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and on any balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening, followed by a 18.24% – 28.24% Variable. You’ll pay a 3% balance transfer fee per transaction.And there’s a decent welcome offer: a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. The card earns 3% cash back in a category of your choice (gas/EV charging, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings); 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs; and 1% back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% rates apply to the first $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter (then 1% cash back).Pros: Ability to earn the most cash back in a category you choose, no annual fee, long intro APR on balance transfers and purchasesCons: Foreign transaction fees, few benefits, 3% balance transfer fee Bank of America Customized Cash ReviewEarn unlimited 2% cash back on purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay)$00% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months19.24% – 29.24% VariableEarn $200 cash backExcellent, Good, FairThe Citi® Double Cash Card doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles. But earning 2% cash back (1 point per dollar at the time of purchase and 1 point per dollar when you pay your bill) without an annual fee is an excellent deal. It’s also one of our picks for the best balance transfer credit cards.With the Citi® Double Cash Card, you get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then there’s a rate of 19.24% – 29.24% Variable. That’s a substantial amount of time to pay off your debt.The Citi® Double Cash Card stands out as one of the best cash-back credit cards in general, so it’s worth using even after you’ve paid off your balance. The Citi® Double Cash Card effectively earns 2% cash back on everything — 1 point per dollar when you make a purchase, and 1 point per dollar when you pay it off. That’s why Insider rates it the best 2% cash back credit cards for balance transfers.You won’t earn cash back on balance transfers, but it’s a great card for earning money back on your everyday expenses. And you can use Citi ThankYou points at a rate of 1 cent each for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more.The intro balance transfer fee is 3% of each transfer completed within the first four months of account opening, with a minimum of $5. The ongoing balance transfer fee is 5% of each balance transfer, with a minimum charge of $5.Pros: Strong cash-back rate, no annual fee, long intro APR periodCons: No welcome bonus at this time, 5% balance transfer fee, 3% foreign transaction feeCiti Double Cash Card reviewEarn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.$00% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months19.24% – 29.24% VariableEarn $200 cash back (fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points)Excellent, Good, FairThe Citi Custom Cash℠ Card offers a solid welcome bonus and 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in your top spending category every billing cycle. There’s no annual fee and you won’t need to keep track of rotating bonus categories, but keep in mind it only earns 1% back outside of your highest spend category each month.The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a great choice if your spending habits tend to change from month to month. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in the eligible category they spend the most in each billing cycle (then 1%), and 1% on all other purchases.The qualifying categories include everyday expenses that should appeal to most folks: restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.New cardholders receive an introductory 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months, then 19.24% – 29.24% Variable. There’s a 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5) and $0 annual fee.Although it’s marketed as a cash-back card, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card actually earns rewards in the form of Citi ThankYou points, which are worth 1 cent apiece for cash back, travel booked through the Citi ThankYou Travel Portal, gift cards, merchandise, and more. And if you have the Citi Premier® Card n or Citi Prestige® Card n (no longer available to new applicants), you can pool your rewards and transfer points to Citi’s airline and hotel partners. Pros: 0% intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases, no annual fee, strong rewards earningCons: 5% balance transfer fee, foreign transaction feesCiti Custom Cash Card reviewEarn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.$00% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months and on purchases for six months17.24% – 28.24% VariableEarn Unlimited Cashback Match™Good to ExcellentThe Discover it® Balance Transfer is a rare card that combines a long introductory APR period with generous rewards earning. Cardholders can earn cash back in rotating quarterly categories, and Discover will match all the rewards you earn in the first 12 months with no caps.If you’re carrying high-interest balances on other credit cards, the no-annual-fee Discover it® Balance Transfer is a great card for consolidating debt as it offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months and on purchases for six months (then 17.24% – 28.24% Variable). It has an intro balance transfer fee of 3%, increasing up to 5% for future transfers. With the Discover it® Balance Transfer, you can earn 5% cash back in the rotating quarterly bonus category up to the first $1,500 spent (then 1%). But keep in mind that you’ll need to manually activate the bonus each quarter in your eligible Discover account. The Discover cash back calendar for Q4 2023 should be easy to maximize for many folks. From October 1 to December 31, 2023, you can earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Target on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%.Although the card doesn’t offer a traditional welcome bonus, Discover will match all the rewards you earn after the first year. You can also qualify for free Social Security Number alerts, no foreign transaction fees, and no late fees on your first late payment.Pros: 0% intro APR good for both balance transfers and purchases, Cashback Match in the first year, quarterly rotating bonus categoriesCons: Only earns 1% back outside of bonus categories, 3% intro balance transfer fee and up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)Discover it Balance Transfer Card review0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening, then 20.49% – 29.24% Variable APR.$00% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening20.49% – 29.24% VariableN/AGood to ExcellentIf you’re looking for a card with a long introductory APR offer to pay off your balance, this card could fit the bill. However, that’s the main draw, since you won’t earn any rewards or a welcome bonus.The Chase Slate Edge℠ doesn’t earn cardholders rewards on purchases, or offer a welcome bonus, but that’s not the point of the card. The card is geared toward folks looking to improve their financial situation and increase their credit score. With the Chase Slate Edge℠, you’ll get a great 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening (then a20.49% – 29.24% Variable). So if you’re looking for 0% APR on both balance transfers and purchases, this card is definitely worth considering.Moreover, you can receive an automatic, one-time review of your credit for the chance of a higher limit. But keep in mind that first, you’ll need to consistently pay on time and spend at least $500 in the first six months of opening the card. On each account anniversary, you’ll be considered for a 2% APR reduction, as long as you’ve paid your card on time and spent at least $1,000 on purchases in the previous anniversary year. The reduction is capped, though — it will only be reduced until your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74% (Prime Rate is 7.00% as of November 3, 2022). Pros: Intro APR is good for both balance transfers and purchases, automatic consideration for credit line increase and APR reduction if spending requirements are metCons: No rewards or welcome bonus offerChase Slate Edge reviewThe average credit card interest rate is over 20%, and it could be even higher depending on your credit score and the card you’re using. The last thing you want is to find yourself in the quicksand of credit card interest.Using a balance transfer card can be part of a larger strategy to consolidate debt. Debt consolidation can make it easier to pay off balances you owe to multiple lenders.Before you decide to use a 0% intro APR credit card, be sure you have the means and a plan to pay off your balance in full before the introductory APR period ends — otherwise, you’ll end up having to pay interest on your remaining balance.If you don’t think you’ll be able to pay off your debt in full by the time the introductory APR offer expires, a balance transfer credit card may not be worth it.A balance transfer card is a credit card that lets those with existing debt move their outstanding balance over from another card to avoid interest fees. You’re able to avoid interest on a balance transfer card thanks to an intro 0% APR offer, which lasts anywhere from nine to 21 months.After this introductory period is over, your APR will reset to the standard variable rate. So you need to pay off your credit card debt in full before the intro APR period ends to avoid interest charges.What’s the catch? One disadvantage of a credit transfer is that balance transfer credit cards typically charge an upfront fee of 3% or 5% of your balance — or $300 to $500 for every $10,000 in high-interest debt you transfer. If you don’t need to transfer a balance but you need to make a large purchase that you’ll need time to pay off, see our list of the best zero interest credit cards.The pros to balance transfers and balance transfer credit cards are that you can get more time to pay off an existing balance without incurring sky-high interest fees. Balance transfers also allow you to consolidate credit card debt into one card, which makes it easier to manage your payments without anything slipping through the cracks. And, as mentioned above, opening a balance transfer card can improve your credit score by lowering your credit utilization ratio, provided you don’t use up the line of credit on your new card.What is the downside of a balance transfer? For one, most balance transfer cards come with a balance transfer fee, which is usually 3% to 5% of the amount you’re transferring. The other huge potential drawback is that if you don’t pay off your total balance before the promotional APR period ends, you’ll be charged high interest rates, so you’ll want to make sure it’s feasible to pay down your balance before the intro APR offer ends.Yes, you can complete a balance transfer through Bank of America with a few of its credit cards. If you’re applying for one of the best Bank of America credit cards that offers a balance transfer, like the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, you may have the option to request the balance transfer right in the application. If you already have a balance transfer card, you can request a balance transfer through the mobile app or the website.You can do a balance transfer with a handful of Chase credit cards, and Chase says most transfer requests are processed within a week (though they can take up to 21 days in some cases).You can complete balance transfers with a few different Capital One credit cards. Some of them charge a 3% transfer fee when you complete a balance transfer. You can request a balance transfer online or over the phone, and Capital One says the process typically takes three to 14 days.Discover lets you complete a balance transfer, and it even has a card tailored specifically to people looking to complete one. Note that your Discover card account must be open for at least 14 days before your balance transfer request can be processed.Balance transfer cards work by giving you a lower interest rate on your existing credit card debt, which can save you a significant amount of money in a short amount of time.After you apply and are approved for a credit card with an introductory 0% APR period, transfer existing debt from an existing card so you can eliminate the high rates of interest you pay on the balance each month. Expect to pay a 3% to 5% balance transfer fee per transaction. Ideally, you’ll pay off your debt before the introductory period ends. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay high interest rates on your remaining balance once the 0% APR term expires. A balance transfer credit card could help you escape credit card debt if you make a plan to pay it off. Transferring your outstanding balance from a high-interest credit card to one with a 0% intro APR period can give you some financial breathing room.Balance transfers help you pay off credit card debt without adding interest. But they’re only effective if you pay off the full outstanding balance before the intro period ends. Otherwise, you’ll start paying high interest once more.To complete a balance transfer, you’ll first have to apply and get approved for a balance transfer credit card. Once you have a card with an introductory APR offer on balance transfers, you’ll need to initiate the transfer through the bank that issues your new balance transfer credit card.You can usually complete this process online, or by calling the number on the back of your 0% intro APR credit card.A balance transfer generally takes five to seven days, but the actual time can vary by issuer. Your bank may ask you to allow for up to 21 days for a balance transfer to go through, but usually, the transfer should be completed sooner. Balance transfer credit cards usually require at least a good credit score to qualify. If you have bad credit — typically defined as a FICO score below 670 — you probably won’t be approved for a balance transfer card.A bank may be less inclined to approve you for a balance transfer card if your credit score and credit report indicate that you haven’t consistently paid off past debts. Balance transfers can affect your credit in both positive and negative ways. Opening a balance transfer credit card can help your credit score by increasing your total available credit, which in turn improves your credit utilization rate. Paying down your debt will also be beneficial to your credit score.However, opening a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can decrease your credit score in the short term. You’ll also pay a 3% to 5% balance transfer fee, which adds to your existing debt. Insider selected the best balance transfer cards by looking at all the credit cards with balance transfer offers that are currently available to new applicants. From there, we narrowed our list down to balance transfer cards offering 0% introductory offers. We arrived at our final picks by evaluating the terms of each introductory APR offer and other card benefits. We prioritized cards that charge lower balance transfer fees as well as cards with the longest introductory 0% APR periods on balance transfers. We also factored in other card benefits, such as cash back or travel rewards, annual fees, and waived late fees.Here’s Personal Finance Insider’s methodology for rating credit cards.
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