What Are The Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of 2018?

We examined over 50 balance transfer credit card options to see which worked best for cardholders. Our research indicates that the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is the best balance transfer credit card because of its exceptionally long 0% intro APR period, which can save you thousands. Applicants more interested in eliminating balance transfer fees or earning rewards would be better served by some of the more tailored cards mentioned below.

All of the cards listed above are great for dealing with costly credit card debt, and we've included detailed explanations of why that is below along with strong runner-ups for you to consider. We also created a tool, which allows you to estimate how much interest savings you could achieve by transferring your balance over to one of these cards. Lastly, we created a thorough guide explaining how to select a balance transfer credit card for yourself.

Table of Contents

In-Depth Reviews of the Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

We'll discuss how each of the cards on our list can reduce your interest and overall debt burden below. Our team of analysts studied each card closely and these cards have the potential to save you thousands of dollars in credit card interest. Even better, some of these cards actually put cash back in your wallet through cash back rewards.

Longest 0% Intro APR Offer For Balance Transfers: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

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Annual Fee

No Annual Fee

Purchase APR

14.74% to 24.74% Variable

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Credit Needed	Excellent
Details	$0 fraud liability if card is stolen Special cardholder access to a variety of ticket presales Rental car insurance Travel insurance and purchase protection Free access to your FICO score

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is our top recommendation for those interested in a balance transfer credit card because its 21 month 0% intro APR period is 3 months longer than the next most competitive offer. This long 0% intro APR period means you'll have more time to pay off your debt interest-free. Unfortunately, you will have to contend with a transfer fee that's on the higher end of what our analysts saw ($5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater). We suggest using our calculator below if you want to see whether you can save more money on a longer 0% intro APR offer or by avoiding transfer fees.

One aspect we like about the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is its longer staying power than most other balance transfer credit cards. First, the card comes with the Citi® Concierge. By dialing the number on the back of your card, you can get assistance with travel, dining, shopping and entertainment arrangements. Furthermore, Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card cardholders also receive access to Citi® Private Pass®. This is a special website that allows you to book presale tickets to special events and concerts. Most balance transfer credit cards lack any special features like these that give you a reason to keep using the card long-term.

Alternative: HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card

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Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

Variable APR of 12.74%, 16.74% or 20.74% will apply after the Introductory Period

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Credit Needed	Good/Excellent
Details	0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 months from account opening. Then a variable APR of 12.74%, 16.74% or 20.74% will apply. No Penalty APR. Late Fee Waiver. No Foreign Transaction Fees. $0 Annual Fee. $0 liability for unauthorized purchases. Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees

The HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card is another solid credit card with a longer than average 0% APR period. Cardholders can go interest-free for 18 months from account opening (3-6 months longer than what's standard). Then a Variable APR of 12.74%, 16.74% or 20.74% will apply after the Introductory Period. The transfer fee is on the higher end of what we tend to see of either $10 or 4% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater. Still, if you're taking full advantage of those 18 months of no interest, you'll likely save much more than you pay towards that fee.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Card with No Transfer Fee: Chase Slate®

This card is not available through ValuePenguin.

Annual Fee

No Annual Fee

Purchase APR

16.74% - 25.49% Variable

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Credit Needed	Good
Details	Transfer balances with an introductory fee of $0 during the first 60 days your account is open. After that, the fee is 5% of the amount transferred with a minimum of $5 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers and after that 16.74%-25.49% variable APR FICO score for free No annual fee and no penalty APR

The Chase Slate® has two features that, when combined, allow consumers to maximize their savings and efficiently reduce their credit card debt. First, the card has a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases that lasts 15 billing cycles — this is on the longer end of what cards typically offer. This card also uniquely waives the balance transfer fee when you transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open. Other credit cards—including other ones on this list—will charge between 3% and 5% for each transfer. Depending on how much debt you have, that fee can cost you hundreds of dollars. By skipping the transfer fee, the Chase Slate® allows you to put all your available funds toward paying down your debt.

Like most balance transfer cards, the Chase Slate® has limited value after the promotional APR period ends. It has no rewards program or other bells and whistles that would make it useful for you in the long run. If that's an issue for you, we recommend checking out balance transfer/rewards cards hybrids.

Alternative: BankAmericard® Credit Card

Annual Fee

No Annual Fee

Purchase APR

14.74% to 24.74% Variable

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Credit Needed

Excellent

Details

No annual fee $0 balance transfer fee for transfers made within the first 60 days after that a variable APR of 14.74% to 24.74% will apply No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Now, you can access your FICO® Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking. “Best Card for Balance Transfers” — MONEY® Magazine ‘Best Credit Cards’ 2017

From a features perspective, the BankAmericard® Credit Card is almost identical in the introductory APR and transfer waiver to the Chase Slate®. The reason we moved the BankAmericard® Credit Card down as an alternative is because of Bank of America's lower satisfaction ratings. Chase consistently ranked higher in J.D. Power's 2017 U.S. Retail Banking Satisfaction Study. In all regions of the study, Bank of America performed below average—sometimes coming in near the bottom. Therefore, if you have a choice, we recommend going with the Chase Slate®.

Best Balance Transfer Credit Card with Rewards: Discover it® Balance Transfer

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Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

13.74% - 24.74% Variable

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Credit Needed

Excellent, Good

Details

INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched. Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically. Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire. 100% U.S. based customer service. Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more. Receive FREE Social Security number alerts-Discover will monitor thousands of risky websites when you sign up. No annual fee. Click "APPLY NOW" to see rates, rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.

The Discover it® Balance Transfer is one of the only credit cards we've seen that does an outstanding job as both a balance transfer and rewards credit card, at the same time. Most cards will specialize in one or the other. Cardholders get a 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months, which is extremely long compared to most credit cards out there. In fact, among the 50 cards we surveyed, only the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card came with a longer zero interest period.

On the rewards side, this is also one of also our favorite cash back credit cards. Users get 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each time they activate. This rewards rate applies to categories that change every quarter. For a point of comparison, most credit cards struggle to provide cardholders with more than 2% back.

Alternative: Citi® Double Cash Card

This card is not available through ValuePenguin.

Annual Fee

No Annual Fee

Purchase APR

15.24% - 25.24% Variable

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Credit Needed

Excellent

Details

Earn cash back twice on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Balance Transfer Offer: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers after that the variable APR will be 15.24% - 25.24% based on creditworthiness. Balance Transfers do not earn cash back If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month. There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.

The Citi® Double Cash Card is another top cash back credit card, but it can be an amazing balance transfer card as well. Cardholders get a very long zero percent interest period on balance transfers (18 months vs an average of 12 across the credit card industry); after that cardholders a standard APR(15.24% - 25.24% Variable). If you have the choice, we recommend applying for the Discover it® Balance Transfer because it has a lower transfer fee. However, if you prefer Citibank, or already have card debt with Discover, the Citi® Double Cash Card can be a great alternative.

On the cash back end, this card gives rewards that can't be rivaled by most cards. Users get 1% cash back whenever they use this card to make a purchase, and then another 1% back when that purchase is paid off. That effectively translates to a 2% cash back rate. Very few credit cards give their users 2% back on every single purchase. Most do so in one or two shopping categories.

Best Business Balance Transfer Card: The Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express

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Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

12.99% - 20.99% Variable

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Credit Needed

Excellent, Good

Details

Limited Time Offer. Earn 10,000 extra Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 9/26/2018. Get rewarded for business as usual. Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Enjoy the flexibility to put more purchases on the Card and earn rewards when you buy above your credit limit*. More buying power for your business* means more opportunities to earn points. That's everyday business with the new Blue Business Plus Card. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. 0.0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable rate, currently 12.99%, 16.99% or 20.99%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. No Annual Fee Terms Apply See Rates & Fees

The Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express is one of the few small business credit cards to come with any sort of 0% APR offer. The card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. That's extremely competitive, even when compared to non-business cards. After that, your APR will be 12.99% - 20.99% Variable, based on your creditworthiness. The 15 months is among the longest we've seen for a business card. If you want the most time you can possibly get to pay down any major capital expenditure, this card is our #1 recommendation.

This card also doubles as a fantastic, easy-to-use rewards credit card. You'll earn a 2% rewards rate on all purchases, up to $50,000 each year. This is an extremely competitive return, matching some of the best business cards. The simple 2% rewards structure is also fantastic for busy entrepreneurs who don't want to manage special categories, and instead want a card that will provide them with outstanding value across the board.

Alternative: Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card

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Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

14.99% - 20.99% Variable

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Credit Needed

Excellent Credit

Details

Earn $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening Named "Best Rewards Card for Small Business Owners" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance, July 2017 Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers Employee cards at no additional cost No Annual Fee

The Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card is another one of the few top balance transfer business cards available for entrepreneurs. With the card you get to skip paying interest on balance transfers for a full year. While that's not as impressive as other cards on here, keep in mind that there aren't that many options available for business owners. After the introductory period, the card still comes with some of the lowest ongoing interest rates we've seen on a business card. That means debt your firm takes on with this card is likely to be much cheaper than other business cards.

Unlike most other balance transfer cards, the Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card is also a rewards credit card, which gives it significantly better long-term value than its competitors. The card awards some of the highest cash back rates you can get on common office-related expenses. This sort of rebate can take some pressure off your bottom line, making it slightly easier to manage cash flows when times are tough.

How Do the Best Cards Compare?

The best way of selecting a balance transfer credit card is to pick one based on your specific financial situation. Using our tool below, you can enter your current amount of debt, estimated monthly payments and current interest rate, and our tool will figure out which credit cards will provide you with the best value, ranking them from highest to lowest value. If you would like to know more about some of the top cards, look to our picks above.

Interest Savings APR

Name

Card	Interest Paid*	Balance Transfer Fee	Total

Current Interest Rate:

Current APR (%):

Current Balance ($)

Monthly Payments ($)

Card	APR	Balance Transfer Fee	Intro Balance Transfer Offer	Interest Savings ValuePenguin calculates the value of rewards by estimating the dollar value of any points, miles or bonuses earned using the card less any associated annual fees. The estimates here are ValuePenguin's alone, not those of the card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer.
Capital One® Quicksilver® Card
	14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)	3%	0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Capital One® Quicksilver® Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Capital One® Quicksilver® Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $0 APR 14.74% - 24.74% (Variable) Card Details One-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 14.74%-24.74% variable APR after that 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months; 14.74%-24.74% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months Pay no annual fee or foreign transaction fees Note: The information in this box was provided by Capital One® and is not part of our independent analysis.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
	16.74% - 25.49% Variable	Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater	0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Chase Freedom Unlimited® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $0 APR 16.74% - 25.49% Variable Card Details 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.74-25.49%. Balance transfer fee is 5% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase - it's automatic Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening No minimum to redeem for cash back Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠ No annual fee
TRIO℠ Credit Card
	14.24% to 23.24% Variable	4% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 12 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 TRIO℠ Credit Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the TRIO℠ Credit Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 14.24% to 23.24% Variable Card Details
U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card
	14.74% - 23.74% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 12 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the U.S. Bank Cash 365™ American Express® Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 14.74% - 23.74% Variable Card Details Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on eligible net purchases New cardmember bonus: $100 after you spend $500 in eligible net purchases in the first 90 days you have the card 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 14.74% - 23.74% Unlimited cash back Cash back never expires No annual fee Great Offer for Customers of U.S. Bank, a 2017 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, March 2017
The Choice Privileges® Visa® Card
	16.24%, 20.99% or 25.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 The Choice Privileges® Visa® Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the The Choice Privileges® Visa® Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 16.24%, 20.99% or 25.99% Variable Card Details Cardmembers automatically get Elite Gold status Book award and free nights twenty days before other members 10% point bonus on points earned for eligible stays at Choice Privileges locations Redeem points for reward nights at over 1,500 hotel locations, gift cards for a variety of merchants, donations, and memberships
ThankYou® Preferred Credit Card
	12.99%, 17.99% or 22.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 12 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 ThankYou® Preferred Credit Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the ThankYou® Preferred Credit Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 12.99%, 17.99% or 22.99% Variable Card Details Points don't expire $0 liability if your card is stolen Citi Private Pass Chip technology makes global travel easy Rental insurance Lost luggage coverage Travel insurance
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
	16.99%, 20.99% or 25.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $89 APR 16.99%, 20.99% or 25.99% Variable Card Details Primary cardholder is eligible to earn a $100 discount off one coach companion ticket for roundtrip travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines on each account anniversary upon payment of annual fee Receive a one-time 50% Off companion discount for roundtrip coach travel between Hawaii and North America on Hawaiian Airlines As a primary cardholder, receive a complimentary first checked bag every time you use your card to purchase eligible tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines No foreign transaction fees
Discover it® Balance Transfer
	13.74% - 24.74% Variable	3%	0%	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Discover it® Balance Transfer 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Discover it® Balance Transfer assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $0 APR 13.74% - 24.74% Variable Card Details INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched. Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com, or wholesale clubs up to the quarterly maximum each time you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically. Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire. 100% U.S. based customer service. Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more. Receive FREE Social Security number alerts-Discover will monitor thousands of risky websites when you sign up. No annual fee. Click "APPLY NOW" to see rates, rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms, Cashback Match™ details & other information.
Allegiant World Mastercard®
	14.24% - 24.24% Variable	3% or $10 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 12 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Allegiant World Mastercard® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Allegiant World Mastercard® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $59 APR 14.24% - 24.24% Variable Card Details Earn 3 points per $1 on Allegiant purchases, 2 points per $1 on qualifying dining purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases Earn 15,000 Bonus Points – equal to $150 off your next Allegiant trip, after you make $1,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening Buy one, get one free airfare - anytime you use your card to purchase a vacation package from Allegiant with four or more hotel nights or seven or more rental car days on the same itinerary No blackout dates, no destination restrictions, and no minimum points redemption Complimentary priority boarding and one free beverage every time you fly Allegiant when you show your Allegiant credit card
Chase Freedom®
	16.74% - 25.49% Variable	Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater	0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Chase Freedom® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Chase Freedom® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $0 APR 16.74% - 25.49% Variable Card Details 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.74-25.49%. Balance transfer fee is 5% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - it's automatic Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back. Free credit score, updated weekly with Credit Journey℠ No annual fee
Priceline Rewards™ Visa Card
	14.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Priceline Rewards™ Visa Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Priceline Rewards™ Visa Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 14.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% Variable Card Details Redeem points for statement credits against purchases made on the Priceline credit card: can be used to pay for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, gift cards, or any other purchase on the card Reward redemptions begin at $25 Get 10% points back every time you redeem points for statement credits toward eligible priceline.com or travel purchases of $25 or more made in the last 120 days
Carnival World™ MasterCard®
	15.49%, 20.49% or 25.49% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Carnival World™ MasterCard® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Carnival World™ MasterCard® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 15.49%, 20.49% or 25.49% Variable Card Details Redeem FunPoints towards cruise nights, Sail & Sign purchases onboard, spa or massage packages FunPoints can be redeemed toward nights on Carnival, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, and the Yachts of Seabourn
Holland American Line Rewards Visa Card
	13.99%, 16.99% or 20.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Holland American Line Rewards Visa Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Holland American Line Rewards Visa Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 13.99%, 16.99% or 20.99% Variable Card Details Redeem rewards towards discounted, reduced, and free cruise redemptions Visa Signature rewards include access to exclusive events and special offers, travel and emergency assistance, travel accident insurance, roadside dispatch, lost luggage reimbursements, and auto rental collision damage waiver
Premier Miles & More® World Mastercard®
	15.99% or 24.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Premier Miles & More® World Mastercard® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Premier Miles & More® World Mastercard® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $79 APR 15.99% or 24.99% Variable Card Details Redeem miles for flight awards and upgrades on Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, and Star Alliance airlines and other partners Complimentary Companion ticket after first purchase, then every year after $79 Annual Fee waived for Senator and HON Circle Members No foreign transaction fee
The Wyndham Rewards® Visa Signature® Card
	16.24%, 20.99% or 25.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 The Wyndham Rewards® Visa Signature® Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the The Wyndham Rewards® Visa Signature® Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 16.24%, 20.99% or 25.99% Variable Card Details Redeem points for free nights, gift cards, magazines, newspapers, donations, merchandise, Wyndham maintenance fees, car rentals, flights, and more
National Geographic Platinum Edition® Visa®
	15.99% - 22.99% Variable	5% or $10 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 6 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 National Geographic Platinum Edition® Visa® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the National Geographic Platinum Edition® Visa® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 15.99% - 22.99% Variable Card Details 12 digital issues of National Geographic magazine plus online archive 20% off qualifying purchases through the National Geographic catalog and online store $250 off Nat Geo Expeditions and Adventure trips
Princess Cruises Rewards Visa Card
	13.99%, 16.99% or 20.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Princess Cruises Rewards Visa Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Princess Cruises Rewards Visa Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 13.99%, 16.99% or 20.99% Variable Card Details Redeem rewards towards discounted, reduced, and even free cruise redemptions Points can also be redeemed for special occasions, spa experiences, onboard credits, Princess merchandise, and airfare discounts
RCI® Elite Rewards® MasterCard®
	13.99% or 24.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 12 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 RCI® Elite Rewards® MasterCard® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the RCI® Elite Rewards® MasterCard® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 13.99% or 24.99% Variable Card Details Redeem rewards toward membership renewals, exchange fees, worldwide travel (flights, car rentals, hotels, etc.), merchandise, gift cards, and RCI Resort Dollars cards
Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard®
	16.99% or 25.99% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $89 APR 16.99% or 25.99% Variable Card Details Free Companion Ticket (economy class) upon the first use of the new Lufthansa World MasterCard, and on the anniversary of your account opening Redeem miles for flight awards and upgrades on Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Star Alliance airlines and other partners
KeyBank Latitude Credit Card
	10.74% - 20.74% Variable	4% or $10 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
	Graph Card		More Details and Value Calculation
Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 KeyBank Latitude Credit Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the KeyBank Latitude Credit Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 10.74% - 20.74% Variable Card Details No annual fee Special low Introductory APR of 0% for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers1 (made within 60 days of account opening). After that, our lowest variable Purchase and Balance Transfer APR will apply, currently 10.74% - 20.74%, based on credit worthiness.
Truly Simple Credit Card
	12.74% - 23.74% Variable	4% or $10 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Truly Simple Credit Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Truly Simple Credit Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 12.74% - 23.74% Variable Card Details No Annual Fee No Penalty Rate (APR) for a missed payment Low 0% introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles after the account is opened on purchases and balance transfers. After that, your variable APR will be 12.74% to 23.74% based on your creditworthiness
BB&T Bright® Card
	11.9% to 20.9% Variable	3% or $10 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
	Graph Card		More Details and Value Calculation
Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 BB&T Bright® Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the BB&T Bright® Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 11.9% to 20.9% Variable Card Details 0% introductory (APR) for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers Afterwards, variable APRs ranging from 11.9% to 20.9% No annual fee
PCB Platinum
	13.49% to 24.49% Variable	2% or $2 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 12 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 PCB Platinum 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the PCB Platinum assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 13.49% to 24.49% Variable Card Details 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months. When the offer expires the variable APR will be from 13.49% up to 24.49%.
Barclaycard Ring® Mastercard®
	13.74% Variable	See Terms	See Terms	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Barclaycard Ring® Mastercard® 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Barclaycard Ring® Mastercard® assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $0 APR 13.74% Variable Card Details Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable 13.74% APR will apply Low 13.74% variable APR on purchases and cash advances No annual fee No foreign transaction fees International Chip and PIN See Rates & Fees
Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card
	16.90%-26.74% (Variable)	3% Intro for 18 months, then 5%	0% for 18 months	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $0 APR 16.90%-26.74% (Variable) Card Details 0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a 16.90%-26.74% variable APR; balance transfer fees apply Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card Free access to your FICO® Credit Score with Wells Fargo Online® Zero Liability protection for promptly reported unauthorized transactions Convenient tools to help create a budget and manage your spending with My Money Map $0 Annual Fee Select "Apply Now" to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions
BankAmericard® Better Balance Rewards
	11.99% - 21.99% Variable	3% or $10 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 12 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 BankAmericard® Better Balance Rewards 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the BankAmericard® Better Balance Rewards assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 11.99% - 21.99% Variable Card Details No annual fee 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles
Citi Simplicity® Card
	15.74% - 25.74% Variable	5% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 18 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Citi Simplicity® Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Citi Simplicity® Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 15.74% - 25.74% Variable Card Details $0 fraud liability if card is stolen Rental car insurance Travel insurance Purchase protection
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
	14.74% to 24.74% Variable	5% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 21 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 14.74% to 24.74% Variable Card Details $0 fraud liability if card is stolen Special cardholder access to a variety of ticket presales Rental car insurance Travel insurance and purchase protection Free access to your FICO score
US Bank Visa® Platinum Card
	10.74% - 22.74% Variable	3% or $5 whichever is greater.	0% Intro on Balance Transfers for 15 months.	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 US Bank Visa® Platinum Card 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the US Bank Visa® Platinum Card assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee No Annual Fee APR 10.74% - 22.74% Variable Card Details 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 11.24% - 23.24% Great Offer for Customers of U.S. Bank, a 2017 World's Most Ethical Company® - Ethisphere Institute, March 2017 No Annual Fee Flexibility to choose a payment due date that fits your schedule Fraud Protection: receive notifications of unusual activity, plus zero fraud liability for fraudulent charges Cell Phone Protection
Mastercard® Black Card™
	16.74% Variable	See Terms	0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles on balance transfers made in the first 45 days	$0.00
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Estimated Savings Through 24 Months Card Interest Paid* Balance Transfer Fee Total Current Card 0.00 0 0.00 Mastercard® Black Card™ 0.00 0.00 0.00 Savings 0.00 *The calculation for interest paid for the Mastercard® Black Card™ assumes an interest rate of 0.00% Annual Fee $495 APR 16.74% Variable Card Details Stainless Steel - Patented Card Design 2% Value for Airfare Redemptions 1.5% Value for Cash Back Redemptions 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge™ Exclusive Luxury Card Travel Benefits $100 Annual Airline Credit Toward Qualifying Purchases $100 Global Entry Application Fee Credit Annual Fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User)

How to Choose the Best Balance Transfer Credit Card

Most top-rated balance transfer credit cards are only open to individuals with good-to-excellent credit (FICO 680+). If you're a student or have a poor credit history, you likely won't be able to find a balance transfer card until your score improves.

No matter what balance transfer credit card you get, it should have no annual fees, a 0% intro APR period that lasts at least 12 months, and average interest rates below 20% once the intro APR runs out. It's vital to pick a card with no annual fee, because all your available funds should be going towards paying down your principal balance.

You should not open a balance transfer credit card with a bank at which you already have outstanding credit card debt. Our researchers found that buried in most cardmember agreements is a clause that prevents you from transferring balances between cards issued by the same bank.

In your search, we recommend choosing a credit card with the longest 0% APR period you need to pay off your debt. For example, if you think that you can pay off your balance within 12 months, seek out cards that give you 0% interest for around 12 months. Generally, the longer a 0% period lasts, the harder a card will be to qualify for. We recommend you use the calculator below to figure out how long you need to pay off your debt, given your current financial situation. Make sure to consider scenarios where you don't pay a transfer fee, as that may lead to higher savings. However, know that among cards that don't charge transfer fees, you shouldn't expect to get anything more than 15 months of no interest.

You should only look at balance transfer/rewards credit card hybrids if the balance transfer part of a card is the best that's available to you. We recommend that our priority be minimizing interest charges, not earning rewards. That's because credit card rewards tend to provide no more than a 5% return. At the same time, you will pay, on average, 15% through credit card APR.

How We Arrived at Our Recommendations

Our team considered over 51 different credit cards when coming up with this guide. While our researchers gathered data and information on the various card offers, our team of developers built an interactive model to help gauge the relative money-saving power of each balance transfer card. The tool allowed us to narrow down our search by understanding how each card could help pay down different amounts of debt. We considered different payment schedules and different amounts of debt when coming up with our rankings.

We outline the selection criteria used in our rankings below. For each criteria, we considered industry averages, and made sure to select cards that performed above and beyond the norm.

Selection Criteria

0% Intro APR that lasts at least 12 months. We found that the average 0% term lasts 12 months, so consumers shouldn't consider any card with a shorter promo period. Most of the cards we recommend provide no interest for 15 months, and a select few push the upper bound at 18-21 months.

No annual fees. There are plenty of great balance transfer credit cards that don't charge an annual fee. Therefore, no one should settle for anything other than a no fee card. The added benefits that come on cards with an annual fee are generally not worth the added cost.

Ongoing APRs below 20%. Once the 0% period runs out, you may still carry debt from time to time, which is why a low ongoing interest rate is important. Generally, consumers should look for cards that have interest rates below 20%. We categorize anything higher than that as too expensive, compared to industry standards.

Strong preference to cards with no transfer fees. While balance transfer fees are standard (the average is between 3-5% of the transferred amount), most of our spreadsheets indicate that skipping the fee results in the greatest overall savings. Even if you end up with a card that gives you a slightly shorter 0% APR period, not having to pay the transfer fee makes a significantly bigger impact on your overall debt. If you want to know for certain which will be better for you, we recommend using our calculator above.

Great Balance Transfer Cards That Missed The Cut

We wanted to recognize a few credit cards that had amazing terms for balance transfers, but were missing just one or two things that got them cut from our list. You can consider these options, if their limitations do not bother you.

Citi Simplicity® Card: This card used to be our favorite balance transfer credit card. However, Citi recently rolled out some changes to the card that shortened its 0% intro APR period. It's still good (18 months versus the old 21), but it's just no longer the market leader that it once was. One thing that continues to make this card stand out above the rest is that it has no late fees. Most other balance transfer cards will charge you up to $35 for a late payment, so this can be a big deal for people who can sometimes be a little forgetful with their bills.

Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card: Another fantastic 18-month balance transfer credit card. What kept this card from our list was its high average APR, after the 0% interest period expires. That makes this card a very bad choice for people who are worried about having to potentially carry a balance on their card in the future.