Best Balance Transfer Cards Of September 2024 (2024)

Rates & Fees

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card extends an intro APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers, so you don’t have to choose.

Why We Like It

This card gives the gift of time: You’ll have a generous 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. A 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR applies thereafter. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5%, min $5 applies. Just make sure to complete the balance transfer within the eligibility window, or you won’t qualify for the introductory APR.

Although this card doesn’t offer rewards, it does come with money-saving protections like up to $600 in cellphone protection when you pay your monthly bill with the card (subject to a $25 deductible, two claims maximum per year) and access to roadside dispatch.

What We Don’t Like

This card has high fees, both for balance transfers and for ongoing APR after the introductory period is over.

Who It’s Best For

This card is best for someone who will use the intro APR window and be able to pay off their balance before interest is charged.

The Wells Fargo Reflect includes decent auto and theft protection, but the most compelling card benefit is the generous intro balance transfer offer upon account opening.

No Rewards

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card does not offer rewards on purchases.

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Score

Good/Excellent(700 - 749)

You won’t earn rewards with the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card*, but it offers a long runway to pay off your debt if you need to transfer a balance from another card: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles, followed by a variable APR of 18.74% – 29.74%. Balance transfers made within 60 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5% or $5, whichever is greater, applies.

Why We Like It

Cardholders can optionally choose to start an ExtendPay Plan to create a predictable fixed monthly payment instead of variable costs.

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card* also offers up to $600 in cellphone protection (subject to $25 deductible) and the ability to check your credit score online.

What We Don’t Like

This card is light on benefits and doesn’t earn any rewards.

Who It’s Best For

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card*’s appeal is its intro APR offer, so it’s best for someone who needs and will use that extended window to pay down their balance.

Build credit easily with the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum, plus take advantage of one of the longest intro balance transfer periods.

Rates & Fees

Up to 2% Reward Rate

First, you earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase you make. Then, as you pay for those purchases, youRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $200 cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good, Fair

Even after your introductory APR period ends, the Citi Double Cash® Card is a keeper thanks to its excellent cash-back rewards program. You’ll earn generous and simple cash back on every purchase.

Why We Like It

The Citi Double Cash offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Unlike similar cards with intro balance transfer offers, the Double Cash has staying power long past the end of the introductory period thanks to the rewards it earns.

Even fair credit applicants may be eligible for this card, which is an excellent way to take advantage of intro balance transfer offers and cash-back rewards. It also pairs well with other Citi ThankYou® Points cards.

What We Don’t Like

No card is perfect, including this one, as it offers few additional benefits or protections beyond rewards. Additionally, the introductory APR offer does not extend to purchases, so you won’t receive a typical grace period until your transferred balance has been fully repaid.

Who It’s Best For

This card is more than just a chance to do a balance transfer. The flat-rate rewards are perfect for anyone who values simplicity yet wants to earn a little extra.

Not everyone wants to chase bonus categories or shuffle cards in their wallet, which makes the Citi Double Cash the perfect “set it and forget it” credit card. It’s one of the only cards around that not only earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, but also offers a path to using that cash back in the form of more valuable travel points down the road when you’re ready to take the next step.

No Rewards

This card does not earn rewards

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

The Citi Simplicity® Card* packs a punch with triple zeros: No annual fee, no penalty interest rate and no late fees. But it also gets a zero rating in the rewards-earning category as the card does not earn any.

Why We Like It

New card members can take advantage of reduced balance transfer transaction fees in addition to the intro APR: 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.99%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater, for transfers made within 4 months of opening the account. After that, a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.

Since it doesn’t have late fees or penalty fees, it can be a good stepping stone for anyone establishing solid credit habits while chipping away at their balance. This card also qualifies for Citi Merchant Offers, where card members can get discounts and credits for purchases with various merchants.

What We Don’t Like

The intro APR offer on new purchases is a shorter timeline than it is for balance transfers, which is easy to overlook.

Who It’s Best For

While we encourage everyone to pay on time, the lack of late fees could provide peace of mind to someone with a few mistakes in their past.

The Citi Simplicity’s intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers can help ease the financial strain of having to shell out for a big purchase or expedite paying down existing debt. Once that intro offer expires though, the card doesn’t have much to offer.

Rates & Fees

No Rewards

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card does not offer rewards on purchases

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good

The outstanding introductory APR period on balance transfers makes the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card a solid choice even though its intro APR offer for new purchases is average. New cardholders get a 0% intro APR for 21 months on eligible balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.99%. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.

Why We Like It

You have more time than usual to transfer a balance and still qualify for the intro APR. The Diamond Preferred has one of the most generous time periods of any card on the market from the date you open your account to transfer debt to the card.

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card doesn’t come with many frills—it has no rewards, for example—but similar to most Citi cards, you can choose the day of the month for your payment due date. You’ll also get special event access through Citi Entertainment®.

What We Don’t Like

The balance transfer fee, interest rates after the introductory period and penalty rates on this card are uncompetitive. We’d also recommend you product change to a different card to earn better rewards once your intro balance transfer offer ends.

Who It’s Best For

This card is best used as a short-term tool to finance a purchase or transfer a balance, so it’s only good for someone who needs a bridge.

While the focus with this card is the long introductory period for balance transfers, very often throughout the year Citi will send offers for other balance transfer deals. This means you could hold this card long term and still have the chance to get great balance transfer offers throughout the year.

Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate quarterly on up to $1,500 when enrolled, 5% on travel purchased throughRead More

Welcome Bonus

$200 bonus

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49%-29.24% Variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

The Chase Freedom Flex® is well-loved for its combination of rotating bonus categories, solid welcome offer and introductory APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24% applies. Balance transfer fee of up to 5% (min. $5) of the amount of each transfer applies.

Why We Like It

In my opinion, this card stands out for layering everyday earning bonuses on top of its rotating offers.

It also offers some additional benefits, including purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver and cellphone protection.

What We Don’t Like

Like other 5% cash-back cards, your earning potential is limited by a maximum spending amount each quarter. When my spending aligns with the right category, it’s pretty easy to hit the limit before the quarter ends.

While the card offers a suite of travel-related benefits, it does charge a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not the best choice for use abroad.

Who It’s Best For

The Freedom Flex is even better when paired with other Ultimate Rewards® cards. I hold both this card and two other Ultimate Rewards cards, which gives me access to additional award options.

Kudos to Chase for always keeping the rotating categories relevant on the Freedom Flex. From Amazon to PayPal and Starbucks to Walmart, you’re almost guaranteed to find at least one quarter every year (or even several) where the 5 bonus points roll in with almost no effort. Just don’t forget to activate the categories every quarter.

Rates & Fees

Up to 5% Reward Rate

Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations,Read More

Welcome Bonus

Cashback Match™

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Credit Score

Excellent/Good

The intro APR offer on the Discover it® Cash Back is good on new purchases, and you’ll earn cash back on those purchases with Discover’s signature Cashback Match™ to double your earnings in the first year.

Why We Like It

It’s great to find a card that offers an introductory APR and a welcome bonus all in one. The first-year earnings can be significant. Plus, you’ll get a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers. Then, a standard rate of 18.24% – 28.24% variable applies. A balance transfer fee of up to 5% of the amount transferred applies.

What We Don’t Like

The quarterly rotating 5% cash-back categories (up to $1,500 in spending per quarter) require cardholders to activate the offer and watch for spending limits.

Discover isn’t accepted as widely abroad as other card networks, so this may not be the best choice if you like to travel and don’t already have a Visa or Mastercard in your wallet.

Who It’s Best For

Someone shopping for a card to hold for years could find this one a good fit due to ongoing rewards on top of new cardholder benefits.

The quarterly categories are the highlight of the Discover it® Cash Back. You’ll often find broad options on its rotating list of categories, such as restaurants, drug stores, gas stations and groceries, which makes it easy for almost any household to take advantage of them. Just don’t get tripped up by forgetting to activate the categories at the start of each quarter, because you can’t do it retroactively to earn bonus cash back on your past purchases.

Rates & Fees

Up to 5% Reward Rate

5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle. 4% cashRead More

Welcome Bonus

Earn $200

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good

The cash-back rewards offered by the Citi Custom Cash® Card are as impressive as its introductory APR offer, which is valid on balance transfers as well as qualifying new purchases.

Why We Like It

With no annual fee, you can earn a welcome bonus, cash-back rewards, and a limited-time intro APR on qualifying transactions. The cash back is fantastic since it doesn’t require any activations or special planning.

Though the full package is enticing, the introductory APR is stand-out: 0% introductory APR for 15 months from date of account opening on purchases and from date of first transfer for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. There is also a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.

What We Don’t Like

Since only one purchase category earns at an elevated rate—and only up to $500 in spending per billing cycle—the card won’t be great for big spenders or people who spend on many types of purchases.

Who It’s Best For

Given its limited earnings, this card makes a great companion card rather than a single-card solution. Someone who’s willing to carry two or more credit cards can take full advantage of this card, though.

If you’ve always wanted a credit card that adapts to your lifestyle instead of you having to adapt to it, you’ve found what you’re looking for with the Citi Custom Cash. You’ll never have to worry again about making sure you’re earning bonus points at the places you shop the most, because this card will automatically do it for you — even if those places change every month.

Choose your 3% category

Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up toRead More

Welcome Bonus

$200

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Credit Score

Excellent/Good(700 - 749)

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers cash-back rewards with no annual fee, which makes this an excellent card even if you don’t need the intro balance transfer offer: 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers, 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR applies thereafter. Intro rate applies for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days; balance transfer fee of 3% applies to each transfer during this period, then 4%.

Why We Like It

You can choose your preferred earning categories, including many uncommon options like online shopping or home improvement.

The secret sauce with this card is that those who qualify for the bank’s Preferred Rewards program. If you do, you can earn an additional 25% to 75% bonus points on all purchases. The downside could be that you’ll need at least $20,000 in combined assets to qualify for Preferred Rewards.

What We Don’t Like

To maximize cash back, you’ll have to stay on top of selecting your earning categories. You’re also limited on how much you can earn in your choice category.

Who It’s Best For

This is a dependable choice for someone who wants to earn cash rewards even after their intro APR period ends.

It’s all about choice with the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card. Not only do you get to choose your top bonus category, but you can change it every month if you want. You’ll find the most value in this card if you’re also a member of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program by receiving a 25%-75% earning bonus on everything you buy.

Rates & Fees

Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 2X ThankYou® Points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1XRead More

Welcome Bonus

20,000 points

Annual Fee

$0

Regular APR

18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good(700 - 749)

Offering an introductory APR on both balance transfers and new purchases, the Citi Rewards+® Card is ideal for someone who can’t decide. It offers a little bit of everything when it comes to rewards, too, with a modest welcome offer and ongoing earnings.

Why We Like It

The headliner here is the 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of either 3% of each transfer or a minimum amount of $5 within the first 4 months of account opening applies. After that, the amount of each balance transfer will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5) applies.

While the welcome offer isn’t enough to turn heads, it’s a nice extra, considering many cards provide no bonus at all. You’ll earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in purchases within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com. That’s a great perk for a balance transfer card with a $0 annual fee.

What We Don’t Like

The ongoing rewards on this card have caps on its bonus categories. Most purchases earn only 1 point per dollar spent.

Who It’s Best For

If you’re looking for a card that can handle all your needs, the Rewards+ may suit the bill. Though it isn’t necessarily the best at anything, it’s worthy of attention for the sheer scope of its included features.

For those who never carry cash and use their credit card for even the smallest purchases, the “round up” feature of the Citi Rewards+ can quickly add up. But don’t sleep on the card’s 10% rebate on point redemptions up to the yearly cap, either. Take advantage of both of these features, and you’ll soon find yourself with a larger stack of rewards.