What does it mean to transfer your credit card balance?

Transferring your credit card balance will move your debt from 1 credit card to another. This is commonly done with new accounts, but can also be requested on existing accounts. It’s best to take advantage of a promotional balance transfer offer when transferring a balance.

Is it a good idea to do a balance transfer on a credit card?

It can be. If you’re taking advantage of a promotional balance transfer offer, like 0% APR, then, yes, it is. You’ll want to consider any additional fees that come along with the balance transfer before deciding if it’s a good idea for you.

Do balance transfers affect my credit score?

It depends. There are many factors that affect your credit score. If you’re opening a new credit card account to transfer a balance or maxing out a credit line to transfer a balance, it will affect your score. If you’re transferring a balance between existing accounts and maintaining a similar credit utilization, it may not affect your score.

Can I transfer my balance from one credit card to another?

Transferring your balance from one credit card to another is the most common transfer of debt, and most widely accepted. It is possible to transfer your balance from other debt accounts, but it depends on the financial institution.

How long does a balance transfer usually take?

Balance transfers can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. It all depends on how each credit card issuer handles the balance transfer request. Some banks conduct balance transfers electronically, which increases the speed of the transfer.

Do I need to cancel my old credit card after making a balance transfer from it?

Transferring a balance doesn’t close your old credit card, nor does it require you to. In fact, it might be a good idea to keep your old credit account open to maintain your credit history and increase your average age of accounts, which could have a positive effect on your credit score.

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The 8 Best Personal Credit Cards for 0% Balance Transfers [2024]

Updated: November 11, 2024, 3:49am CST

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The 8 Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards — Overview
What To Look For in a 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card
The 8 Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards
Final Thoughts

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No one wants to see interest charges on their credit card bills as they can add up in a big way.

A 0% balance transfer offer from a new credit card could be the perfect solution if you’re carrying a balance on your credit cards — or foresee the need to carry a balance soon.

Promotional balance transfer offers allow you to transfer your high-interest debt to a new credit card with an introductory 0% interest rate for a specific amount of time.

These offers could save you a ton of money by avoiding paying pricey interest payments on your current credit cards.

If you’ve been struggling to pay off your credit card balances or need to make a large purchase soon, a 0% balance transfer credit card could be the perfect solution to save you money.

This article covers the best overall 0% balance transfer card offers with all the information you need to make the best decision for your situation.

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Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card — Best for 0% APR on Balance Transfers for 21 Months
Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card — Best for 0% APR on Balance Transfers for 21 Months
Citi Double Cash^® Card — Best for Cash-back on All Purchases & 0% APR on Balance Transfers for 18 Months
Chase Freedom Unlimited^® — Best for Cash-back on All Purchases
Chase Freedom Flex℠ — Best for Cash-back on Rotating Categories
Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express — Best for Cash-back on U.S. Online Retail Purchases & at U.S. Gas Stations
Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card — Best for Simple Cash Rewards
Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express — Best for Cash-back at U.S. Supermarkets & on U.S. Streaming

The 8 Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards — Overview

We’ve narrowed down the best of the best with our top picks for overall 0% balance transfer credit cards — here’s an overview of what you can expect with each card:

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Card	Welcome Offer and Annual Fee	Balance Transfer Benefits
Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card	No offer available Annual fee of $0	0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on balance transfers, then a variable APR of 17.49%, 23.99% or 29.24%
Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card	None Annual fee of $0	0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer, then a variable APR of 17.49% to 28.24%
Citi Double Cash^® Card	$200 cash-back Citi Double Cash^® Card Earn $200 cash-back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. Annual fee of $0	0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% to 28.49%
Chase Freedom Unlimited^®	INTRO OFFERUp to $300 cash-back Chase Freedom Unlimited^® Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back! Annual fee of $0	0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%
Chase Freedom Flex℠	$200 Chase Freedom Flex^® Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Annual fee of $0	0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%
Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express	$200 Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)	0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR of 18.49%-29.49% (rates & fees)
Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card	$200 cash rewards bonus Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months Annual fee of $0	0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After that, your variable APR will be 19.49%, 24.49% or 29.49%. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee.
Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express	$250 Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates & fees)	0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR of 18.49%-29.49% (rates & fees)

What To Look For in a 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card

When considering any new line of credit, it’s always important to fully understand all the terms and conditions of opening a new account.

Balance transfer offers are enticing promotions, but you want to make sure there aren’t any surprises with additional fees or short-lived promotions.

Let’s highlight some of the other points to consider when considering a balance transfer.

Annual Fee

The best 0% balance transfer offers will not have an annual fee, but it’s always good to check. After striving to reduce the cost of carrying debt, the last thing you want to see is a fee for having an open account.

If you find a balance transfer offer on a new or existing account with an annual fee, factor that into your cost-savings analysis.

On an account with a balance transfer for 18 months and a $95 annual fee, you will pay at least $190 in annual fees if you keep your account open for the full promotional period.

Length of Promotional Offer

The length of the promotional 0% balance transfer offer could be the determining factor when deciding what offer works best for you.

Looking at the savings chart, the length of the balance transfer offer will determine how much your monthly payment will be if your goal is to pay the balance in full under the promotion’s terms.

The longer the 0% promotional offer, the lower your monthly payments will be. A more extended promotional offer might sound like the best deal, but the sooner you get out of debt, the better!

Make the best decision for your budget, and the length of the promotional offer is just one of many things to consider.

Ongoing Interest Rates After the Promotional Offer Expires

We all make plans that we can’t always keep. That’s why you should know what to expect if you have to carry your debt balance after the promotional balance transfer offer is over.

If you transfer a balance with a 0% APR offer for 18 months but do not pay off the entire balance during the promotional period, you will start paying interest on any remaining balance on that account.

You should prepare for the ongoing interest rate by referring to the original credit card offer terms.

Hot Tip: Didn’t pay off that balance fast enough? Consider looking for another balance transfer offer to continue the savings with a 0% interest rate.

Does the Balance Transfer Offer Extend to Purchases?

It’s not uncommon to see new credit cards that offer great balance transfer offers and extend promotional rates to purchases.

For example, a 0% promotional APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months means all balance transfers and purchases made on that account get 0% interest during the first 15 months of account opening.

A 0% promotional purchase APR could be a huge incentive for those expecting a large purchase soon and considering a balance transfer offer to help finance that expense.

A promotional purchase rate would eliminate the need for a balance transfer since all purchases also get the same promotional rate, almost like a 0% APR credit card. This could even save you more by avoiding balance transfer fees.

Credit Limits and Balance Transfers

Credit limits can be the most frustrating part of balance transfers. Once you’ve decided to open a new credit card to take advantage of a 0% balance transfer offer, you probably already know exactly how much money you want to transfer.

Unfortunately, when applying for a new credit card, you never know how much you’ll be approved for. This could be an issue if the amount you want to transfer is higher than the credit limit you’re approved for.

This is a good point to mention that American Express limits your credit limit even further for balance transfers. It does not allow transfers that exceed the lesser of $7,500 or 75% of your credit limit.

If you have existing credit card accounts with the same bank you’re using for the balance transfer offer, it might be possible to move a portion of your credit limit to increase the one on your 0% offer.

Bottom Line: You should consider any balance transfer fees, annual fees, length and terms of the promotional offer, and what to expect once the offer ends before initiating a balance transfer.

The 8 Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Wells Fargo Reflect Card (Best for 0% APR on Balance Transfers for 21 Months)

If you are looking for the longest possible 0% APR on balance transfers, the Wells Fargo Reflect card is one of the 2 best card options on the marker, offering 0% APR offers on balance transfers for 21 months.

Most other cards tend to offer 12 to 15-month balance transfer offers, so adding the Wells Fargo Reflect card to your wallet can give you an extra 6 to 9 months of 0% APR — which can be especially helpful for those working on paying down large balances.

While the Wells Fargo Reflect card does not earn any rewards for purchases made, it still offers cell phone protection like most other Wells Fargo cards and does not charge an annual fee.

Citi Diamond Preferred Card (Best for 0% APR on Balance Transfers for 21 Months)

Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

This card has no annual fee with its strongest point being its introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers.

Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card

This card has no annual fee with its strongest point being its introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers.

Welcome Offer
None

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases. After that the variable APR will be 17.49% to 28.24%. Note that 0% intro APR is on purchases starting from date of account opening.

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card is a no-annual-fee card that comes with a generous introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers.

Card Highlights

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 17.49% to 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Get free access to your FICO^® Score online.
With Citi Entertainment^®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
No Annual Fee – our low intro rates and all the benefits don’t come with a yearly charge.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases. After that the variable APR will be 17.49% to 28.24%. Note that 0% intro APR is on purchases starting from date of account opening.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each purchase transaction after conversion into U.S. dollars.

Similar to the Wells Fargo Reflect card, the Citi Diamond Preferred card ties for the longest-term 0% balance transfer promotional offer.

The Citi Diamond Preferred card does not have a rewards program, but the 21-month intro APR on new purchases and balance transfers is perfect for those looking to break a large purchase into smaller payments or to consolidate debt from another card to get it paid down more quickly. Plus, it doesn’t charge an annual fee.

Citi Double Cash Card (Best for Cash-Back on All Purchases & 0% APR on Balance Transfers for 18 Months)

Citi Double Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Welcome OfferEarn $200 cash-back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
$200 cash-back

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.49% to 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
Flexible redemption options
No annual fee

Cons

No bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 18.49% to 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
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 an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Citi Double Cash^® Card Travel Portal Special Offer
Earn a total of 5 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal via cititravel.com or by calling 1-833-737-1288 (TTY: 711). Offer is valid through 12/31/2025.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.49% to 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Another fantastic choice is the Citi Double Cash card.

This card comes with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% to 28.49%. Balance transfers must be done within 4 months of account opening to qualify for this introductory 0% APR.

Like the name suggests, it earns 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay). Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means that each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou Point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou Point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

There’s also an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum is $5) on transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening.

Other benefits include contactless payments, digital wallets, $0 liability protection, and access to Citi Entertainment.

Freedom Unlimited Card (Best for Cash-back on All Purchases)

INTRO OFFER

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome OfferEarn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Up to $300 cash-back

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
3% back on dining and drugstore purchases

Cons

3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 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.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited^® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Freedom Unlimited card offers a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%. This card also has a $0 annual fee. There is a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount transferred with a minimum of $5.

The Freedom Unlimited card comes with a fantastic rewards program and lots of benefits. It earns an unlimited 1.5% cash-back on all purchases. There is no minimum amount to redeem your cash-back, and your rewards will not expire as long as you have the card.

This rewards program is somewhat unique because you are actually earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points calculated for earning cash-back. You earn 1.5x points per $1 spent, which equates to 1.5 cents cash-back.

It also earns:

5% cash-back on travel purchased through Chase Travel
5% cash-back on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
3% cash-back on dining
3% cash-back on drugstores

If you have other credit cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points that participate in the travel rewards program, you can take advantage of those exclusive benefits with these points.

You can transfer the Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned from your Freedom Unlimited card to a travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card credit card to unlock more rewards.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers 25% more value for your points when you use them for travel through Chase Travel, and those points can be transferred directly to several Chase airline and hotel partners.

Hot Tip: Remember that this card and all of Chase’s Ultimate Rewards credit cards fall under the 5/24 rule.

The card also comes with excellent purchase protection to cover your new purchases at 0% interest (and even beyond that). It covers up to 120 days against theft and accidental damage of up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.

It also extends the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty on all purchases by an additional year on eligible 3 years or less warranties.

These protections do not apply to purchases made on another account involved in the balance transfer offer.

Freedom Flex Card (Best for Cash-Back on Rotating Categories)

Chase Freedom Flex^®

U.P. Rating

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Flex^®

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Welcome OfferEarn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros & Cons

Pros

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
No annual fee

Cons

3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99%-28.74%.
No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex^® card
Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Freedom Flex card comes with a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%. Like the Freedom Unlimited card, you’ll earn Ultimate Rewards calculated as cash-back. When paired with a credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, you can transfer those points to hotel and airline partners to maximize your redemptions.

The card has a specialized earning system:

5% cash-back on a rotating quarterly calendar
5% cash-back on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
3% cash-back at drugstores
3% cash-back on dining
1% cash-back on all other purchases

It also comes with purchase protection, extended warranty, zero fraud liability protection, cell phone protection, and travel insurance.

Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card (Best for Cash-Back on U.S. Online Retail Purchases & at U.S. Gas Stations)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

This cash-back card offers a capped 3% at U.S. supermarkets, 3% at U.S. gas stations, and 3% on U.S. online retail purchases!

Welcome OfferEarn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$200

Annual Fee

APR

18.49%-29.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cash-back credit cards, there are dozens of options to choose from. So what sets the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express apart from the rest?

This card is excellent at earning cash-back on your everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases. So if you regularly spend money on everyday purchases, this could be the perfect card to add to your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

3% back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
3% back on purchases at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.
3% back on purchases on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases each year, then 1% back after.

Cons

Rewards are not flexible and can only be redeemed for cash-back. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
No Annual Fee.
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 18.49% to 29.49% variable APR.
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday^® Card. Enrollment required.
Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday^® Card.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 18.49%-29.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 15 months
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card happens to be the stripped-down version of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, but the balance transfer promotion is actually better on this card!

It has a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR of 18.49%-29.49%, as well as up to 3% cash-back rewards:

3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases every calendar year)
3% cash-back on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 in purchases every calendar year)
3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases every calendar year)
1% cash-back on other purchases

There are also 2 sets of statement credits with the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card:

$7 back each month after spending $9.99 or more on an eligible subscription to The Disney Bundle. Enrollment required. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
Up to $15 per month in Home Chef credits. Enrollment required.

Lastly, you’ll find secondary rental car coverage, purchase protection, and no additional fee for authorized user cards (rates & fees)

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card (Best for Simple Cash Rewards)

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card might be the perfect option if you prefer a simple approach to your credit card rewards and want an outstanding balance transfer offer.

With it, you’ll earn an uncapped 2% cash rewards on all purchases, plus receive perks like cell phone protection, all for a $0 annual fee.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card (Best for Cash-Back at U.S. Supermarkets & on U.S. Streaming)

HIGHEST CASH BACK

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

U.P. Rating

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

Welcome OfferEarn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.

APR

18.49%-29.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.

With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!

Pros & Cons

Pros

6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)

Cons

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)

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Card Highlights

Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It^® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 18.49% - 29.49%.
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
$84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 18.49%-29.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

Rewards Center

Redeem cash-back through your American Express account

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is an awesome cash-back credit card you should consider adding to your wallet, especially if you’re also looking for a solid balance transfer promotion.

There’s a 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR of 18.49%-29.49%, available on this card.

Currently, you’ll also earn up to 6% cash-back on your purchases:

6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year)
6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% cash-back on transit
3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations
1% cash-back on other purchases

There is also the following statement credit:

$7 per month after spending $9.99 or more each month on an eligible auto-renewing subscription to The Disney Bundle. Enrollment required. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.

Other benefits include secondary rental car insurance, access to Global Assist, return protection, fraud protection, and no additional fee for authorized user cards (rates & fees).

Hot Tip: Welcome offers add tremendous value to a 0% APR card, so always check for the best offer and complete minimum spending requirements after you’re approved for the card to earn your bonus.

What Is a Balance Transfer?

A balance transfer is a request to transfer a debt balance from one creditor to another. You will initiate this request with the card to which you will transfer your balance.

It’s a simple process. Most of the time, all you need to provide is the financial institution’s name, the account number, and the amount of debt you want to transfer.

If the balance transfer request is approved, the bank will assume the debt (and debit your account for that amount, sometimes immediately) and arrange the payment with the original creditor.

You are still responsible for making any payments on the existing debt during the balance transfer process. Most balance transfers take 7 to 10 days to complete.

Many credit cards offer promotional balance transfer offers when you sign up for a new account, and it’s not uncommon to get these offers on existing credit card accounts.

Banks share these special offers to either attract new customers or try and do more business with existing customers. That said, you cannot transfer a balance from accounts held by the same financial institution.

When Should You Consider a Balance Transfer?

Carrying a balance on a high-interest-rate credit card is not a good situation. It can lead to a lot of stress for those looking to reduce their debt burden.

Interest charges can add up quickly. Sometimes, your minimum payment will barely make a dent in your balance.

Consider a balance transfer offer to provide immediate relief from high-interest charges and help you take control of reducing your debt without adding to it.

Bottom Line: Taking advantage of a 0% balance transfer offer is a great solution to help save you lots of money on high-interest charges on your other credit cards.

Another situation where a balance transfer could be advantageous is when you may be faced with a considerable upcoming expense that you know is beyond your immediate budget. You may consider a balance transfer offer as a financing option for that purchase.

You will just need to be able to put that purchase on an existing account and could then take advantage of a balance transfer offer to avoid paying any interest charges at all.

Even for new credit card accounts that offer a promotional balance transfer on approval, most balance transfer promotions give you at least 30 days to take advantage of the offer. The transfer does not need to take place immediately.

How Much Can I Save With a 0% Balance Transfer?

You can save significantly with a promotional balance transfer offer since credit cards often charge interest rates from 15% to 25% APR.

Let’s say you have a $5,000 balance on your credit card that you’re currently unable to pay off. You want to set a goal to pay off this debt with regular monthly payments.

The chart below shows how much a 0% balance transfer offer can save you on a $5,000 balance if you plan to pay off the entire balance before the promotional offer expires with fixed payments each month:

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	12 Months	15 Months	18 Months	21 Months
0% APR Payment	$416.67	$333.33	$277.78	$238.10
Total Interest Charges	$0	$0	$0	$0
15% APR Payment	$451.29	$367.63	$311.92	$272.19
Total Interest Charges	$415.50	$514.48	$614.63	$715.94
20% APR Payment	$463.17	$379.49	$323.82	$284.14
Total Interest Charges	$558.07	$692.35	$828.69	$967.07
25 % APR Payment	$475.22	$391.56	$335.96	$296.40
Total Interest Charges	$702.65	$873.36	$1,047.26	$1,224.34

Bottom Line: If you held a $5,000 balance on a 25% APR credit card with the goal of paying off the debt in 18 months, a 0% balance transfer offer will save you over $1,000!

A balance transfer can also help you manage your monthly payments. Using the same example, if the goal is to pay the debt in 18 months with or without the balance transfer, you will save close to $60 a month on your monthly payment.

Therefore, not only does a 0% balance transfer save you on high-interest charges, but it can also reduce your monthly payment if you have a specific timeline to pay off your debt.

You always want to be sure you’re meeting the minimum payment set by your credit issuer. Making payments below that minimum could trigger late fees and penalties for not making an on-time payment.

What Are Balance Transfer Fees?

When considering balance transfer offers, read over all the fine print in the offer’s terms. Most promotional balance transfer offers come with balance transfer fees.

Fees are charged by the bank you will use to transfer the balance. These commonly range from 3% to 5% of the total amount transferred and are a one-time fee.

If you were to transfer a $5,000 balance with a 3% balance transfer fee, you would pay $150.

While $150 sounds like a lot of money to transfer a balance, if you were to keep that balance at a 25% APR, you would pay more than that in interest within just 2 months!

Understanding the terms and conditions of any balance transfer offer, especially upfront costs like balance transfer fees is important.

Bottom Line: There are some offers for credit cards with no balance transfer fees. While they can be a good choice, there are other things to consider when deciding which 0% balance transfer offer is best for you.

Do I Earn Rewards or Points on Balance Transfers?

Tablet with wallet — Image Credit: Mike Cho via Unsplash

The best 0% balance transfer credit cards are already rewarding by offering an incredible promotional rate. While some credit cards offer a rewards program, you typically do not earn any rewards by completing a balance transfer.

For example, if you were considering a rewards credit card that offered 1x points on every $1 spent, you do not earn 1x points for every $1 transferred. In almost all cases, you earn 0 points for balance transfers.

However, if there is a promotional 0% interest rate on purchases, you can earn rewards based on those purchases but not balance transfers.

Bottom Line: Consider that using a balance transfer offer on a rewards credit card would take away from your credit line that could be used to gain rewards. That’s why sometimes we recommend finding the best balance transfer card just for that purpose: to transfer a balance and save on interest without making any new charges. Although you can’t earn travel rewards for transferring a balance, you will be rewarded by saving money on high-interest charges. Completing a balance transfer is simple and typically takes just a few days.

How To Complete a Balance Transfer

Conducting a balance transfer is very simple. When applying for a new account, you’ll be asked if you want to transfer a balance.

Most of the time, you only need the name of the credit card company currently holding your debt, your account number, and the amount you want to transfer.

Sometimes, you will need to provide the address where you mail your payments, but these days, most credit card companies know each other.

Some banks will conduct the balance transfer request electronically; others will process it by mail.

How Long Does a Balance Transfer Take?

Balance transfers can take a few days to a couple of weeks to complete. It all depends on how each credit card issuer handles the request.

You must continue making minimum payments on the credit card that carries the original debt. Just because you initiate a balance transfer request doesn’t mean your credit card company knows about it instantaneously.

It’s not uncommon for the account you’re transferring the balance to for the 0% promotional rate to add the requested amount to your credit card instantly.

Final Thoughts

Taking advantage of a 0% balance transfer offer by getting a new credit card will save you a ton of money by avoiding high-interest charges on your current credit cards.

As we’ve described, it’s important to consider the length of the offer, any other fees associated with the card and balance transfer, and what the interest charges will be once the promotional rate ends.

It’s a bonus when some of these cards extend the 0% APR rate to purchases for the length of the offer, providing even more opportunities for you to save on interest charges.

It gets even better when some of these 0% balance transfer credit cards also earn travel reward points for purchases (but not balance transfers).

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the global assist hotline benefit of the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the return protection benefit of the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the purchase protection benefit of the Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi Double Cash^® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not reviewed nor provided by the issuer.
The information regarding the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not reviewed nor provided by the issuer.
The information regarding the Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not reviewed nor provided by the issuer.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday^® from American Express, click here.