Best Balance Transfer Cards of January 2026

Need a break from high-interest credit card debt? Balance transfer cards like the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card and the Citi® Simplicity® Card offer 0% APR periods on transfers, letting you consolidate and pay down balances without ongoing interest charges.

Compare introductory APR duration, balance transfer fees and credit score requirements to choose the right card. Our analysis of top balance transfer cards shows how the right transfer saves you hundreds or thousands in interest.

The Wells Fargo Reflect scores highest in our balance transfer scoring methodology with a category-leading 0% APR period for 21 months on both balance transfers and purchases. Although the Citi Simplicity matches the length of balance transfers and offers a lower balance transfer fee, it falls short of the Wells Fargo Reflect's 0% APR for new purchases.

If rewards are a priority, consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card or the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, both of which offer competitive rewards programs. If you're looking for other specific types of balance transfer cards, we've broken down the best balance transfer cards by category, too.

Find great 0% APR balance transfer cards that align with your needs and spending habits — whether that's long interest-free transfer periods, 0% APRs on new purchases, balance transfers with simple cash back options or cards that reward your spending.

Back to Best Balance Transfer Cards by Category

Back to Best Balance Transfer Cards by Category

Back to Best Balance Transfer Cards by Category

Back to Best Balance Transfer Cards by Category

These credit cards rose to the top based on MoneyGeek's rigorous scoring methodology, designed to highlight cards that provide the most financial value for balance transfers. Each of the top five balance transfer cards features a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for at least 15 months. We also evaluated balance transfer fees, customer satisfaction ratings, the availability of 0% APR on new purchases, late fees and penalties, and rewards for spending.

The Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers a 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases, one of the longest interest-free periods. The card has no annual fee but charges a 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5). It works well for juggling high-interest credit card debt with nearly two years to pay down balances interest-free.

The Citi Simplicity Card offers a 21-month 0% APR on balance transfers, giving you nearly two years to tackle debt without interest. The card has no annual fee and charges a 3% balance transfer fee (minimum $5). It requires good to excellent credit. The card doesn't offer cash back but charges no late fees, which helps with debt management.

The BankAmericard Credit Card works well for planning new purchases. It has no annual fee and 0% interest for 18 months on both balance transfers and new purchases. The card charges a 3% balance transfer fee but has no penalty APR. The 18-month interest-free period helps you save on both debt payoff and new purchases.

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offers straightforward cash back rewards and balance transfer features. It has no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases, then a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.24%. The card lets you consolidate debt while earning cash back.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card has no annual fee and a 15-month 0% introductory APR on both balance transfers and purchases. The unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases appeal to those who value simplicity and consistent returns. The balance transfer fee is 3% (minimum $5), a standard industry rate.

A balance transfer is when you move a credit card balance from one card to another to reduce your interest payments. It's one way to simplify payments and eliminate debt quickly.

Balance transfer credit cards are designed for this purpose and often feature an interest-free 0% APR offer for six to 21 months. They usually charge a balance transfer fee (3% to 5%) on the transferred sum. A fair credit score (580 or above) is often needed for approval.

Transferring a credit card balance can be a smart financial move, potentially saving you hundreds to thousands of dollars. Consider the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, for example:

• 3% balance transfer fee
• 0% APR for 15 months

Assume you're transferring a $3,000 balance from your old card with an APR of 21.99%. When you transfer, you'll incur a $90 fee (3%) added to your new card's balance. By making monthly payments of $206, you can clear the debt within the 15-month offer period, avoid $522 in interest and be debt-free three months sooner than if you had interest. Your savings will be $432 — $522 minus the $90 fee. This is an excellent strategy if you can stick to your plan and make the payments.

With the same initial balance, a longer introductory period or lower fees will increase your savings. For example:

• If your intro period is 21 months: You'd need to pay $148 monthly to pay off the balance. Because of the longer period, you'd save $785 in interest ($695 net of fees).

• If the balance transfer fee is increased to 5% (or $150): You'd have to pay $210 per month to clear your balance before the end of the intro period. Your net savings would be $360 instead of $432.

When rating balance transfer cards, MoneyGeek uses this math to evaluate each balance transfer offer so you're getting the net impact of fees and length of the intro period.

If you're considering a balance transfer, ask yourself the following questions to determine if it's a smart financial move:

• Are you likely to be approved for a new card? Most cards with 0% APRs on balance transfers require at least a fair credit score (580 or above).
• Can you clear the balance before the 0% APR offer ends? Interest rates will jump to their standard rate after the introductory period ends.
• Are you transferring high-interest debt? If you're moving lower-interest-rate debt to a card that will have a high APR after the intro period ends, you'll make things harder for yourself if you can't pay it all off in time.
• Is your budget under control? A balance transfer increases your available credit. If you tend to spend beyond your means, you could end up even deeper in debt.

If you answered "Yes" to all these questions, then you're likely a good candidate for a balance transfer card. If you’re a "No" on any, you should consider other options for managing your debt.

The best balance transfer credit cards have extended 0% APR periods, minimal balance transfer fees and no annual fees. Your credit score may limit the options available to you and impact the introductory offer. As you narrow down your options, your personal situation also comes into play:

• If managing down debt is your priority: Select cards with the longest 0% APR balance transfer offer you can find. The longest offers on the market today are around 21 months.

• If a large purchase is imminent: Prioritize cards that extend the 0% APR to new purchases and potentially offer rewards.

• If you've recently boosted your credit score or are consolidating for simplicity: Consider cards that couple a 0% introductory rate with rewarding perks.

Let's compare two leading options to see who may most benefit from each:

The Citi Simplicity offers a 21-month 0% APR on balance transfers and a lower balance transfer fee. This card is best for people with a large balance who prioritize paying it down above rewards or perks.

Conversely, the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express has a 15-month 0% APR on transfers and new purchases. This card would suit those anticipating big expenses — like furnishing a home — or consolidating for simplicity because of the cash back rewards.

A solid plan will help you get the most out of your balance transfer. Use the advice below to build a financial roadmap that will work for you.

• Plan to clear your balance three months before the promotional period ends. This will give you some wiggle room.
• Automate your payments to stay on track. It's uncomfortable at first, but it'll force discipline.
• Curb unnecessary spending with a temporary, no-frills budget to free up more funds. Watch out for yo-yoing later.
• Keep your old credit card out of reach, but don’t cancel it. The old card will benefit your credit score if you don’t put any more debt on it.

Consider these alternatives if a balance transfer credit card isn't the right fit:

• A personal loan consolidates debt with a fixed interest rate and repayment period. Qualification depends on creditworthiness, and rates vary, so shop around for the best terms.
• A home equity line of credit (HELOC) uses your home's equity for a lower interest rate.
• Debt management plans through credit counseling agencies negotiate lower interest rates and monthly payments. They often require closing credit accounts, which impacts your credit score.
• Budgeting and debt repayment strategies like the snowball or avalanche methods work without new credit products.

Assess your financial situation and goals before choosing an option.

MoneyGeek answered the most common questions about transferring an existing credit card balance.

MoneyGeek uses a comprehensive methodology to provide transparent, data-driven and relevant balance transfer credit card recommendations. Here's how we weighted each factor in our scoring system, with each aspect scored out of 5:

• Balance Transfer Offer Rating (60%): Our evaluation focuses on balance transfer features. We assess associated fees, post-introductory APR and offer length. Cards with low fees, extended 0% APR periods, and competitive post-introductory APRs score the highest.
• Intro Purchase Rating (15%): We consider the length of 0% APR on new purchases, which lets you make upcoming purchases without interest charges.
• Issuer Satisfaction Rating (5%): A cardholder's satisfaction reputation (indicated by J.D. Power scores) affects our assessment.
• Recommended Credit Rating (5%): Cards that require lower credit scores for approval rate more favorably, since accessibility matters.
• Annual Fee Rating (5%): Cards with low or no annual fees earn higher scores, since we prefer cost-effective options.
• Effective Reward Rating (5%): We calculate rewards program value using our model spend profile based on the Consumer Expenditure Survey published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Rating Penalties (5%): Cards with late fees or penalty APRs incur penalties since they reduce a balance transfer offer's value.

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