When will American Express accept balance transfers?

American Express stopped accepting balance transfers in 2020. The bank has not provided any indication of when it might start offering them again.

What is the minimum credit score to qualify for a balance transfer?

You typically need good or excellent credit to qualify for a balance transfer. This means you should have a FICO score of 670 or higher.

What debts can I transfer?

Depending on your credit card issuer, you might be able to transfer most types of unsecured debt, including credit card balances, personal loans and student loans. This is also the case if you wish to use a personal loan to consolidate your debt.

How much can I transfer?

American Express does not currently offer balance transfer promotions. In general, most banks allow customers to transfer up to the credit card's limit, inclusive of the balance transfer fees that it charges.

What happens if my debt is higher than my balance transfer credit limit?

If your debt is higher than your balance transfer credit limit, you might qualify for a partial transfer. Your card issuer might deny your balance transfer request too.

Will a balance transfer impact my credit score?

If your balance transfer involves applying for a new credit card, your credit score will drop by a few points. However, this [negative effect](https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer/advice/do-balance-transfers-hurt-your-credit/) is easily overcome in a few months by maintaining responsible credit habits. Your credit score might also drop if you close your old credit card account, as this affects the length of your credit history and your available credit. Even so, a balance transfer to a new card may also have a positive effect on your credit score by lowering your [credit utilization ratio](https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/advice/credit-utilization-ratio/) by increasing your total available credit.

Why aren't credit cards offering balance transfers?

According to American Express, it stopped offering credit cards with balance transfers to better manage risk — both for the company and for its customers. Credit card companies typically look to assess and manage risk so they may reduce the severity of probable losses if customers accumulate too much debt, lose their jobs, get sick and cannot work or pass away. Cards with balance transfer offers became increasingly difficult to find during the second half of 2020 because issuers wanted to mitigate the perceived risk that arose owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is no longer the case. Other than American Express, most prominent issuers have resumed offering balance transfer cards.

How long does it take for a balance transfer to post?

Just [how long a balance transfer takes](https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/balance-transfer/advice/how-long-does-a-balance-transfer-take/) to post essentially depends on the issuer of the card to which you're transferring the balance. While most process them within two to three days, some ask their customers to give the process up to six weeks. As a result, it's important you keep making payments toward your old card until the transfer is complete.

What happens if you don't pay American Express in full?

Not all American Express cards require that you pay in full each month. A number of its cards function as normal credit cards, where you are required to pay no more than the minimum amount each month. However, like credit cards from other issuers, you will need to pay interest charges on any balance that you roll over from one billing cycle to the next. If you get an Amex charge card such as the Platinum Card or the [Gold Card](https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express/gold-card/), you still get to choose from paying off your balance in full each month or using its Pay Over Time feature on eligible purchases, which comes with a variable APR.

What happens when you transfer the balance on credit cards?

If you transfer a balance to a card with an intro 0% APR offer on balance transfers, you pay no interest charges for the duration of the promo period. However, you might need to pay a balance transfer fee. Once the card's promo period ends, any outstanding balance from your balance transfer starts accruing interest at the card's regular APR. If you transfer a balance to a card with a low ongoing APR, the card's regular APR applies to the transferred amount until you pay it off completely. A number of such cards do away with charging balance transfer fees.

Does American Express Offer Balance Transfers? Do You Have Other Options?

American Express does not currently offer any balance transfer cards. However, you have several other options.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 1/15/2023

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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express does not let you transfer balances from other credit cards to any of its credit cards. While you may choose to get a balance transfer card from a different issuer, you may also apply for a personal loan or consider using a debt management program to pay off your debt.

The absence of balance transfer credit cards notwithstanding, American Express provides cards with intro 0% APR offers on purchases. You may use these cards if you wish to make purchases that you plan to pay off over a predetermined time period.

MoneyGeek’s Takeaways

American Express is not accepting balance transfers from other credit cards at this time.

Several Amex cards come with intro 0% APR offers on purchases for the first 12 to 15 months.

You may use the proceeds from an American Express personal loan to consolidate your credit card debt.

How Does an American Express Balance Transfer Work?

American Express stopped offering balance transfers across all its credit cards in 2020, which remains the case as of May 2022. If there are any changes in Amex's policies, or if any new American Express 0% APR balance transfer card enters the market, we'll make sure to update this page accordingly.

>>More: How Much Money Could a Balance Transfer Save You?

What Are My Alternatives to Doing a Balance Transfer?

While American Express does not allow balance transfers, several other card issuers do. And finding cards with intro 0% APR offers on balance transfers is relatively easy, especially if you have good or excellent credit. If you don't want to get a credit card from a different issuer, there are still a few options you can explore. These include personal loans for debt consolidation, cash advances and debt management programs.

Balance Transfer
Personal Loan
Cash Advance
Debt Management Program
When to Use
To use an intro
0% APR offer
and pay off debt
within 12 to 20
months
When you need
more time to
repay your debt
Only in cases of
emergency
If you're facing
financial
hardship
How to Request
Online or over
the phone
Online or over
the phone
Online, over the
phone, at an
ATM or at a
branch
Online or over
the phone
Repayment
Terms
Need to make at
least minimum
monthly
payments
Need to make
fixed monthly
payments over
the course of the
loan term
Need to make at
least minimum
monthly
payments
Need to make a
combined
monthly
payment
APR Ranges
In the absence
of a 0% APR
offer, usually the
same as
purchase APRs
4.99% to
35.99%
17.99% to
29.99%
7.04% to
35.89%
Credit/Loan
Limits
Usually up to a
credit card's
available credit
limit
Up to $100,000
Typically a
percentage of a
credit card's
overall limit
No minimum or
maximum limits
Fees
0% to 5% of the
transferred
amount
Application fee:
Up to $50
Loan origination
fee: Up to 6% of
loan amount
3% to 5% of
transaction
amount
One-time set-up
fee: Up to $75
Monthly fee: $20
to $75

>>More: Balance Transfer Credit Card vs. Personal Loan

Get a Personal Loan

Getting a personal loan could be a good option if you don't qualify for a 0% balance transfer APR offer through a credit card or need more time to repay your debt. This is because personal loans tend to come with lower APRs than regular balance transfer APRs of credit cards. Intro 0% APR offers on credit cards also usually only apply for the first 12 to 20 months. After that, the regular APR applies, which is often higher than the interest rate you may pay for a personal loan. Plus, you can use a personal loan to consolidate debt from multiple credit cards, as personal loans typically offer higher credit limits than balance transfer cards.

Get a Cash Advance

You may get a cash advance through an existing credit card by withdrawing money from an ATM, carrying out an online transfer to your bank account or using a cash advance check. In any case, you will, in all likelihood, need to pay a cash advance fee that can be up to 5% of the amount you withdraw. Cash advance APRs are also noticeably higher than purchase APRs, and you get no interest-free days. Using cash advances is best left for emergencies unless you know you'll be able to repay the entire amount in a short time.

Ask About a Debt Management Plan

A debt management plan helps consolidate your credit card debt and may result in lower interest rates and waived late fees. Getting on a debt management plan requires that you work with a nonprofit credit counseling agency — ideally, one that's accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. A debt management plan can help you become debt-free in less than five years. However, you'll need to stop using your credit cards or even close their accounts. Also, it's possible that not all your creditors will agree to participate.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Issuers of personal/debt consolidation loans consider your creditworthiness and payment history when considering your application, so it's best that you review those in advance.

Use a New Credit Card With Better Introductory Offers

If the card you wish to transfer a balance from comes with a high regular APR, it may be beneficial to stop using it and get a new card with better offers and a lower interest rate. In this case, you can start using the new card for your purchases and try to pay off the old card's debt as quickly as possible.

If you plan to carry a balance from month to month on your new credit card, consider getting a card with an intro 0% APR offer on purchases and no annual fees. American Express cards that fit the bill include the Cash Magnet Card and the Blue Cash Everyday Card. Both cards come with 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months.

How to Choose a Credit Card With the Best Offer

Different aspects require your attention when choosing a card with the best offers. Remember that a great card for one person might not work equally well for another.

0% introductory APR
Balance transfer cards typically come with 0% intro APR offers. Once the introductory period ends, the card’s regular APR applies to any outstanding balance.
Long introductory APR
The duration of 0% APR offers on balance transfers and purchases typically varies from 12 to 20 months. When you choose a card with a long introductory APR, you need to make a lower monthly payment, and you also get more time to repay your debt without incurring interest charges.
Low ongoing APR
If you feel you might need more time than that made available through intro APR offers to repay your debt, you may want to consider getting a card with a low ongoing APR. While an excellent credit score might fetch you a highly competitive APR, it’s still important to pay off your balance as quickly as possible.

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Business owners who wish to save on interest charges may consider getting the no-annual-fee Amex Blue Business Cash Card or Amex Blue Business Plus Credit Card. Both come with 0% APR offers on purchases for the first 12 months.

American Express Credit Cards With the Best Offers

Whether you’re looking for consumer or business credit cards from Amex, you have several options. Comparing the offers that come with different cards is important because most are designed to meet specific requirements. Since Amex does not currently allow balance transfers, finding zero interest credit cards with no transfer fees is not possible. However, you can choose from a few 0% APR cards with no annual fees.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
A simple cash back card that’s best for everyday purchases.
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1–3% Cash Back*Rewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on Gas
- 1xRewards Rate on Groceries
We love the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express because it charges no annual fee and lets you earn high cash back across specific categories. You earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000 on grocery purchases at U.S. supermarkets each year. The same also applies on U.S. online retail purchases and gas purchases at U.S. gas stations. You earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
A welcome offer lets you earn up to $200 back by spending $2,000 on purchases in your first six months to receive $100 as a statement credit. This card also comes with an introductory 0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months, then a variable APR of 18.49% – 29.49% after.
Using this card outside of the U.S. might not a good idea because it charges foreign transaction fees.
Pros
Competitive cash back rates on supermarkets, gas and online retail purchases in the U.S.
No annual fees
Decent welcome bonus
Low intro APR with a long introductory period
Split purchases of more than $100 into monthly payments through the Plan It feature

Cons
Minimum redemption amount is required
Spending cap on cash back earned through bonus categories
Not ideal for travel due to foreign transaction fees
3% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1% cash back
3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1% cash backk
3% cash back on gas at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1% cash back
1% cash back on all other purchases
0% intro APR for the first 15 months from account opening, then a variable APR of 18.49% – 29.49% after.
Earn up to $200 back by spending $2,000 on purchases in your first six months of account opening. Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
American Express Cash Magnet® Card
A great no-annual-fee card that comes with unlimited 1.5% cash back across categories
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1.5xRewards Rate on Gas
- 1.5xRewards Rate on Groceries
We strongly recommend the American Express Cash Magnet® Card to people who want to earn rewards without paying any annual fees. No matter which category you spend in, you earn 1.5% as cash back. Besides, you earn unlimited cash back rewards that never expire.
A promotional 0% APR offer on purchases for 15 months gives you easy means to save some money on big purchases. If you spend $2,000 on purchases within six months from account opening, you may look forward to receiving $200 as a statement credit.
Fraud protection ensures that you are not held liable for fraudulent charges.
Pros
Pay no annual fee for as long as your account remains active
Stand to earn $200 bonus cash back by meeting a simple spending requirement
Benefit by paying no interest on purchases for the first 15 months - then a variable APR of 18.49% – 29.49% will apply
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Get additional cards linked to your primary card to earn more cash back
Benefit through car rental insurance, should the need arise
Get access to American Express Experiences
Set up monthly plans for big purchases and avoid paying interest

Cons
Penalty APR apples if you make a late or returned payment
Cash advance and foreign transaction fees apply
$0 annual fee for the life of the card
Additional cards come with no annual fees
0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months, after which it might vary between 18.49% – 29.49%
Spend $2,000 on purchases in the first six months to earn $200 as statement credit
Use the Plan It option for big purchases and pay no interest, just a fixed monthly fee
Get complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance
All cardholders get access to American Express Experiences, American Express Seating, American Express Presales and a bunch of other Amex-related benefits.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
A simple cash back rewards card that helps you avoid hassles
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1–2% Cash Back*Rewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
- 1xRewards Rate on Gas
We like the no-annual-fee American Express Blue Business Cash Card because it lets you earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year and 1% cash back thereafter. Its 0% introductory APR offer on purchases stays in place for the first 12 months, then a variable APR of 17.74% – 25.74% after.
As part of this card’s welcome offer, you get to earn a $250 statement credit if you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months. You also get access to multiple expense management tools, free employee cards and complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance.
Pros
No annual fee
Cash back rate of 2% for eligible purchases up to $50,000, then 1%
Intro 0% APR offer, then a variable APR of 17.74% – 25.74% after.
Welcome offer of a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Flexible credit limit
Authorized users can be added for no additional fee
Points are redeemed automatically

Cons
Cash back rate has a cap
Foreign transaction fee of 2.7%
Pay no interest for the first 12 months after acquiring the card, then a variable APR of 17.74% – 25.74% after.
Earn 2% cash back for eligible purchases with a cap of $50,000, then 1% after
Enjoy no annual fees for the life of the card
Earn a $250 statement credit for spending $3,000 in the first three months
Benefit from the Expanded Buying Power feature, which lets you go over the credit limit if you qualify with no penalties or fees
Add up to 99 authorized users, free of charge
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Great no-annual-fee card for earning rewards on business spending
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- up to 2X Membership Rewards® pointsRewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
- 1xRewards Rate on Online Shopping
We like the no-annual-fee American Express Blue Business Cash Card because it lets you earn 2X points per dollar on all eligible business purchases up to $50,000 per year. You get 1X point per dollar thereafter. Its 0% APR offer on purchases stays in place for the first 12 months, then a variable rate of 17.74% – 25.74%.
As part of this card’s welcome offer, you get to earn 15,000 Membership Rewards points if you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months. You also get access to multiple expense management tools, free employee cards and complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance.
Pros
No annual fees
0% intro APR on purchases, then a variable rate of 17.74% – 25.74%
Earn 2X reward points on spending of up to $50,000 per year, followed by 1X
Free employee cards
Can assign an account manager
Download interactive year-end summaries
Use Vendor Pay to improve business cash flow
Purchase protection

Cons
Penalty APR applies when you make a late payment
Foreign transaction fees
Balance transfer fees
There’s a minimum required to redeem points
Pay no annual fees for the life of the card.
Earn 2X reward points per dollar for the first $50,000 you spend on purchases each year.
Earn 1X point per dollar after your spending exceeds this limit.
Redeem points for travel booked through American Express Travel, purchases via select online merchants or gift cards.
You may also transfer your reward points to different frequent flyer programs.
Save money on interest by using the 0% intro APR offer on purchases for 12 months, then a variable rate of 17.74% – 25.74%
Get free employee cards and set individual spending limits.
Improve cash flow by using your card to pay bills via Vendor Pay.
Safeguard purchases made using the card through extended warranty and purchase protection.
Get protection when you or your employees rent cars through car rental loss and damage insurance.
Get access to American Express Experiences and purchase pre-sale tickets for various events.
Use the American Express Business App and Connect to QuickBooks tools to simplify transferring spending-related data to your existing accounting system.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply

Blue Cash Everyday Card

This card comes with a welcome offer that lets you earn $250 back if you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first six months. It offers up to 3% cash back on category-based spending. You will not need to pay any Buy Now, Pay Later Plan It fees on eligible purchases for the first 15 months.

Cash Magnet Card

The Cash Magnet Card gives you the ability to earn $200 back as a welcome bonus by spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months. All eligible purchases earn unlimited 1.5% cash back. Creating Buy Now, Pay Later Plan It plans during the first 15 months come with no fees.

Amex EveryDay Credit Card

The Amex EveryDay Credit Card offers 15,000 Membership Rewards points as a welcome bonus if you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first six months. You earn 3x points on up to $6,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets each year. You also earn 2x points per dollar at U.S. gas stations and on travel purchases made through Amextravel.com.

Blue Business Cash Card

The Blue Business Cash Card lets you earn a welcome bonus in the form of a $250 statement credit if you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months. It offers 2% cash back on combined spending of up to $50,000 on eligible purchases each calendar year and 1% thereafter.

Blue Business Plus Credit Card

The Blue Business Plus Credit Card offers a welcome bonus of 15,000 Membership Rewards points to cardholders who spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. You earn 2x points per dollar on the first $50,000 you spend on purchases each year and 1x points thereafter.

While American Express does not currently allow you to transfer balances from other credit cards to any of its cards, it might make this feature available in the future. You also have the option of applying for a balance transfer card through a different issuer. In any case, knowing how balance transfers work might help you make a suitable selection.

How a Balance Transfer Works

Transferring a balance from one credit card to another requires that you apply for a balance transfer with the issuer of the card to which you wish to transfer the balance. If the issuer approves your request, it might pay off the old card’s issuer directly or send you a check. People who opt to transfer a balance typically do so with the aim of saving money. This can be through a card with a 0% APR offer or one that charges a low ongoing APR.

The example that follows is one where a cardholder pays more than the minimum payment on a $5,000 credit card balance.

How Much You Will Pay With Your Current Credit Card
How Much You Will Pay When You Transfer Your Balance
Current outstanding balance: $5,000
Regular APR: 18.5%
Monthly payment: $300
Time required to pay off the balance: 20 months
Total amount to pay: $5,823.59
Balance transfer amount: $5,000
Balance transfer fee: 3%
Intro APR: 0% for 18 months
Regular APR: 17.5%
Monthly payment: $300
Time required to pay off the balance: 18 months
Total amount to pay: $5,150

Total savings: $673.59

MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Although a 0% APR balance transfer offer is appealing, many people cannot pay off their debt before the promotion expires. Because of that, getting a low-rate personal loan can be a better option if you need more time to pay off the balance. — Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com

Pros and Cons of Doing a Balance Transfer

Balance transfers come with multiple benefits that extend beyond saving on interest charges. However, there are some potential drawbacks as well.

Key Takeaways

Pros

Pay no interest during the promotional period.
Consolidate debt from multiple cards.
Get more benefits/features through your new card.
Improve your credit score by lowering your credit utilization ratio.

Cons

Need good or excellent credit to qualify.
Balance transfer fees of up to 5%.
0% APR offers expire after stipulated time periods.
Late/returned payments may result in penalty APRs.
Possibility of building more debt.
Probable drop in credit score if you close your old card.

Does American Express Offer Balance Transfers? Do You Have Other Options?

On This Page

On This Page

MoneyGeek’s Takeaways

How Does an American Express Balance Transfer Work?

>>More: How Much Money Could a Balance Transfer Save You?