Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of 2021
Credit card debt isn’t exactly someone’s definition of a fun time–getting out of it can be plain exhausting. Considering credit card interest is high (especially if you miss a payment), it could feel like you’re barely making a dent in your debt.
The good news is that if your credit is still decent, there is a way to make payments on your credit card interest-free through a balance transfer credit card offering a 0% APR.
Low and zero percent APR balance transfer offers are commonly provided by credit card issuers to attract new customers. Credit card issuers rightfully assume that if they can attract you to their product by offering to house your debt for no interest, you’re likely to generate new debt after you’ve paid off the old debt.
The trick in taking advantage of a balance transfer offer is to pay off the entire debt during the 0% introductory APR offer, then pledging never again to get deep into credit card debt.
Some of the best credit cards offers now have balance transfer fees–you could save thousands of dollars in interest charges by taking advantage of low or zero percent APR balance transfer offers.
Below you will find the best credit cards available for balance transfers.
Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of 2021
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offers an introductory 0% balance transfer offer for 15 months. There is a balance transfer fee of 3%. When the intro APR expires, the standard APR applies.
The card also offers excellent cash back rewards–1.5% on every purchase plus a one-time $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
There are no fees and no foreign transaction fees.
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer And How to Apply<<
The Amex Everyday® Credit Card from American Express
The Amex Everyday® Credit Card from American Express packs quite a punch.
Cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. There is no balance transfer fee if the transfer is made within the first 60 days of account ownership. It’ll switch to a 15.99% to 26.99% variable APR afterward.
This card also offers 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months.
You’ll also receive 2x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 each year) and 1x point on all other purchases.
Every month you use your card a minimum of 20 times, you’ll receive a 20% bump in rewards points on those purchases.
The Amex Everyday® Credit Card from American Express has no annual fee.
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer And How to Apply<<
Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Credit Card
*This offer is expired or no longer available.
The Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card offers a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 18 months–it’ll then switch to 15.49% – 24.99% variable APR.
Although you won’t get rewards like the cards on this list, you get other perks like up to $600 protection on your cell phone if it’s damaged or stolen. It is subject to a $25 deductible and you’ll need to pay your monthly phone bill using your Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Credit Card.
Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card also includes free access to your FICO credit score.
There is no annual fee for the card.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express opens up with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. When the intro rate expires, the standard APR becomes a variable APR of 16.99%-27.99%. Terms Apply.
Where this card really kicks butt is with its welcome bonus and ongoing rewards program. You can earn a $350 statement credit after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first six months. Terms apply.
In addition, the earnings categories appear to be geared towards everyday purchases:
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent annually (then 1%)
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions (like Netflix, Hulu, and others)
- 3% cash back on on transit (including taxis/rideshare, tolls, parking, trains, buses and more)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Yup, you could be saving hundreds of dollars every year just at the grocery store alone–up to $360 which far outweighs the $95 annual fee.
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer And How to Apply<<
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Credit Card
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Credit Card combines a 0% balance transfer with excellent cash back rewards. You get a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months with a 3% balance transfer fee or $5, whichever is greater.
In addition to one of the longest balance transfer offers on our list, you get 1.5% cash back on all purchases and 1.8% cash back on Google Pay™ or Apple Pay™ digital wallet net purchases during the first 12 months from account opening. Plus, there’s a $150 cash bonus once you spend $500 in purchases within the first three months.
All that, and no annual fee.
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer And How to Apply<<
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited kicks off with a 0% intro APR on purchases balance transfers for 15 months (ongoing APR of 17.24% - 25.99% Variable after). If you want to take advantage of the low 3% (or $5, whichever is greater) balance transfer offer, you must make the transfer within the first 60 days. If you make a transfer outside of that window, there will be a $5 or 5% balance transfer fee (whichever is greater).
Cardholders will also earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, partner benefits (aka deep discounts on goods and services and access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, where you can use cash back rewards towards, cash, statement credits, travel rewards and more).
Balance transfer cards can be effective tools for lowering the amount you’ll pay in interest and freeing up cash flow, making better use of your cash than spending your own money for a large purchase.
Some balance transfers cards also nab you some lucrative rewards, so even if you have the cash to pay off your big purchase right away, consider finding a card that also offers a huge signup bonus. Why not save money on interest and score free flights or cash back rewards?
A word of warning: credit cards with 0% APR offers are a short-term solution. To improve your financial situation, you’ll want to make sure you’re reading the fine print on any credit card you open–there are certain terms and conditions for keeping the 0% offer.
Then, make a plan to ensure you don’t fall into debt again–think about making a budget or saving up cash for large purchases.
>>Learn More About This Credit Card Offer And How to Apply<<
If you still haven’t found what you are looking for, check out this list of balance transfer credit cards.
Important Note! The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we can not guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit or charge card prior to applying.
Article comments
Once the 15 months is up at 0 interest, is it best to cancel that card and move on to another 0 interest card transferring balances until paid off?
I have a Citi platinum mastercard and recently completed a 0 APR balance transfer with a 6 month term. I never pay interest on credit card but was faced with an unusual home repair so it seemed a prudent way to manage the expense. Also, i already had the card and simply had to select the option. The 3 percent fee was fine as I pretty much washed it out by receiving a 2 percent cash back reward from the HSBC card i used for the purchase. So far so good, right? Nooooo! I then used the Citicard for some regular (standard) purchases figuring I pay those off in full plus the minimum amount due. To my surprise, the new standard purchases started accruing interest from the date of purchase! I called Citibank and they agreed to reimburse the interest charge. Now, I no longer use the Citibank card and continue to pay the minimum each month and avoid any interest. It seems they shoot themselves in the foot as not using the card at all deprives them of any additional revenue. Word of caution, ask questions before signing up, these can work for you as long as you understand their terms and can adjust accordingly.
That is terrible. Even though things are supposed to be becoming more transparent, things don’t seem to change. Citi really needs to focus on their customer service and not playing games.
I have a Citi Dividend MasterCard. I took out a 2500 balance transfer with 0 interest until October of next year. What Citi (and this website) DOESN’T tell you, is that if you use your credit card for purchases, even if you pay off the amount of the purchases on the card (ie if you spend 500, bringing your total balance to 3000, and pay 500 at the end of the month, leaving you with 2500 again)… You pay interest on your 2500 balance.
So I’ll be paying at least 13 bucks a month in interest until I’ve paid off the 2500 balance transfer, which I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to worry about until summer of next year, because money is very tight.
I spoke at great length with some supervisor gentleman who told me about the 0% APR balance transfer, and at NO time did he tell me I’d be unable to use my card. I feel so lied to.
“…then pledging never again to get deep into credit card debt. It’s easier said than done for many.” – hehehehe
BANK OF CHINA CC SCAM
Just returned from a trip from Hong Kong and China
In HK, all the charges are in HK $, thus avoiding the 3% Dynamic exchange fee. The only one that charge Dynamic exchange fee is Bank of China subsidiary that process Visa CC transactions.
In China, things gets really bad. Each time I ask to be charged in RMB, it came out to be in US$. After protest, it still come up with a statement saying that I was offer to reject the US$ option (which I did not). The bank say all I have to do is to cross out the option line and write RMB on the charge line, I will be fine. When I came home and check my statements, it all had the 3% Dynamic Exchange rated added onto my Schwab Credit card.
It is a big scam by Bank of China.. Be careful when you use credit card in China