When my now-husband and I purchased our dwelling, we anticipated making a couple of updates — new flooring, a contemporary coat of paint, redoing our main rest room and including some new lighting fixtures.
However in the event you’ve ever renovated a home, you understand how shortly one mission turns into 5. In our case, our small record turned an almost full transform as soon as we uncovered hidden points: leaky home windows, tile layered on high of extra tile and a harmful jumble {of electrical} wires.
At current, I truly love being a house owner, however in the event you had requested me about it in the course of the transform, I could have had a special reply.
In reality, renovating and upgrading our dwelling meant our financial savings had been dwindling quickly, so we turned to bank cards to maintain initiatives transferring alongside. This manner, we may guarantee the house we had been already paying a mortgage on was move-in prepared.
That is the place steadiness switch bank cards saved us.
We consolidated all of our miscellaneous purchases and break up the balances between two bank cards to deal with paying them off throughout the designated introductory annual proportion charge, or APR, durations.
It wasn’t all the time straightforward, however this saved us from paying a cent of curiosity (extra on that in a bit).
So, in the event you’re staring down a high-interest steadiness or attempting to catch your breath after a giant sudden expense, a steadiness switch card can provide the respiration room you want.
One of the best steadiness switch bank cards
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The knowledge for the Uncover it Money Again card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Evaluating the perfect steadiness switch bank cards
Listed below are TPG’s high suggestions for the perfect steadiness switch bank cards.
| Card | Finest for | Welcome supply | Incomes charges | Annual payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Diamond Most well-liked Card | Steadiness transfers | Introductory 0% APR supply on purchases for 12 months from the date or account opening and 21 months for steadiness transfers from the date of the primary switch (should switch inside 4 months of account opening, $5 or 5% steadiness switch payment). After the introductory interval, a variable APR of 17.24%-27.99% will apply, based mostly in your creditworthiness. |
|
$0 |
| Wells Fargo Mirror Card | Financing bank card debt | 0% introductory APR on purchases and qualifying steadiness transfers for 21 months from account opening. After the introductory interval, a variable APR of 17.24%, 23.74% or 28.99% will apply, based mostly in your creditworthiness. Steadiness transfers made inside 120 days qualify for the introductory charge and a 5% or $5 minimal payment. |
|
$0 |
| Citi Double Money Card | Steadiness transfers with ongoing easy money again | 0% introductory APR for 18 months on steadiness transfers, adopted by a variable APR of 18.24% to twenty-eight.24% will apply, based mostly on creditworthiness. An introductory steadiness switch payment of three% of every switch (minimal $5) accomplished throughout the first 4 months of account opening; after that the payment is 5% of every switch (minimal $5).
The Citi Double Money Card can also be providing $200 money again after you spend $1,500 on purchases throughout the first six months from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Specific | Steadiness transfers and rewards on gasoline and U.S. grocery store purchases | 0% introductory APR on purchases and steadiness transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, adopted by a variable APR of 20.24% to 29.24% (see charges and charges).
New cardholders may also earn a $250 assertion credit score after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. |
Money again is acquired within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as a press release credit score or at Amazon.com checkout. |
$0 introductory annual payment, then $95 (see charges and charges) |
| Financial institution of America Personalized Money Rewards bank card | Most well-liked Rewards members | 0% introductory APR in your first 15 billing cycles for purchases and any steadiness transfers made throughout the first 60 days from account opening. After the introductory APR supply ends, a variable APR of 18.24% to twenty-eight.24% will apply based mostly in your creditworthiness. A steadiness switch payment of three% will apply for 60 days from account opening, then 4% will apply.
New cardholders may also earn a $200 money rewards bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases throughout the first 90 days from account opening. |
|
$0 |
| Blue Money On a regular basis Card from American Specific | Newbie money again and 0% APR on purchases and steadiness transfers | 0% introductory APR on purchases and steadiness transfers for 15 months, then a 20.24% to 29.24% variable APR (see charges and charges).
Moreover, earn a $200 assertion credit score after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. |
Money again is acquired within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as a press release credit score or at Amazon.com checkout. |
$0 (see charges and charges) |
| Uncover it Money Again | Steadiness transfers with bonus year-one rewards | 0% introductory APR for 15 months from the date of account opening for brand spanking new purchases or steadiness transfers that publish to your account by July 10, 2025. After the introductory APR expires, your APR will likely be 18.24% to 27.24% based mostly in your creditworthiness.
This card may even match all of the money again earned throughout the brand new account’s first 12 consecutive billing durations. |
|
$0 |
Citi Diamond Most well-liked Card
Welcome supply: New candidates can obtain an introductory 0% APR supply on steadiness transfers for 21 months from the date of the primary switch. Transfers have to be accomplished inside 4 months from account opening. After the introductory interval, a variable APR of 17.24%-27.99% will apply, based mostly in your creditworthiness.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The 21-month 0% APR on steadiness transfers on the Citi Diamond Most well-liked offers you a protracted runway to repay debt with out curiosity snowballing. It is one of many longest provides accessible, making it an ideal possibility when you’ve got a bigger sum to repay. It additionally comes with no annual payment.
Needless to say there’s a $5 or 5% steadiness switch payment for every switch, however in the event you use the complete introductory interval correctly, the curiosity financial savings can far outweigh the upfront price. You will have 4 months from account opening to finish a steadiness switch.
The Citi Diamond Most well-liked additionally offers you entry to your FICO credit score rating and to Citi Leisure for early ticket gross sales and particular occasions.
Backside line? In case your objective is to get again on observe financially, this card retains issues easy and stress-free.
For extra particulars, learn our full assessment of the Citi Diamond Most well-liked Card.
Apply right here: Citi Diamond Most well-liked Card
Wells Fargo Mirror Card
Welcome supply: New candidates can obtain a 0% introductory APR on purchases and qualifying steadiness transfers for 21 months from account opening. After the introductory interval, a variable APR of 17.24%, 23.74% or 28.99% will apply, based mostly in your creditworthiness. Steadiness transfers made inside 120 days from account opening qualify for the introductory charge.
Annual payment: $0.
This card is a good possibility for paying off present debt and financing a serious expense with out curiosity. Whereas the cardboard does not earn rewards or a welcome bonus, it does supply cellphone safety towards harm or theft for as much as $600 while you pay your month-to-month invoice on the cardboard (topic to $25 deductible). You will even have entry to My Wells Fargo Offers for cash-back provides.
Bonus: The Wells Fargo Mirror Card has no annual payment.
For extra particulars, learn our full assessment of the Wells Fargo Mirror Card.
Apply right here: Wells Fargo Mirror Card
Citi Double Money Card
Welcome supply: New candidates can obtain a 0% introductory APR for 18 months on steadiness transfers, so long as the switch is accomplished inside 4 months from account opening. After the introductory interval, a variable APR of 18.24% to twenty-eight.24% will apply, based mostly in your creditworthiness. The Citi Double Money Card can also be providing $200 money again after you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months from account opening. This bonus supply will likely be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou factors, which will be redeemed for $200 money again.
Annual payment: $0.
This card additionally lets you convert your money again into Citi ThankYou factors, which opens the door to extra versatile journey redemptions when paired with an eligible Citi card just like the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see charges and charges).
The Citi Double Money is a stable choose for many who wish to consolidate debt and earn easy rewards lengthy after their steadiness is paid off.
For the 0% introductory charge to use, you may want to finish your steadiness switch inside 4 months. The steadiness switch payment is simply 3% for the primary 4 months — after that, your payment will likely be 5% of every switch ($5 minimal).
For extra particulars, learn our full assessment of the Citi Double Money Card.
Apply right here: Citi Double Money Card
Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Specific
Welcome supply: Earn a $250 assertion credit score after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first six months of account opening. This card additionally provides a 0% introductory APR on purchases and steadiness transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, adopted by a variable APR of 20.24% to 29.24%.
Annual payment: $0 introductory annual payment for the primary 12 months, then $95 (see charges and charges).
Standout advantages: The Blue Money Most well-liked is a powerhouse for on a regular basis spending, providing 12 months of 0% introductory APR on new purchases and steadiness transfers (then a variable charge of 20.24%-29.24%). A 3% steadiness switch payment will apply.
It shines with standout cash-back charges: 6% at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $6,000 per 12 months, then 1%), 6% on streaming providers and three% at U.S. gasoline stations.
Cardholders may also earn as much as $7 again every month as a press release credit score (as much as $84 in a calendar 12 months) after spending $9.99 or extra on eligible subscriptions to a Disney Bundle. Enrollment is required; phrases apply.
In case you plan to earn the welcome bonus, goal to spend $3,000 early and full your steadiness switch inside 60 days to lock within the introductory APR. However do not spend for the sake of spending. Be sure that your spending is strategic and obligatory.
The steadiness switch have to be requested inside 60 days of account opening for the 0% introductory APR.
I might advocate this card in the event you’re in search of a stable cash-back card for grocery store and gasoline purchases as soon as you have paid down your debt.
For extra particulars, learn our full assessment of the Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Specific.
Apply right here: Blue Money Most well-liked Card from American Specific
Financial institution of America Personalized Money Rewards bank card
Welcome supply: The Personalized Money Rewards card presently provides a $200 money rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases throughout the first 90 days from account opening. This card additionally provides a 0% introductory APR in your first 15 billing cycles for purchases and any steadiness transfers made throughout the first 60 days from account opening. After the introductory APR supply ends, a variable APR of 18.24% to twenty-eight.24% will apply based mostly in your creditworthiness.
Annual payment: $0.
I preferred the thought of no annual payment and versatile rewards in a class of my alternative. Choices embody gasoline, eating, on-line procuring and journey. Cardholders additionally earn 2% at grocery shops and wholesale golf equipment, and 1% on all the pieces else, capped at $2,500 per quarter in mixed bonus class spending.
What units this card aside is the Financial institution of America Most well-liked Rewards program — members can enhance their earnings by 25% to 75%, turning that 3% into as a lot as 5.25% money again.
As a result of the interval for incomes the welcome bonus and making an eligible steadiness switch is fairly brief, I ended up forgoing the welcome supply to get essentially the most out of the 15 months of my steadiness switch. I additionally preferred the three% steadiness switch payment, versus the 5% that different playing cards supplied.
Now that I’ve paid off my steadiness switch, I rotate my customized cash-back classes relying on what I am utilizing my different bank cards for and make the most of BankAmeriDeals cash-back provides.
For extra particulars, learn our full assessment of the Financial institution of America Personalized Money Rewards bank card.
Apply right here: Financial institution of America Personalized Money Rewards bank card
Blue Money On a regular basis Card from American Specific
Annual payment: $0 (see charges and charges).
Standout advantages: I normally advocate this card to mates who’re simply entering into the bank card rewards sport or who desire a no-fuss card with stable perks. The three% money again at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gasoline stations and on U.S. on-line retail purchases (on as much as $6,000 per class yearly, then 1%) provides up quick, particularly in the event you’re like me and all the time order one thing from Goal or Publix (my native grocery retailer).
Though I did not use this card for a steadiness switch, I get pleasure from having it in my pockets for easy money again with no annual payment. With a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and steadiness transfers, it doubles as short-term financing software. A 3% steadiness switch payment will apply.
Add in advantages like entry to Amex Affords, a Disney Bundle assertion credit score, House Chef assertion credit score and journey protections, and this card packs shocking worth for no annual payment. Choose advantages require enrollment.
For extra particulars, learn our full assessment of the Blue Money On a regular basis Card from American Specific.
Apply right here: Blue Money On a regular basis Card from American Specific
Uncover it Money Again Credit score Card
Welcome supply: As an alternative of a standard welcome supply, the Uncover it Money Again Credit score Card will match all of the money again earned in the course of the first 12 consecutive billing durations that the brand new account is open. This card additionally provides a 0% introductory APR for 15 months from the date of account opening for brand spanking new purchases or steadiness transfers that publish to your account by August 10, 2025. After the introductory APR expires, your APR will likely be 18.24%- 27.24% based mostly in your creditworthiness.
Annual payment: $0.
Standout advantages: The rotating 5% classes are literally fairly helpful, particularly since I can earn bonus rewards in classes the place I’d usually earn simply 1% (like PayPal and Amazon).
Once I was in search of a steadiness switch, I already had this card in my pockets, and observed I had an present supply for 12 months at 0%. Realizing I’d ultimately open a brand new bank card once we had been accomplished paying down our debt, choosing this present supply made sense for me. Which jogs my memory: Remember to verify your present playing cards to see when you’ve got any provides already accessible.
For brand spanking new cardholders, the 15-month 0% APR window to cut back an older steadiness is a stable period of time. A 3% steadiness switch payment will apply.
Lengthy-term, this card is nice for incomes 5% on bonus classes each quarter. The one catch? You must activate the 5% classes earlier than incomes, however Uncover makes it straightforward with reminders.
For extra particulars, learn our full assessment of the Uncover it Money Again Credit score Card.
Study extra: Uncover it Money Again Credit score Card
What to think about when selecting a steadiness switch bank card
There are a number of elements to think about when choosing a steadiness switch card.
I needed to consolidate small balances on a number of playing cards into one or two principal accounts. I additionally needed a low steadiness switch payment and not less than 12 months to pay my balances off fully. I did not wish to pay an annual payment, however I did desire a card that may serve me long-term in some capability, so ongoing perks mattered.
I additionally needed to be cognizant of what number of new playing cards I might open, as my now-husband and I weren’t married on the time. I knew a marriage ceremony and honeymoon had been on the horizon, and that these occasions can be nice alternatives to money in on playing cards with excessive welcome bonuses, so I additionally thought of these elements.
Charges and timing
When choosing a steadiness switch card, contemplate the introductory APR (you must goal for 0%), the steadiness switch payment (which tends to fluctuate between 3% and 5%) and the size of time you may need to repay the steadiness switch.
If you might want to switch the next steadiness, in search of a decrease payment and longer time could also be helpful. All of the playing cards on our record supply a 0% APR for an introductory interval of 12-21 months.
Do not forget that in the event you pay the minimal fee every month, you’ll doubtless not repay your steadiness switch in time. As an alternative, you may wish to take your complete, together with the steadiness switch payment, and divide it by the variety of months it’s important to pay it off.
For instance, in case your complete is $5,525 and you’ve got 12 months to pay it off, you may wish to pay $460.42 month-to-month. In any other case, curiosity will accrue on the remaining steadiness on the variable APR.
Most well-liked rewards
One other issue to think about is how you may use the cardboard after paying off your steadiness switch. If the precedence is extra time, I might recommend foregoing desirous about rewards.
In case you’re extra versatile in how lengthy you might want to repay your steadiness, contemplate a rewards or cash-back program that aligns together with your spending habits.
Whereas these is probably not the first focus in the event you’re trying to switch debt, some playing cards present perks starting from 1%-6% again on on a regular basis purchases, which may add worth in the event you use the cardboard after transferring your steadiness.
Welcome bonus
Some steadiness switch playing cards supply welcome bonuses to sweeten the deal, however these bonuses sometimes have a minimal spending requirement throughout the first few months of opening the cardboard.
In case you anticipate spending cash on requirements (like groceries and utility payments) and might afford to hit the minimal spending requirement for the bonus earlier than making the steadiness switch, it will probably assist offset the price of the steadiness switch charges or present future rewards.
That stated, if chasing a bonus will push you additional into debt, skip it. When initiating the switch, you may need your card to have a $0 steadiness to maximise the 0% APR window.
Annual payment
Most steadiness switch playing cards — like those on our record — do not cost an annual payment. The exception is the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked, which waives its payment the primary 12 months and fees $95 after that. In case you’re selecting a card with a payment, be certain that its long-term rewards and advantages justify the price.
Nevertheless, in case your solely objective is to repay a steadiness, keep on with a no-fee choice to maintain issues easy and reasonably priced.
How we selected the perfect steadiness switch bank cards
We rated the perfect playing cards based mostly on introductory APR interval, compensation size, switch charges, and added worth like rewards or long-term perks.
To find out about how TPG evaluates and chooses playing cards for our roundups, try our methodology web page.
Redemption choices for steadiness switch bank cards
Steadiness switch bank cards aren’t sometimes identified for flashy redemption perks. In any case, their greatest worth helps you save on curiosity.
In my case, utilizing a steadiness switch card helped my now-husband and me repay our transform in 15 months whereas paying virtually no curiosity. We selected bank cards with a 3% steadiness switch payment, serving to scale back prices the place we may. Had it not been for these two steadiness transfers, we might have doubtless paid a whole lot of {dollars} in curiosity.
Now, I nonetheless use those self same playing cards—my Financial institution of America Personalized Money Rewards card for customized rotating 3% classes, and my Uncover it for five% bonus classes like Amazon and PayPal.
Backside line
Typically, we find yourself with sudden prices, whether or not or not it’s via a house transform, like me, or an unlucky emergency.
In case you accumulate high-interest debt, the suitable steadiness switch bank card can provide you respiration room and enable you to get again on observe.
Decide a card with a 0% introductory APR, know the switch payment, and observe your payoff timeline fastidiously. The objective, in any case, is to get it paid off in the course of the 0% introductory window, so skip making the minimal fee and as an alternative divide your complete by the period of time you have been given to make the most of that low APR supply.
In case you can afford to hit a welcome bonus spending requirement whereas planning your switch, even higher.
As soon as your steadiness is paid, some playing cards can proceed delivering worth, whether or not via rewards, perks or class bonuses.
Simply bear in mind: The actual win is staying debt-free as soon as you have paid issues off.
For charges and charges of the Amex Blue Money Most well-liked, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Blue Money On a regular basis, click on right here.
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