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Best No Balance Transfer Fee Credit Cards

March 2024

Finding a balance transfer credit card with a 0% intro APR period is easy — but getting one that won’t charge you a 3% to 5% fee for moving your debt over can be a real challenge. There are a handful of credit cards on the market that offer no balance transfer fee. To help you find the right one for you, we've put together a list of the top ones.
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If you are juggling a lot of credit card debt, 0% APR balance transfer credit cards can help you pay down your debt faster. Some of these cards provide almost two full years to pay down your balance interest-free. That said, you will typically pay a balance transfer fee between 3% to 5% when transfering the debt.
The best cards offer the trifecta of balance transfer cards: 0% APR, $0 balance transfer fee, and $0 annual fee. Here’s a rundown of the best balance transfer cards with a $0 balance transfer fee.
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How can you get the most out of a credit card with no balance transfer fee?

Follow these simple rules to maximize the savings from a balance transfer card.
  • Don't use the card to make purchases. Many credit cards with no balance transfer fee compensate by charging higher-than-average purchase interest rates. Your balance transfer card should help you pay off your debt, not rack up new debts.
  • Pay off your debt before the promotional periodends. A balance transfer credit card with a 0% APR period may give you 6 to 21 months before they begin charging interest. But when they do start charging interest, the rate is usually fairly high. You'll want to finish paying off your balance before this occurs. You can also transfer your balance to a new balance transfer card.
  • Don't transfer debt between two credit cards from the same bank. Banks use balance transfer deals to poach your debt from their competitors. As such, they're not typically offered to cardholders whose debt already belongs to them.
  • Transfer your debt as soon as you're approved. Balance transfer deals don't last long. Typically 30 to 60 days. Make sure you transfer your balance within that crucial time window.

What are lifetime balance transfer cards?

A lifetime balance transfer card offers the same balance transfer APR for the lifetime of your transferred debt. That means that no matter how long it takes for you to pay off your transferred balance, you'll pay the same APR.
Lifetime balance transfer cards will never offer a 0% APR, but you can still find reasonably low interest rates. They are a good option if you can't qualify for a 0% APR balance transfer card.

Which is better, a 0% introductory APR or a 0% balance transfer fee?

They're not mutually exclusive. The best balance transfer cards offer both. But if you have to choose one or the other, the right choice depends on how quickly you're able to pay off your debt.
In general, a 0% introductory APR will save you more money, since (on average) credit cards charge 15-20% in interest, and only charge a 3-5% fee for balance transfers. However, if you can pay off your balance in a couple of months, it may be cheaper to get low interest balance transfer card that doesn't charge a transfer fee.
Remember that if you're unable to pay off your balance before the end of the 0% APR introductory period, your interest rate will likely skyrocket. In this case, you can try to transfer it to a new balance transfer card.

If there's no balance transfer fee listed on a credit card application, does that mean there's no balance transfer fee?

Unfortunately, no. Credit card companies frequently hide balance transfer fees in the fine print of credit card applications. Before applying for a new card, search the fine print for balance transfer fees and other hidden fees. If you can't find any information there, call the company to confirm how much they charge for balance transfers. SuperMoney highlights the balance transfer fee of cards to help you filter the best card for your financial situation.

Which factors should I consider when comparing credit cards with no balance transfer fee?

When comparing balance transfer credit cards, ask yourself the following questions:
  • Is there an introductory APR, or a permanent flat rate? How much money will this APR save you relative to your current credit card(s)?
  • If there's an introductory APR, how long does the introductory period last? Calculate how much you'd have to pay each month to pay off your debt within the introductory period.
  • How long is the $0 balance transfer fee period? Make sure to transfer your debt over before the higher balance transfer fee kicks in.

How do I transfer my balance?

To transfer your balance to a balance transfer credit card, take the following steps:
  • Apply for the balance transfer credit card which best suits your needs.
  • Tell your new card's issuer that you want to transfer your balance.
  • Provide your new card's issuer with the account number and other information for the account which currently holds your debt.
  • Continue making payments on your old card until your new credit card company confirms that the transfer has gone through. It won't happen right away.

What should I do if I can't qualify for a credit card with no balance transfer fee?

Most credit cards with no balance transfer fees only approve applicants with good to excellent credit. So if your credit score is lower than 690, you may struggle to get approved.
If your applications keep getting rejected, try improving your credit score. If you make timely payments on all of your credit accounts, your credit score should improve relatively quickly.

Which balance transfer credit card should I choose?

Look for the balance transfer card that offers the longest 0% APR introductory offer without charging a balance transfer fee. If you can't qualify for one of those, look for one with a 3% balance transfer fee.
Find out which bank issued your current credit card. You can't transfer your balance to another credit card issued by the same bank, so this will eliminate some options. For example, if you currently hold a balance on a Chase credit card, you can't transfer it over to the Chase Slate.

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

Sometimes! It's a good idea to transfer your balance if you qualify for a new credit card with:
  • A much lower interest rate.
  • Little or no balance transfer fee.
  • A high enough credit limit to accommodate your debt.
  • An introductory period long enough to let you pay off your balance before the rate goes up.

Can I get a balance transfer card from the same bank as my current credit card?

Probably not. The majority of credit card companies don't allow same-issuer transfers.

What happens if I don't pay off my balance transfer?

You may forfeit your 0% APR nad $0 balance transfer fee offer if you make a late payment, have a payment returned, or exceed your credit limit during the promotional period. In this case, your bank may charge you a standard (higher) interest rate. If you make two consecutive late payments, the credit card issuer can apply a penalty rate until you make six consecutive on-time payments.

Do balance transfers hurt my credit?

Getting a balance transfer credit card may hurt your credit score in the short term. However, if all goes well transfering your debt to a balance transfer card will improve your credit score in the long run.
You see, every time you apply for credit, a hard inquiry is made on your credit report. Each hard inquiry has the potential to lower your score.
However, if your balance transfer raises your credit limit, enables you to pay off your debt faster, and helps you make your payments on time, it will help your credit.

Can I have multiple balance transfers on the same credit card?

You can transfer multiple balances onto the same card, as long as the amounts transferred (plus any transfer fees) don't exceed the card's credit limit. Remember, unless your new card charges no balance transfer fee, you'll have to pay a separate fee for each balance that you transfer.
Also, some issuers have restrictions on how many transfers you can make. Talk to your issuer to learn their limits.

Is there a limit on how many balance transfers you can do?

There's no hard-and-fast rule about how many balance transfers you can make. However, individual issuers may have their own policies. For instance, you can request up to three balance transfers when applying for the BankAmericard credit card.
Also, your credit line will limit the number of balance transfers you're able to do.

Can I get a no balance transfer fee card from my local credit union?

Yes. Credit unions and regional banks do offer credit cards without balance transfer fees. However, these institutions require membership. Unless you live in a particular state or are affiliated with the right organization, it can be hard to get a card from these smaller issuers. But if you do qualify, they're a great option to investigate.

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