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Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards: 0% Intro APR Cards Compared

Four widely available cards built around introductory balance transfer offers, compared on the fine print that decides whether a transfer saves you money.

By Fountain Finances Editorial Team Updated 4 options compared

Advertiser disclosure: Fountain Finances may earn a commission when you apply through links marked “Affiliate link.” That never changes which products we include or how we describe them. Products without an affiliate relationship are listed on equal terms. How we make money.

Rates and fees on deposit accounts, cards and loans change frequently. We show a number only after our editors have confirmed it on the provider’s own disclosure page, together with the date it was checked. Where no figure is shown, follow the link for the provider’s current terms.

At a glance

Summary of best balance transfer credit cards: 0% intro apr cards compared
ProviderProductTypeWorth a look forInsurance
Bank of America BankAmericard Credit Card Low-rate / intro APR card People who want a no-frills card focused on an introductory APR —
Citi Diamond Preferred Card Balance transfer card Borrowers focused on the length of the intro balance transfer period —
Citi Simplicity Card Balance transfer card People who want a balance transfer card with simple, forgiving terms —
Wells Fargo Reflect Card Balance transfer card Borrowers who want a long intro period on both purchases and transfers —

The options in detail

BankAmericard Credit Card

Bank of America · Low-rate / intro APR card

Worth a look for: People who want a no-frills card focused on an introductory APR

APR
Variable — check today’s rate
Fees
See provider’s fee schedule
Minimums
Good credit typically required

Key features

  • Introductory APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, per current terms
  • No rewards program — the focus is on a lower-cost balance
  • Online and mobile account management

Pros

  • Simple card aimed at paying down balances
  • Large issuer with branch network

Cons

  • No rewards
  • Balance transfer fee applies

Things to consider

Check the current intro period length, the transfer window and the transfer fee in the pricing table.

Listed #1 alphabetically, not ranked. Confirm current rates, fees and eligibility on the provider’s site before applying.

See provider at Bank of America (opens in a new tab) ↗ On bankofamerica.com

Diamond Preferred Card

Citi · Balance transfer card

Worth a look for: Borrowers focused on the length of the intro balance transfer period

APR
Variable — check today’s rate
Fees
See provider’s fee schedule
Minimums
Good to excellent credit typically required

Key features

  • Introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases, per current terms
  • Balance transfers must typically be completed within a set window after opening
  • No rewards program

Pros

  • Built for paying down transferred balances
  • Also offers an intro rate on purchases

Cons

  • No rewards
  • Balance transfer fee applies

Things to consider

Transfers from other Citi cards are generally not allowed. Confirm the current transfer window.

Listed #2 alphabetically, not ranked. Confirm current rates, fees and eligibility on the provider’s site before applying.

See provider at Citi (opens in a new tab) ↗ On citi.com

Simplicity Card

Citi · Balance transfer card

Worth a look for: People who want a balance transfer card with simple, forgiving terms

APR
Variable — check today’s rate
Fees
See provider’s fee schedule
Minimums
Good to excellent credit typically required

Key features

  • Introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases, per current terms
  • Citi markets the card as having no late fees and no penalty rate
  • No rewards program

Pros

  • Forgiving terms if a payment is late
  • Straightforward structure

Cons

  • No rewards
  • Balance transfer fee applies

Things to consider

Paying late still hurts your credit even if no fee is charged. Keep autopay on.

Listed #3 alphabetically, not ranked. Confirm current rates, fees and eligibility on the provider’s site before applying.

See provider at Citi (opens in a new tab) ↗ On citi.com

Reflect Card

Wells Fargo · Balance transfer card

Worth a look for: Borrowers who want a long intro period on both purchases and transfers

APR
Variable — check today’s rate
Fees
See provider’s fee schedule
Minimums
Good to excellent credit typically required

Key features

  • Introductory APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, per current terms
  • Cell phone protection benefit when you pay your bill with the card, per Wells Fargo’s terms
  • No rewards program

Pros

  • Useful for paying down debt and financing a planned purchase
  • Added protection benefit

Cons

  • No rewards
  • Balance transfer fee applies

Things to consider

Balance transfers must usually be made within a set period after opening to get the intro rate.

Listed #4 alphabetically, not ranked. Confirm current rates, fees and eligibility on the provider’s site before applying.

See provider at Wells Fargo (opens in a new tab) ↗ On wellsfargo.com

How we chose and compared these options

We list providers in alphabetical order rather than ranking them, because the right choice depends on your situation. To be included, each product must be widely available to U.S. consumers and publish its terms online. We compared them on the following criteria:

  • Intro period. How long the promotional APR lasts on transferred balances, as stated in the issuer’s current terms.
  • Transfer fee and window. The fee charged on each transfer and the period after account opening during which transfers qualify.
  • Regular APR. The rate that applies to any balance left after the promotion ends.
  • Purchase terms. Whether new purchases also get an intro rate.
  • Extras and penalties. Late fee and penalty-rate policies, and any added benefits.

Compensation from providers never affects which products appear or how we describe them. Read our full editorial methodology and affiliate disclosure.

Run the numbers before applying

  1. Find the transfer fee in the card’s pricing table and multiply it by your balance.
  2. Estimate the interest you’d pay by keeping the balance where it is — try the credit card payoff calculator.
  3. Divide the balance plus fee by the intro months to get your required payment.

If the fee is much smaller than the interest you’d save and the payment fits your budget, a transfer can make sense. Read the full walkthrough in what is a balance transfer?.

Frequently asked questions

How do I pick the best balance transfer card?

Start with the payment you can afford. Choose a card whose intro period is long enough to pay off the balance at that payment, with the lowest transfer fee you can find.

Can I transfer a balance to a card from the same bank?

Generally no. Most issuers don’t allow transfers between their own cards.

What credit score do I need for a balance transfer card?

The longest intro offers usually require good to excellent credit.

Sources

  1. Credit cards — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  2. Truth in Lending (Regulation Z) — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Read before you choose