Quick Summary
Longest 0% Period
Citi Diamond Preferred
21 months 0% APR on balance transfers
Best Overall Value
Wells Fargo Reflect
21 months 0% + low ongoing APR
Best with Rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited
18 months 0% + earn cash back
Lowest Transfer Fee
BankAmericard
21 months 0%, intro fee $0
How Balance Transfers Work
1.Apply for a new card with a 0% balance transfer offer
2.Transfer your balance from high-interest cards (usually 3-5% fee)
3.Pay no interest during the 0% intro period (12-21 months)
4.Pay off the balance before the intro period ends to avoid interest
Example: Transfer $5,000 from a 20% APR card to a 0% APR card for 18 months. You'll save approximately $750 in interest charges.
Our Top Balance Transfer Picks
Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Industry-leading 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers gives you maximum time to pay off debt interest-free.
Intro APR
0% for 21 mo
Transfer Fee
3% or $5 min
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24%-28.99%
Wells Fargo Reflect Card
21 months of 0% APR plus cell phone protection and potential for a lower ongoing APR makes this the best overall value.
Intro APR
0% for 21 mo
Transfer Fee
3% or $5 min
Annual Fee
$0
Cell Protection
Up to $600
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Get 18 months of 0% APR while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases—plus bonus categories for travel and dining.
Intro APR
0% for 18 mo
Transfer Fee
3% or $5 min
Cash Back
1.5%
Welcome Bonus
$200
BankAmericard Credit Card
21 months of 0% APR with an introductory $0 transfer fee on transfers made within the first 60 days.
Intro APR
0% for 21 mo
Transfer Fee
$0 intro*
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24%-26.24%
*$0 intro fee applies to transfers made within 60 days; then 3%
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
15 months of 0% APR with unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases—no categories to track.
Intro APR
0% for 15 mo
Transfer Fee
3%
Cash Back
1.5%
Welcome Bonus
$200
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Card | 0% APR Period | Transfer Fee | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Diamond Preferred | 21 months | 3% | None |
| Wells Fargo Reflect | 21 months | 3% | None |
| Freedom Unlimited | 18 months | 3% | 1.5% + bonuses |
| BankAmericard | 21 months | $0 intro* | None |
| Quicksilver | 15 months | 3% | 1.5% |
Should You Do a Balance Transfer?
Quick Math:
• Current balance: $5,000 at 20% APR
• Interest over 18 months: ~$750
• Balance transfer fee (3%): $150
• Net savings: $600
A balance transfer makes sense if:
- ✓You're paying high interest on existing debt (typically 15%+ APR)
- ✓You can pay off the balance during the 0% intro period
- ✓The transfer fee is less than the interest you'd pay
- ✓You have good credit (typically 670+ score required)
⚠️ Balance Transfer Tips
1. Transfer within the timeframe
Most cards give you 60-120 days to complete transfers at the intro fee rate.
2. Don't use the card for new purchases
Focus on paying down the transferred balance. Use a different card for spending.
3. Make a payoff plan
Divide your balance by the number of 0% months to know your monthly payment goal.
4. Pay on time, every time
Missing a payment can cancel your 0% rate and trigger penalty APR (often 29.99%).
5. Don't transfer more than 70-80% of your credit limit
High utilization can hurt your credit score, even temporarily.
The Bottom Line
If you need maximum time to pay off debt, the Citi Diamond Preferred or Wells Fargo Reflectoffer an industry-leading 21 months at 0% APR. That's nearly two years of interest-free debt paydown.
Want to save on the transfer fee? The BankAmericard offers $0 intro fee if you transfer within 60 days—saving you hundreds on large balances.
Don't want to sacrifice rewards? The Chase Freedom Unlimited gives you 18 months at 0% while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus bonus categories for dining and travel.