By LaToya IrbyDo Balance Transfers Earn Rewards?
By LaToya Irby
Quick Answer
Balance transfers don’t earn rewards. If a balance transfer credit card has a rewards program, however, you can earn rewards on qualifying purchases.
A balance transfer can be a good way to consolidate debt or take advantage of a promotional interest rate. However, if you're considering a balance transfer to a rewards credit card, you may be disappointed to learn you won't earn rewards on the transferred balance.
Can You Earn Rewards With a Balance Transfer Credit Card?
Balance transfer credit cards attract new customers with low or 0% promotional interest rates on balance transfers. These cards often also include a rewards program offering cash back, miles or points on eligible purchases. While you can't earn rewards on a balance transfer specifically, you can still earn rewards on other qualifying purchases based on your credit card rewards program.
Best balance transfer cards of 2026
Compare balance transfer offers from our partners with 0% APRs and generous introductory periods.
Offers from our partners
Citi Double Cash® Card
Intro APR:0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 3% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
Discover it® Chrome
Intro bonus:INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 6 Months on Purchases and 0% intro APR for 18 Months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1% - 2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Intro APR:0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases
Ongoing APR:16.49% - 27.24% (Variable)
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Intro bonus:Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:2% (Cash Rewards)
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as $300 cash back after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 12 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 6% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Intro APR:0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
See all our best balance transfer credit cards for 2026.
Balance transfers aren't the only kind of transaction excluded from earning rewards. Other ineligible transactions often include:
- Interest charges
- Fees, including annual fees
- Cash advances
- Cash-like transactions, including money orders or foreign currency purchases
- Lottery ticket purchases
- Convenience checks
- Unauthorized or fraudulent charges
These are some common exclusions, but your card issuer may have others. Check your credit card terms and conditions to learn which transactions won't earn rewards.
While you can't directly earn rewards on balance transfers, they can still be rewarding. For example, if you have a $5,000 balance on a card with a 24% APR, you might decide to transfer this balance to a card offering an 18-month 0% promotional APR. After factoring in a 5% balance transfer fee, you could potentially save $750 if you pay off the balance during the promotional period.
You can maximize your balance transfer value by paying off the full balance before the promotional period ends. After that, the card's regular APR kicks in and the remaining balance will begin accruing monthly interest.
Should You Use a Balance Transfer Card to Earn Rewards?
You may consider using a balance transfer card to earn rewards to avoid opening a new credit card. Or, if you're currently shopping for cards, you may look for a card that will continue to offer value after you've paid off the balance transfer. In either case, it's best to wait until you've paid off the balance transfer before trying to earn rewards. This is especially important if the promotional rate applies to balance transfers and not purchases. Here's why.
When you're carrying a transfer balance, new purchases won't receive a grace period. Instead, purchases start accruing interest right away. To avoid interest charges, you'll have to pay off your entire balance by the due date—including the purchases and transfer balance.
If you opt for the balance transfer, be sure to pay it off before you start using the credit card on purchases and earning rewards. Keep in mind that paying interest can offset the value of any rewards you earn. Be sure to pay the balance in full every month to avoid debt and interest.
The Bottom Line
If the rewards program on your balance transfer credit card doesn't match your spending, you can shop around for a rewards card that's better suited for you.
You generally need to have good to excellent credit to qualify for the best rewards credit cards. Before applying for a new credit card, check your credit score to see where you stand. This way, you can apply for the credit cards that match your credit profile.
Best balance transfer cards
Need to consolidate debt and save on interest? See if you qualify for intro offers like 0% intro APR up to 21 months based on your FICO® Score.
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About the author
LaToya Irby
LaToya Irby is a personal finance writer who works with consumer media outlets to help people navigate their money and credit. She’s been published and quoted extensively in USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, myFICO, Investopedia, The Balance and more.
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