Edited by Michelle TipswordWhat Is a Balance Transfer Fee?
Edited by Michelle Tipsword
Quick Answer
A balance transfer fee is a fee that credit card companies charge to move a balance from one credit card to another. Balance transfer fees are typically 3% to 5% of the amount being transferred.
A balance transfer credit card can help you tackle debt by moving high-interest balances to a new credit card with a 0% or low introductory annual percentage rate (APR). Balance transfer cards can save you substantial interest, but most require paying a fee.
A balance transfer fee is what a credit card issuer charges for transferring debt from one credit card to another. Here's what you need to know about balance transfer fees, including how to weigh whether transferring your balance is worth the cost.
What Is a Balance Transfer Fee?
When you transfer an outstanding balance to your new credit card, or use the card to pay off a loan, a balance transfer fee is added to the balance on your new card. Balance transfer fees are typically 3% to 5% of the amount being transferred or a flat dollar amount of $5 to $10 (whichever is greater).
Tip: Before making a balance transfer, you should consider whether the savings from the balance transfer card's low introductory APR outweighs the balance transfer fee.
What Is a Good Balance Transfer Fee?
A good balance transfer fee is typically around 5% or less of the balance you're transferring. Choosing a card with a lower balance transfer fee helps you keep the cost of your balance transfer to a minimum, which can make it easier to pay off the balance on your new credit card.
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.
To find a card's balance transfer fee, visit the card issuer's website or check the card's "rates and fees" or "terms and conditions" document before applying.
How to Avoid Balance Transfer Fees
While it may be possible to avoid balance transfer fees by finding a card that doesn't charge them, that might be a tall order. Credit cards with a $0 balance transfer fee are few and far between these days. You may have the best chance of finding a card with no balance transfer fee at a credit union.
The other way to avoid a balance transfer fee is, of course, to avoid transferring a balance. You may have other tools available for paying off your balance, so explore your options before you apply for a card. For instance, you could weigh the pros and cons of a debt consolidation loan.
Learn more: How to Get Out of Debt
Is a Balance Transfer Fee Worth It?
A balance transfer fee can be worth it if the amount you can save on interest exceeds the balance transfer fee—and if you commit to paying off the balance before the card's low introductory APR expires.
Balance Transfer Savings Example
Suppose you have a $5,000 balance on a credit card with an APR of 20%. If you put $300 a month toward the card and make no new charges, you can pay off your balance in just under 21 months. During that period, you'll pay about $900 in interest.
How much would you save if you transferred the $5,000 balance to a card with a 0% introductory APR for 21 months? In this case, you could wipe out the debt in 21 monthly payments of just $238, without paying any interest.
Tip: Before you apply for a balance transfer card, calculate the balance transfer fee for the amount you plan to transfer. For a $5,000 balance transfer, a 3% fee adds up to $150. A 5% fee, on the other hand, comes to $250.
What Else to Consider Before You Transfer a Balance
In addition to the balance transfer fee, be sure to consider:
- How long the introductory APR period lasts: A longer promotional period gives you more time to pay off your balance.
- What the APR will be after the promotional period ends: Any remaining balance when your promotional period ends will start to incur interest at the card's standard APR. This number is typically listed as a range on the credit card agreement.
- Any other fees the card charges: These can include annual fees, foreign transaction fees or late fees.
- Any time limit for completing or requesting a balance transfer: You generally must initiate or complete a balance transfer within a certain number of days or billing cycles of approval to qualify for the promotional APR.
You can find all of this information in the card's "Terms and Conditions," "Rates and Fees" or "Cardmember Agreement," which should be available on the card issuer's website.
Learn more: Common Credit Card Fees
The Bottom Line
Getting the most from a balance transfer card requires committing to paying your balance off before your card's low introductory APR expires. Reading each card's terms and conditions carefully before you apply will help you select the card that best fits your needs.
Many 0% introductory APR balance transfer cards require good to excellent credit. Reviewing your credit report and FICO® ScoreΘ before applying for a credit card can alert you to any problems that need your attention.
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.
See your offers
About the author
Karen Axelton
Karen Axelton is Experian’s in-house senior personal finance writer. She has over 20 years of experience as a journalist and has written or ghostwritten content for a variety of financial services companies.
Read more from Karen