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:18.49% - 28.74% (Variable)
Rewards:
2% (cash back)
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:
As High As $200 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.
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:19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 3% (cash back)
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
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:17.74%, 24.24%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:
N/A
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:
As High As $300 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer.
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:19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 6% (cash back)
Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Annual Fee:$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Citi Simplicity® Card
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:17.74% - 28.49% (Variable)
Rewards:
N/A
Annual Fee:$0
Ollo Everyday Rewards
Ongoing APR:23.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 3% (cash back)
Unlimited 3% cash back on all gas stations and EV charging stations, grocery store and drugstore purchases. Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Intro bonus:
$200
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 6% (cash back)
Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category. Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
Annual Fee:$0
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Intro bonus:
$250
Limited Time Offer! $250 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Intro APR:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% Variable
Rewards:
1.5% (cash back)
1.5% cash back on all purchases
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