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One of the many benefits of having a good credit score, which myFICO considers 670 or higher, is an easier time qualifying for balance transfer cards with attractive terms. The best balance transfer cards offer 0% intro APR periods that often last 15 to 21 months, giving you ample time to pay down debt and potentially save hundreds in interest.
Besides offering these intro rates, some balance transfer cards even come with rewards, purchase protection, and other benefits (which is rare in this particular credit card circle). Plus, they might save you money in other ways, including charging no late fees and having relatively low regular APRs.
After researching many options, we identified the five best balance transfer cards for good credit, including who they're best for and which drawbacks you should watch out for.
Best balance transfer cards for good credit
| Credit Card | Intro APR | Regular APR | Welcome Bonus | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2026 AWARD WINNER
Best 0% Intro APR and Balance Transfer Card
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Apply Now
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card 4.9
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Purchases:
0%, 21 months from account opening
|
17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable
|
N/A
|
$0
|
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Apply Now
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card 4.4
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 21 months from date of account opening
Purchases:
0%, 12 months from date of account opening
|
16.49% - 27.24% (Variable)
|
N/A
|
$0
|
|
2026 Award Winner
Best for Balance Transfers
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Apply Now
Citi Simplicity® Card 4.5
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 18 months from date of account opening
Purchases:
0%, 18 months from date of account opening
|
17.49% - 28.24% (Variable)
|
N/A
|
$0
|
|
2026 AWARD WINNER
Best for Dining Out
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Apply Now
Chase Freedom Unlimited® 4.7
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
18.24% - 27.74% Variable
|
$250
Bonus
|
$0
|
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Learn How to Apply
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express 4.9
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
19.49% - 28.49% Variable
|
As high as $200
Cash back
|
$0
|
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
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0%, 21 months from account opening
0%, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card(Rates and fees) offers one of the longest intro APR periods on qualifying balance transfers and new purchases. If you've checked your budget and realized you need as much time as possible to pay off your debt without accruing interest, we recommend keeping this card in the running. And if you need to finance an upcoming purchase, this card can offer even more savings on interest.
Wells Fargo offers free monthly FICO score updates, which is commonplace today but still good to see. These convenient credit score updates could help you keep an eye on your score more than you otherwise might (which is especially important because your credit will likely take a small hit after getting it, as it would with almost any card). In the long run, a balance transfer only helps your credit if you're diligent about making payments and keeping your credit utilization down.
We also like that this card offers up to $600 in cellphone protection, which may replace standalone insurance you're paying for. However, like the Citi Diamond Preferred and the Citi Simplicity, the Wells Fargo Reflect doesn't offer any rewards, such as cash back, points, or miles. While this can limit the card's long-term value, it's less of an issue if you already have a rewards credit card.
Who this card is right for: Consider this card if your budget requires a very long intro APR period to pay off both your transferred debt and new purchases.
- Extra-long intro APR offer on qualifying balance transfers
- $0 annual fee
- Cell phone protection
- No rewards program
- Foreign transaction fee
Apply now or learn more in our Wells Fargo Reflect review.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
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0%, 12 months from date of account opening
0%, 21 months from date of account opening
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 16.49% - 27.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- No Annual Fee - our low intro rates and all the benefits don't come with a yearly charge.
- Buy now and pay later. Split your payment for eligible purchases of $75 or more into a fixed payment with Citi® Flex Pay.
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
While the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card also offers an extra-long balance transfer intro period, one of its greatest strengths is its regular APRs. Thinking they won't owe interest for a long time, many people ignore the regular APRs on balance transfer cards. While paying off all your debt within that intro period is the goal, it might not be your reality, so you have to check the variable APRs that kick in after the promo ends. Luckily, this card's APR range is slightly lower than that of many others.
However, the Citi Diamond Preferred's intro APR period on purchases is much shorter than that of the Wells Fargo Reflect. In our experience, this isn't necessarily a bad thing for a balance transfer card. If your priority is paying off debt, then not having the option to avoid interest on purchases could be the motivation you need to control your spending.
Just know that you can't earn any rewards with the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card(Rates and fees), so it may be best to pair this card with another for everyday spending. This is one of many factors that make the Citi Diamond Preferred similar to the Wells Fargo Reflect. A key difference is that you get identity theft protection, which is valuable given the recent rise in data breaches and fraud, instead of cell phone insurance.
Who this card is right for: We think this card is great if you have doubts about paying off your balance transfer before the intro APR expires and don't need an equally long period to pay off new purchases without interest.
- Long intro APR offer on balance transfers
- Free identity theft protection
- Access to Citi Entertainment
- No rewards program
- Foreign transaction fee
Apply now or learn more in our Citi Diamond Preferred review.
Citi Simplicity® Card
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0%, 18 months from date of account opening
0%, 18 months from date of account opening
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 18 months from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
- $0 liability on unauthorized charges.
The Citi Simplicity® Card is another great card with a long intro APR period. But unlike many of the best balance transfer cards for good credit, you don't have to worry about late fees or a penalty APR rate with the Citi Simplicity. That means if life happens and you slip up on one statement period and miss a payment, you won't have a late fee or higher rate tacked onto your balance.
However, be very careful about making this a habit. We wouldn't recommend getting a balance transfer card at all if you're not confident you can make at least the minimum payment every month. Ideally, you'll pay much more if you want to clear your balance before the intro APR period ends. Plus, even if Citi doesn't penalize you, a 30-day-late payment can still hurt your credit score and complicate your financial goals later.
As with several other balance transfer cards, you must trade the benefit of a lengthy APR offer on balance transfers for the drawback of not earning rewards on your purchases. Plus, like the Citi Diamond Preferred, this card has a relatively short intro APR on purchases, which isn't always bad but can be limiting if you want to finance an urgent purchase for a longer period.
Who this card is right for: We recommend this card if you worry about a missed payment leading to late fees or APR hikes, but only if you're confident that you can make your minimum payments outside of some extraordinary circumstance.
- Long intro APR offer on balance transfers
- No late fees
- $0 annual fee
- Identity theft protection and Citi Entertainment access
- No rewards program
- Foreign transaction fee
Apply now or learn more in our Citi Simplicity Card review.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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0%, 15 months
0%, 15 months
- Limited Time Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
While many of the best balance transfer credit cards don't offer rewards on your purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) is an outlier. It's one of our favorite choices if you want to earn valuable rewards and take advantage of an intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases. Though the Freedom Unlimited doesn't offer as long an intro APR period as some of the other cards on this list, the rewards are well-rounded and impressive overall (especially for a no-annual-fee card).
You could earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. Our editor, Ashley, has used this card for about five years. Since she loves dining out and ordering delivery, she regularly earns cash back, which she often redeems for gift cards and statement credits.
The Freedom Unlimited also offers other perks, such as purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancellation insurance, and an auto rental collision damage waiver when you pay for a rental car with your card. However, like the other cards on the list, it isn't ideal for making foreign purchases, as you'll incur a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Who this card is right for: If you're looking for something with a solid reward system and added protections that provide value long after the intro APR period ends, consider this Chase card.
- Welcome offer
- Well-rounded rewards structure
- Added protections
- Shorter intro APR period than some other cards
- Foreign transaction fee
Apply now or learn more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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0%, 15 months
0%, 15 months
- $0 annual fee, but still pays healthy bonus rewards
- Makes gas purchases more affordable
- Great welcome offer that you can earn with everyday spending
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is another excellent card for taking advantage of both everyday rewards and intro APR offers. With the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, you can earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on eligible purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout).
These bonus categories are quite different from what you'd get with the Chase Freedom Unlimited. We think most people would have no problem regularly earning elevated rewards since groceries and gas are common essentials. Plus, rewards for online retail purchases would come in handy when shopping for birthday and holiday gifts.
If you have a smaller amount of debt to transfer, say less than $10,000, going with a high-value rewards card that has intro APR offers could be a good way to work on paying down debt without opening a card you're not going to use a couple of years from now. Just make sure that you budget your repayments accordingly if you choose a card with a shorter intro period like this.
Additionally, this card stands out for its welcome offer, which adds extra value if you plan to make a major purchase or charge your everyday expenses to the card in the months after opening the account. New cardmembers can earn as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases 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).
Who this card is right for: We recommend this balance transfer card if you plan to spend enough to take advantage of the welcome offer and like the long-term benefit of earning elevated rewards on common purchases.
- Generous welcome offer
- Elevated rewards rate
- $0 annual fee
- Foreign transaction fees
- Amex isn't as widely accepted
Learn how to apply or read more in our Amex Blue Cash Everyday review.
Wells Fargo Reflect vs. Citi Diamond Preferred
The Wells Fargo Reflect and Citi Diamond Preferred aren't to be left out of any conversation about balance transfer cards, and they have enough in common that comparing them can be a little more complicated than comparing cards with more obvious differences. They have similar intro APR offers on balance transfers, benefits (and lack thereof), and even recommended credit scores.
Both are excellent choices for making a balance transfer, but it's not as if you can just get both.
Between the Wells Fargo Reflect and the Citi Diamond Preferred, the better choice for you depends on:
- The reason you're applying for a new credit card
- Your issuer preference (if you have one)
When the Wells Fargo Reflect might be better
- You need a longer intro APR period for new purchases
- You prefer Wells Fargo
If you need to avoid interest on new purchases, the Wells Fargo Reflect, with its longer intro APR on new purchases, is the better choice.
However, be really careful about spending a lot of money on any new card you open, but especially one you're using to make a balance transfer.
Remember that a balance transfer card inherits your old debt, so you don't have the luxury of starting from scratch. If you made a plan to repay your transferred debt before the intro APR period ends when opening the card (as you should), you also risk throwing off that plan by increasing the card's total balance.
Be smart, and remember that you can't avoid regular APRs forever.
When the Citi Diamond Preferred could be good for you
- You have excellent credit
- You prefer Citi
The Citi Diamond Preferred could be a slightly better choice if you have excellent credit because it has a potentially lower regular APR range than the Wells Fargo Reflect for the most qualified borrowers.
So you may be able to save on interest while chipping away at your debt after the intro APR period is up and the regular APR kicks in.
And with either of these cards, take the issuer's reputation into account. Reading customer reviews is a good place to start, but asking friends and family about their experiences with different issuers is even better. Maybe you know people who love their Wells Fargo credit cards, for example, and you value their recommendations. Maybe you're already a customer with one of these issuers.
Trust your gut, and compare not just the Wells Fargo Reflect and Citi Diamond Preferred but also Wells Fargo and Citi in general.
How much can you save with a balance transfer card?
A balance transfer credit card can make a big difference if you're carrying high-interest credit card debt. The example below shows how transferring a $5,000 balance from a card with a 22% APR to a 0% balance transfer card could lower your total payoff cost — even after accounting for a typical balance transfer fee.
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In this example, the balance transfer could save you nearly $900 in interest while helping you become debt-free sooner.
How to choose the best balance transfer card
Consider these factors when comparing credit cards to help you choose the right balance transfer card.
1. Credit score recommendations
You generally need at least good credit.
You typically need a FICO credit score of 670 or higher to qualify for the best balance transfer credit cards. Having good credit doesn't guarantee approval, but it helps (and could qualify you for lower regular APRs, which still matter).
But your score isn't the only factor that impacts your creditworthiness. Issuers often look at your total income, debt, and credit payment history as well.
2. Intro APR offers
Compare intro APR types, lengths, and fees.
To check if an intro APR offer is worth it, consider:
- Intro APR types: Cards may offer intro APRs on balance transfers, new purchases, or both. Consider which offer type you need.
- Intro APR periods: Anything under 12 months is shorter than average. The longest credit card balance transfer periods are typically 18 to 21 months.
- Balance transfer fees: These typically range from 3% to 5% and are added to your balance, so you don't want to forget them. Some cards offer introductory discounted fees.
3. Earning potential
Many of the best balance transfer cards don't earn rewards, but many rewards cards feature balance transfer offers.
Many balance transfer cards with the longest intro APR offer periods don't earn rewards.
However, you can find plenty of rewards cards that also provide intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers. Often, these have shorter intro APR periods (e.g., 15 months instead of 21).
Figure out how long you need to pay off your transferred debt to help yourself decide between longer intro APR periods and earning rewards.
4. Perks and benefits
Consider a card's ongoing value.
Available card benefits vary by issuer, so it's worth comparing cards to see if a valuable perk tips the scales in favor of one over another. Some specific benefits you might keep an eye out for include:
- Purchase protection
- Cell phone protection
- Extended warranty coverage
- Travel insurance
- Identity theft protection
Why making only the minimum payment can cost you thousands
Only paying the minimum due on your credit card might feel manageable month to month, but it can dramatically extend how long it takes to eliminate your debt. Because most of your payment goes toward interest rather than the principal, balances shrink slowly while interest continues to accumulate. The following graphic illustrates how expensive it can be to rely on minimum payments alone.
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This is exactly why some people with good credit look to balance transfer cards: moving high-interest debt to a card with a 0% introductory APR can give you time to pay down the principal faster without interest piling up.
FAQs
Do balance transfers hurt my credit score?
According to myFICO, a balance transfer can affect your credit score in a few ways. For example, it's possible for a balance transfer to hurt your credit score when you open a new credit card account. There's typically a hard inquiry when you apply for a new balance transfer card, which could have a small impact on your credit score.
Keeping a balance on your balance transfer credit card also increases your credit utilization, which is the ratio between your used credit and your available credit. Higher credit utilization may have a negative impact on your credit score.
Plus, if you don't make on-time payments after you've transferred the balance, you can face more severe credit damage, as well as potential costs like late fees and penalty APRs.
Is a credit card balance transfer a good idea?
Moving your credit card balance using a balance transfer from one card with a high APR to one with a 0% intro APR can be a good idea. But you should plan to pay off your balance during the 0% intro APR offer period. Additionally, for this strategy to make sense, you need to save more money on interest than the fee you pay for the balance transfer.
To learn more, check out our ultimate guide to balance transfers.
What is the downside of a balance transfer?
Some of the potential downsides of balance transfers include:
- You have to pay a balance transfer fee, which typically ranges from 3% to 5%.
- You could indirectly impact your credit score when you open a new credit card account or increase your credit utilization.
- Your APR increases after the introductory period, and the card issuer will charge you interest on your remaining balance.
- You typically need at least a good credit score to qualify for balance transfer credit cards.
Cards that didn't make our list
Some cards that didn't make our list but still provide long intro APR periods include:
Citi Double Cash® Card
On top of 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable) APR, you could also earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. Read our Citi Double Cash® Card(Rates and fees) review to learn more.
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Current Offer
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel
BankAmericard® credit card
This card offers 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 14.99% - 25.99% Variable APR). However, the BankAmericard only offers 60 days to transfer your balance from account opening. That's shorter than what many other cards offer. Read our BankAmericard® credit card review to learn more.
Bottom line
The best balance transfer cards for good credit tend to have lengthy intro APR offer periods of at least 15 months. That's why we recommend cards with lengthy intro APR periods, such as the Wells Fargo Reflect and Citi Diamond Preferred.
But we also see a case for cards that offer both intro APRs and long-term earning potential, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Amex Blue Cash Everyday. These cards provide a balanced approach to transferring balances and earning rewards on all your eligible purchases. However, choosing a card with the right rewards structure is also key.
For more info about balance transfer cards, including for other credit tiers, check out our list of the best balance transfer credit cards.
To select the best balance transfer credit cards for good credit, we evaluated cards offering strong introductory APR offers on balance transfers that are accessible to consumers with good credit scores (typically 670–739 FICO). We focused on the features most important to consumers looking to pay down existing debt while minimizing interest costs.
To learn more about how FinanceBuzz assigns star ratings to credit cards, check out our credit cards rating methodology.
How FinanceBuzz chose the best balance transfer cards for good credit
Intro Offer
Benefit from a long introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
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