How To Do A Balance Transfer With Discover

Doing a balance transfer with Discover is as easy as requesting one through your online account, the mobile app, or over the phone. If you don’t yet have a Discover credit card, you can also request a balance transfer during the card application process.

We think a balance transfer could make a lot of sense if you have high-interest debt that you want to pay off, and we like that most Discover cards have balance transfer offers.

Let’s explore how to do a balance transfer with Discover to see which method might make the most sense for you.

Key takeaways

• Many Discover credit cards provide balance transfer offers. Some of our favorites include the Discover it^® Balance Transfer, Discover it^® Cash Back, and Discover it^® Chrome.
• We think the easiest ways to request a Discover credit card balance transfer are through your online account or the mobile app. However, you can also call Discover or request a balance transfer during the card application process.
• Keep in mind that all Discover cards with balance transfer offers charge balance transfer fees, which typically range from 3% to 5% of the amount being transferred.
• Your Discover account must be open for at least 14 days before a balance transfer request can be processed. After this initial waiting period, most balance transfers are processed within four days.

How to do a balance transfer with Discover

The primary methods of transferring a balance with Discover include requesting one during a new card application, through your online account or mobile app, or over the phone. Overall, it’s an easy process that might not take you more than a few minutes to complete.

Apply for a new card

If you want to apply for a Discover credit card with a balance transfer offer, compare Discover credit cards to see which card makes the most sense for you. Then go through the online application process.

Fortunately, most Discover cards have balance transfer offers, so choosing the best option comes down to your personal preferences and financial goals. For example, credit cards are often divided into different categories, such as “cash back,” “travel,” and “student” cards. With Discover, you have multiple categories to choose from.

For the online application process, it’s as simple as finding the card you want to apply for, clicking “Apply Now,” and filling out the application. You typically need some personal information on hand, including your Social Security number and total gross income.

Request a Discover balance transfer online

1. Log in to your online account at Discover.com.
2. Select the “Card Services” dropdown menu and click “Balance Transfers.”

3. You can see any available offers here. If you’re not a new cardholder, you might not have any available offers.

4. You can click on an available offer to start the balance transfer request process.

Keep in mind that most Discover balance transfers are processed within four days as long as your Discover card account has been open for at least 14 days.

Request a Discover balance transfer using the mobile app

1. Open the Discover mobile app and log in to your account.
2. Select the “Services” tab at the bottom.

3. Choose the “Balance Transfer” option.

4. You can see available offers here. If you’re an existing cardholder (didn’t just open a new card), you might not have any available offers.

5. If there are available offers, you can click on an offer and start the balance transfer request process.

Note that we used an iOS device (iPhone) to access the Discover app. The layout could look slightly different on an Android device.

Request a Discover balance transfer by phone

1. Call Discover at 1-800-347-2683.
2. Follow the prompts to reach an account manager or customer service representative. If asked what you’re calling about, you can say, “Request a balance transfer.”
3. Let the representative know you want to request a balance transfer and follow their instructions to start the process.

Which Discover cards have balance transfer offers?

Most Discover credit cards have balance transfer offers. Here are some of our recommendations if you want to transfer a balance.

Card	Balance transfer intro APR	Balance transfer fee	Annual fee
Discover it® Balance Transfer 4.6 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	See terms	3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*	$0
Discover it® Cash Back 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 18.74% - 27.74% Variable)	3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*	$0
Discover it® Chrome 4.2 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers (then 18.74% - 27.74% Variable)	3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*	$0
Discover it® Miles 4.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 18.74% - 27.74% Variable)	3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*	$0

FAQs

Discover balance transfers: bottom line

You can initiate a Discover balance transfer through your online account, with the mobile app, or over the phone with Discover customer service. There’s also an option to initiate a balance transfer during the application process for a new Discover credit card.

If you’re an existing Discover cardholder, check your online account to see if you have any available balance transfer offers.

We like how most Discover cards have balance transfer offers. If you want to consider more options, check out our list of the best balance transfer cards.

Earn Easy Cash Back on Gas & Restaurants

Discover it^® Chrome

4.2

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Discover it^® Chrome

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Excellent welcome offer
• Elevated rates in common spending categories
• Useful redemption options

Drawbacks

• Low quarterly earnings cap compared to other cards
• Limited acceptance abroad

Card Details

• INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. 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. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
• Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Then 18.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
• Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
• Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
• No annual fee.
• Terms and conditions apply.