Hands Down the Best Balance Transfer Card


Critics’ Tip

“Credit card welcome bonuses and introductory offers change regularly. If you see something you like we suggest applying today.”

The Discover it® Balance Transfer card is the most well-rounded balance transfer card we review as it not only offers an incredibly long intro APR on balance transfers but also offers incredible cash back rewards.

  • $0 Annual Fee
  • 0% Intro APR on purchases for 6 months and 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, followed by 16.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
  • INTRO OFFER: Your cash back is matched your first year
  • Ongoing cash back rewards
  • Apply Now

Generous Introductory APR

Getting approved for the Discover it® Balance Transfer card means you’ll get a 0% Intro APR on purchases for 6 months and 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, followed by 16.49% - 27.49% Variable APR. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% that goes up to 5% on future balance transfers (see terms), but this fee is usually worth it if you’re currently carrying a balance on another card that charges interest. 

Earn 5% Cash Back

You’ll earn a generous 5% back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations (up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter, then you earn 1%). You do have to activate the 5% categories each quarter, but they make it easy to do so online or over the phone. You will earn 1% back on all of your other purchases. 

Unlimited Cashback Match

Discover’s unique cash back bonus can really add up to a big payout at the end of your first year. All of the cash back you’ve earned in that first year is matched. There are no minimums or hoops to jump through to earn this bonus. It’s easy and can be very lucrative if you use your card regularly and take advantage of the 5% categories.

Additional Benefits

Discover rounds out its benefits with quite a few additional perks for their cardholders. Free credit scores, no foreign transaction fees, free social security number monitoring and over 100 card designs to choose from are just a few. It is hard to believe with all of the amazing benefits we have outlined but there is no annual fee for this card. Select ‘Apply Now‘ to view all the additional benefits this card has to offer. 

This is our top pick for balance transfers & cash back.

If you are interested we suggest applying today.

Discover it® Balance Transfer

On Discover’s secure site

Rates and Fees

Other Balance Transfer Options

We think the Discover it® Balance Transfer card is tough to beat but we have rounded up some other options from our partners that may appeal to you as well.


Generous Bonus & A Very Long Intro APR

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America®’s secure site

  • 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
  • Long Intro APR Offer
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
  • Recommended Credit Score: Excellent/Good (670 – 850*)
View All Card Details

If you prefer a $0 annual fee card that will help you earn points towards travel and dining purchases then this card is likely your top option. With the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card you will earn a straightforward, unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. You can also earn a 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. These bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases. Unlike most travel cards this option also offers an incredibly generous intro APR. It offers 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends a 17.49% – 27.49% Variable APR will apply.


Up to 21 Months of 0% APR

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

On Wells Fargo’s secure site

Rates and Fees

  • No Annual Fee
  • Intro APR Offer 
  • Recommended Credit Score: Excellent/Good (670 – 850*)
View All Card Details

If you are willing to give up cash back rewards in return for a longer intro APR then the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is our top-pick for you. It offers a 0% intro APR for up to 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then 17.74% – 29.74% variable APR. You will start with 18 months of 0% intro APR and can get an extension of up to 3 months with on-time minimum payments during the intro period. There is a 3% balance transfer fee for 120 days from account opening ($5 minimum). That fee then goes up to 5% after the 120 days so we suggest you make your transfer happen before the 120 days are up. If you are accruing interest charges each month on another card (or cards) the transfer fee is likely worth the expense especially if you plan to pay the balance off before the 0% intro period is over. You can also get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with this card.

Discover it® Balance Transfer

Discover it® Balance Transfer

On Discover’s secure site

Rates and Fees

  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter (terms apply)
  • Intro APR Offer 
  • Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
  • Recommended Credit Score: Excellent/Good (670 – 850*)
View All Card Details

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.