Hands Down the Best Balance Transfer Card
The Discover it® Balance Transfer card offers 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter (terms apply).
Apply NowThe 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 16.99% - 27.99% Variable APR
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of 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 16.99% - 27.99% 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.
Discover it® Balance Transfer
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
This card offers a rare combination of excellent cash back benefits and a very generous intro APR on balance transfers. Discover also matches all of the cash back you have earned at the end of your first year and charges no annual fee.Card Details From Issuer
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – 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. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- 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.
- Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem.
- No annual fee.
- Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
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.
Great for Balance Transfers and 2% Cash Back
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
If you are looking for an easy to understand, flat rate, cash back credit card that pays an above-average rate of 2% (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay), then this is a fantastic option for you. If you are looking for additional savings you can get immediate relief from interest payments on your existing high-interest credit card debt by transferring those balance(s) and accepting the 18-month 0% APR balance transfer offer terms. There is a reasonable balance transfer fee and the ongoing APR of 18.99% – 28.99% (Variable) will apply after the introductory rate is up after 18 months. Even with the higher than average cash back rate, this card does not charge an annual fee.
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
If you are looking for an easy to understand, flat rate, cash back credit card that pays an above-average rate of 2% (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay), then this card from Citi (an advertising partner) is a fantastic option for you. There is also a compelling balance transfer intro APR offer. Read our in-depth Critical Analysis to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- 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.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.99% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- 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).
Generous Bonus & A Very Long Intro APR
Apply Now
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
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 17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR will apply.
Advertiser Disclosure
At CardCritics, it is our goal to provide you with information to help you make educated choices about credit cards. We have not reviewed all available products and offers but are confident that we are providing the information you need to make a sound decision.
The products featured on our site are from our partners which is how we make money. The financial compensation we receive may impact where and how cards appear on our site, but it does not impact our critical analysis. All opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed on our site are those of the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
Critics' Overview
This is a great travel card for those who don’t want to pay an annual fee, are looking for a straightforward way to earn and redeem their rewards and want to save money with a really long intro APR. You’ll earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases and can easily earn 25,000 online bonus points (redeemable for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases) when you spend at least $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.Card Details From Issuer
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don’t expire.
- 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.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – you’re not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Introductory APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 17.99% – 27.99% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
- If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
As you can see, it is a great time to be in the market for a new credit card. Issuers are really stepping up their game and offering incredible perks to win your business. If you have good to excellent credit in the 670 – 850* range and have not recently applied for a new credit card then you should definitely apply for one of these stand out options today.
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.