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After years of inflation and rising living costs, Americans are feeling the financial squeeze, with many piling up credit card debt they can’t pay off. In fact, credit card defaults hit a 14-year high in 20241.
And that’s not the only worrying trend. Total U.S. credit card debt climbed to a record $1.17 trillion in the third quarter of 2024 — the highest level on record in Fed data going back to 20032 — and the average credit card debt per borrower is currently at a whopping $6,5803.
Do You Have Credit Card Debt of Your Own?
If you’re struggling to keep up with your expensive credit card payments, one of the smartest things you can do is cut back on how much you’re paying in interest with a balance transfer. The average APR for credit card users carrying a balance is 21.37%4.
But you could cut that rate to a 0% intro APR for at least a year using one of our top-rated cards.
Pay $0 in Interest For At Least a Year
Credit card interest adds up fast. It’s not uncommon for a large portion of your monthly payment to go toward interest, instead of paying off your balance and getting you out of debt. This can cause a seemingly minimal credit card balance to take years to pay off.
But when you use a balance-transfer card, you can consolidate your debt from another credit card — or even multiple credit cards — into one card with a long introductory period.
Here are some of our top-rated balance-transfer cards:
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card from our partner Citi offers 0% intro APR for 12 months on Purchases and 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers. After the introductory period, a 17.99% - 27.99% (Variable) APR will apply, so it’s best to pay down your balance within the introductory period. Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
0% On Balance Transfers For 21 Months
Savings: $839.78
Let’s use our average figures we mentioned above: The average APR is 21.37%, and the average credit card debt per borrower is $6,580. Hypothetically, if you decided to pay this amount of debt off over a year and half, your monthly payments would be $430.49, and you’d spend $1,168.78 on interest.
But if you complete a balance transfer with the Diamond Preferred Card, you would get a 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers after account opening – (after that a 16.99% - 27.74% (Variable) APR will apply). Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
With the same $430.49 monthly payment, you will pay off your balance in 16 months and only pay $329 for the balance-transfer fee.
In this scenario, you’d save a total of $839.78 by opting for a balance transfer.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and on qualifying balance transfers, then a 17.99%, 24.49%, or 28.74% Variable APR. This card comes with a 5%, min: $5 balance-transfer fee, and balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the introductory rate.
Incredibly Long Intro APR
Savings: $839.78
Using the same numbers from our example above, completing a balance transfer with the Reflect Card and paying off your balance of $6,580 with the same $430.49 monthly payment, you would pay off your balance in just over 15 months, pay $329 for the balance-transfer fee and save a total of $839.78.
In this example, you’ll pay a higher fee upfront, but you have the added flexibility of having three extra months to pay off your balance while you take advantage of the introductory rate. This card would be a good option if you don’t plan to pay off your credit card balance in full in 18 months.
Discover it® Chrome
The Discover it® Chrome offers a 0% Intro APR on purchases for 6 months and 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, followed by 17.99% - 26.99% Variable APR. This card comes with a 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*.
Long Intro APR on Balance Transfers
Savings: $971.38
Using the same numbers, completing a balance transfer with the Discover it Chrome and paying off your balance of $6,580 with the same $430.49 monthly payment, you would pay off your balance in just over 15 months, pay $197.40 for the balance-transfer fee and save a total of $971.38.
The Bottom Line
Balance-transfer cards are a smart way to cut your credit card interest to zero, giving you breathing room to pay down your balance and save some serious money in interest. See more details on these top balance transfer cards below.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
670 – 850*
View All Card DetailsAdvertiser 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 a balance transfer card then this option from Citi, an advertising partner, may be a good uncomplicated option. You will pay no annual fee and save money on interest with one of the longest intro APR periods currently available on balance transfers. The balance transfer fee is higher than many other cards we review so make sure to take that into consideration. Read our in-depth Review to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- 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 16.99% – 27.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- No Annual Fee – our low intro rates and all the benefits don’t come with a yearly charge.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
670 – 850*
View All Card DetailsAdvertiser 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 from Wells Fargo is a standout in both the Low APR and Balance Transfer categories. It offers a very generous intro APR period and you 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. Read our in-depth Review to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- 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. 17.99%, 24.49%, or 28.74% 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.
Discover it® Chrome
670 – 850*
Earn 1% Unlimited Cash Back On All Other Purchases – Automatically
View All Card DetailsAdvertiser 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
A solid choice for those who spend modestly (the 2% categories are capped at $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter) and are looking for a straight forward cash back credit card focused on gas and restaurants. The dollar-for-dollar match of the cash back you’ve earned your first year is a unique bonus opportunity. Read our in-depth Review to learn more.Card Details From Issuer
- 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.
- 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 17.99% to 26.99% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
1 Financial Times
2 The New York Federal Reserve
3 TransUnion, as of the third quarter of 2024
4 Federal Reserve, as of Q1, 2025
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.
