Do you have credit card debt? Are you thinking about ways to pay it off? Do you think you can pay a credit card with another one, such as through balance transfer credit card offers no fee? Generally, it isn’t possible as the majority of banks won’t allow consumers to do that.
The only acceptable payment methods are electronic bank transfers, money orders, or payments via check. Is there a solution? If you own a balance transfer card, you might have an option to conduct this payment as this is the only available loophole.
However, it’s a slippery slope and financial experts don’t recommend consumers do this trick. It can be really a dangerous solution if you get rid of debt in one place but accumulate it in another. This act can cause the debt cycle and make it even more unmanageable to pay off. As a result, your rating and general financial health will suffer significantly.
Can I Transfer Money from a Credit Card Bill to Another Credit Card?
Every consumer has a chance to pay down their bill with balance transfers or a cash advance. These are the two available options to choose from. With the first option, you are basically transferring your existing balance between two cards.
The main purpose is to consolidate current high-interest debt with a low-interest solution. In fact, many service providers have special offers for balance transfers to encourage consumers to open new lending tools with their companies.
You might be offered a 0% introductory APR for the period of 6 to 15 months. Hence, it may be a reasonable solution for borrowers who want to repay their debt within this promotional window. In case your debt is too big and you understand this time frame won’t be enough to get rid of debt, it won’t be the best choice.
How Can I Pay My Credit Card Balance with Another Credit Card?
It’s necessary to consider the fees for this transfer as they can sometimes go up to 5 percent of the total amount you transfer. Also, make certain you check the interest that will be charged once the promotional period finishes.
Besides, this transfer can impact your rating so you should check all the details and nuances before you consider this option. You need to pay the balance in full each month to avoid problems with your rating. Here is how you can pay your balance using another card:
- Review your current debt. Determine how much interest rates you need to pay on any balances right now.
- Define your financial goals. Are you willing to repay your present debt faster? You need to make choice between one credit card with a limited-time promotional 0% APR offer and a card with a lower ongoing rate.
- Make certain you select the offer with enough time frame to wipe your debt out or make a serious dent in it.
- Calculate the total cost of any fees when you decide which lending tool is preferable for you.
- Request the balance transfer during the quick online application process. Mention your account number where you need to transfer existing debt so that you don’t accidentally open a new card.
Read More: How Do Credit Cards Work?
What Is a Cash Advance?
It isn’t possible to pay your bill using a cash advance or other lending tools without any fees at all. You shouldn’t rely on this crediting option if you are willing to carry debt more easily or get more rewards. What is a cash advance? This is another process of getting rid of your current debt. You may use this option for paying the debt indirectly.
A cash advance, in this case, is when you get cash at any ATM with the help of another card. It may be beneficial if you can’t wait to pay the debt off and urgently need additional money.
However, there are downsides to this solution as well. It can be really inefficient and expensive for the consumer. Most clients prefer balance transfers instead of a cash advance as the promotional period makes it a more affordable option.
How Does Paying a Credit Card with a Cash Advance Work?
Paying your debt with a cash advance is considered to be the least favorable solution as it costs more money. It can be really expensive to use this option if you remove the funds from your card at the nearest ATM.
The borrower is later responsible for depositing this sum in their bank account to repay their card balance. Why is this option not suitable if your debt is large or your rating is less-than-stellar? Cash advances are usually accompanied by higher interest rates and high finance charges.
As a result, the borrower will have to return even more funds. It’s necessary to admit that the interest will start accruing the day a client removes the cash and not at the end of the billing cycle, as with regular card purchases. In other words, a grace period or promotional period with a zero percent APR doesn’t exist so this option may not suit your financial needs.
Read More: Credit Card Cash Advance Definition and How It Works
What Is a Balance Transfer?
This can be a suitable way of consolidating your current debt. A balance transfer is a process of transferring your existing debt from one card to another. The second crediting tool usually offers a lower interest rate and often an introductory 0% APR which is favorable for most consumers.
This is the only option when banks allow clients to repay existing balances using a second lending tool. The main benefit of this solution is to save your funds by transferring the balance with higher interest to the one with no interest during a promotional period. If you can afford to repay the debt within this period, you will save a lot in interest.
How to Do a Balance Transfer?
For some people and in particular, situations, using a cash advance or a transfer between your cards may be a suitable option. If your rating is good enough, and you are certain that you will afford to repay the debt within the promotional period, you may take advantage of this solution.
The benefits include lower APR and interest together with the ability to manage a single balance. If you want to save money on interest rates, you may transfer your debt from the lending tool with a higher APR to the one with a lower APR. More than that, it’s much easier to handle one account as opposed to several ones and manage a single payment until you pay the debt off.
5 Best Balance Transfer Cards 120
With a special card for a balance transfer, you can easily consolidate your current debt with higher interest into the one with much lower interest or zero interest at all during the promotional period.
Many service providers offer special deals to invite consumers to open lending tools with their companies. You may be offered from 6 to 15 months with a 0% introductory APR which is certainly convenient and allows you to repay the debt faster.
It can be an excellent decision if you consider you have enough means to repay your debt within this promotional window and save money. Here are the best cards and special offers for you to select from.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card 100
This is one of the best offers for balance transfers if you want to get rid of your present debt. It offers a 0% introductory APR for up to 21 months from account opening on any transfers and purchases.
This is really attractive for consumers with a fair and good rating of at least 690 on the FICO scale. There is no annual fee you may also get up to $600 of cell phone protection when you pay your monthly bill with this lending tool. The main benefits are a 0% annual fee and an intro APR period for up to 21 months.
BankAmericard Credit Card
This lending option allows clients to obtain a $100 online bonus offer and save on interest by getting a zero percent intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any transfers and purchases made in the first 60 days of opening the consumer’s account.
Once this promotional period finishes, you will have to pay from 13.74% to 23.74% in interest. All transfers contain a 3% fee or a minimum of $10. The main benefits are the intro APR period of 18 months, no annual fee, plus a new cardholder bonus offer.
Discover It Balance Transfer
This is one of the most attractive options as it offers not only an intro period but also an opportunity to get cashback. You may earn 5% cash back on your daily purchases at restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations.
Also, consumers may get 1% cash back automatically on all other purchases. The app can be activated free of charge to remove your personal data from chosen websites. The main benefits are cash rewards and special bonus categories, an intro APR period, as well as no annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Another suitable lending option is offered by this company. There is no annual fee while clients may also earn multiple perks including flexible redemption options and valuable rewards. The card offers an intro APR period for up to 15 months.
Also, you can get a signup bonus and earn $200 after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. The main benefits are no annual fee and zero APR intro period for 15 months while also a $200 bonus for sign-up and a 5% gas station cashback offer. Cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card
The U.S. Bank offers a special lending option for consumers who want to get a generous promotional period of up to 2 years. This is the most attractive offer but it doesn’t provide certain perks and bonuses compared to the previous products.
There is a zero percent intro APR on transfers and purchases for 20 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR is 15.24% to 25.24%. The clients may obtain up to $600 protection on their mobile phones against theft or damage if they pay their monthly bills with this lending tool. The main benefits are no annual fee, mobile phone insurance, and a generous intro APR period.
What to Consider Before Paying a Credit Card Balance with a Credit Card
Firstly, you should consider a balance transfer fee. It may range from 3% to 5% depending on the service provider and the sum being transferred. For instance, if you want to transfer $10,000 to another crediting tool with a 0% APR but a 3% transfer fee, you will end up paying an extra $300 and your debt will increase.
Also, the bank won’t allow you to use another lending tool to pay off existing debt. Even if you find an offer with a 0% intro APR, you need to remember that this period will finish and the interest will accumulate if the debt won’t be repaid by that time.
Moreover, the rating of the client matters. If you don’t have an excellent rating and fail to return the debt on time, it may affect your score and damage it.
Pros of Paying a Credit Card Bill with a Credit Card
Debt Consolidation
It’s a suitable solution to merge your balances into a single card to consolidate your existing debt. It will help you remove the multiple payments and allow you to make a single monthly payment.
The 0% Interest Offer
This is an attractive offer that many service providers provide to consumers to encourage them open new cards with them. You can enjoy the 0% intro APR offer for several months or even years depending on the issuer or bank you choose. It means your payments will go entirely toward the principal balance repayment during this time.
Lower Credit Utilization
Assuming the client doesn’t incur more debt, their utilization rate will decrease as they keep on making regular monthly payments.
Cons of Paying a Credit Card Balance with a Credit Card
Ongoing APR
In case the debt cannot be repaid within the 0% intro period, the debt that remains will have to be paid with a variable interest that can be even higher.
Fee for a Balance Transfer
Most service providers will charge a fee of 3% to 5% depending on the sum you want to transfer. This finance charge is calculated as a percentage of the amount you transfer between your cards. Make sure you check the details at your bank or issuer.
Credit Pulls
The formulas for rating scoring consider recent applications for new lending products. Your rating won’t be lowered much if you open a single new account, but if you apply for numerous credit lines and open several accounts, such frequent inquiries may decrease your score.
When Should I Say My Credit Card Balance? 140
Most cardholders believe the best way to return debt is to pay on the due date each month. As long as you make on-time and regular payments, your rating won’t get hurt and you won’t experience issues.
However, in some cases, it’s even better to pay the balance earlier as it gets reported to the reporting agencies and may have a direct effect on your rating. This is a quick overview of the billing cycle to help you understand the effects of paying the balance early:
The Statement Date
The issuer compiles the activity on your account and creates a statement once a month. It can also be called the closing date. Any information or activity after this date will go on the next statement. This document will demonstrate the statement balance, which is calculated by taking the balance at the beginning of each cycle.
The Due Date
This is the date when you have to pay at least the minimum sum due. This date is typically about three weeks after the statement due. If you forget to repay the balance by this date, you may end up paying late charges.
The Reporting Date
This is the date when the service provider reports the balance on your account to the reporting agencies. Unlike the previous two dates, the reporting date isn’t mentioned on your bill. This date often happens about the time of the statement date but it can also be any time during each month.
Can You Pay a Credit Card Bill with a Credit Card to Get Points?
In order to avoid negative impacts on your rating, it’s better to make at least the minimum monthly payment on your account each month. Sometimes, consumers choose a balance transfer option or a cash advance if they can’t afford to pay the debt off. Unless you get a 0% APR offer, you will face interest rates and expensive fees.
Another drawback of using balance transfer cards for debt repayment or debt consolidation is that you won’t be able to use your points or get rewards. Such lending options and transfers aren’t eligible for rewards, points, or bonuses.
Thus, you won’t earn any points, cash back, or miles if you opt for this solution. On the other hand, you may earn rewards and points by paying other bills, such as your utility bills or mortgage.
Sources Used in Research for the Article:
- Payday Loans and Cash Advance, Federal Trade Commission, https://consumer.gov/credit-loans-debt/payday-loans-cash-advances
- Credit Cards Key Terms, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-cards/answers/key-terms/
- Credit Cards, FDIC, https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news/2021-11.html