Credit Cards Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Best Balance Transfer Cards For Good Credit [2024]: Long Intro Periods Plus Added Perks

These cards offer longer-than-average promo periods, giving you more time to pay down high-interest debt, and typically require scores of 670 or higher.

A couple researching best balance transfer cards
Updated Dec. 6, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

The best balance transfer cards for good credit typically offer intro APR periods of 15 months or more, giving you more time to pay down debt without interest. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card(Rates and fees), Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card, and Citi Simplicity® Card top the list because their intro APR offers are some of the longest available.

However, those cards don’t earn rewards. If you want to strike a balance between using intro APR offers and earning rewards, I think the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is well worth considering.

Let’s dig into the details of each card to see which might be the best for you.

How we evaluate products

6 of the best balance transfer cards for good credit

Compare the best balance transfer cards for good credit

Card Great for Intro APR period for balance transfers Ongoing APR
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

4.9
info

Extra-long intro APR period 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

4.4
info

ID Theft Protection 21 months 17.49% - 28.24% (Variable)
Citi Simplicity® Card

Citi Simplicity® Card

4.5
info

No late fees 21 months 18.49% - 29.24% (Variable)
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

4.9
info

Cell phone protection 21 billing cycles 17.99% to 28.99% (Variable)
Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

4.7
info

Earning rewards 15 months 19.74% - 28.49% Variable
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

4.9
info

Generous welcome offer 15 months 18.49% - 29.49% (variable)

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Great for: Extra-long intro APR period

Card details:
  • Intro period on qualifying balance transfers: 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
  • Balance transfer fee: 5%, min: $5
  • APR: 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable
  • Annual fee: $0

Compared to other balance transfer cards, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers one of the longest intro APR periods on qualifying balance transfers as well as new purchases. This can give you plenty of time to pay off existing credit card debt before the intro APR period ends and your regular APR kicks in.

Plus, the Wells Fargo Reflect provides cell phone protection, which is a benefit not commonly found on other credit cards. You'll be eligible for up to $600 in cell phone protection when you pay for the cell phone with your card (subject to a $25 deductible). It also offers free monthly FICO score updates. However, the Wells Fargo Reflect doesn’t provide any rewards such as cash back, points, or miles for the purchases you make.

Pros
  • Extra-long intro APR offer on qualifying balance transfers
  • $0 annual fee
  • Cell phone protection
Cons
  • No rewards program
  • Foreign transaction fee

Apply now or learn more in our Wells Fargo Reflect review.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Great for: ID Theft Protection

Card details:
  • Intro period on balance transfers: 21 months
  • Balance transfer fee: 5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)
  • APR: 17.49% - 28.24% (Variable)
  • Annual fee: $0

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card also offers an extra-long 0% intro APR period on balance transfers: 21 months, then the regular APR kicks in at 17.49% - 28.24% (Variable). The 0% intro APR period on purchases is much shorter at 12 months (then the APR is 17.49% - 28.24% (Variable)).

The Diamond Preferred card also offers Mastercard ID Theft Protection if you enroll.

Just note that you can’t earn any rewards with the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card(Rates and fees). That means no cash back, points, or miles when making purchases.

Pros
  • Long intro APR offer on balance transfers
  • ID theft protection for no additional charge
  • Access to Citi Entertainment
Cons
  • No rewards program
  • Foreign transaction fee

Apply now or learn more in our Citi Diamond Preferred review.

Citi Simplicity® Card

Great for: No late fees

Card details:
  • Intro period on balance transfers: 21 months
  • Balance transfer fee: 3% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum) within 4 months of account opening; then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) after the 4 month intro period ends
  • APR: 18.49% - 29.24% (Variable)
  • Annual fee: $0

The Citi Simplicity® Card is a no-stress credit card with a long intro APR period. In addition, you don’t have to worry about late fees or a penalty APR rate.

Benefiting from the lengthy APR offer on balance transfers comes with the downside of not earning rewards on your purchases since the Citi Simplicity® Card(Rates and fees) has no rewards program.

Pros
  • Long intro APR offer on balance transfers
  • No late fees
  • $0 annual fee
Cons
  • No rewards program
  • Foreign transaction fee

Apply now or learn more in our Citi Simplicity Card review.

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Great for: Cell phone protection

Card details:
  • Intro period on balance transfers: 21 billing cycles
  • Balance transfer fee: 5% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
  • APR: 17.99% to 28.99% (Variable)
  • Annual fee: $0

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles for balance transfers (then 17.99% to 28.99% (Variable)). It also offers cell phone protection up to $600 when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card.

You can also access your credit score anytime when you enroll in the U.S. Bank Credit Score Program. However, you won’t earn any rewards with this card.

Pros
  • Extra-long intro APR offer on balance transfers
  • Free credit score access
  • Cell phone protection
Cons
  • No rewards program
  • Foreign transaction fee
  • Late payment fee of up to $41

Learn more in our U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Great for: Earning rewards

Card details:
    • Intro period on balance transfers: 15 months
    • Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
    • APR: 19.74% - 28.49% Variable}
    • Annual fee: $0

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is my favorite choice if you want to earn valuable rewards and take advantage of intro APR offers. Though the Freedom Unlimited doesn’t offer as long an intro APR period as some of the other cards on this list, I get so much value out of the rewards you can earn, especially since rewards are unlimited and you can redeem them in so many different ways. You earn 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

New cardmembers can also earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

The Freedom Unlimited offers purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancellation insurance, and an auto rental collision damage waiver when you pay for a rental car with your card. However, like the other cards on the list, this isn’t the best card for making foreign purchases, as you have to pay a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Pros
  • Welcome offer
  • Earns rewards on your purchases
  • Added protections
Cons
  • No rewards program
  • Intro APR period isn’t as long as some other cards
  • Foreign transaction fee

Apply now or learn more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Great for: Generous welcome offer

Card details:
    • Intro period on balance transfers: 15 months
    • Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3%, whichever is greater
    • APR: 18.49% - 29.49% (variable)}
    • Annual fee: $0

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is an excellent card for taking advantage of everyday rewards and intro APR offers.

You can also earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases.

New cardmembers can also earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.

Pros
  • Generous welcome offer
  • Elevated rewards rate
  • $0 annual fee
Cons
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Amex isn't as widely accepted as other cards

Learn how to apply or read more in our Amex Blue Cash Everyday review.

How to choose the best balance transfer card

Consider these factors when you’re comparing credit cards to help you choose the right balance transfer card for you.

1. Credit score recommendations

You typically need at least a good credit score to qualify for any of the cards on this list. That means having a 670 or higher FICO score.

Keep in mind that your credit score is only one factor that credit card issuers take into account when determining your creditworthiness. They tend to also look at your total income, debt, and credit payment history. A good credit score does not mean you’ll be approved, but it could help.

2. Intro APR offers

When determining whether an intro APR offer on balance transfers is good, consider the intro APR rate, intro APR period, and balance transfer fee.

  • Intro APR rate: The best rate is 0%, which means you won’t pay interest for the length of the intro APR period.
  • Intro APR period: Anything under 12 months is shorter than average, while anything above is longer than average. The longest credit card balance transfer periods are typically 18 to 21 months.
  • Balance transfer fees: The average balance transfer fee ranges from 3% to 5%. To help save money, try to get a 3% or lower fee. Also remember to check whether the balance transfer fee is introductory or not.

Keep in mind
The time a balance transfer takes varies by card issuer and could range from a few days to a few weeks. Remember to factor this variable amount of time into your plans if you want to do a balance transfer.

3. Annual fees

If I’m planning to do a balance transfer to help pay down a credit card balance, I look for cards without an annual fee. After all, I’m trying to save money, not add to existing debt. Most balance transfer cards don’t charge this fee, but it’s still a good idea to check.

4. Earning potential

Many of the best balance transfer cards don’t earn rewards, but these cards tend to have the longest intro APR offer periods.

However, you can find plenty of rewards cards that also provide intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers. The difference is that these intro APR offer periods tend to be shorter.

There’s no right or wrong answer for which type of card to go with as it depends on your specific situation and preferences. I prefer having the balance of both intro APR offers and rewards since you could still be earning rewards on a card long after you’ve taken advantage of an intro APR offer.

5. Perks and benefits

Available card benefits vary by card issuer, so it’s worth comparing different cards to see if there’s a valuable perk to tip the scales in favor of one card over another. Some specific benefits you might keep an eye out for include:

  • Purchase protection
  • Cell phone protection
  • Extended warranty coverage
  • Travel insurance

FAQs

Do balance transfers hurt my credit score?

A balance transfer typically won’t affect your credit score. However, it’s possible for a balance transfer to hurt your credit score when you open a new credit card account. There’s typically a hard inquiry when you apply for a new balance transfer card, which could have a small impact on your credit score.

Keeping a balance on your balance transfer credit card also increases your credit utilization, which is the ratio between your used credit and your available credit. Higher credit utilization may have a negative impact on your credit score.

Is a credit card balance transfer a good idea?

Moving your credit card balance using a balance transfer from one card with a high APR to one with a 0% intro APR can be a good idea. But you should plan to pay off your balance during the 0% intro APR offer period. Additionally, for this strategy to make sense, you need to save more money on interest than the fee you pay for the balance transfer.

To learn more, check out our ultimate guide to balance transfers.

What is the downside of a balance transfer?

Some of the potential downsides of balance transfers include:

  • You have to pay a balance transfer fee, which typically ranges from 3% to 5%.
  • You could indirectly impact your credit score when you open a new credit card account or increase your credit utilization.
  • Your APR increases after the introductory period, and the card issuer will charge you interest on your remaining balance.
  • You typically need at least a good credit score to qualify for balance transfer credit cards.

Cards that didn’t make our list

Some cards that didn’t make our list but still provide long intro APR periods include:

  • BankAmericard® credit card: This card offers 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 15.49% - 25.49% Variable APR). However, the BankAmericard only offers 60 days to transfer your balance from account opening. That’s shorter than what many other cards offer. Read our review to learn more.
  • Citi Double Cash® Card: On top of 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable) APR, you could also earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. Read our review to learn more.

Bottom line

The best balance transfer cards tend to have long intro APR offer periods that last at least 15 months. That’s why I recommend cards with lengthy intro APR periods, such as the Wells Fargo Reflect and Citi Diamond Preferred.

But I also think there’s a case for cards that provide both intro APR offers and earning potential, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited. With these cards, you get a balanced approach to transferring balances and earning rewards on all your eligible purchases.

For more info about balance transfer cards, including for other credit tiers, check out our list of the best balance transfer credit cards.

Extra Long Intro APR on Purchases & Qualifying Balance Transfers

4.9
info

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Current Offer

Benefit from a long introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Annual Fee

$0

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

Author Details

Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®

Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®, is credit cards specialist. For over a decade, he's leveraged credit card points and miles to travel the world. His expertise extends to other areas of personal finance — including loans, insurance, investing, and real estate — and you can find his insights on The Washington Post, Debt.com, Yahoo! Finance, and Fox Business.

Author Details

Mary Beth Eastman

Mary Beth Eastman is a personal finance writer and editor specializing in credit cards, loans, banking, and real estate. She’s been published by major national brands, including Bankrate, U.S. News & World Report, and Newsweek Vault, among others. Previously, she worked as an award-winning copy editor and newspaper designer for daily news outlets in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio.