Credit cards have notoriously excessive rates of interest, so carrying a stability may be pricey. Nonetheless, some playing cards provide a path to paying off debt faster with an introductory 0% APR period. These playing cards provide no curiosity for as much as 21 months, which might greater than offset any stability switch charges.

Beneath, CNBC Select critiques the perfect stability switch playing cards and we share what you’ll want to learn about utilizing a stability switch card (see our methodology for data on how we selected these playing cards).

Who’s this for: The Citi Simplicity® Card has a beneficiant 0% APR interval for stability transfers and a decrease stability switch price than different choices.

Steadiness switch provide: If you switch a stability to the Citi Simplicity card throughout the first 4 months from account opening, you will obtain an intro 0% APR on that stability for 21 months. Then a variable 19.24% to 29.99% APR applies. An intro stability switch price of three% of the quantity you switch ($5 minimal) applies to transfers you make within the first 4 months, after {that a} price of 5% of the quantity you switch applies ($5 minimal). The intro price is decrease than the balance transfer fee for some playing cards with an analogous 0%-APR timeframe such because the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card.

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Who’s this for: The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has one of many longest introductory 0% APR intervals for purchases and stability transfers.

Steadiness switch provide: Steadiness transfers you make inside 120 days of account opening qualify for a 0% intro APR for 21 months, after {that a} variable 18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99% APR applies. The balance transfer fee is 5% of every switch with a $5 minimal.

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Who’s this card for: The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is a superb choice for these with good or glorious credit score looking for an extended introductory 0% APR interval.

Steadiness switch provide: You will get 0% intro APR for 21 months on stability transfers from the date of the primary switch (18.24% to twenty-eight.99% variable APR afterward). There’s a stability switch price of $5 or 5% of the switch quantity, whichever is bigger.

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Who’s this for: The Discover it® Chrome is a perfect Discover credit card for transferring bank card balances.

Steadiness switch provide: You will get 18 months of a 0% intro APR on eligible stability transfers with the Discover it® Chrome. For purchases, you will get an intro 0% APR for six months. After the 0% intro APR provides expire, a variable 18.24% to twenty-eight.24% APR applies. The cardboard has a 3% intro stability switch price of as much as 5% price on future stability transfers (see phrases)*.

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Who’s this for: The Citi Double Cash® Card is likely one of the best cash-back cards, on prime of that includes a beneficiant stability switch provide.

Steadiness switch provide: With the Citi Double Cash Card, you possibly can get pleasure from a 0% intro APR for the primary 18 months on stability transfers you full within the first 4 months of account opening. After the intro APR expires, a variable 19.24% to 29.24% APR applies. There’s an intro stability switch price of three% of every transfer ($5 minimal) throughout the first 4 months, then the stability switch price will increase to five% of any quantity you switch ($5 minimal).

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Who’s this for: The Chase Slate Edge℠ provides introductory 0% APR timeframes for stability transfers and purchases.

Steadiness switch provide: With the Chase Slate Edge, you will obtain an intro 0% APR for 18 months on eligible stability transfers, then a variable 20.49% to 29.24% APR applies. An intro stability switch price of three% of the quantity transferred ($5 minimal) applies to transfers you make within the first 60 days. After that, the stability switch price is 5% of the quantity transferred ($5 minimal).

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Who’s this for: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a wonderful cash-back card to think about if you wish to earn rewards whereas paying down your bank card debt.

Steadiness switch provide: Chase Freedom Unlimited® cardmembers can switch balances and obtain an intro 0% APR for the primary 15 months, then a variable 20.49% to 29.24% APR applies. An intro stability switch price of three% of the quantity you switch ($5 minimal) applies for the primary 60 days. After that, the stability switch price will increase to five% of the quantity you switch ($5 minimal).

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Who’s this for: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is efficacious due to its intro APR provide however even with out that, it stands out as a top-notch cash-back card.

Steadiness switch provide: You’ll be able to switch balances within the first 120 days from opening the account and obtain a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying stability transfers (after that, a 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR applies). Steadiness transfers made throughout the first 120 days qualify for an intro switch price of three% of the quantity transferred, after that, a 5% price of the quantity you switch applies ($5 minimal).

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Who’s this for: The Discover it® Cash Back has an exceptionally rewarding intro bonus provide, which makes it a priceless choice for anybody who desires to make the most of an intro-APR deal.

Steadiness switch provide: With a brand new Discover it Cash Back card, you will get a 0% intro APR on stability transfers for 15 months, after {that a} variable APR of 18.24% to twenty-eight.24% applies. There’s a 3% intro stability price and as much as a 5% price on future stability transfers (see phrases).

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Who’s this for: The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a superb match for those who’re seeking to switch a stability and need a strong return on everyday purchases.

Steadiness switch provide: You will get an intro 0% APR on stability transfers for 15 months with the Capital One Quicksilver Credit Card. After the intro-APR provide ends, the usual variable APR of 19.99% to 29.99% applies. There’s an intro stability switch price of three% of every switch you full within the first 15 months from account opening. After that, there’s a stability switch price of 4% of the quantity you switch at a promotional APR that Capital One could give you at another time.

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Who’s this for: The Chase Freedom Flex® provides a excessive return in rotating bonus categories to go together with its intro 0% APR provide.

Steadiness switch provide: Chase Freedom Flex card holders can switch balances and make the most of an intro 0% APR for 15 months, then a variable 20.49% to 29.24% APR applies. This card’s intro stability switch price is 3% of the quantity you switch ($5 minimal) throughout the first 60 days of account opening. Afterward, the stability switch price is 5% of the quantity you switch ($5 minimal).

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Examine financial savings accounts

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is likely one of the greatest choices if you wish to lower your expenses on bank card curiosity and never pay an annual price.

Rewards

None

Welcome bonus

None

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

If you pay your month-to-month mobile phone invoice along with your Wells Fargo Reflect card, you will qualify for cell phone insurance. This safety will reimburse you as much as $600 per declare with a $25 deductible. You’re restricted to 2 claims per 12 months.

This card’s intro 0% APR for purchases lasts for 21 months with a variable 18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99% APR after that.

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The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card provides an extended introductory interest-free interval for qualifying stability transfers and purchases, however sadly, does not earn rewards.

Rewards

None

Welcome bonus

None

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

On prime of this card’s intro 0% APR for stability switch for 21 months, this card additionally provides an intro 0% APR for purchases that lasts for 12 months each with a variable 18.24% to twenty-eight.99% APR after that. You will have entry to free access to your FICO Scores and entry to particular occasions and experiences out there by Citi Entertainment.

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The Discover it® Chrome is a no-annual-fee cash-back card that may enable you to pay much less curiosity on bank card debt and new purchases.

Rewards

• 2% money again at gasoline stations and eating places on as much as $1,000 in mixed purchases every quarter, then 1% money again
• 1% money again on all different purchases

Welcome bonus

Uncover will match the money again you earn on the finish of your first 12 months.

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

On new purchases, you will obtain a 0% intro APR for six months, then an 18.24% to twenty-eight.24% variable APR applies. Nonetheless, for eligible stability transfers the intro-0%-APR interval lasts for 18 months, after that the identical 18.24% to twenty-eight.24% variable APR applies. There’s additionally an intro stability switch price of three% and a stability switch price of as much as 5% on future stability transfers. There aren’t any international transaction charges.

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With regards to no-annual-fee cash-back cards, the Citi Double Cash® Card is likely one of the most rewarding for everyday spending.

Rewards

• Earn 2% again on each buy (1% again once you purchase, plus an extra 1% as you pay for these purchases)
• Earn 5% whole money again on resorts, automotive leases and points of interest booked by the Citi Journey^℠ portal by Dec. 31, 2024.

Welcome bonus

Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

It is a cash-back card at its core, however you earn money again as Citi ThankYou® Points, which expands your redemption choices. You’ll be able to switch ThankYou factors to a handful of journey companions, together with Alternative Lodges, Wyndham Lodges and JetBlue. Nonetheless, for those who pair this card with a Citi credit card that allows full transfers, just like the Citi Strata Premier^℠ Card (see rates and fees), you possibly can switch your factors to all of Citi’s travel partners at improved ratios.

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The Chase Slate Edge℠ is likely one of the best Chase credit cards for serving to you pay much less curiosity and get out of bank card debt sooner.

Rewards

None

Welcome bonus

None

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

You will get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on purchases, then a variable 20.49% to 29.24% APR applies. You’re eligible for an computerized 2% APR reduction after spending at the very least $1,000 inside a card anniversary 12 months and making all of your funds on time. You can too earn an computerized one-time evaluation for a higher credit limit after spending at the very least $500 throughout your first six months of card membership and making on-time funds throughout the identical interval.

You can too enroll to obtain three free months of DoorDash DashPass membership (activate by Dec. 31, 2024) and three free months of Instacart+ membership (enroll by July 31, 2024). Each companies provide no supply charges and diminished service charges on eligible orders.

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that gives a better-than-average price of return on all purchases.

Rewards

On as much as $20,000 spent within the first 12 months:

• 6.5% money again on journey bought by Chase Journey^SM
• 4.5% money again on drugstore purchases and eating at eating places (together with takeout and eligible supply service)
• 3% on all different purchases

After your first 12 months or $20,000 spent:

• 5% again on journey bought by Chase Journey^SM
• 5% again on Lyft rides (by March 2025)
• 3% again at drugstores
• 3% again on dining at eating places (together with takeout and eligible supply companies)
• 1.5% on all different purchases.

Welcome bonus

Earn an extra 1.5% money again on every part you purchase (on as much as $20,000 spent within the first 12 months) – price as much as $300 cashback.

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

This card provides an intro 0% APR on purchases for the primary 15 months from account opening, then a variable 20.49% to 29.24% APR applies.

You get three free months of DoorDash DashPass and 50% off your membership for 9 months afterward (enrollment required, activate by Dec. 31, 2024). You can too enroll to obtain three free months of Instacart+ membership and get $10 in quarterly Instacart credit score by July 31, 2024.

Eligible purchases additionally qualify for extended warranty protection, purchase protection and journey cancellation/interruption insurance coverage.

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card can also be a superb cash-back card and has no annual fee.

Rewards

Welcome bonus

Earn a $200 money rewards bonus after making $500 in purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

You will obtain an 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying stability transfers (after that, a 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable APR applies). Steadiness transfers made throughout the first 120 days qualify for an intro switch price of three% of the quantity transferred, after that, a 5% price of the quantity you switch applies ($5 minimal).

It can save you on mobile phone insurance coverage once you pay your wi-fi telephone invoice along with your Wells Fargo Active Cash card. With this protection, you can also make as much as two claims per 12 months, and every declare will reimburse you a most of as much as $600 with a $25 deductible.

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The Discover it® Cash Back is a no annual price card with a priceless welcome bonus, through which you successfully double the money again you earn within the first 12 months.

Rewards

• Earn 5% money again on the primary $1,500 in mixed purchases in rotating quarterly classes once you activate, then 1% money again
• 1% money again on all different purchases

Welcome bonus

Uncover will match all of the money again earned for all new card members on the finish of your first 12 months.

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

The Uncover it Money Again card has no foreign transaction fees, and along with its stability switch provide, you will get an intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases. When the intro APR expires, a variable 18.24% to twenty-eight.24% APR applies.

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The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a no annual price stability switch card with a better-than-average return on each buy.

Rewards

• 5% money again on resorts and rental automobiles booked by Capital One Journey
• 1.5% money again on each buy

Welcome bonus

Earn a $200 one-time money bonus after spending $500 inside three months from account opening.

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

On prime of the stability switch provide, you will additionally obtain a 0% intro APR on purchases for the primary 15 months. After that, a variable 19.99% to 29.99% APR applies.

By Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, you will get entry to pre-sales and unique occasions and experiences with this card. You are additionally capable of e-book journey by the Capital One Journey web site, which offers sure advantages, comparable to worth drop safety and a worth match assure.

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The Chase Freedom Flex® has a strong intro 0% APR provide and is a superb rewards credit card on prime of that.

Rewards

• 5% money again on as much as $1,500 in mixed purchases in bonus classes every quarter (activation required).
• Earn 5% money again on journey bought by the Chase Journey^SM portal
• 5% again on Lyft rides by March 2025
• Earn 3% money again on dining at eating places, together with takeout and eligible supply companies
• Earn 3% money again at drugstores
• Earn 1% money again on all different purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn a $100 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 5% money again on grocery retailer purchases (excluding Goal® and Walmart®) on as much as $12,000 spent within the first 12 months.

Annual price

$0

Notable advantages

You will obtain an introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases, then a variable 20.49% to 29.24% APR applies. You can too save on supply charges with three free months of DashPass (enroll by Dec. 31, 2024) and three free months of Instacart+ (enroll by July 31, 2024). After enrollment, you may as well obtain as much as $10 in assertion credit every quarter for Instacart purchases by July 31, 2024.

This card additionally has insurance coverage advantages, comparable to mobile phone safety, buy safety, prolonged guarantee safety and journey cancellation/interruption protection.

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A balance transfer credit card allows you to transfer your bank card debt from one card to a different. The most effective stability switch playing cards provide limited-time no-interest intervals for these transfers. This allows you to save on higher-interest debt for a set period of time, usually wherever from six months to 21 months.

Finishing a stability switch is normally pretty simple. Typically you possibly can even switch a stability once you apply for the cardboard. No matter once you full a switch, additionally, you will usually pay a stability switch price of three% to five% of the quantity you switch. These charges are essential to think about as a result of they minimize into your potential financial savings.

One other tradeoff to pay attention to is that the playing cards with the longest intro-APR intervals are likely to not be as rewarding in comparison with the highest rewards credit cards. So in order for you a card with an exceptionally lengthy intro-APR, you most likely will not earn as many rewards.

Utilizing your card’s stability switch provide is pretty easy. You normally can decide to switch balances as a part of your utility or switch balances upon getting your card. Nonetheless, there are some things to bear in mind earlier than taking advantage of a balance transfer offer.

Take note of charges

Most, however not all, stability switch playing cards cost a stability switch price. It is normally 3% to five% of the quantity you switch. For instance, transferring $5,000 with a 3% price will value you $150. This price is charged to the stability switch card, somewhat than the unique card.

These charges can rapidly add up and it is best to issue on this value when figuring out if it is sensible to get a stability switch card.

Know the restrictions

Earlier than you apply for a bank card with a stability switch provide, there are a number of limitations which can be essential to know.

The very first thing to know is that you may’t make transfers between playing cards from the identical financial institution. For instance, if in case you have a Chase credit card, you possibly can’t switch debt to a different Chase card. So you will want to use for a card from a special financial institution than the one you need to switch debt from.

Additionally, you’ll have restricted time to finish your transfers. If you happen to wait too lengthy to make a switch, you might miss the 0% APR interval or the intro stability switch price.

You will additionally need to pay attention to any limits on the quantity of debt you possibly can switch. Card issuers usually cap the quantity you possibly can switch to a share of your whole credit score restrict or a particular greenback quantity. Issuers might also issue the stability switch charges into this restrict.

See for those who qualify for the cardboard

Steadiness switch playing cards normally require good or excellent credit. If in case you have lower than stellar credit score, it may be troublesome to qualify for a stability switch card.

Utilizing a stability switch bank card to consolidate and repay bank card debt is a superb technique to save on interest charges. Nonetheless, it additionally must be paired with an total technique for paying down your debt.

As you contemplate what kind of stability switch card makes probably the most sense for you, you will need to do the mathematics to weigh the prices and advantages. Steadiness switch playing cards can earn rewards and even provide upfront bonuses, however the playing cards with the perfect intro-APR intervals, usually do not provide rewards. Nonetheless, the cash you save on curiosity can simply offset any rewards you might miss.

Calculate how a lot you will save

The larger the stability you need to switch and the longer the zero-interest interval, the extra you save. As you take a look at what you will save, it isn’t at all times so simple as your present bank card stability and rate of interest.

One caveat to think about is how a lot of your stability you might be able to switch to a 0%-APR card. If in case you have a considerable amount of bank card debt, an intro-APR provide may be fairly priceless. Nonetheless, the profit is proscribed by your stability switch card’s credit limit and any switch limits imposed by the cardboard issuer.

Know all the prices

Utilizing a stability switch provide can prevent cash, however it’s not free, so you’ll want to ensure the advantages outweigh the prices.

Many of the prime stability switch playing cards haven’t any annual price, however it’s one thing you need to take a look at earlier than making use of. Assuming the cardboard you are making use of for does not have an annual price, you need to take note of the cardboard’s balance transfer fee. These charges usually run 3% to five% of the quantity you switch and may simply add as much as a whole bunch of {dollars} when transferring a big stability.

As priceless as stability switch bank card provides may be, it isn’t an choice for everybody. You usually want a high credit score to have the perfect likelihood of being accepted for these playing cards. Relying on how a lot debt you’ve got, you might solely have the ability to switch a portion of it.

If you happen to aren’t eligible for a stability switch card or opening a bank card is not the appropriate choice for you, listed here are two alternate options to think about:

Debt consolidation mortgage

A debt consolidation loan is an unsecured private mortgage you’re taking out to repay your current money owed and roll separate funds right into a single mortgage. Relying in your credit score rating, you might be able to safe a decrease rate of interest. You can additionally go for a mortgage with an extended reimbursement time period, which might cut back your month-to-month fee and add flexibility to your finances. Nonetheless, for those who take out an extended mortgage, you possibly can find yourself paying extra curiosity over the lengthy haul since you’ll pay much less towards the principal every month.

A majority of these loans could make sense in case your credit score rating has been bettering and also you’re capable of qualify for a greater price.

Borrow in opposition to your property fairness

If you happen to personal a house price greater than you owe, you might be able to borrow in opposition to your property at a decrease rate of interest in comparison with bank cards and unsecured private loans. There are a number of totally different monetary merchandise out there to you for those who’re on this state of affairs, together with residence fairness loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOC) and cash-out refinance mortgages. With these loans, there are important upfront prices that may make it a dropping proposition even when your price is decrease. So make sure you do the mathematics first.

Dwelling fairness loans and HELOCs are each forms of second mortgages. Which means, you retain your unique mortgage and take out an extra mortgage backed by your property. This selection makes most sense in case your present mortgage price is decrease than the speed you’d qualify for for those who took out a mortgage immediately.

With a cash-out refinance, you might be changing your current mortgage with a model new bigger mortgage. If immediately’s mortgage charges are decrease than your present price, you’ll lock in a greater price and get money again. With a cash-out refi, you possibly can usually borrow as much as 80% of your property’s worth and there are upfront closing prices that may vary from 2% to six% of the mortgage quantity.

Examine private loans

At CNBC Choose, our mission is to supply our readers with high-quality service journalism and complete client recommendation to allow them to make knowledgeable selections with their cash. Each bank card evaluation is predicated on rigorous reporting by our workforce of professional writers and editors with intensive information of bank card merchandise. Whereas CNBC Choose earns a fee from affiliate companions on many provides and hyperlinks, we create all our content material with out enter from our industrial workforce or any exterior third events, and we pleasure ourselves on our journalistic requirements and ethics. See our methodology for extra data on how we select the perfect stability switch bank cards.

To find out which playing cards have the perfect worth for 0%-APR provides, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 main bank cards issued by FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit score unions which can be broadly out there within the U.S.  

We in contrast every card on a spread of options, together with rewards (e.g., money again, factors and miles), annual charges, welcome bonuses, introductory and commonplace APR and stability switch charges and international transaction charges. We additionally thought of further perks (e.g., ongoing journey or service provider assertion credit), cardholder protections (e.g., buy safety, $0 legal responsibility safety and journey insurance coverage), the appliance course of when out there (e.g., is there a credit score pull or required credit score rating) and the way simple it’s to redeem factors (e.g., are rewards are tied to a particular model; if transferable, to what number of/which companions, are you able to redeem for straight money again). 
 
We additionally thought of CNBC Choose viewers information when out there, comparable to basic demographics and engagement with our content material and instruments.  

For the playing cards that provided a rewards program, we thought of client spending information forecasts from location intelligence agency Esri to find out the place U.S. customers are spending probably the most cash, like on eating and journey. We used this to assist decide what bonus classes are most helpful for customers. For the reason that worth of a degree or mile varies based mostly on what they are often redeemed for, we additionally thought of issues like transferability and the flexibility to redeem for cash-back. 

When selecting the perfect 0%-intro-APR bank cards, we centered on playing cards that supply longer intro-APR intervals. We additionally positioned a particular emphasis on stability switch charges and whether or not the playing cards provided intro APRs for purchases, stability transfers or each. 

For charges and charges of the Uncover it® Chrome, click on here.

For charges and charges of the Uncover it® Money Again, click on here.

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