5 Best Credit Cards With No Balance Transfer Fee
Transferring balances to a credit card with an introductory APR can help you pay off credit card debt faster, but this often comes with a price. Credit card companies typically charge a fee — a percentage of the transferred balance. Still, some don’t charge a balance transfer fee, which means you get the benefits of a low promotional APR without the extra costs.
While not all of these cards offer an intro APR, the lack of a fee may make a balance transfer worth it — as long as your new APR is lower than the old one.
Here’s a look at some top picks for credit cards that don’t charge a balance transfer fee.
Top Credit Cards With No Balance Transfer Fee
| Credit Card | Best For | Other Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Best for Travelers | – Annual Fee: – Cash Advance Fee: $3 or 3% – Foreign Transaction Fee: $0 |
| First Tech Choice Rewards World Mastercard | Best for Everyday Rewards | – Annual Fee: $0 – Cash Advance Fee: $0 – Foreign Transaction Fee: $0 |
| Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card | Best for APR | – Annual Fee: $0 – Cash Advance Fee: $0 – Foreign Transaction Fee: $0 |
| Union Bank Platinum Visa | Best for Introductory APR | Annual Fee: $0 – Cash Advance Fee: $15 or 5% – Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% |
| Wings Visa Platinum Card | Best for Unlimited Transfers | – Annual Fee: $0 – Cash Advance Fee: $10 or 2% – Foreign Transaction Fee: $0 |
Getting a great introductory APR rate is in itself a reward, but these cards have additional features that make them a better choice for different consumers. Review what each card offers to find the one that’s best for you.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- APR:
The Capital One Venture Rewards card comes with plenty of perks for travelers, including no foreign transaction fees, complimentary visits to Capital One Lounges and a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Earn two miles per dollar for every purchase made with the card and five miles per dollar when you book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel. New customers can earn 75,000 bonus miles when they spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months. You can use your miles where you see fit, since this card is not attached to a specific airline.
First Tech Choice Rewards World Mastercard
- APR: 12.50% – 18.00% variable
First Tech’s Choice Rewards World Mastercard has an impressive rewards program that pays 2X rewards on gas, grocery and household purchases and one point for all other purchases. Cardholders also enjoy discounts on select services and can qualify for additional perks when they open a checking and savings account with the credit union.
Rewards don’t expire, and new customers can earn 20,000 bonus points by spending $3,000 in the first 60 days — and get a 0% introductory APR for one year. The APR will be 12.50% – 18.00% variable after that, placing the card in the lower range of credit card rates.
Navy Federal Platinum Credit Card
- APR:
The Navy Federal Platinum credit card comes with an introductory APR of 0.99% for 12 months on balance transfers made within 60 days of opening an account. After that, the rate increases to between — one of the lowest rates available.
The card comes with additional perks, including collision damage waiver for rental cars, emergency assistance and fraud alerts. Cardholders also enjoy no annual fees, foreign transaction fees or cash advance fees. The card is available to Navy Federal Credit Union members, which includes active and retired military personnel and their family members.
- APR:
With the Union Bank Platinum Visa, you have more time to pay off your transferred balances — 15 months of an introductory 0% APR on all balance transfers and purchases. This is the longest introductory offer on this list for a card with no balance transfer fee. After the introductory period, the rate jumps to between .
The card also links to your digital wallet for use with online payment services and making mobile and online purchases. Union Bank does not accept online applications for the credit card, so you’ll need to find a local branch to apply.
Wings Visa Platinum Card
- APR: 11.90% – 18.00% variable
Wings Financial Credit Union’s Visa Platinum Card customers enjoy a 0% introductory APR on all purchases and balance transfers for 12 months after opening the account. Other cards restrict promotional rates to purchases and transfers made up to 60 days after opening. Still, it’s to your advantage to transfer balances as soon as possible to take advantage of the APR. A rate between 11.90% – 18.00% variable applies after the introductory period ends.
The card also comes with travel perks, like collision damage waiver protection on rental cars, and Visa perks.
Final Take
When shopping for a credit card with no balance transfer fee, it’s important to consider more than the introductory APR. At the end of the promotional period, the card’s standard APR applies to the balance and purchases. Before applying, learn more about the standard APR, perks and rewards programs offered so you can choose the one that best fits your lifestyle.
FAQ
- Do balance transfers hurt your credit?
- Balance transfers can lower your credit score, but how much and for how long depends on several factors. Applying for a new card increases the number of new inquiries on your credit report, which can drop your score by a few points. A new credit card also lowers your length of credit history, which accounts for 15% of your credit score and can be a significant factor for people with a short credit history.
- However, balance transfers can also boost your score. The new credit line can lower your credit utilization. It also can help diversify your credit mix, which can be useful if you don't have many credit cards.
- Is 3% a good balance transfer fee?
- Balance transfer fees typically range from 3% to 5%, so 3% is on the lower end of the range. For some people, it makes sense to choose a card with a 3% balance transfer fee.
- If you won't be able to pay off the balance during the promotional period, paying a 3% fee may be worth the extra months of 0% APR or a lower APR for post-promotional balances.
- How can I avoid paying balance transfer fees?
- The only way to avoid paying balance transfer fees is to choose a card that doesn't charge the fee. The savings can be significant. If you transfer $10,000 to a new card, you can save between $300 and $500 by selecting a card with no balance transfer fee.
- What is the downside of a balance transfer credit card?
- Some cards restrict the types of balances and amounts you can transfer. For example, the bank may only accept a balance transfer from a card issued by a different bank. You also won't be able to transfer more than the credit limit on the new card.
- If you're unable to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, the card's standard APR applies. This can cost you more money over time if the new card's APR is higher than your current card.
Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Jan. 30, 2023.
Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.
- MyFICO. "What is New Credit?"
- MyFICO. "What's in my FICO® Scores?"
- Federal Trade Commission. 2021. "Credit Scores."
- Discover. 2022. "Is a Credit Card Balance Transfer a Good Idea or Not Worth It?"
