Skip the Balance Transfer Fee: A Different Way to Get 0% APR

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If you’re paying down the balance on a credit card over time, the interest costs can be astronomical. While it’s always best to pay your balance in full each month, at some point, you may end up in a situation where you need some extra time, especially if you've incurred some unexpected expenses recently.

As of June 2026, the average APR on a new credit card account is roughly 24%. That means if you pay $500 per month toward a $6,000 credit card balance at 24% APR, it'll take you 14 months to pay it off, and you'll pay a whopping $941 in interest.

If you're unable to pay off a high-interest balance, the common-sense solution is to move it to a card with a 0% balance transfer offer.

However, there's another strategy you can use to get the same 0% intro APR without the huge fees and other restrictions that come with balance transfers. Here's what you need to know.

Why Balance Transfers Aren't Always a Great Option

There are four key reasons why balance transfers aren't always the best way to save on interest:

1. High balance transfer fees. Most credit cards charge a fee between 3% to 5% to transfer a balance. If you need to pay off a $6,000 balance over time, the initial fee will cost you $180 to $300 out of pocket.
2. You won't earn rewards on the transfer. Even if you transfer a balance to a rewards card that earns points or cashback on purchases, the amount transferred won't earn any rewards.
3. You might not earn a sign-up bonus. Some cards with balance transfer offers don't come with a sign-up bonus. Sometimes, as far as the bank is concerned, the 0% introductory APR is the new cardmember offer. Even if there is a welcome offer, it's usually not a good idea to make purchases with a card that has a transferred balance at an introductory APR.
4. Transfers to the same bank aren't allowed. You can't transfer a balance between cards from the same issuer. If you're carrying a balance on a Chase credit card, Chase balance transfer options are off the table.

That's not to say that balance transfers are always a bad choice. There are several excellent balance transfer credit cards that can give you close to two years to pay off your transferred balance. The Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card offers 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. Although you'll pay a balance transfer fee (5%, min: $5), it could be worth looking into if you need a lot of time to pay off your balance.

Or, a card like the Citi Double Cash^® Card (Rates & Fees) can blend the best of both worlds: 0% intro APR on balance transfers while also earning unlimited 2% back on all new purchases (unlimited 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay for those purchases).

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Apply Now

Rates & Fees

Welcome Offer Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Welcome Offer Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

Annual Fee:$0

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

The Citi Double Cash is a dynamic, no-annual-fee cash-back rewards card that allows you to earn 2% traditional cash back, or convert your rewards to ThankYou Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio (2x ThankYou points per $1). When paired with a premium ThankYou Rewards earning card, the Citi Double Cash is now the best card available for everyday, non-bonus purchases.

If you're looking to pay down debt or finance a larger purchase, this card also comes with one of the best available introductory APR offers on balance transfers.

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  
  Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  
  Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.

However, before you apply for these cards, consider an alternative strategy to help you save on fees.

Credit: Patrick Tomasso / Unsplash

Save on Interest, Earn Rewards, and Skip the Fees

Fortunately, there is a great strategy that will solve all four of the problems above. You can get an extended 0% intro APR period, earn rewards on each purchase, earn a signup bonus, and even open a new card issued by the same bank where you currently hold the high-interest balance.

The solution is to take advantage of a 0% introductory APR on purchases and use your normal monthly budget to pay off the high-interest balance. Here’s how it works:

1. Apply for a card with a 0% intro APR offer on purchases.
2. Charge all your monthly expenses to the 0% intro APR card for the first 2-3 months, meeting the minimum spend required to earn the sign-up bonus.
3. Use money from your normal monthly budget to pay down the high-interest credit card debt while making only the minimum payments on the new card.
4. Pay down the intro 0% APR card over the 12-15 month introductory period.

For example, let’s say you are carrying a $6,000 debt on a high-interest credit card. If you transfer that balance, a 3% to 5% fee would cost you $180 to $300.

Instead, you can apply for a card with a 0% intro APR on purchases, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited^® (Rates & Fees) or Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees). Place all of your monthly expenses on the new card to earn the welcome offer. Then, use the cash you would typically put aside for monthly expenses to pay down the $6,000 credit card debt.

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Apply Now

Rates & Fees

Welcome Bonus Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Welcome Bonus Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee:$0

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

The everyday workhorse of the Ultimate Rewards family of cards earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day of the week. While the Freedom Unlimited earns cash back on its own, the points earned become even more valuable when you hold an Ultimate Rewards card with the ability to transfer points to partners.

• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
• No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

• Earn 5% on purchases through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3% on dining at restaurants
• Earn 3% on drugstore purchases
• Earn 1.5% on all purchases

Provided your monthly expenses are in the range of $2,000 to $2,500 per month, over the initial 2-3 months, you’ve effectively transferred your $6,000 high-interest balance to a 0% intro APR offer without paying a balance transfer fee. Plus, you’ve earned a welcome offer and additional points in the process.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

How to Apply

Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)

Welcome Offer As High As $200 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

Welcome Offer As High As $200 Cash Back. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.

Annual Fee:$0

Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates

The Blue Cash Everyday is a solid, no-annual-fee cashback card for anyone who spends a lot on groceries and gas.

• Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $200 cash back* after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $2,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• No Annual Fee.
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
• Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
• Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
• Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
• Terms Apply.

• 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
• 3% cash back with U.S. online retailers (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%)
• 1% back on other eligible purchases
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

Best 0% Intro APR Cards for Purchases

Here are some of the best personal and business cards that offer a 0% intro APR period on purchases. Each card listed offers a generous welcome offer and a decent return on everyday spending, helping you maximize this strategy. However, you can also check out some of the best current 0% purchase APR card offers if a longer intro APR period is a higher priority than earning rewards or a signup bonus.

Related: Best Rewards Credit Cards Featuring 0% APR on Purchases

Potential Drawbacks

The main challenge with this strategy is that it may take some time to fully transition your outstanding balance to your new credit card.

If your normal monthly budget is only $500, it probably doesn't make sense to slowly pay down a large balance in $500 increments. By the time you execute the process, you may be close to the end of your intro 0% purchase APR period. You'll then end up in the same position you were in before: carrying a balance on a high-interest credit card.

It's also worth noting that you'll still be paying interest on the original credit card for the first few months. In most cases, you'll still come out far ahead, but you should run the math for your situation before you decide. Don't forget to consider the value of the points or cash earned from spending, as well as the welcome offer, before comparing them with the balance transfer fee.

How to Evaluate Intro Purchase vs. Balance Transfer Costs

Here's some quick math for the example above, with a $6,000 balance that you expect to pay down in $2,000 increments over three months.

If you assume a 24% annual interest rate on the high-balance card, you can approximate the monthly interest by dividing the rate by 12. In this case, we get 2% monthly.

• Month 1: You'll pay interest on $6,000 (~$120)
• Month 2: You'll pay interest on $4,000 (~$80)
• Month 3: You'll pay interest on $2,000 (~$40)

Total interest costs here are ~$240

If you opt for a balance transfer offer with a 5% fee, you'd pay $300 to move your balance.

Plus, if you were to apply for a card like the Freedom Unlimited, you'd earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening, plus a minimum of 1.5% cash back on all purchases. That means “transferring” your $6,000 balance using this method would earn at least $290, which more than covers the interest for the first few months it takes to complete the process.

Just remember to factor in the minimum payments you'll need to make on your new credit card. This strategy is more complex than simply transferring a balance, but it can also save you money in the long run.

Final Thoughts

There is a widespread view that balance transfer cards are the most efficient way to pay down unwanted debt on a high-interest credit card. However, if you are comfortable putting in a little extra work, a card with a 0% intro APR on purchases can do the same job without the transfer fees — and you can earn a boatload of rewards in the process.

There will be a few months where you're juggling two credit cards, and you'll need to ensure you can pay off the balance on your new card within the 0% intro APR period for purchases. And once you've paid off your balance, you'll be able to continue using a lucrative rewards-earning credit card.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Citi Double Cash^® Card (Rates & Fees), Chase Freedom Unlimited^® (Rates & Fees), Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)