Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best Balance Transfer Card With an Intro APR on Purchases, Too
- Intro APR offer: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. A 17.74%, 24.24%, or 28.49% variable APR applies thereafter. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5%, min $5 applies.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (rates & fees) is one of the rare options on the market that offers over 20 months of 0% interest for both purchases and balance transfers. It doesn’t earn standard rewards, but cardholders can enroll in My Wells Fargo Deals to earn cash back with select merchants. The card also offers cell phone protection of up to $600 (subject to a $25 deductible) and FICO® Score monitoring with Credit Close-Up®.
Citi Simplicity® Card: Best Balance Transfer Card for Intro Balance Transfer Fee
- Intro APR offer: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 17.74% to 28.49%. 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, a fee of 5% of each transfer (minimum $5) applies.
Of the five cards on this list, the Citi Simplicity® Card is the only one that offers an intro balance transfer fee. That lower rate could save you hundreds of dollars in balance transfer fees depending on the amount you transfer. The card’s low-fee theme continues, with no late fees or penalty APR. While the balance transfer introductory period is the star of the show here, it’s worth noting that the Citi Simplicity also offers a shorter, yet still substantial intro APR on purchases.
U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card: Best Balance Transfer Card for High Rewards on Eligible Travel
- Intro APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles, then a standard 17.24% to 28.24% variable APR applies. An introductory balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum) applies to balances transferred within 60 days of account opening, after that an ongoing fee of 5% ($5 minimum) applies.
In addition to a generous introductory APR period that applies to both purchases and balance transfers, the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card earns 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and rental car reservations booked through the Travel Center. That’s an excellent earning rate if you’re comfortable booking travel through the U.S. Bank Travel Center, but look at alternatives if travel rewards are a priority. Everyday purchases don’t earn rewards, but cardholders can earn a $20 annual statement credit by making purchases on the card for 11 consecutive months. You’ll also get a zero-fee three-month ExtendPay® Plan each calendar year after the intro APR expires, plus up to $600 in cellphone protection if you pay your wireless bill with the card (subject to a $100 deductible).
Chase Slate Edge®*: Best Balance Transfer Card for APR Reductions After the Intro Period
- Intro APR offer: 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% to 28.49% applies. An intro transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, a fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater applies.
The Chase Slate Edge®* pairs a competitive intro APR offer with the chance to lower your ongoing APR over time. You’ll automatically be considered for a 2% rate reduction each account anniversary year after making all your payments on time and spending at least $1,000 on the card. You can earn a yearly 2% reduction until your APR reaches the Prime rate plus 9.74%. The card also includes six months of complimentary DashPass from DoorDash (subject to auto renewal) and a few cardholder protections, including purchase protection, extended warranty and secondary auto rental coverage.
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best Balance Transfer Card for Long-Term Rewards Value
- Intro APR offer: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 17.74% to 27.74%, based on creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
The Citi Double Cash® Card is not only a strong balance transfer card—it’s also one of the best flat-rate cash-back cards. It earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off, and earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. The downside is the intro APR doesn’t apply to purchases, so you won’t have a grace period on new charges until your transferred balance is fully repaid. For this reason, it’s best to avoid new purchases while paying down a balance transfer. Still, compared to many of the best balance transfer cards that earn no rewards at all, the Double Cash stands out for offering long-term value beyond the intro period.