Debt management
Balance transfer credit cards: how to compare offers
Compare a balance transfer using the promotional rate, transfer fee, term and post-promotion rate.
Reviewed and updated August 12, 2026
Calculate the whole transfer
A low promotional rate does not make a transfer free. Add the transfer fee, estimate interest during the offer period and compare that total with the cost of leaving the balance where it is.
Plan for the deadline
Divide the transferred balance and fees by the number of months in the promotion to set a repayment target. Any balance left afterward may move to a materially higher rate under the issuer's terms.
Avoid mixing goals
A balance-transfer card is primarily a debt-paydown tool. New purchases may have a different interest treatment, so read how payments are allocated before using the same card for spending.