By Ben LuthiCan You Pay a Credit Card With a Credit Card?
By Ben Luthi
Quick Answer
You can use one credit card to pay off another if you use a balance transfer to move debt from one credit card to another. But there are some terms and fees you should review prior to completing a transfer.
Generally speaking, you can't pay one credit card bill with another card. There are a couple of exceptions, however, such as balance transfers or cash advances.
While a cash advance is a very pricey form of debt that almost never makes financial sense, a balance transfer can be a good way to consolidate your balances onto a new card. Here's what you should know if you're working on paying down a high-interest credit card balance.
Can You Pay Your Credit Card Bill With Another Credit Card?
It isn't possible to pay your monthly credit card bill with another credit card. Credit card companies don't usually allow you to pay your credit card bill directly from another credit card.
Your options for making monthly payments may be limited to:
- Automated clearing house (ACH) transfer
- Cash
- Check
- Online bill pay portal
If you use your credit card's online payment app, you'll see the option to link your bank account for payments. On the other hand, you probably won't see an option to link another credit card.
How to Pay Off One Credit Card With Another
While it may not be possible to cover monthly payments with another card, there are a couple ways you can pay off your balance with another card. Here's how to use one credit card to pay off another, plus the pros and cons of each option.
1. Balance Transfer
Balance transfers involve using a balance transfer credit card from another card issuer to pay off an existing credit card balance and effectively transfer the balance from the original card to the new one.
Many credit cards offer a lower introductory annual percentage rate (APR) on balance transfers—typically 0%—for a set period, sometimes up to 21 months depending on the card. Other cards may send out balance transfer checks to existing cardholders, so you don't necessarily have to apply for a new card to get this benefit.
This feature makes it easy to pay down a balance and save on interest charges in the process. Once the promotional period ends, though, the remaining balance will typically accrue interest based on the card's regular APR until it's paid in full.
If you have a card with a 0% APR balance transfer promotion, paying off your credit card balance before the promo period ends can be an excellent way to save money and achieve your goal of paying off the debt more quickly.
Best balance transfer cards of 2026
Compare balance transfer offers from our partners with 0% APRs and generous introductory periods.
Offers from our partners
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:
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 for other select options. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 3% (cash back)
Earn 3% Cash Back on Groceries at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 3% Cash Back on U.S. Online Retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) 3% Cash Back on Gas at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) Cash back is received as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or for other select options.
Annual Fee:$0
American Express Platinum Card®
Intro bonus:
As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Ongoing APR:See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards:
1x - 5x (Points per dollar)
Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Annual Fee:$895
FIT™ Platinum Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.90% Fixed
Rewards:
N/A
Annual Fee:$99 first year; $125 thereafter
AT&T Points Plus® Card from Citi
Intro bonus:
$200
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening.
Ongoing APR:19.74% - 27.74% (Variable)
Rewards:
1x - 3x (Points per dollar)
Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for every $1 spent at gas and EV charging stations. Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for every $1 spent at grocery stores and 2 ThankYou® Points for every $1 spent on AT&T products and services. Earn 1 ThankYou® Point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee:$0
First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:13.74% Variable
Rewards:
1% - 10% (cash back)
Earn up to 10% Cash Back on everyday purchases at participating dining, grocery, retail, and other eligible merchants, plus 1% Cash Back on payments made to your First Progress Card.^^
Annual Fee:$49
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Intro bonus:
As High As 80K Miles + $250 Statement Credit
You may be eligible for as high as 80,000 Bonus Miles and a $250 Statement Credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply to find out your offer. Terms Apply. Offer ends 11/04/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards:
1x - 2x (Miles per dollar)
When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, you can earn: 2X miles on Delta Purchases, 2X miles at restaurants, 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. Every mile you earn brings you closer to the places you want to go. Turn them into your next trip, use them for seat upgrades, and more.
Annual Fee:$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
Intro bonus:
85,000 Bonus Points
Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Ongoing APR:19.74%-28.74% Variable
Rewards:
2x - 6x (Points per dollar)
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. Supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points). Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee:$250
Platinum
Ongoing APR:6.99% - 18% Variable
Rewards:
N/A
Annual Fee:$0
See all our best balance transfer credit cards for 2026.
Be aware: Balance transfers typically come with a fee of 3% to 5% of the transferred balance. So if you transfer $5,000, you can expect to have between $150 and $250 added to your balance. That fee can still be worth it if the interest savings exceed the upfront charge, but it's important to consider as you run the numbers.
2. Cash Advance
While you can technically use a cash advance to pay off another credit card, it's not advisable. Cash advances typically come with an upfront fee, and it's generally higher than what you'd be charged for doing a balance transfer of the same amount.
You'll also never get an introductory 0% APR on a cash advance. What's more, the interest you get charged—which often comes at a higher rate than the card's regular purchase and balance transfer APR—starts accruing immediately.
In other words, a cash advance could wind up costing you more money than if you were to keep the balance on the original card.
Learn more: Is It Ever a Good Idea to Get a Cash Advance?
What to Do if You Can't Pay Your Credit Card
Even though it might be possible to pay off your balance with a balance transfer credit card, that won't rid you of the debt. You'll eventually need to make a payment on the new card.
These strategies can help you manage your balance.
- Contact your card issuer. Many credit card companies offer some form of relief to borrowers who can't afford their payments. This assistance may come in the form of forbearance, a reduced interest rate or a modified payment plan. Just keep in mind that this relief may be temporary, so it's typically not a good long-term solution.
- Work with a credit counselor. If you've tried working with your credit card issuer and it hasn't helped, consider reaching out to a nonprofit credit counseling agency. A credit counselor can help you evaluate your situation and determine some next steps. In some cases, that may involve a debt management plan. For a modest upfront and ongoing fee, the agency can negotiate with your creditors to potentially reduce your monthly payment or interest rate and get you on a payment plan that helps you avoid defaulting.
- Offer to settle your debt. If your situation is dire enough that a debt management plan might not help, you may consider offering to settle for less than what you owe. Because this option can damage your credit score significantly, it's best considered only if you're already far behind on your payments.
- File for bankruptcy. If you've pursued all other avenues and can't find a solution, filing for bankruptcy may be the only option that's left. Due to the devastating effect it'll have on your credit and finances, however, it's important to consider bankruptcy only as a last resort. In the right circumstances, this option could help you get back on your feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check Your Credit Before Applying for a New Credit Card
If you're thinking about applying for a balance transfer credit card to get an introductory 0% APR, it's important to note that these cards typically require good or excellent credit to get approved, which typically means a credit score of 670 or above. Check your credit scores to get an idea of where you stand, and if your credit history needs some work, take the time to improve your credit before you apply.
Don’t apply blindly
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About the author
Ben Luthi
Ben Luthi has worked in financial planning, banking and auto finance, and writes about all aspects of money. His work has appeared in Time, Success, USA Today, Credit Karma, NerdWallet, Wirecutter and more.
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