You can pay a credit card with another credit card, but it usually costs money and may not lower your overall debt
Paying one credit card balance using another credit card is possible through a few methods, but each one charges a fee and treats the transaction differently than a regular purchase. The most common route is a balance transfer, where you move debt from one card to another—usually one with a lower interest rate or an introductory 0% period. The second is a cash advance, where you withdraw money against your credit limit and then use that cash to pay the other card. A third, less common option is paying through a payment processor or service that accepts credit cards, though these also charge fees and may not report the transaction as a payment to your card issuer.
The key difference: a balance transfer moves the debt itself to a new card and may give you time without interest charges. A cash advance gives you cash but charges interest immediately, usually at a higher rate than purchases. Neither one erases what you owe—they just move it or repackage it. If you are trying to pay down debt, paying with another credit card usually makes that harder, not easier.
Key Takeaways
- Balance transfers move your debt to a new card and may include a 0% interest period, but charge an upfront fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred) and require approval.
- Cash advances let you withdraw money against your credit limit but charge a fee (typically 3% to 5%) plus interest that starts accruing immediately, often at 25% or higher.
- Paying one credit card with another does not reduce your total debt—it only moves it or converts it into a different form of borrowing.
- If you are behind on payments or trying to avoid default, contact your card issuer directly to discuss hardship options, payment plans, or settlement before attempting a balance transfer or cash advance.
Balance transfers: moving debt to a lower-rate card
A balance transfer lets you move the balance from one credit card to another, usually one with a lower interest rate or a promotional 0% period. You request the transfer through the new card issuer, who pays off the old card on your behalf. The debt moves, but you still owe it—now to the new card issuer instead.
Balance transfers charge an upfront fee, typically 3% to 5% of the amount you transfer. If you transfer $5,000, expect to pay $150 to $250 in fees added to your new balance. The benefit is the lower rate: if your old card charges 22% interest and the new card offers 0% for 12 months, you stop paying interest during that promotional period—but only on the transferred amount. Any new purchases on the new card usually accrue interest at the regular rate immediately.
You must be approved for the new card and have enough available credit to cover the transfer. The new card issuer will check your credit and may deny the transfer if your score is too low or your debt-to-income ratio is too high. The transfer itself takes 5 to 14 business days to complete, during which both cards may show activity. Once the transfer posts, your old card balance drops to zero (or to any remaining balance the new issuer did not cover), and your new card shows the transferred amount plus the transfer fee.
Balance transfers work best if you have a plan to pay down the debt during the 0% period. If you only make minimum payments, you will still owe most of the balance when the promotional rate ends and the regular rate kicks in—often 18% to 25% or higher. Read the card's terms carefully: some cards charge interest retroactively on the transferred balance if you do not pay it off before the promotional period ends.
Cash advances: borrowing against your credit limit
A cash advance lets you withdraw cash using your credit card at an ATM, bank, or through a cash advance service. You are borrowing against your available credit limit, not transferring an existing balance. The cash goes into your bank account or your hand, and you then use it to pay your other credit card.
Cash advances charge two fees: an upfront fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn) and interest that starts accruing immediately—often at a rate 5 to 10 percentage points higher than your purchase rate. If your card charges 18% on purchases, the cash advance rate might be 25% or 28%. Unlike balance transfers, there is no promotional 0% period. Interest accrues daily from the moment you withdraw the cash.
A $2,000 cash advance at 4% fee plus 25% annual interest costs you $80 upfront plus roughly $52 in interest over the first month if you make no payments. After three months, you have paid $80 in fees plus $156 in interest—$236 total—and still owe $2,000 in principal. Cash advances are expensive and should be a last resort, not a strategy.
Cash advances also do not count toward any rewards or cash-back programs your card offers. They bypass the normal purchase protections and dispute processes. If something goes wrong with the transaction, you have fewer options to recover the money.
Payment processors and third-party services
Some online payment platforms and bill-pay services accept credit cards as a payment method. If you use one to pay your other credit card, you are not making a direct card-to-card transfer—you are making a purchase through a third party, who then sends the money to your card issuer. The credit card you use to make the payment treats it as a purchase, not a balance transfer or cash advance.
These services charge a fee, usually 2% to 3% of the transaction amount, and that fee is passed to you. The payment may take 1 to 3 business days to reach your other card. Some card issuers flag these transactions as cash-like or suspicious and may freeze your account temporarily while they investigate.
This method does not save you money and adds complexity. It is useful only if you need to make a payment using a card that is not accepted directly by your card issuer—a rare situation. For most people, paying your credit card bill directly through your card issuer's website or app is faster, cheaper, and safer.
When card-to-card payments make sense
Paying one credit card with another makes sense in very narrow situations. A balance transfer to a 0% card is worth considering if you have a large balance, a plan to pay it down within the promotional period, and a credit score strong enough to get approved for a new card with a lower rate. The math works: if you transfer $10,000 at 4% fee ($400) to a card with 0% for 18 months, you save roughly $2,700 in interest compared to keeping the balance on a 22% card—assuming you pay it off within 18 months.
A cash advance almost never makes sense. The fees and interest are too high, and you are not reducing your debt—you are adding a second debt at a worse rate. If you need cash urgently, a personal loan, a line of credit, or a payment plan with your creditor will cost less.
If you are behind on payments or facing hardship, do not attempt a balance transfer or cash advance. Contact your card issuer's hardship department directly. Many issuers offer payment plans, interest rate reductions, or fee waivers for customers in financial difficulty. These options do not hurt your credit as much as missed payments do, and they do not add new fees on top of what you already owe.
How the transaction appears on your credit report
A balance transfer shows up as a new account (the new card) and a closed or paid-off account (the old card, once the transfer completes). Your credit report will show the new card with the transferred balance and the transfer fee added to your balance. Your credit score may dip slightly when you open the new card because of the hard inquiry and the new account, but it usually recovers within a few months if you make on-time payments.
A cash advance shows up as a cash advance on your existing card, not as a new account. It counts toward your credit utilization—the amount of available credit you are using. If you have a $10,000 limit and take a $3,000 cash advance, your utilization jumps to 30%, which can lower your score. The interest and fees accrue on your statement, increasing the balance you owe.
Paying through a third-party processor shows up as a purchase on the card you use to make the payment, not as a balance transfer or cash advance. It does not help your credit and does not reduce the balance on your other card any faster than a regular payment would.
Alternatives to paying credit card with credit card
If you are trying to manage multiple credit card balances, consider these options instead. A personal loan from a bank or credit union usually charges less interest than a credit card and lets you pay off the card in full, lowering your utilization and improving your score. A debt consolidation loan rolls multiple debts into one payment at a fixed rate. A 0% balance transfer card is worth exploring if your credit is good and you have a payoff plan. A payment plan or hardship program through your card issuer costs nothing and may reduce your rate or fees.
If you are in crisis—facing eviction, unable to pay utilities, or behind on essential bills—contact a nonprofit credit counselor through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) or your local 211 service. They offer free or low-cost guidance and can help you negotiate with creditors without damaging your credit further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance from one card to another if I am behind on payments?
Most card issuers will not approve a balance transfer if your account is 30 or more days past due. If you are behind, contact your current issuer first to discuss a payment plan or hardship option. Once you are current, you can apply for a balance transfer card.
What happens if I do not pay off the balance transfer before the 0% period ends?
The remaining balance will start accruing interest at the card's regular rate, which is usually 18% to 25% or higher. Some cards charge interest retroactively on the entire transferred amount if you do not pay it off in full by the end of the promotional period. Read your card agreement to see which applies to yours.
Does paying one credit card with another hurt my credit score?
A balance transfer may lower your score temporarily due to the hard inquiry and new account, but it can improve your score over time if you make on-time payments and lower your overall utilization. A cash advance will likely hurt your score because it increases your utilization immediately and shows as a cash advance, which issuers view as riskier than purchases.
Can I use a credit card to pay my credit card bill directly through my card issuer?
Most card issuers do not accept credit card payments directly—only bank transfers, checks, or debit cards. If you try to pay with a credit card through a third-party processor, you will be charged a fee. Pay through your card issuer's website or app using a bank account instead.
What is the difference between a balance transfer and a cash advance?
A balance transfer moves your debt to a new card and may include a 0% promotional period. A cash advance withdraws cash against your credit limit and charges interest immediately at a higher rate. Balance transfers are cheaper if you have a plan to pay off the debt during the promotional period. Cash advances are almost always more expensive.