0% balance transfers: when they're worth it
Paying 24.9% on a card balance? You might be able to pay 0% instead.
The simple version
A balance transfer card moves your debt onto a new card with 0% interest for a set time, usually for a one-off fee of around 3%. Every payment then goes toward what you owe, not the interest.
Stay at 24.9%
$712
0% for 18 mo fee
$90
Transferring saves about $622 over 18 months. $390 would still be owed when the 0% ends.
The catches
Miss a payment and you can lose the 0% deal. When the offer ends the rate jumps up, so aim to clear the balance before then. Don't spend on the new card.
Key takeaway
A transfer only helps if you use the 0% period to actually clear the debt.
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Last checked September 25, 2026 · Example figures; rules vary by country · General education, not financial advice