Can you pay a credit card with another credit card?

If you’re carrying an outstanding balance on a credit card account, you might wonder if you can use another card to pay it off. The answer is that simply inputting your card information—like when you make an online purchase—to pay off another card isn’t typically an option. But a balance transfer or cash advance could alternatives. 

Learn about using a balance transfer or cash advance to pay off credit card debt, including interest, fees and the possible impact to your credit.

What you’ll learn:

• In general, you can’t directly pay your monthly credit card bill using another credit card. 

• A balance transfer may offer a promotional period that could save you money in interest. But it’s important to consider transfer fees and know how long promotional periods last.

• Using a cash advance to pay off a credit card might cost you more in fees, and interest could start accruing immediately.

• If you’re considering using one credit card to pay off another, thinking about your budget, transaction terms, payment schedules, credit limits and credit scoring could help you make an informed decision. 

You typically can’t pay one credit card with another—at least, not directly.  But you may have heard about two methods: balance transfer and cash advance.

The two may seem similar if you’re unfamiliar with how credit works. But as you compare options, you should see some clear differences.

A credit card balance transfer involves moving debt from one or more credit card accounts to a new card. A balance transfer could help you pay off your debt faster by consolidating debt, getting a lower interest rate or both. 

A balance transfer could come with an introductory low or 0% annual percentage rate (APR). Introductory rates are temporary. But you could save money on interest if you’re able to repay your balance during that time period. 

In most cases, you’ll have to pay a balance transfer fee to complete the process. 

A cash advance on a credit card lets you borrow money against your card’s available credit. A cash advance typically comes with a higher APR than regular credit card purchases do. It can also include additional fees. Another key point is that cash advances might not offer a grace period. This means you could start accruing interest on your cash advance right away. For all those reasons, using a cash advance to pay your credit card bill could end up costing you more than your original balance. 

A cash advance can take multiple forms—even if it doesn’t involve actual cash. These “cash-like transactions” could include transferring money to friends using apps like PayPal, Venmo or Moneygram; paying a debt like a car loan using a third-party bill-pay service; buying casino chips or lottery tickets; and exchanging dollars for foreign currency. And they could be subject to the same fees and interest charges.

Before you try to pay off one credit card with another, it could be helpful to listen to advice from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). According to the agency, handling debt involves more than just finding a way to pay it off. “Many people don’t succeed in paying off their debt by taking on more debt unless they lower their spending,” the CFPB says. 

Setting realistic expectations is also important. According to the CFPB, “If problems with debt have affected your credit score, you probably won’t be able to get low interest rates.” And if you’re applying for a new credit card, it could affect your credit scores even further. 

With those things in mind, here’s a comparison to understand the differences between using balance transfers and cash advances to pay off a credit card.

• Balance transfer: If you’re offered a promotional rate on a balance transfer, understanding when it ends and the standard rate kicks in can help you budget and plan payments.

• Cash advance: Unlike balance transfers, you may not find an offer for a lower interest rate on cash advances.

• Balance transfer: Card issuers may charge a flat fee or a percentage, typically 3% to 5%, of the amount being transferred. 

• Cash advance: Card issuers may charge a flat fee or a percentage, typically 3% to 5%, for cash advances. Using an ATM to access cash could also mean additional transaction fees from the ATM’s owner.

• Balance transfer: Paying minimum payments on time for both credit card accounts is important to ensure you keep your account in good standing. Late payments could create a number of problems, including losing any promotional interest rate.

• Cash advance: Without a grace period, there’s no way to avoid interest on a cash advance. That’s a major reason using one to pay off debt may not be a great idea. If you’re paying only the minimum every month, interest could build on other transactions too. 

• Balance transfer: You can’t typically move debt between different cards from the same credit card issuer. And as the CFPB notes, promotion rates may not be available depending on your credit scores. 

• Cash advance: Some issuers limit how much of your available credit can be withdrawn as cash.

You typically can’t pay off one credit card using another. But if you're thinking about using a balance transfer or cash advance to pay your card off, it’s a good idea to check into any interest charges or fees that would apply before moving forward.

If you want to consolidate credit card debt or get help tracking your credit, Capital One can help. You can see if you’re pre-approved for credit cards without harming your credit scores. You can also monitor your credit report and scores with CreditWise from Capital One. It’s free for everyone, and using it won’t hurt your credit.