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You generally can’t pay a credit card bill directly with another credit card, but you can move the debt with a balance transfer for a fee.
Most card issuers accept bill payments only from a bank account, by check, or by money order. You cannot put Card A’s bill on Card B the way you would pay for groceries.
However, two indirect methods do work:
- Balance transfer
- Cash advance
A balance transfer is the better choice in nearly every case. A cash advance is expensive and should be a last resort.
This guide explains how each method works and what it costs. The rules and figures below apply to U.S. credit cards. Card offers change often, so confirm the terms with the issuer before you apply.
Why you cannot pay one credit card with another directly
When you pay a credit card bill online or by phone, issuers usually ask for a bank routing number and an account number. They don’t accept a credit card number instead.
The accepted payment methods are:
- Electronic transfer from a bank account
- A check
- A money order
A debit card number isn’t an option either, and very few money order issuers accept credit cards as payment.
The indirect methods and what they cost
Four indirect routes are commonly suggested. Only the first is usually worth using.
| Method | How it works | Typical cost | Verdict |
| Balance transfer to a new or existing card | The new issuer pays your old card directly and adds the amount to your new account | A fee of 3% to 5% of the amount, then a promotional APR (often 0%) for a limited period | Best option if you can repay within the promotional period |
| Balance transfer to your bank account, or a convenience check | The funds reach you, and you pay the old card from your bank account | Set by the offer terms, and some checks are treated as cash advances | Use only if the terms are clear |
| Cash advance | You withdraw cash with Card B, deposit it in your bank account, and pay Card A from there | An upfront fee, plus interest from the first day at a rate usually higher than the purchase rate | Last resort |
| Card-funded bill-pay services | You charge a bill to a card and the service pays the biller | Plastiq charges up to 2.99% | Not available for credit card bills |
Some cards let you transfer a balance to your bank account, and balance transfer checks are sometimes treated as cash advances, so read the terms first.
Neither a balance transfer nor a cash advance earns rewards because issuers don’t count them as purchases.
What a cash advance adds to the cost:
- An upfront fee, either flat or a percentage with a minimum.
- Interest starts the day you withdraw, with no grace period.
- A cash advance APR that is usually higher than the purchase APR.
- Possible ATM or bank fees on top of the card fee.
A cash advance replaces old debt with new debt plus a fee, so your total owed rises before interest is counted.
When a balance transfer is worth it
A balance transfer pays off when the interest you avoid exceeds the fee, and you repay the balance before the promotional period ends.
Here is a simple example. Suppose you owe $5,000 at 20% APR and repay it in 18 equal monthly payments. The interest would be about $829. If you instead move the balance to a card with 0% for 18 months and a 3% fee, the fee is $150, and you pay about $286 per month ($5,150 divided by 18). The net savings are about $679, but only if you repay the full amount within 18 months.
A balance transfer usually makes sense when:
- You can repay the full amount, including the fee, before the promotional period ends.
- The fee is smaller than the interest you would pay on the old card over the same time.
- You will stop adding new debt to the old card.
- You are likely to qualify. Balance transfer cards typically require good or excellent credit, which usually means a score of 670 or above.
It usually does not make sense when:
- You are already struggling to make on-time payments. A transfer changes the interest rate, not the amount you owe, and the fee adds to it.
- You tend to overspend. Paying off the old card frees its credit limit, so the total debt can grow again.
- You cannot repay most of the balance within the promotional period, because the rest will accrue interest at the standard APR.
The bottom line
Paying one credit card with another is a smart move only when you use a balance transfer, the fee is smaller than the interest you would otherwise pay, and you can repay the full balance before the promotional rate ends. If you cannot, the transfer adds a fee and the remaining balance returns to a high standard rate. Avoid cash advances unless you have no other option. If you already struggle to make minimum payments, speak with your card issuer or a nonprofit credit counselor before you open a new card.
