Completing a balance transfer is usually straightforward, but it is not instant. The most important parts are choosing the amount carefully, entering accurate account information, and continuing to pay the old card until the transfer is confirmed.
The exact screens and processing time vary by issuer. The following steps apply whether you request the transfer while opening a new card or later through an existing account offer.
Key takeaways
- Confirm the APR, fee, promotional period, transfer deadline, and eligible accounts before submitting the request.
- Do not assume the full balance will be moved. The approved transfer can be limited by available credit and issuer rules.
- Keep making required payments on the old account until its balance reflects the transfer.
1. List the balances you may transfer
For each account, record the issuer, account number, current balance, APR, minimum payment, and next due date. If you cannot transfer every balance, decide which ones would produce the greatest interest savings.
Do not request more than the balance you expect to owe. Interest and transactions can change the final amount while a transfer is pending, so you will still need to verify the old account afterward.
2. Review the offer one last time
- The promotional APR and the balances it covers
- The length of the promotional period
- The transfer fee and any minimum fee
- The APR that applies after the promotion
- Any deadline for requesting the transfer
- Restrictions on transfers from the same issuer or particular account types
If you are still comparing cards, start with our balance transfer card selection guide. If you have not yet done the math, review when a transfer is worth it.
3. Apply or accept the offer
A new-card application usually involves a credit check and does not guarantee approval, a particular limit, or the terms offered to the strongest applicants. An offer on an existing account may avoid opening another card, but its fee and APR still need to be compared.
Wait for the actual approval and available credit before assuming how much debt can be moved. Our guide to balance transfer card requirements explains why approval and transfer capacity are separate questions.
4. Submit the transfer request
Most issuers let you request a transfer online or by phone. You will generally provide the creditor or issuer name, the account number to be paid, and the amount you want transferred. Review every digit and keep the confirmation.
The fee is normally added to the new account. Leave enough room under the approved limit for the requested amount and fee. If the issuer approves only part of the request, the remaining balance stays on the old account.
5. Keep paying the old account
Continue making at least the required payment on the original card until you can see that the transfer has posted there. A request marked pending on the new card does not mean the old creditor has received payment.
Issuer timelines vary and the process can take days or weeks. Chase’s general balance-transfer guidance, for example, also tells consumers to keep paying the old card until the transfer is complete.
6. Verify both accounts
- Confirm the transferred amount and fee on the new account.
- Confirm the payment and remaining balance on the old account.
- Check for trailing interest, pending purchases, annual fees, or a balance that was not included.
- Contact the new issuer if the transfer has not posted within its estimated time or the amount is wrong.
7. Start the payoff plan immediately
Record the promotional end date and calculate the monthly amount needed to finish early. Set automatic payment for at least the minimum, then schedule the larger payoff amount separately if needed.
Avoid new purchases on the transfer card unless you understand their APR and grace-period treatment. Once the transfer is complete, follow our guide on what to do after a balance transfer.