Can you pay a credit card with another credit card?

In most cases, credit card issuers won’t accept credit cards as a form of payment. So you won’t be able to pay a credit card bill with another credit card. 

The only ways you might be able to use a credit card to pay your bill are through a balance transfer or cash advance, but they could come with fees that add to your debt, among other considerations. So before you make any decisions, it’s important to understand your options.

What you’ll learn:

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

• If you’re set on using a credit card, you might be able to pay with a balance transfer or cash advance, but they can have downsides and may add to your debt. 

• A balance transfer may offer a promotional period that could save you money in interest. But transfer fees could eliminate any potential interest savings.

• Using a cash advance to pay a credit card might cost you more in interest and fees. And there may not be a grace period, so you could start accruing interest immediately.

You can’t typically pay one credit card with another—at least, not directly. Many financial institutions consider it a risky move, and it can also come with high fees. 

However, if you’re struggling to repay credit card debt, there may be alternatives that could help.

In general, balance transfers and cash advances are the two most common ways you could pay off one credit card using another credit card. However, it’s important to fully understand the potential risks and expenses that can come with both. Trying to get around payment rules could end up making your finances and credit even worse.

Take a closer look at each:

A cash advance lets you borrow money against your credit card’s line of credit. Basically, that means you can use your credit card to withdraw cash. Before you consider using a cash advance to pay off another credit card, it’s a good idea to understand the costs. 

Cash advances usually have a higher annual percentage rate (APR) than regular credit card purchases do. They can also include additional fees. Plus, cash advances might not have a grace period that lets you avoid paying interest for a period of time. So you could start accruing interest on a cash advance immediately. 

Experts generally suggest avoiding a cash advance. Using a cash advance to pay off your credit card bill may end up costing you more than your original credit card bill. And even if actual cash never touches your hands, a transaction might still be considered a cash advance. That might include initiating wire transfers or buying money orders to pay off another credit card.

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

Often, balance transfer cards come with an introductory low or 0% APR. During your introductory period, you could work to repay your balance without any additional interest—which could help you save money. But in most cases, you’ll have to pay a balance transfer fee to complete the process.

Initiating a balance transfer can help you save money in the long run by reducing the total interest owed—as long as you repay your balance in full before the introductory period ends. But it’s important to understand the terms of the transfer and how much you could owe in fees. It’s also important to establish a plan to ensure you can repay your balance in full before the standard APR applies.

Keep these factors in mind before deciding to make a balance transfer with another credit card:

Some credit cards offer introductory or promotional interest rates for balance transfers. But those rates are only for a limited time. If you want to take advantage of a low introductory or promotional rate, be sure you know when the low rate will expire and the standard rate will apply.

Balance transfers aren’t necessarily free. Even if a balance transfer comes with a limited-time 0% APR, you may still be charged a balance transfer fee. That fee could be a set amount or a percentage of the transferred balance.

After transferring a balance, you’ll still have to make at least the monthly minimum payments on the new card. And if you didn’t transfer the entire balance from your original card, be sure to keep track of payments for that card, too.

If you make a late payment or miss a payment altogether on your new card, you might lose your introductory or promotional interest rate. Your issuer might also charge a penalty APR after a late or missed payment. So be sure to know the terms and conditions of your card.

Lenders usually don’t allow debt transfers from different internal accounts. If you want to do a balance transfer, you typically have to transfer the debt to a different credit card issuer. 

Additionally, different credit card issuers may have specific credit score requirements for balance transfer cards. So there’s a chance you might not qualify for a balance transfer card if you’re new to credit or already have a lower-range score.

When applying for a second credit card, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be approved for a high enough credit limit to transfer your full balance to the new account. If you’re only able to transfer a portion of your balance, you could end up paying off two cards and may also owe additional transfer fees.

Every time you apply for a new line of credit, your credit scores can be negatively affected thanks to the hard inquiry used to check your scores. Even for those with excellent credit, it’s still important to understand how an application can affect your score, especially if you plan to apply for additional financing—like a mortgage—in the near future.

If you’re unable to pay your credit card bill, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says to contact your credit card issuer as soon as possible. That goes for Capital One cardholders too. The CFPB also says credit counseling could help.

Late or forgotten credit card payments can happen to anyone. But payment history is an important part of your credit scores, so late or missed payments can have a negative impact on them. 

Learn a few tips about how to use credit cards responsibly.

You typically can’t pay your credit card statement using another credit card. If you’re considering a balance transfer or cash advance, it’s a good idea to consider what additional fees may be involved before pursuing them. 

If you’re looking for ways to consolidate your credit card debt and are interested in a balance transfer, consider comparing credit cards from Capital One and see what you might get pre-approved for before applying. The pre-approval process is quick and won’t impact your credit scores.