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The Daily Insight Hub

Can you balance transfer a maxed out credit card?

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on January 23, 2026

A final way to deal with a maxed out card is to transfer the balance to a new card. If you have good credit, you might be able to get a card with a 0% introductory rate, which will make paying off the balance much easier than you would with a penalty APR.

What is the maximum you can balance transfer on a credit card?

How much can I move?” The amount that can be moved to a balance transfer credit card is determined by the cardholder’s credit limit. Most providers specify that cardholders can transfer a percentage of their total limit – often 90 to 95% – and sometimes impose a maximum cap too.

Can you transfer a credit balance to another account?

While you can’t just put your entire credit card account in someone else’s name, it is possible to give them your debt. Credit card companies offer the ability to transfer balances from one card to another, even if they’re not held by the same person, as long as both parties agree on the transaction.

What happens if I balance transfer more than I owe?

If you overpay your credit card your account’s balance will go negative. That means that the card company owes you money, rather than you owing the card company money.

Can I transfer a balance from my wife’s credit card to mine?

Transferring the balance between two people’s names In some cases, credit card issuers will require you to add your partner as an additional cardholder before their debt can be transferred to the new credit card. Otherwise, you may simply be able to transfer the balance from any person’s account to your own.

How many times can you balance transfer from the same card?

In theory, there’s no limit to the number of separate credit and store cards you can transfer over. But in practice, you’re limited by the credit limit on the card. There will usually be a time limit for transferring balances though.

What happens if I transfer my balance to a different credit card?

Introductory low or 0% APR. Swapping your balance to a different credit card can come with a rate that’s less than your current APR and an introductory rate as low as 0%. Potential to pay off debt faster. A lower APR means less interest and smaller monthly minimums.

When is the best time to do a balance transfer?

A balance transfer is best when you can move debt from a high-interest card to a lower-interest card. However, keep your credit utilization ratio (the amount of your debt compared to your available credit) low. Ensure your existing credit card accounts and credit history are in good standing before taking action.

What’s the interest rate on a balance transfer credit card?

Introductory low or 0% APR. Swapping your balance to a different credit card can come with a rate that’s less than your current APR and an introductory rate as low as 0%. Potential to pay off debt faster.

What can I do with a large balance transfer?

With a large balance transfer you can consolidate your debt or simply get it to a credit card with a lower APR to make management easier and interest payments less. Navigating a large balance transfer may be a little overwhelming, but this guide should give you a good jumping-off point.