American Express does not offer balance transfers on most of its cards
American Express does not have a standard balance transfer product like Visa or Mastercard issuers do. You cannot transfer a balance from another credit card to an Amex card and pay it down over time at a promotional rate. This is one of the clearest differences between Amex and other major card networks.
Amex's business model has historically focused on charge cards (where you pay the full balance monthly) and on premium rewards cards rather than on balance transfer promotions. If you carry a balance on another card and want to move it somewhere, Amex is not the place to do it.
Key Takeaways
- American Express does not offer balance transfers on any of its consumer credit cards, including its entry-level and premium cards.
- If you need to transfer a balance from another card, you will need to look at Visa or Mastercard issuers instead, such as Chase, Capital One, or Citi.
- Amex does offer 0% introductory APR periods on new purchases on some cards, but this is different from a balance transfer offer.
- Balance transfer offers typically come with a fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred) even when the introductory rate is 0%.
Why Amex doesn't do balance transfers
American Express built its card network around a different lending model than Visa and Mastercard. Amex's traditional charge cards require you to pay your full statement balance each month, which means the company does not expect customers to carry balances. Even Amex's newer credit cards (which do allow you to carry a balance) are positioned as premium rewards products, not as debt consolidation tools.
Balance transfers are a competitive tool that banks use to attract customers who already have debt. Amex has chosen not to compete in that space. Instead, the company focuses on cardholders who pay in full or who want high rewards rates on spending.
What Amex offers instead of balance transfers
Some American Express cards do offer a 0% introductory APR on new purchases for a set period — typically 6 to 12 months depending on the card. This is not the same as a balance transfer, because it only applies to new charges you make after opening the card, not to debt you move from another card.
If you have an existing balance on another card and want to move it to an Amex card with a 0% intro rate, that balance would not may have access to for the promotional rate. It would be charged the regular APR when ready.
Amex also offers Pay Over Time on some of its cards, which lets you carry a balance on new purchases and pay interest on it. This is a regular financing option, not a promotional balance transfer tool. You would still be charged interest from day one.
Which card networks do offer balance transfers
If you need a balance transfer, you will need to look at cards issued by banks on the Visa or Mastercard networks. Chase, Capital One, Citi, Bank of America, and Discover all offer balance transfer options on various cards.
Balance transfer cards typically offer a 0% introductory APR for 6 to 21 months, depending on the card and the issuer. After the promotional period ends, a regular APR kicks in. Most balance transfer offers also charge a fee upfront — usually 3% to 5% of the amount you transfer — even when the interest rate is 0%.
How to move a balance if you have an Amex card
If you already have an American Express card and want to consolidate debt from another card, you have a few options. You could pay down the other card using cash or income, then use your Amex card for new spending. You could also open a new card with a different issuer that does offer balance transfers.
Another option is to use a personal loan from a bank or online lender to pay off the other card entirely. This removes the credit card debt and replaces it with an installment loan, which has a fixed payment schedule. Personal loans often have lower interest rates than credit card APRs, especially if your credit score is good.
The difference between 0% intro rates and balance transfers
A 0% introductory APR on new purchases and a 0% balance transfer offer sound similar but work very differently. An intro rate on purchases applies only to charges you make after you open the card. A balance transfer rate applies to debt you move from another card before or shortly after opening the new card.
If an Amex card offers 0% for 12 months on new purchases, that rate covers only the new things you buy. Any balance you try to transfer from another card would not be covered and would accrue interest at the regular APR. This is why Amex cards are not useful for consolidating existing debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance to an American Express card?
No. American Express does not offer balance transfers on any of its consumer cards. If you need to move a balance from another card, you will need to open a card with a different issuer, such as Chase, Capital One, or Citi.
Does the 0% intro APR on Amex cards cover balance transfers?
No. The 0% introductory rate on Amex cards applies only to new purchases you make after opening the card. Any balance you transfer from another card would be charged the regular APR when ready.
What's the best way to pay off a balance if I have an Amex card?
You can pay down the balance on your other card using income or savings, then use your Amex card for new spending going forward. Alternatively, you can open a balance transfer card with a different issuer, or take out a personal loan to pay off the other card entirely.
Are there any Amex cards that let you carry a balance?
Yes. Most American Express credit cards (not charge cards) allow you to carry a balance and pay interest on it. However, this is regular financing, not a promotional balance transfer offer. You would be charged interest from the start.
How much does a balance transfer fee usually cost?
Balance transfer fees typically range from 3% to 5% of the amount you transfer. So if you move a $5,000 balance, you would pay $150 to $250 upfront, even if the introductory interest rate is 0%. This fee is charged by the card issuer, not by American Express.