The Short Answer: Usually Not Directly
Most credit card issuers do not let you pay your bill by entering another credit card number. When you log into your account to make a payment, the system typically accepts bank account transfers, debit cards, or checks — but not another credit card.
The reason is straightforward: credit card companies want to avoid the fees and risk that come with processing card-to-card payments. If you could pay a Visa with a Mastercard, the Mastercard issuer would charge the Visa issuer a processing fee (usually 2 to 3 percent), and that cost would eventually land on you through higher interest rates or annual fees.
That said, there are a few workarounds if you need to move money from one card to another. None of them are free, and some carry real costs, so it matters to understand what each one does.
Key Takeaways
- Direct credit card payments are blocked by most issuers because of processing fees and fraud risk.
- A cash advance lets you withdraw money from one credit card and pay another card's bill, but charges an upfront fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus interest starting when ready.
- Balance transfers move debt from one card to another and may offer a 0 percent introductory rate, but require a new account and charge a transfer fee (typically 3 to 5 percent).
- Paying with a debit card or bank account transfer is free and is the method credit card issuers prefer.
- Using a third-party payment service to convert a credit card to a bank transfer may work but often charges a fee and carries fraud risk.
Cash Advances: Withdraw and Pay
A cash advance is a way to borrow money against your credit card's available credit. You can get cash from an ATM, a bank teller, or sometimes a convenience store, then use that cash to pay another card's bill by check or bank transfer.
The catch is cost. Cash advances charge an upfront fee — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount you withdraw — on top of your regular interest rate. That interest starts accruing when ready, not after a grace period like a regular purchase. If you withdraw $1,000 at a 5 percent fee and 22 percent APR, you owe $50 right away plus interest that begins the next day.
Cash advances make sense only if you are in a genuine bind and have no other way to move money. For routine bill payments, the cost is too high.
Balance Transfers: Moving Debt Between Cards
A balance transfer moves debt from one credit card to another. You open a new account (or use an existing one if the issuer allows it) and request that the new card pay off the old card's balance. The new card issuer sends the payment directly to the old issuer.
Balance transfers charge a fee — usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount transferred — but many cards offer a 0 percent introductory rate for 6 to 21 months. If you are carrying high-interest debt, this can save you hundreds in interest, as long as you pay down the balance before the promotional rate expires.
The downside is that you need to open a new account, which triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report. Also, the 0 percent rate applies only to the transferred balance, not to new purchases on that card. And if you miss a payment during the promotional period, the issuer can end the 0 percent rate and charge you the regular APR retroactively.
Third-Party Payment Services and Their Risks
Some payment platforms (like PayPal, Square Cash, or Venmo) let you link a credit card and send money to a bank account. In theory, you could use this to move money from one card to another: charge the service with Card A, have it deposit to your bank account, then pay Card B from that account.
In practice, this approach has real problems. Many of these services charge a fee for credit card transactions — often 2 to 3 percent — which adds to your cost. More importantly, using a credit card to fund a payment service can trigger fraud alerts or be treated as a cash advance by your card issuer, which means the same upfront fees and when ready interest explore.
These services are designed for peer-to-peer transfers or small business payments, not for moving money between your own accounts. Using them this way can also violate the terms of service for both the payment platform and your credit card issuer.
The Free Option: Pay From Your Bank Account
The simplest and cheapest way to pay a credit card bill is to link your checking or savings account and set up a transfer. This is free, takes one to three business days, and is the method every credit card issuer supports.
If you do not have a bank account, a debit card works the same way. You can also mail a check, though this takes longer and requires you to write down your account number.
If you are trying to pay one credit card with another because you do not have access to a bank account, the real problem is not the payment method — it is that you need a bank account. Many banks and credit unions offer no-fee checking accounts, and some online banks have no minimum balance requirements.
When You Might Be Tempted to Try This
People usually look for ways to pay a credit card with another credit card when they are in a tight spot: the bill is due, they have no cash in the bank, but they have available credit on another card. This feels like a solution, but it is actually a sign that you are spending more than you earn.
If you are regularly moving debt between cards or taking cash advances to pay other bills, the real issue is not the payment method — it is that your expenses exceed your income. Using one card to pay another does not solve this; it just spreads the debt across more accounts and costs you fees and interest in the process.
If you are in this situation, the better move is to contact your card issuer and ask about a hardship program or lower interest rate. Many issuers have options for people going through a rough patch, and these are free to discuss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I try to pay a credit card with another credit card?
The payment will be declined. Your card issuer's system will not accept another credit card number as a payment method. You can try, but it will not go through.
Is a balance transfer the same as paying one card with another?
No. A balance transfer moves your debt to a different card, usually with a lower interest rate for a set period. You are not paying off the debt — you are moving it. You still owe the full amount, and you still have to pay it back.
Can I use a credit card to load money onto a prepaid card, then pay my bill from there?
Technically yes, but most prepaid card issuers charge a fee for loading money with a credit card (usually 2 to 3 percent), and your credit card issuer may treat it as a cash advance. The total cost makes this more expensive than just paying from a bank account.
What if my bank account is overdrawn and I cannot pay my credit card bill?
Contact your credit card issuer before the payment is due. Many have hardship programs that can lower your interest rate, waive fees, or set up a payment plan. Missing a payment damages your credit score, so calling ahead is always better than letting it default.
Does paying a credit card with a debit card count as a cash advance?
No. A debit card is treated as a bank account transfer, not a credit card transaction. It is free and does not trigger cash advance fees or when ready interest.