If you’ve got a credit card, it may be tempting to use it to pay your bills, including the monthly payment on other credit cards. So, can you pay for a credit card with another card? Most credit card companies won’t allow you to pay a credit card bill with another card.

One option is to use balance transfers to transfer your debt from one card to another, ideally at a lower interest rate. You can also take out a cash advance and use that money to pay off a credit card. However, you’ll also need to deal with the original cause of credit card debt and use healthy money management to avoid it in the future.

Can I Pay a Credit Card Bill With Another Credit Card?

Credit card issuers don’t allow you to make your monthly payments with another credit card. The fees and costs associated with this type of transaction are very high for credit card companies. It’s also not a wise financial move to do so, which is another reason credit card companies don’t allow it.

Ways To Pay Off Credit Card With Another Credit Card

You can pay off credit card debt using another card in two main ways. Cash advances and balance transfers are two quick ways to reduce or pay off the entire balance if you’ve got outstanding debt on a credit card.

Option 1: Balance Transfers

If you want to move existing debt from a credit card account to a different credit card with a lower interest rate, balance transfer is a great option. It can also be a good option if you’re getting financial benefits and perks like cash back and better rewards programs. You’ll have to pay a balance transfer fee to do this, so do the math before deciding if it’s the right option for you.

Qualifying for a 0% intro APR balance transfer card isn’t always easy. Credit card companies offer this option to borrowers with an excellent credit history. If your credit report has multiple missed payments or late payments, it may be difficult to qualify.

Pros

  • You may get a 0% introductory APR offer for a limited time, during which you won’t have to pay any interest.
  • You can use it for credit card consolidation to merge balances from several cards into one with a higher available credit limit.
  • If you don’t take on any more debt, your credit utilization will go down as you make payments.

Cons

  • You’ll have to pay a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5% of the transferred balance.
  • Some cards may have a high annual fee.
  • You'll have to pay the regular annual percentage rate if you don’t pay off the entire balance before the promotional period expires.
  • If you apply for multiple credit cards at once, it can lower your credit score.

Is It Right for You?

Balance transfer may be good if you qualify for a 0% APR introductory offer. If you’ve got excellent credit and are reasonably sure you’ll be able to pay off the entire balance during this introductory offer, it may be an option worth considering. Be sure to compare the best balance transfer credit cards from different lenders to find the best deal.

Option 2: Cash Advances

If you’ve got a credit card, you can take out a cash advance against your line of credit. This is different from a regular credit card purchase and will have a different interest rate. Any amount you borrow will be added to your outstanding balance at the end of the billing cycle.

Interest rates on cash advances range from 17.99% to 29.99%, which makes this a risky way to pay a credit card bill with another. It’s important to be aware of the costs and if you’ll be able to afford it before you decide to commit to it.

Pros

  • You’ll get quick access to funds in case of an emergency.
  • It’s easy to get since no credit check or underwriting is involved.

Cons

  • The interest rate is very high.
  • There may be an additional percentage or flat rate fee.
  • It may lead to more financial problems since you’ll still have to pay off the amount you borrowed.

Brad Reichert, debt expert and founder and managing director of Reichert asset management, cautions consumers against cash advances. “It’s very important not to use cash advances on your credit cards too frequently because it can send a subtle message to your bank or credit card issuer that you might be taking too many financial risks or perhaps experiencing some significant financial stress–regardless of whether it’s true or not,” says Reichert.

Is It Right for You?

In most cases, cash advances are not a great option for getting out of credit card debt. The high interest rates and fees make it a more expensive option compared to balance transfers. This may be a good option only if you don’t qualify for a balance transfer card or if you’re in urgent need of cash.

Pros and Cons of Using One Credit Card To Pay Off Another

Using one credit card to pay off another can have a few benefits, especially if you’re getting 0% APR or better rewards. Weigh the pros and cons carefully and explore alternatives before you decide to do so.

Pros

  • You may be able to save a lot of money in interest if you qualify for a low or 0% APR credit card.
  • You may be able to pay off your debt sooner with a balance transfer if your entire payment is going toward the principal.
  • Paying down a single debt may be easier if you use debt consolidation to merge multiple credit card balances.

Cons

  • If you continue using the card once you pay it off, you’ll accumulate more debt.
  • There may be additional fees, such as balance transfer fees, which may negate the savings.
  • If you’re struggling to make timely payments, you may find it difficult to make payments even after a balance transfer.

3 Tips for Managing Credit Card Payments Effectively

Whether you choose to pay a credit card with another credit card or explore other alternatives, here are a few tips to manage your payments effectively.

1. Create a Payment Plan

Make a list of all your debts and come up with a plan to pay them off in a reasonable amount of time. Use a credit card payoff calculator to determine how much you’ll need to pay each month to become debt-free. Once you’re happy with the plan, stick to it to avoid excessive interest charges.

2. Prioritize High-Interest Debt

If you’ve got multiple credit cards, use the debt avalanche strategy to pay it off. With this strategy, you’ll prioritize high-interest debt while making minimum payments on other cards. Once you pay off the entire balance, you can focus on your next most expensive card until you pay off all your debt to save money in the long run.

3. Use Automatic Payments

Set up automatic payments for all your credit cards to ensure you always pay by the due date. This is an easy but effective way to avoid late fees, which can add to your overall balance and increase your debt.

The Bottom Line on Paying a Credit Card Bill With Another

You can’t use a credit card to pay off another credit card. However, you can use cash advances or transfer the balance to a new card. Cash advances can be very expensive, but a balance transfer may be a good option if you’re getting 0% APR for an introductory period.

The easiest, and sometimes the best, way to pay off credit card debt is by making more than the minimum monthly payment. You can also use debt payoff strategies like debt avalanche or debt snowball if you have multiple credit card balances. Another option is to get a personal loan with a lower interest rate.