Best-Of Awards 2025 Methodology - Best Balance Transfer Credit Card

Best-Of Awards 2025 Methodologies

Best Balance Transfer Credit Card

How we picked the cards to evaluate:

NerdWallet reviewed more than 35 cards that had a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers. To be considered, a card had to be widely available and include a 0% APR period for transfers of at least 18 months. The cards we reviewed include products from NerdWallet partners, but this did not influence our selection of the winner.

How we chose the winner:

When choosing our best balance transfer credit card, we considered the following factors in descending order of importance:

• Introductory APR periods (length).
• Annual fees.
• Balance transfer fees.
• Whether the card has lasting value beyond the intro APR period (such as rewards or a low ongoing rate).
• Ongoing APR after the promotional period.

Cards' NerdWallet star ratings alone do not determine awards. Here's how our credit cards team distinguishes between star ratings and award selections:

• Star ratings are quantitative: We assess the features of a card, score those features according to how they compare with other options on the market and assign the card a rating of 1 to 5 stars based on those features. In general, a card that rates 4.5 stars will be a better value for more people than a card that rates 4.0 stars. However, the 4.0 card might be better than the 4.5 card for an individual consumer depending on that person’s circumstances.

• Selection for awards is both quantitative and qualitative: Selection for the awards is based on discussion among editorial team members and relies on the same criteria used for the star ratings. However, star ratings alone do not dictate awards. Rather, the awards identify the best cards for specific uses or specific types of consumers, such as those looking to pay down debt while minimizing interest.

How we verified our data:

NerdWallet obtains credit card information from issuer websites, published credit card agreements, automated data feeds from issuers (when available) and interviews with issuer representatives.

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