Can You Get a Balance Transfer With a Bad Credit Score?

6 min read

Last Updated: May 9, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

Balance transfer credit cards with 0% introductory APRs usually require good credit to qualify.
If you don’t qualify for a balance transfer card, there are other ways to consolidate debt and reduce interest payments.
Secured credit cards and debt consolidation may help reduce interest fees and help rebuild your credit score.

Mounting bills and debt can be tough to manage without a strategy to help you balance your finances. Budgeting and cutting back on leisure expenses could help you chip away at paying off debt faster. And financial tools like balance transfers can support your progress. But who qualifies for a balance transfer card? Let’s look at what a balance transfer is and what kind of credit score you need to qualify.

What’s a balance transfer?

A balance transfer allows you to shift part or all the outstanding amount (or credit card balance) from one credit card account to another. The new account is usually from a different card issuer and offers a lower interest rate. The right balance transfer credit card offer could help you avoid accumulating further interest and simplify debt repayment.

Pros of balance transfer cards for bad credit

Consolidating debt across multiple accounts into a single credit card account can leave you with one simple monthly payment, which may be easier to manage.
Some cards offer a zero or low promotional APR on your transferred balance, which can make it easier to repay debt quickly as long as you stay on top of payments.
By using your credit card responsibly after you’ve repaid your balance, you may be able to earn credit card rewards and build a stronger credit history.

Cons of balance transfer credit cards for bad credit

If you have trouble keeping up with your payments already, or if you tend to overspend, a balance transfer credit card offer may not help you get your credit card debt under control.
Balance transfer credit card offers may not include a low introductory APR on new purchases, so you may not be able to make everyday purchases on your card without accruing interest on those purchases.
To set up a balance transfer, you often must pay a balance transfer fee of around 3%-5% of the amount you’re transferring, depending on the card issuer. Make sure your balance transfer fee doesn’t offset the amount of interest you’re saving.
Any credit card balance that remains after the promotional period ends will begin accruing interest at the card’s standard APR.

Do you qualify for a balance transfer card?

Balance transfer credit cards with 0% promotional APRs are usually available to people with good or excellent credit scores. So, if you have a good or excellent credit score, you may have a better chance of qualifying for a balance transfer card. However, an excellent credit score may not be a requirement for all balance transfer cards.

While someone with a poor credit score may not be eligible for a card with a 0% introductory APR and high balance transfer limit, a credit card issuer may still extend a balance transfer offer with a low balance transfer limit and lower-than-average intro APR.

Eligibility criteria and features for balance transfer offers vary across credit card issuers. For example, new customers can get a balance transfer offer from Discover that may help them consolidate monthly credit card payments and save money on credit card interest.

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Do balance transfer cards affect your credit score?

A balance transfer itself may not affect your credit, but opening a new card does have some secondary effects on your credit score. Before approving your credit card application, card issuers typically perform a hard credit inquiry, which may impact your credit score. On the other hand, a new credit card can increase your total available credit limit, which may reduce your credit utilization (if you don't increase your spending). Lower credit utilization may improve your score.

Alternatives to balance transfer cards

If you don’t qualify for a balance transfer credit card, there are alternatives that may still help improve your credit score, consolidate debt, or reduce interest costs.

Secured credit card

A secured credit card requires you to provide a security deposit as collateral. Your credit limit is usually equal to your security deposit. A secured card could help boost your credit as long as you make timely payments and practice responsible spending habits. With a secured card from Discover, you may even earn cash back rewards. After several months of practicing responsible credit habits, you may qualify for an unsecured card.

Did you know?

With the Discover it^® Secured Card, you can get your deposit back after 6 consecutive on-time payments and maintaining good status on all your credit accounts.² And you may rebuild your credit history with responsible use.³

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Debt consolidation

If you have multiple credit cards with various due dates and interest rates, you may have trouble staying on top of payments. Debt consolidation may help, it’s a way to combine multiple debts—like credit card bills and personal loan installments—into one, ideally with a lower interest rate.

Balance transfer cards aren’t the only debt consolidation tools. If you don’t qualify for a balance transfer credit card offer, you might consider a debt consolidation loan instead. If you need help creating a repayment plan, consider seeking support from a non-profit credit counselor.

Transfer to a card with a lower APR

If you don’t want to take out a loan or open a new credit card, some credit card issuers may let you move your debt to an existing card with a lower interest rate. Even if you can’t completely eliminate interest charges, lower interest charges can still make your credit card debt more manageable.

Improving your credit score

Improving your credit score is a great way to begin to qualify for credit cards with more favorable features, like balance transfer cards or those with a 0% introductory APR.

A few steps that could help lead to a higher credit score include:

Reduce credit utilization by paying down as much of your debt as possible.
Pay your monthly credit card bills in full and on time.
Check your credit report for errors that may affect your credit score.

The bottom line

If you have a fair credit score or lower, you may qualify for some balance transfer credit cards, though the terms may not be ideal. If you’re not eligible for a balance transfer card, other options may help you consolidate your debts and minimize your interest payments. Bad credit doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. With the right strategies, you can improve your credit score, reduce debt, and get your finances on track.

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