You cannot pay a credit card balance using another credit card's regular purchase option

When you try to pay a credit card bill with another credit card through normal channels — your bank's website, the card issuer's phone line, or a payment processor — the transaction will be declined. Credit card issuers do not accept credit cards as a payment method for balances. They accept bank accounts (checking or savings), debit cards, wire transfers, and checks. That is the standard rule across Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

The reason is straightforward: credit card payments are treated as cash advances or balance transfers, which carry different terms, fees, and interest rates than regular purchases. A cash advance means you are borrowing money against your credit limit, not paying down debt. The issuer wants to control how that works and charge accordingly.

There are technically two ways to move money from one card to another, but both cost money and both come with catches. Understanding which one applies to your situation — and what it will actually cost — matters before you attempt it.

Key Takeaways

  • Credit card issuers do not accept credit cards as payment; they accept bank accounts, debit cards, and checks only.
  • A cash advance from one card to pay another card's balance costs an upfront fee (typically 3–5% of the amount) plus a higher interest rate starting immediately.
  • A balance transfer moves debt from one card to another and may offer a 0% introductory rate, but requires a balance transfer offer on the receiving card and costs a transfer fee (typically 3–5%).
  • Both options cost money; neither is free, and both affect your credit utilization and available credit on both cards.
  • The cheapest option is usually to pay from a bank account, even if you have to move money between accounts first.

Cash advances: the expensive way to move money between cards

A cash advance is a loan against your credit limit. You withdraw money using the second card, then use that cash to pay the first card's bill. This works, but it is expensive.

Cash advances charge an upfront fee — typically 3% to 5% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee of $5 to $10. So if you withdraw $1,000, you pay $30 to $50 immediately. On top of that, cash advances carry a higher interest rate than purchases. While a purchase might be 18%, a cash advance might be 25% or higher. Interest starts accruing the day you withdraw the money; there is no grace period like there is for purchases.

You can get a cash advance at an ATM using your card, through a bank teller, or through a cash advance check (if your card issuer sends them). The money goes into your account or your hand, and you then pay the other card from there. It works, but the cost is real: a $5,000 cash advance costs $150 to $250 in fees alone, plus interest that compounds daily.

Balance transfers: moving debt between cards with a lower rate

A balance transfer moves the debt itself from one card to another. Instead of withdrawing cash, you request that the new card issuer pay off the old card's balance directly. The debt moves; you now owe the second card instead of the first.

Balance transfers also charge a fee — typically 3% to 5% of the amount transferred — but they offer something cash advances do not: a promotional 0% interest rate for a set period, usually 6 to 21 months depending on the card and the offer. If you transfer $5,000 at 3% fee with a 12-month 0% rate, you pay $150 upfront but then pay no interest for a year. That is cheaper than a cash advance if you can pay down the balance during the promotional period.

The catch: you need a balance transfer offer on the receiving card. Not every card offers them, and if you have a new card or poor credit, you may not be offered one. You also need to initiate the transfer through the new card's issuer, not the old one. Log into the new card's account, look for "balance transfer" or "transfer a balance," and enter the old card's details. The new issuer contacts the old one and arranges the payment.

What happens to your credit when you move money between cards

Both cash advances and balance transfers affect your credit in the same way: they increase your credit utilization on both cards. If you have a $5,000 limit on Card A and a $5,000 limit on Card B, and you transfer $3,000 from A to B, your utilization on Card A drops (good) but your utilization on Card B jumps to 60% (bad). Your overall utilization across all cards also increases, which can lower your credit score temporarily.

The inquiry and new account activity also show up on your credit report. If you open a new card specifically to do a balance transfer, that hard inquiry and new account will temporarily lower your score by a few points. The benefit — the 0% rate — usually outweighs this if you are paying down debt, but it is not invisible.

When you should use each option

Use a balance transfer if: you have a large balance on one card, you have access to a card with a 0% balance transfer offer, and you can pay down the balance during the promotional period. The fee is worth it if the 0% rate saves you hundreds in interest.

Use a cash advance only if you have no other way to move money and you need cash immediately. The fees and interest are high enough that this should be a last resort.

The best option is usually to pay from a bank account. If you do not have the money in a checking account, move it from savings, borrow from a family member, or take a personal loan from a bank or credit union. A personal loan typically charges 6% to 36% interest depending on your credit, which is still cheaper than a cash advance and does not affect your credit utilization the way moving money between cards does.

How to actually pay a credit card bill

Log into your credit card account online or call the issuer's customer service number (on the back of your card). Select "Make a Payment" or "Pay Your Bill." You will be asked for the payment amount and the source account. Enter your bank account number and routing number (for an ACH transfer), or use a debit card. The payment posts within 1 to 3 business days.

If you do not have a bank account linked, you can pay by phone with a debit card, or mail a check to the address on your statement. Some issuers charge a fee for phone payments with a debit card (typically $15 to $25), so ask before you proceed. Mailed checks are free but take 7 to 10 days to arrive and post.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a bank account to pay from?

You can use a debit card (which draws from a bank account elsewhere) or pay by check. If you have neither, a cash advance from another credit card is an option, but the fees and interest make it expensive. A credit union or bank personal loan is usually cheaper if you need to borrow money.

Can I use a credit card to pay another card if they are from the same issuer?

No. Even if both cards are from the same bank, the issuer will not accept one credit card as payment for another. The rules are the same across all issuers and all card combinations.

Is a balance transfer better than a cash advance?

Yes, if you have access to a 0% balance transfer offer. The upfront fee is the same (3–5%), but the 0% rate saves you interest for months or years. A cash advance charges interest immediately at a higher rate, making it much more expensive over time.

How long does a balance transfer take?

Most balance transfers post within 7 to 21 days, though some take up to 30 days. The old card's balance does not disappear until the new issuer's payment clears, so you may see both balances briefly. Check your statements to confirm the transfer completed.

Will paying one card with another hurt my credit score?

Yes, temporarily. Your credit utilization increases on the receiving card, and a hard inquiry (if you open a new card) lowers your score by a few points. The impact usually recovers within a few months if you pay down the balance, but it is not free in the short term.