Direct credit card payments are not allowed by card networks or issuers
You cannot pay one credit card with another credit card directly. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover all prohibit their member banks from accepting credit card payments made with another credit card. If you try to make a payment online, by phone, or in person at a branch, the transaction will be declined.
This rule exists because credit card payments are treated as cash advances when they come from another card, and card networks have built restrictions into their systems to prevent this. The issuer of the card you are trying to use for payment will block the transaction before it reaches the card you owe money on.
The restriction applies whether the two cards are from the same bank or different banks, and whether you are trying to pay the full balance, a partial payment, or the minimum due.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card networks block payments made with another credit card at the point of transaction, so the payment will not go through.
- A cash advance from one card to pay another card costs you a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent) plus a higher interest rate starting immediately.
- Debit cards, bank transfers, and checks are the standard methods issuers accept for credit card payments.
- If you are short on funds, contacting your issuer about a hardship program or payment plan may be faster than finding a workaround.
Why card networks enforce this rule
Card networks treat a credit card payment made with another credit card as a cash advance, not a standard purchase. A cash advance is when you borrow money directly from your credit line, rather than charging a merchant. Cash advances carry higher fees and interest rates than regular purchases because they are considered riskier for the lender.
Networks block these transactions to protect themselves from the cost and risk of allowing cardholders to shuffle debt between cards indefinitely. If the rule did not exist, someone could theoretically use multiple cards to create a cycle of borrowing that becomes impossible to track or collect on.
The restriction also prevents what is sometimes called "balance transfer arbitrage," where a cardholder might exploit a 0% introductory rate on one card by using it to pay off another card, then repeating the cycle. Networks and issuers have a financial interest in stopping this pattern.
What happens if you try to pay with a credit card anyway
When you attempt to make a credit card payment using another credit card online, the payment portal will reject it. Most issuer websites have a dropdown menu for payment method that does not include "credit card" as an option—only debit card, bank account, or check.
If you call the issuer's customer service line and ask to pay by credit card over the phone, the representative will tell you it is not possible and will offer you the accepted payment methods instead. Some older phone systems may have allowed this years ago, but modern issuers have removed the option entirely.
Attempting to use a credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash, then using that cash to pay the other card, is technically possible but costs you an ATM fee plus a cash advance fee on the card you withdrew from, making it an expensive workaround.
The cost of a cash advance if you find a workaround
If you withdraw cash from one credit card using an ATM or a cash advance at a bank, and then use that cash to pay another card, you will pay two separate fees. The card you withdrew from charges a cash advance fee, which is typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $5 to $10. You may also pay an ATM operator fee if you use an out-of-network machine.
The cash advance also starts accruing interest immediately—there is no grace period like there is for purchases. Interest rates on cash advances are usually 2 to 3 percentage points higher than the purchase rate on the same card. If your purchase APR is 18 percent, your cash advance APR might be 21 percent, and interest begins the day you withdraw the money.
For example, if you withdraw $500 as a cash advance at a 4 percent fee and 21 percent APR, you pay $20 in fees upfront plus interest that starts accruing immediately. After 30 days, you would owe approximately $28.75 in interest alone. This makes the cash advance method far more expensive than other payment options.
Accepted payment methods for credit cards
Credit card issuers accept payments through a limited set of methods. A debit card is the most common alternative and works instantly online or by phone. You provide the debit card number, expiration date, and CVV, and the payment processes like any other debit transaction.
A bank account transfer (also called an ACH transfer or electronic bank transfer) is free and takes 1 to 3 business days. You provide your routing number and account number, and the issuer pulls the payment directly from your checking or savings account. This is the method most issuers recommend because it is free and reliable.
Check payments are still accepted by most issuers, though they take 5 to 10 business days to clear. You mail the check to the address on your statement or the issuer's website. Some issuers also accept wire transfers, though these usually cost $15 to $30 and are not necessary for routine payments.
A few issuers allow payments through third-party payment services like PayPal or Venmo, but these services charge a fee (usually 1 to 3 percent) and are not offered by all banks. Check your issuer's payment page to see which methods are available.
When you are short on funds and need payment options
If you cannot pay your credit card balance in full and are looking for alternatives, contact your issuer directly before the payment is due. Many issuers offer hardship programs that reduce your interest rate, waive fees, or create a structured payment plan if you are experiencing financial difficulty. These programs are not advertised widely, but they exist and can be negotiated.
You can also ask about a payment plan or deferment, where the issuer allows you to skip a payment or two without penalty, or spreads your balance over a longer period at a reduced rate. The terms vary by issuer and your account history, but asking costs nothing and may save you hundreds in fees and interest.
If you have multiple cards with high balances, a balance transfer to a card with a 0% introductory APR (usually 6 to 21 months) can reduce the interest you pay while you work down the debt. Balance transfers do charge a fee (typically 3 to 5 percent), but the fee is lower than the interest you would pay at a standard rate over the same period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to pay another credit card if they are from the same bank?
No. The restriction applies across all issuers and card networks, regardless of whether both cards are from the same bank. The bank's own systems will block the transaction because the card network rules prohibit it.
What if I use a balance transfer check from my credit card to pay another card?
A balance transfer check is treated as a cash advance, not a regular payment. You will pay a cash advance fee (3 to 5 percent) and a higher interest rate starting immediately. Balance transfer checks are meant to transfer balances between cards, not to make payments, and they carry the same costs as a cash advance.
Is there any way to pay a credit card with a credit card without extra fees?
No. Any method that involves using one credit card to fund a payment to another card will be classified as a cash advance and will incur fees and higher interest. The only fee-free payment methods are debit cards, bank transfers, and checks.
If I pay my credit card with a debit card, do I earn rewards?
No. Paying a credit card bill with a debit card does not earn rewards on either card. The debit card transaction is a payment, not a purchase, so it does not trigger rewards. Only purchases made with the credit card itself earn rewards.
How long does a bank transfer payment take to show up on my credit card account?
Bank transfers typically take 1 to 3 business days to post to your account. The exact timing depends on your issuer and your bank. Payments made before the due date are considered on-time, even if they have not fully posted yet, as long as the issuer receives the transfer instruction by the deadline.