You Cannot Pay a Credit Card Directly With Another Credit Card
Most credit card issuers do not accept another credit card as a payment method. When you log into your account online or call to make a payment, the system will ask for a bank account (for an ACH transfer), a debit card, or a wire transfer — not a credit card. Attempting to enter a credit card number in the payment field will either be rejected or, if the system accepts it, will be treated as a cash advance rather than a payment.
A cash advance is a withdrawal of money against your credit limit, not a payment toward your balance. The issuer charges you a fee (typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount) and begins charging interest immediately — usually at a higher rate than your purchase APR. This means using one credit card to fund a cash advance on another card costs you money upfront and costs you more in interest, making it an expensive way to move debt around.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card issuers do not accept credit card payments directly; the system will reject the payment or process it as a cash advance with fees and higher interest rates.
- A cash advance on one card to pay another card costs you a fee (3 to 5 percent) plus immediate interest, making it more expensive than other payment methods.
- The only practical way to use one card to pay another is to transfer money to your bank account first, then use that account to pay the second card.
- Balance transfer cards offer a structured alternative if you are moving debt between issuers and want a lower introductory rate, though they also charge a transfer fee.
- If you cannot pay a card with available funds, contact your issuer about a hardship program or payment plan rather than attempting workarounds that increase your debt.
Why Cash Advances Are Not a Payment Solution
When a credit card system rejects a credit card number or processes it as a cash advance, the transaction does not reduce your original balance. Instead, it creates a new debt on the card you are drawing from. You now owe money on two separate lines: your original purchase balance and the new cash advance balance.
The cash advance fee is charged immediately and added to the amount you owe. A $1,000 cash advance with a 5 percent fee costs you $50 right away. Interest on that $1,050 begins accruing the same day — there is no grace period for cash advances, unlike purchases. If your cash advance APR is 25 percent, you will owe roughly $26 in interest after one month on top of the original fee.
This approach also does not solve the underlying problem: you still owe money on both cards, and you have paid nothing toward either balance. You have only moved the debt and added cost.
Using a Bank Account as an Intermediary
The only practical way to use funds from one credit card to pay another is to move the money through your bank account first. This requires two separate transactions: a cash advance or transfer from the first card to your bank account, then a payment from that account to the second card.
This method still involves a cash advance fee on the first card, so it is not free. However, it does allow you to control the timing and avoid the confusion of a rejected payment. You withdraw the money, it sits in your bank account, and you then use it to pay down the second card's balance — which does reduce that balance.
The cost is still high: a $1,000 withdrawal with a 5 percent fee costs $50, plus interest on the $1,000 at your cash advance rate. This approach makes sense only if you have no other way to pay and need to avoid a late payment on the second card.
Balance Transfers as a Structured Alternative
A balance transfer is a formal process where one card issuer pays off a balance on another issuer's card on your behalf. You request the transfer through your new card's account, provide the old card's details, and the new issuer sends a check or electronic payment directly to the old issuer. The balance moves from the old card to the new card.
Balance transfers are designed for people moving debt between issuers, often to take advantage of a lower introductory APR. Many cards offer 0 percent APR for 6 to 21 months on transferred balances, which can save you thousands in interest if you pay down the balance during that window. However, balance transfers charge a fee — typically 3 to 5 percent of the amount transferred — charged upfront and added to your new balance.
A balance transfer is only useful if the introductory rate and the length of the promotional period justify the transfer fee. If you are moving $5,000 at a 3 percent fee ($150) to a card with 0 percent APR for 12 months, you save money if you would otherwise pay 15 percent or more in interest on the original card. If you are moving debt between two cards at the same issuer, balance transfers are usually not available — you would need to contact the issuer about a rate reduction or hardship program instead.
What Happens If You Cannot Pay at All
If you do not have funds available to pay either card, attempting to use one card to pay another through a cash advance or transfer will only increase your total debt. Instead, contact your card issuer directly and explain your situation. Most issuers offer hardship programs that can lower your interest rate, waive fees, or set up a structured payment plan.
Hardship programs are not automatic — you must ask for them — but they are far cheaper than cash advances or balance transfers. An issuer may reduce your APR from 20 percent to 8 percent, or freeze your account while you make fixed monthly payments. These options keep your balance from growing and give you a realistic path to pay it down.
If you are struggling with multiple cards, a nonprofit credit counselor can review your situation and help you contact issuers on your behalf. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offers free or low-cost counseling and can sometimes negotiate payment plans across multiple cards at once.
Comparing Your Options: Cost and Timeline
| Method | Fee | Interest Rate | When Balance Reduces | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash advance to pay another card | 3–5% upfront | Higher than purchase APR, no grace period | Only the card you pay; new debt on the card you withdrew from | Emergency only; not recommended |
| Balance transfer | 3–5% upfront | 0% intro rate (6–21 months), then standard rate | Immediately on old card; new card balance is the transferred amount | Moving debt between issuers to lower rate |
| Hardship program | None | Reduced rate (varies by issuer) | Ongoing as you make payments | Cannot pay; need rate reduction or payment plan |
| Bank account payment | 3–5% (cash advance fee) | Cash advance rate on withdrawn amount | Only the card you pay from your account | Avoiding late payment when no other funds available |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I use a credit card to pay online through a payment service like PayPal or Venmo?
Payment services like PayPal, Venmo, and Square Cash treat credit card payments as cash advances or purchases, depending on the service and your card issuer. Even if the service accepts your credit card, the transaction may trigger a cash advance fee and higher interest rate. Check your card's terms or call your issuer before attempting this; it is usually not cheaper than paying directly from a bank account.
Can I transfer a balance to a card from the same issuer?
Most issuers do not allow balance transfers between cards they issue. You would need to contact the issuer and ask about a rate reduction, hardship program, or account consolidation. Some issuers will move a balance from one card to another as a courtesy, but this is not may provide and is not the same as a formal balance transfer.
If I do a balance transfer, does the old card close?
No. After a balance transfer, the old card remains open with a zero balance. You can continue using it for purchases, or you can request that the issuer close it. Closing the card may lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit, so consider keeping it open if you do not plan to use it.
How long does a balance transfer take to show up on my new card?
Balance transfers typically take 5 to 14 business days to complete. During this time, you are still responsible for making minimum payments on the old card to avoid a late payment. Once the transfer posts, the balance moves to the new card and you begin making payments there instead.
Will paying one credit card with another hurt my credit score?
If you attempt a cash advance to pay another card, it will lower your score because it increases your overall credit utilization and adds a new debt. A formal balance transfer may also lower your score temporarily because it involves a hard inquiry and a new account, but it can help your score long-term if the lower interest rate allows you to pay down the balance faster.