You can pay another credit card, but only through specific methods — and most of them come with a cost

You cannot swipe one credit card to pay another credit card's bill directly. Card networks block this to prevent people from running up debt endlessly. However, you have three real paths: a balance transfer (moving the debt to a new card), a cash advance (withdrawing money against your credit line), or paying through a third-party service that accepts card payments. Each one carries different fees and interest rates, and each one makes sense in different situations.

The method you choose depends on whether you want to move the debt itself, get cash to pay it, or simply route a payment through a different card. Understanding the cost of each option before you act is the difference between solving a problem and creating a bigger one.

Key Takeaways

  • A balance transfer moves debt from one card to another and often includes a lower interest rate for a set period, but charges a one-time fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount transferred).
  • A cash advance lets you borrow money against your credit line at an ATM or bank, but charges higher interest immediately and a separate fee, making it the most expensive option.
  • Third-party payment services like Plastiq or your card issuer's bill pay feature let you route a card payment through another card, but charge a percentage fee on top of the transaction.
  • Paying one card with another does not reduce your total debt — it only moves it or adds fees — so this approach works best as a temporary bridge while you pay down the balance itself.

Balance transfers: moving debt to a lower-rate card

A balance transfer moves your debt from one card to another, usually a new card with a promotional interest rate. This is the cheapest option if you have access to a card offering 0 percent APR for a set period (typically 6 to 21 months, depending on the card and your credit). During that window, you pay no interest on the transferred balance, only the balance transfer fee — usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount you move.

To do a balance transfer, you contact the new card issuer (or request it online) and provide the account number of the card you want to pay off. The new issuer sends the payment directly to your old card company. You do not handle the money yourself. The transferred balance then appears on your new card's statement, and you owe it there instead.

The math matters here. If you transfer $5,000 at a 3 percent fee, you pay $150 upfront. If the old card charged 20 percent APR and you would have paid that for a year, you would have paid $1,000 in interest. The balance transfer fee saves you money — but only if you actually pay down the balance during the 0 percent window. Once that period ends, any remaining balance reverts to the new card's regular APR, which is often similar to your old card's rate.

Cash advances: borrowing against your credit line

A cash advance lets you withdraw money against your credit limit, usually at an ATM, bank, or through a check your card issuer mails you. You then use that cash to pay your other card. This is the most expensive method because cash advances charge both a cash advance fee (typically 3 to 5 percent) and a higher interest rate (often 20 to 30 percent APR) that starts accruing immediately — there is no grace period like there is for purchases.

Cash advances also count against your credit limit, so if you have a $10,000 limit and take a $3,000 cash advance, you only have $7,000 left to spend. The interest starts the day you withdraw the money, not when you receive your statement. This makes cash advances a last resort, useful only if you need immediate cash and have no other option.

Third-party payment services and bill pay features

Some card issuers offer bill pay features that let you schedule a payment from your credit card account to another card. Separately, services like Plastiq, Paypal, or Square Cash let you pay almost any bill using a credit card, including another credit card bill. These services charge a percentage fee on the transaction — usually 1 to 3 percent — and the payment takes a few business days to post.

This method is useful if you need to make a payment from a specific card (for example, to earn rewards on that card) or if you are paying a bill to someone who does not normally accept credit cards. However, the fee adds up quickly. Paying $2,000 with a 2 percent fee costs you $40 on top of whatever interest you are already paying on the balance.

When paying one card with another makes sense

Paying one card with another is a temporary tactic, not a solution. It works in a few specific situations: when you are bridging a gap until you receive income, when you are consolidating multiple high-rate cards onto one lower-rate card, or when you need to move a balance before a promotional rate expires.

It does not work as a way to avoid paying down debt. If you pay Card A with Card B, you still owe the same total amount — you have just moved it. If you then pay Card B with Card C, you now owe three cards and have paid fees on two transfers. The debt grows faster than you can move it.

The only scenario where this genuinely helps is a balance transfer to a 0 percent card where you commit to paying down the balance during the promotional period. Everything else — cash advances, third-party payment services, moving debt between cards at the same rate — costs you money without reducing what you owe.

How to compare the real cost of each option

Before you choose a method, calculate the total cost of each one. Write down the balance you want to move, the fee percentage, and the interest rate you would pay over your expected payoff timeline. A balance transfer with a 3 percent fee and 0 percent APR for 12 months costs you the fee only — if you pay the balance off within 12 months. A cash advance with a 5 percent fee and 25 percent APR costs you the fee plus interest every month until you pay it off.

Use a calculator to see the difference. If you owe $3,000 on a card at 22 percent APR and you have no balance transfer option, paying it off in 12 months costs you roughly $1,200 in interest. A cash advance to pay it off costs you $150 (5 percent fee) plus interest on the cash advance itself. Neither is good, but the cash advance is worse. A balance transfer at 0 percent for 12 months costs you $90 (3 percent fee) and no interest — a clear win if you can pay it off in time.

What to do if you cannot may have access to for a balance transfer

Balance transfers require decent credit — typically a score of 670 or higher. If your credit is lower, you may not be approved for a card with a promotional rate. In that case, your options narrow: you can take a cash advance (expensive but available), use a third-party payment service (also expensive but available), or focus on paying down the original card without moving the debt.

The last option is often the best one. If you cannot may have access to for a better card, paying extra on your current card — even $50 or $100 more per month — reduces the balance faster than moving it around. You avoid fees and you reduce the total interest you pay. It takes longer, but it costs less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a credit card to pay my credit card bill online?

Most card issuers do not allow direct card-to-card payments through their website. However, you can use a third-party bill pay service like Plastiq or your bank's bill pay feature to route a credit card payment to another card. These services charge a fee, typically 1 to 3 percent of the payment amount.

What happens to my credit score when I do a balance transfer?

A balance transfer temporarily lowers your score because it is a hard inquiry and a new account. However, it can improve your score over time if it lowers your overall credit utilization — the percentage of your total credit limit you are using. Moving $5,000 from one card to a new card with a higher limit reduces utilization, which helps your score recover within a few months.

Is a balance transfer better than paying off the card slowly?

A balance transfer is better only if you use the 0 percent period to pay down the balance significantly. If you transfer $5,000 at a 3 percent fee and then make minimum payments, you will owe interest again when the promotional period ends. Paying extra on your current card without transferring may cost more in interest, but it reduces the total amount you owe faster.

Can I do multiple balance transfers to keep my interest rate at zero?

Technically yes, but it becomes expensive and damages your credit. Each balance transfer is a hard inquiry and a new account, both of which lower your score. After two or three transfers, you will struggle to may have access to for cards with good promotional rates. Additionally, each transfer charges a fee, so you are paying 3 to 5 percent repeatedly instead of once.

What is the difference between a balance transfer and a cash advance?

A balance transfer moves your debt to a new card and often includes a 0 percent promotional rate. A cash advance withdraws money against your credit line and charges a higher interest rate immediately. Balance transfers are cheaper if you may have access to; cash advances are available to almost anyone but cost significantly more.