 TITLE: Can You Use One Credit Card to Pay Off Another? CONTENT: There are two ways you can use one credit card to pay off another one, including a balance transfer and a cash advance.\n### Balance Transfer\nBalance transfers involve using a credit card, typically from another card issuer, to pay off an existing credit card balance and effectively transfer the balance from the original card to the new one.\nMany credit cards offer an introductory annual percentage rate (APR) on balance transfers—typically 0%, but sometimes the rate is just lower than the standard rate—for a set period, which can range from six to 20 months, depending on the card. Other cards may send out balance transfer checks to existing cardholders, so you don't necessarily have to apply for a new card to get this benefit.\nThis feature makes it easy to pay down a balance and save on interest charges in the process. Once the promotional period ends, though, the remaining balance will typically be assessed interest based on the card's regular APR until it's paid in full.\nIf you have a card with a 0% APR balance transfer promotion, paying off your credit card balance before the promo period ends can be an excellent way to save money and achieve your goal of paying off the debt more quickly.\nHowever, keep in mind that balance transfers typically come with a fee of 3% to 5% of the transferred balance. So if you transfer $5,000, you can expect to have between $150 and $250 added to your balance. That fee can still be worth it if the interest savings exceed the upfront charge, but it's important to run the numbers.\n### Cash Advance\nWhile you can technically use a cash advance to pay off another credit card, it's not advisable. Cash advances typically come with an upfront fee, and it's generally higher than what you'd be charged for doing a balance transfer of the same amount.\nYou'll also never get an introductory 0% APR on a cash advance. What's more, the interest you get charged—which often comes at a higher rate than the card's regular purchase and balance transfer APR—starts accruing immediately.\nIn other words, a cash advance could wind up costing you more money than if you were to keep the balance on the original card. END