Can We Pay Credit Card Bill By Another Credit Card?

Some people pay off one credit card bill with another credit card bill as a way to manage their credit card debt or get more rewards points. Most of the time, though, you can’t use one card to pay another card’s bill. Balance transfers and cash advances are ways to pay off one credit card with another, but they come with risks and fees that you should know about first.

You Typically Can’t Pay a Credit Card Bill Directly With Another Card

When your monthly credit card statement arrives it will show a billing amount you owe. Many people wonder if they can just put that statement balance on a different credit card to pay it off.

The short answer is no Credit card companies do not allow you to directly substitute one card for another when making payments When you pay your bill online or over the phone, you’ll need to provide bank account information, like an account and routing number. Entering a different credit card number instead is not possible.

Issuers don’t let people pay off credit cards with other cards because they want to limit their risk. A customer whose balances are constantly shifting between cards may be unstable financially and more likely to not make payments. Allowing card-to-card payments with no cash contribution also makes it easier for people to get into debt.

Indirect Options: Balance Transfers or Cash Advances

One card can’t be used to pay off another card directly, but there are two other ways to move debt from one account to another:

Balance Transfers

You move a balance from one credit card to another and pay it off at the same time. A lot of credit cards have promotional intro APR periods for balance transfers, and they usually last between 12 and 18 months. Moving your debt to one of these cards can save you money on interest if you can pay it off before the introductory period ends.

However, balance transfers usually come with fees amounting to 3-5% of the transfer amount. You need to crunch the numbers to see if the fees still make it worthwhile compared to just paying interest on your current card. It takes a couple weeks to process transfers as well.

Cash Advances

Another route is taking out a cash advance on one credit card to get money you then use to pay the bill on another card. However, this option comes with fees and astronomical interest rates, making it extremely expensive.

Cash advances don’t have a grace period – you start accruing interest immediately rather than at the end of your billing cycle. The APR is often 25% or higher, even double or triple the normal purchase rate. There are also cash advance fees, usually around 5% of the amount withdrawn or $10, whichever is greater.

The Downsides of Paying With Other Credit Cards

While balance transfers or cash advances allow you to indirectly pay a credit card bill with another card, both options come with limitations and risks, including:

• High fees – Balance transfer fees range from 3-5% of the amount moved. Cash advance fees are usually around 5% as well. This can add hundred of dollars in costs.

• Interest charges – Cash advances begin accruing interest right away. Even balance transfers lose their 0% intro APR after 12-18 months. If you don’t pay off the full balance by then, interest kicks in.

• Reward ineligibility – Balance transfers and cash advances don’t qualify for credit card rewards programs. You won’t earn any points, miles or cashback.

• Credit score impact – Too many balance transfers or cash advances can negatively affect your credit score. The hard inquiry from applying for a new transfer card also causes a small score drop.

• Deferred debt – While shifting debt around may seem like you’re addressing it, balance transfers simply defer and prolong repayment. The core problem remains if you can’t pay off the full balance.

Ways to Pay Off Credit Card Bills Without Another Card

If paying with another card has too many drawbacks or simply isn’t an option, consider these alternatives to take care of a credit card bill:

• Use your checking or savings account – The default payment method credit card companies allow is linking a bank account, which lets you securely pay your bill via electronic transfer or check.

• Pay with a money order – You can purchase money orders from places like the post office and use them to pay bills. This may cost a small fee but lets you pay with cash.

• Ask for a lower APR – If your current interest rate is high, call your credit card issuer and politely ask them if they can reduce it. They may say yes to keep you as a customer.

• See if you qualify for a hardship program – Issuers understand extenuating circumstances happen. They may lower or pause minimum payments if you communicate with them.

• Consider debt consolidation loans – These combine multiple balances into one payment at a lower interest rate, which may make repayment easier.

• As a last resort, explore bankruptcy – While damaging to your credit, bankruptcy legally discharges unaffordable debt to give you a fresh start. Meet with a lawyer to see if it’s a good option.

The Bottom Line

Directly substituting one credit card for another when paying your monthly bills is not allowed by card issuers. While balance transfers or cash advances provide workarounds, they also incur fees and interest charges that may outweigh any benefits.

Carefully consider all your options if you need help paying off credit card debt. With the right plan and some fiscal discipline, you can become debt-free and achieve financial stability.