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If you’re dealing with some credit card debt, you’re not alone. Total credit card debt in the U.S. has risen by $70 billion from Q1 2025 to Q1 2026. Further, the June 2026 consumer price index (CPI) report showed a 4.2% year-over-year increase in May, with no signs of relief for consumers covering everyday costs like gas and groceries.
If you’re looking for a way to pay down debt, you can do so without sacrificing your ability to earn rewards. Many cards that offer intro APR periods often do so at the cost of other benefits, but some cards offer both. This could be a great option if you’re looking for a balance transfer card but still want it to be useful down the road.
CNBC Select highlights five no-annual-fee credit cards that offer an intro APR on balance transfers and earn rewards on your spending.
Balance transfer cards with rewards
If you want flat-rate rewards
If you’re looking for a card that keeps things simple, the Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the best available. Earning a flat 2% cash back (1% when you buy, then 1% when you pay), the card also offers a 0% introductory APR for 18 months on balance transfers (17.49% to 27.49% variable APR thereafter).
A flat-rate 2% cash-back card is pretty much the best available on the market, so the addition of an 18-month 0% APR is great for those who have some debt they’ve been struggling to make a dent in.
Plus, the card’s $200 cash-back welcome bonus is fairly easy to earn, requiring $1,500 in spending over six months, or an average of $250 per month.
Balance transfer fee: Intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first four months of account opening; 5% of each transfer (minimum $5) thereafter
What makes the Citi Double Cash® Card special is that it sits near the top of its class in several categories. It is an excellent option if you want flat-rate rewards, a balance transfer intro-APR or no annual fee.
- Balance transfers get a long intro APR
- Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- Earns transferable rewards
- No annual fee
- It has a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR only applies to balance transfer
- Points transfer ratios are reduced compared to premium cards
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% – 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
If you’re more familiar with Capital One or want a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is another flat-rate option, earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
While its 0% APR offer is three months shorter, it offers 15 months interest-free on both purchases and balance transfers, followed by a variable APR of 18.49% to 28.49%. The rewards rate is slightly lower compared to the Double Cash, but it could make sense if you travel a little more frequently, as transaction fees can quickly add up.
Balance transfer fee: 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, cash-back rewards and a generous intro-APR offer, which make it a great option for saving on interest while earning rewards.
- Simple rewards structure with no caps or categories to track
- Long intro-APR offer
- No annual fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
- 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
If you want cash-back categories
For those looking for a card that earns higher rewards in specific categories, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) is a great pick. To start, the card features a 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 18.24% to 27.74% — that’s a fairly long intro period for a card with various bonus categories.
You’ll earn at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% on drugstores and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 2% cash back on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027.
Balance transfer fee: Intro balance transfer fee of $5or3%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening; $5or5%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, after
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.
- Users get a high rewards rate and strong welcome bonus
- Purchases and balance transfers get long intro APR
- No annual fee
- Travelers face a foreign transaction fee
- Few rewarding ongoing benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% – 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
If you want to earn on groceries and gas
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a great card for those looking to earn rewards on some of the most common purchases, including your grocery haul and gas tank fill-ups.
The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (followed by a variable APR of 19.49% to 28.49%; see rates and fees). Plus, you’ll earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases per category, then 1% back).
You’ll also get access to Disney streaming statement credit and can potentially earn even more through Amex Offers, the issuer’s free, targeted deals program that helps you earn rewards at select merchants.
Balance transfer fee: Either$5or3%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee and you may be eligible for bonus rewards on a wide range of common expenditures.
- Up to $264 in streaming service and meal kit credits every year (subject to auto renewal)
- High cash-back rates in popular spending categories
- No annual fee
- The best bonus cash-back categories are capped
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $200 cash back* after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $2,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don’t have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either$5or3%of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
If you want flexible travel rewards
If you’re still hoping to travel while paying down your credit card debt, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card can help.
Outside of its 15-month intro APR on purchases and balance transfers (18.49% to 28.49% variable APR thereafter), the VentureOne earns a flat 1.25X miles on every purchase — elevated to 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Plus, the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, meaning it won’t tack extra fees onto purchases you make outside of the United States.
Capital One miles are typically worth the most when used for booking travel, either as a statement credit for past travel purchases or to book new travel reservations through Capital One Travel.
Balance transfer fee: 3%for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card earns transferrable miles, which is a stand-out benefit for a no-annual-fee card.
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No annual fee
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
- No travel credits and limited travel protections
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% – 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
3%for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
Foreign transaction fee
Pros and cons of earning rewards while paying off debt
While using a rewards balance transfer card to help you better manage your debt can often be a great tool, there are a few downsides to be aware of before you apply.
Pros
- Rewards can help accelerate debt payments: If you redeem the rewards you earn for a statement credit or direct deposit, you can use the money to help pay down debt a little faster; even 2% adds up over time.
- Get a rebate on necessary spending: We all have necessary spending — from weekly groceries to gas purchases. Earning rewards on expenses you need to cover anyway can help recoup a bit of the cost.
- Provides lasting value: These reward credit cards can still offer value down the line, even once you’ve paid off all of your debt.
Cons
- Fees: Many balance transfer cards charge a fee for the process, which is typically either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater) but can vary by card.
- Credit score requirements: Cards that offer a 0% APR period, either on purchases or balance transfers, often have higher credit score requirements for approval.
- Rewards could encourage more spending: If you already struggle with making credit card payments on time, earning rewards could encourage spending above your means.
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For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, click here.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
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