Unfortunately, you are not allowed to use another credit card to pay off a credit card. Aside from the fact that it is impossible, it is also not a good idea to pay up debt with another debt. However, if you still insist on this method, there is a way you can make it work. By using bank transfers and cash advances.
In this article, you will find out all the details about each method so you can be fully aware before making a choice.
How To Pay Off A Credit Card Using Another Credit Card?
As earlier mentioned, you can use the Balance Transfer method or Cash Advance method. Let us look at each method one by one.
Credit Card Payment Using Balance Transfer
Balance transfer simply means you are moving what is left as a balance on one account to another account, including negative balances. So, if you have a credit card balance of -$2000, you can transfer that debt to another credit card.
Most cards allow for balance transfers with lower interest rates, known as introductory or promotional rates as a way to get people to sign up for their service. These low rates will make it easier for you to pay off your debt.
While that is a pro for running a balance transfer, there are also cons. The low-interest rate might not last for a long enough time. If you are not aware of its expiry date, you might end up paying the standard interest rate which in some cases, might cost more than what is expected from your debt.
Another con is, that balance transfers have a service fee. This means you will be charged for every balance transfer you carry out. Depending on the service provider, the charge could be fixed or a certain percentage, based on the amount on the balance you are transferring.
An unavoidable con of using balance transfers is, that you cannot transfer a balance from an existing card to another existing card. It has to be a new account and a new lender. Now, applying for a new credit card requires credit score checks. This would be highly inconvenient because your credit score is already affected because of the debt you have incurred from your old card.
No matter the pros and cons, it is important to reach out to your new card lender to discuss the details properly and come to a comfortable agreement before you carry out the balance transfer.
Credit Card Payment Using Cash Advance
Cash advance simply means removing money from your credit card against your line of credit. That is, you can withdraw money using your credit card. Doing this means, you will have to take the cash you have withdrawn to the bank to process your existing credit card debt payment.
Diving straight into the cons of this method, there are lots of them. Imagine this, you take your card to an ATM to withdraw. You will first of all be charged ATM withdrawal service fees. Secondly, the Credit card you are withdrawing from would most definitely have its withdrawal fees. Depending on the service provider, it might cost you about 3% of the amount you are withdrawing.
Also, the interest rates on Cash advances are usually higher than on balance transfers. They are the most expensive and Cash advances transactions have no grace period that lets you pay the interest rate for a while. The interest rate starts accumulating starting from the day you make the withdrawal.
There are also issues accompanying the inability to pay off your credit card debt in time. If you miss your payment or have delayed payment, it would greatly affect your credit score. If your negative balance lingers on for a few months, your account will be suspended and eventually goes.
Before you think that you have gotten away from that, you haven’t. Your account statement will be sent to Credit Bureaus and it will remain on your record for a long time making it difficult for you to open another credit account or even access credit in the future.
Conclusion
Paying off a credit card can be a struggle. If you can< you can use the balance transfer method to help get off one debt. But, bear in mind that the debt doesn’t disappear as you will be incurring another debt on another account.
Also, avoid using the cash advance method at all costs. The fees are outrageous and the pressure to pay back is much compared to a balance transfer. There is simply no pro to a cash advance.
