What Amex balance transfer cards do

American Express offers several credit cards with balance transfer promotions — typically a 0% interest rate for a set period (usually 6 to 21 months, depending on the card) when you move debt from another card to the Amex card. You pay a one-time transfer fee, usually 3% to 5% of the amount you move. After the promotional period ends, a standard interest rate kicks in.

The goal is to buy time: if you transfer $5,000 at 0% for 12 months, you pay no interest during that year if you make payments. Without the transfer, that same $5,000 at a typical 18% to 22% rate would cost you $750 to $1,100 in interest over the same period. The math only works if you actually pay down the balance during the promotional window.

Amex balance transfer cards are not the only option — other issuers like Chase, Citi, and Capital One offer similar products — but Amex's terms and which cards carry the offers change regularly. The specific card, the promotional rate length, and the transfer fee all depend on which Amex card you choose and when you explore.

Key Takeaways

  • Amex balance transfer cards charge a one-time fee (usually 3% to 5% of the transfer amount) but offer 0% interest for 6 to 21 months, depending on the card.
  • The promotional rate applies only to transferred balances, not to new purchases, which typically carry the card's regular interest rate when ready.
  • You must make regular payments during the promotional period to avoid interest charges after it ends; any remaining balance will accrue interest at the standard rate.
  • Amex will only approve a balance transfer if you meet their credit requirements, which usually means a good to excellent credit score (typically 670 or higher).
  • The transfer itself takes 5 to 14 business days; during that time, you still owe your original card and should keep making payments to avoid late fees.

How to move a balance to an Amex card

Start by choosing which Amex card fits your situation. Visit Amex's website and look at cards labeled with balance transfer offers. Read the terms carefully: note the promotional rate length, the transfer fee percentage, and any annual fee the card charges. Common Amex cards with balance transfer offers include the Blue Cash Everyday and Blue Cash Preferred, though the specific offers change.

Once you have chosen a card, you will need to submit an process. Amex will pull your credit report and make a decision, usually within minutes to a few days. If you are approved, you can request the balance transfer during the process process or after your account opens — Amex typically gives you a window of 60 days from account opening to request transfers.

When you request the transfer, you will provide the name of the card issuer you are transferring from, your account number on that card, and the amount you want to move. Amex will contact your old card issuer and arrange the transfer. The funds usually arrive within 5 to 14 business days. During this time, keep paying your original card to avoid late fees — the transfer is not when ready, and you are still responsible for that debt until it clears.

The fee and how it affects your payoff math

The balance transfer fee is not optional — it is added to your new Amex balance on day one. If you transfer $5,000 with a 4% fee, you now owe $5,200 on the Amex card. That $200 fee is real money you have to pay back.

Whether a balance transfer makes sense depends on what you are paying now versus what you will pay with the fee. If your current card charges 20% interest and you can pay off the balance in 12 months, the interest you would pay without a transfer is roughly $1,000. A 4% transfer fee ($200) plus 0% interest for 12 months costs you $200 total — a clear win. But if you can only pay $100 per month and the balance will take 18 months to clear, and the promotional rate expires after 12 months, you will pay interest on the remaining balance at the standard rate for 6 months. Run the numbers for your specific situation before you explore.

Use a balance transfer calculator (many are free online) to compare: current interest cost versus transfer fee plus any interest after the promotional period ends. This tells you whether the move actually saves you money.

What happens when the promotional period ends

On the day the 0% promotional rate expires, any remaining balance on the transferred amount switches to Amex's standard interest rate for that card. This rate varies by cardholder and by card type, but typically ranges from 15% to 25%. If you still owe $2,000 when the rate expires, you will start paying interest on that $2,000 at the new rate.

This is why the promotional period is a important date, not a suggestion. If you transfer $5,000 with a 12-month 0% offer, you should aim to pay it off within those 12 months. If you pay $416 per month, you will clear it just before the rate kicks in. If you pay $300 per month, you will still owe $1,400 when the promotion ends, and that $1,400 will start accruing interest.

Some people use a second balance transfer to another card to extend the 0% period, but this requires approval for a new card and another transfer fee. It is possible but not may provide to work, and each new transfer fee adds to your total cost.

New purchases and the promotional rate

The 0% promotional rate applies only to the balance you transfer. Any new purchases you make on the Amex card after opening the account are charged the card's regular interest rate when ready — there is no grace period for new purchases during a balance transfer promotion.

This means if you transfer $5,000 and then buy $500 in groceries, the $5,000 is at 0% for the promotional period, but the $500 is accruing interest from day one. To make a balance transfer work, treat the card as a payoff tool, not a spending tool. Do not use it for new purchases until the transferred balance is gone.

Credit score requirements and approval odds

Amex does not publish a minimum credit score for balance transfer cards, but approval typically requires a good to excellent credit score — most people approved have scores of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, but it depends on your full credit profile: your income, existing debts, payment history, and how long you have had credit accounts open.

Amex will also look at how much credit you are asking for. If you request a $10,000 transfer limit on a card and your income is $30,000 per year, Amex may deny the request or offer a lower limit. The amount you can transfer is capped by the credit limit Amex gives you, and that limit depends on their assessment of your ability to repay.

If you are denied, you have options: wait a few months, work on raising your credit score, or look at balance transfer offers from other issuers with different approval standards. Some cards are easier to get approved for than others.

Comparing Amex to other balance transfer options

Amex is one of several issuers offering balance transfer cards. Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Discover all have competing products. The differences matter: one card might offer 18 months at 0% with a 3% fee, while another offers 12 months at 0% with a 5% fee. A third might have no annual fee, while a fourth charges $95 per year.

The best card for you depends on your specific numbers: how much you are transferring, how long you need the 0% rate, and whether you can afford any annual fee. If you are transferring $8,000 and can pay it off in 15 months, a card with 18 months at 0% and a 3% fee might be better than a card with 12 months at 0% and a 5% fee, even if the second card has no annual fee. Use a calculator to compare the total cost across your options.

Also consider whether you have other Amex cards or accounts. If you are an existing Amex customer, you may see different offers than a new applicant, or you may be able to request a balance transfer on an existing card without a new process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a balance from another Amex card to a new Amex card?

Yes, but Amex treats it the same as any other balance transfer — you pay the transfer fee and get the promotional rate. Some people do this to extend a 0% period or to move a balance to a card with better rewards on new purchases, but the fee still applies.

What if I miss a payment during the promotional period?

Missing a payment can trigger the loss of the promotional rate when ready, meaning the remaining balance switches to the standard interest rate right away. It can also damage your credit score and result in a late fee. If you are struggling to make payments, contact Amex before you miss one — they may work with you on a payment plan.

Does the balance transfer show up on my credit report?

Yes. The new Amex account and the transferred balance both appear on your credit report. The new account temporarily lowers your average account age and uses up available credit, which can lower your score slightly in the short term. Over time, as you pay down the balance and the account ages, the impact usually reverses.

Can I transfer a balance if I have bad credit?

Amex balance transfer cards typically require good to excellent credit. If your score is below 650, approval is unlikely. You may have better odds with other issuers or with a secured credit card, though secured cards usually do not offer balance transfer promotions. Check your credit report first to understand where you stand.

What if I pay off the balance before the promotional period ends?

Paying early is the goal. Once the balance reaches zero, no more interest accrues on that transferred amount. You have paid off the debt and the promotional period no longer matters. You can then use the card for new purchases at the regular rate, or close it if you no longer need it.