You cannot pay a credit card bill directly with another credit card
Most credit card issuers will not let you make a payment on one card using another card's account number. If you try to pay online, by phone, or by mail, the payment system will reject a credit card as a funding source. The card networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and individual banks treat credit card payments differently from other transactions — they are designed to move money from a bank account, not from another line of credit.
What you can do instead is use a cash advance, balance transfer, or a third-party payment service. Each option has different costs, timelines, and consequences for your credit. Understanding which route makes sense depends on why you need to move money between cards and what fees you can afford.
Key Takeaways
- Direct credit card to credit card payments are blocked by card networks and banks, so you cannot enter one card number to pay another card's bill.
- A cash advance lets you withdraw money from one card and deposit it into a bank account, but carries a cash advance fee (usually 3–5% of the amount) and a higher interest rate than regular purchases.
- A balance transfer moves debt from one card to another and may offer a 0% introductory rate, but requires a new card and charges a transfer fee (typically 3–5%) upfront.
- Third-party payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Square Cash can move money between cards but may charge fees and treat the transaction as a cash advance on some cards.
- If you are behind on payments, paying one card with another does not stop late fees or credit damage — contact your card issuer about hardship programs instead.
Why credit card payments cannot come from another card
Credit card issuers treat a payment as a transfer of funds from a deposit account (checking, savings) or a debit card. When you make a payment, the bank is moving money out of an account you control and into the card's balance. A credit card is a line of credit, not a deposit account, so the system has no way to pull funds from it.
Card networks also have rules that prevent this. Visa and Mastercard prohibit merchants and payment processors from accepting credit card numbers as payment for credit card bills. This rule exists partly to prevent fraud and partly to keep credit card companies from competing directly with each other for payment processing fees. American Express and Discover have similar restrictions on their own cards.
If you attempt to enter a credit card number on a credit card payment portal, the transaction will fail at the verification stage. Some payment processors will not even let you select a credit card as a payment method when you are paying a credit card bill.
Cash advances: withdrawing money to pay another card
A cash advance lets you borrow money against your credit card's available credit and withdraw it as cash. You can then deposit that cash into a bank account and use it to pay another card. This is a legal way to move money between cards, but it is expensive.
A cash advance typically costs 3–5% of the amount you withdraw, charged upfront. If you withdraw $1,000, you might pay $30 to $50 in fees immediately. The interest rate on a cash advance is also higher than the rate on regular purchases — often 5–10 percentage points higher — and interest starts accruing right away, with no grace period. You can take a cash advance at an ATM using your card's PIN, or at a bank branch, or through some payment apps.
A cash advance shows up on your credit report as a cash advance, not a purchase, which can affect how lenders view your credit profile. It also counts against your available credit on that card, so if you are already carrying a balance, a cash advance will increase your credit utilization and may lower your credit score.
Balance transfers: moving debt to a new card
A balance transfer moves the debt from one card to another card, usually a new one you open specifically for this purpose. Many balance transfer offers include a 0% introductory interest rate for 6 to 21 months, which can save you money if you pay down the balance during that period.
Balance transfers charge a fee upfront, typically 3–5% of the amount transferred. If you transfer $5,000, you will pay $150 to $250 in fees added to the new card's balance. This fee is usually charged to the new card immediately, so your starting balance is higher than the amount you transferred.
A balance transfer requires you to open a new credit card account, which triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report and lowers your score slightly. However, if you are paying off the transferred balance during the 0% period, the long-term savings often outweigh the short-term credit score dip. Balance transfers are most useful when you have time to pay down the debt before the introductory rate ends.
Third-party payment apps and their fees
Payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, Square Cash, and Google Pay can move money between cards, but the process and costs vary. Some apps let you link a credit card and send money to another person's account, who can then transfer it to you or pay a bill on your behalf. Others treat credit card transactions as cash advances, which means you pay a cash advance fee and higher interest rate.
PayPal, for example, charges a fee when you fund a transaction with a credit card (usually 2.2% plus $0.30 for personal transfers, or 3.49% plus $0.49 for business transfers). Venmo does not charge a fee for credit card transfers, but your card issuer may treat it as a cash advance and charge you accordingly. Square Cash charges no fee for credit card transfers, but again, your card issuer may apply cash advance terms.
Before using a payment app to move money between cards, contact your card issuer and ask whether they treat the transaction as a purchase or a cash advance. The difference in cost can be significant.
What happens if you are behind on payments
If you are behind on one card and trying to pay it with another card, moving money between cards will not stop late fees, interest charges, or credit damage. A late payment stays on your credit report for seven years, and paying the balance after the due date does not erase the late mark.
If you are struggling to pay multiple cards, contact your card issuer directly. Many banks offer hardship programs that can lower your interest rate, waive fees, or create a payment plan without requiring you to move money between cards. These programs are not advertised widely, but they exist and are often easier and cheaper than paying one card with another.
If you are behind on multiple cards, a credit counselor at a nonprofit credit counseling agency can help you understand your options. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offers free or low-cost counseling and can sometimes negotiate with creditors on your behalf.
Comparing your options: cost and timeline
| Method | Cost | Timeline | Credit Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash advance | 3–5% fee + higher interest rate (no grace period) | Same day (ATM) or 1–2 business days (bank) | Increases utilization; shows as cash advance |
| Balance transfer | 3–5% fee; 0% intro rate for 6–21 months | 3–7 business days to post; requires new card | Hard inquiry; new account; lowers score short-term |
| Payment app (credit card) | 0–3.49% fee + possible cash advance charges | 1–3 business days | Depends on card issuer's classification |
| Hardship program | None (may waive fees) | 1–2 weeks to set up | No negative impact if you stay current |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a debit card to pay a credit card bill?
Yes. Debit cards are treated as bank account transfers, so credit card issuers accept them as payment. You can enter your debit card number on the payment portal, by phone, or by mail. There is no fee for paying with a debit card, and the payment posts within 1–3 business days depending on your bank.
Will paying one credit card with another hurt my credit score?
Yes, if you use a cash advance or balance transfer. A cash advance increases your credit utilization (the amount of available credit you are using), which lowers your score. A balance transfer requires a new card, which triggers a hard inquiry and adds a new account to your report. Both effects are temporary, but they can lower your score by 10–50 points in the short term.
What if I use a balance transfer to pay off a card completely?
Transferring a balance to a new card does not close the old card, so you still have two open accounts. Closing the old card after the transfer can hurt your score by reducing your total available credit. Most experts recommend keeping the old card open with a zero balance, even after you transfer the debt away.
Can I transfer a balance between cards from the same bank?
Most banks do not allow balance transfers between their own cards, because they are moving money within the same institution. You can usually only transfer a balance to a card from a different bank. Check your card's terms or call customer service to confirm whether your bank allows internal transfers.
Is there a way to pay one credit card with another without fees?
No. Any method that moves money from one credit card to another involves a fee or higher interest rate — either a cash advance fee, a balance transfer fee, or a payment app fee. The only way to avoid fees is to pay from a bank account, debit card, or through a hardship program that waives them.