- No-fee balance transfer cards compared
- Best overall: Navy Federal Platinum
- Cost comparison: $5,000 paid off in 12 months
- Best true 0% with no fee: Skyla and BECU
- Good if you live in the right area
- Watch the fine print: CorTrust
- No-fee vs. a longer 0% card
- What about Chase Slate?
- Before you join a credit union
- How we picked
- Frequently Asked Questions
No-fee balance transfer cards compared
Rates as of September 2026. APRs are variable.
| Card | Intro transfer rate | Regular APR | Who can join |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Federal Platinum | 0.99% for 12 months (transfers within 60 days) | 10.24%–18.00% | Military, veterans, DoD personnel and families |
| Navy Federal cashRewards | 1.99% for 12 months (transfers within 60 days) | 14.15%–18.00% | Same as above |
| Skyla CU Visa Platinum | 0% for 12 months (transfers only) | 14.9% | Carolinas or California residents, or partner association |
| BECU Low Rate | 0% for 12 months (transfers and purchases) | 12.49%–23.49% | Boeing ties, WA/OR/ID residents, or donors |
| CEFCU cards | 1.99% for 12 months (within 90 days) | 12%–23.5% | Central Illinois or Northern California residents, or Caterpillar ties |
| Affinity Plus FCU Premier Select Rewards Visa | 2.9% for 12 months (within 90 days) | 14.65%–18% | Minnesota ties or $25 foundation membership |
| FourLeaf FCU Cash Back/Rewards | 2.99%–4.99% for 12 months | 14.65%–18% | Open a $5 savings account |
| CorTrust CorPlatinum Visa | 0% for 6 months | 13.74%–30.74% | Fee waived only on transfers made at account opening |
Terms change frequently; confirm them with the credit union before applying.
Best overall: Navy Federal Platinum
Navy Federal says plainly: "No balance transfer fees." Its Platinum card pairs that with 0.99% for 12 months on transfers made within 60 days of opening, and Navy Federal says the 0.99% offer expires January 3, 2027. After the promo, the regular APR range is low, 10.24%–18.00% variable, which matters if you can't clear the balance in a year.
On $5,000 paid off over 12 months, 0.99% costs about $27 in interest. A 0% card with a 3% fee would cost $150; with a 5% fee, $250.
Cost comparison: $5,000 paid off in 12 months
| Option | Transfer fee | Approx. interest | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Federal Platinum, 0.99% | $0 | About $27 | About $27 |
| Navy Federal cashRewards, 1.99% | $0 | About $54 | About $54 |
| Skyla or BECU, 0% | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Big-bank 0% card, 3% fee | $150 | $0 | $150 |
| Big-bank 0% card, 5% fee | $250 | $0 | $250 |
Interest figures assume equal monthly payments that clear the balance in 12 months. If you can't finish in a year, the regular APR after the promo becomes the bigger factor, and Navy Federal's regular range, which tops out at 18.00% variable on both of its cards listed here, works in your favor.
Best true 0% with no fee: Skyla and BECU
If you want 0% and no fee, Skyla CU's Visa Platinum (transfers only) and BECU's Low Rate card (transfers and purchases) both offer 0% for 12 months. Membership is regional, so check eligibility first. BECU's regular APR range climbs to 23.49%, so plan to finish within the year.
Good if you live in the right area
- CEFCU: 1.99% for 12 months on transfers within 90 days, for central Illinois and northern California residents or Caterpillar-connected members.
- Affinity Plus: 2.9% for 12 months; anyone can qualify by making a $25 foundation membership.
- FourLeaf: 2.99%–4.99% for 12 months after opening a $5 savings account.
A low intro rate with no fee can still beat 0% with a fee. On a 12-month payoff, 1.99% on $5,000 works out to about $54 in interest, less than a 3% fee.
Watch the fine print: CorTrust
CorTrust's CorPlatinum Visa offers 0% for 6 months, but the fee is waived only on transfers made when you open the account. Its regular APR can reach 30.74%, so it's only a fit if you can pay the debt off in about half a year.
No-fee vs. a longer 0% card
Most no-fee options last 12 months. If you need longer, a 21-month card with a fee may cost less overall. For example, on $6,000 a 5% fee is $300, while a balance left over after a 12-month promo would start accruing interest at the regular rate. Compare both on our best balance transfer cards and longest 0% APR cards pages, and run the numbers in our fee guide.
What about Chase Slate?
The original Chase Slate, which closed around spring 2020, was known for a $0 transfer fee. The Slate Edge that followed closed in January 2026. The new Chase Slate offers 0% for 21 months but charges 5% or $5, whichever is greater, so it's not a no-fee card.
Before you join a credit union
- Confirm you meet the membership rules and any opening deposit.
- Ask about transfer deadlines (60 or 90 days at several of these).
- Check whether you can move balances from your current card's issuer. See how balance transfers work.
- If you're also comparing everyday cards, see no-annual-fee cash back cards.
How we picked
We included cards that charge no balance transfer fee as of September 2026, based on NerdWallet's list and Navy Federal's own page. We ranked them by total cost on a one-year payoff, then by how easy membership is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not currently. Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Bank of America, Capital One and Amex all charge a fee, generally 3%–5%.
No. Navy Federal says it charges no balance transfer fees on its cards. You must be eligible for membership through military, veteran or DoD ties or family.
Often, on a 12-month payoff. Paying off $5,000 over a year at 0.99% costs about $27 in interest, while a 3% fee is $150.
Some have broad options, like Affinity Plus's $25 foundation membership or FourLeaf's $5 savings account. Others require military, employer or regional ties.
Then you'll pay a fee. The lowest big-bank option is 3%, offered by Citi (in the first 4 months), Amex Blue Cash Everyday, Discover it Cash Back and Wells Fargo Active Cash (for 120 days).
Best no balance transfer fee credit cards — NerdWallet
Platinum credit card — Navy Federal Credit Union
Chase Slate rebrands with long intro APR — CNBC Select
Chase Slate Edge — NerdWallet
Card terms, rates and fees change often and APRs are variable. Information was checked in October 2026; confirm current terms on the issuer's website before applying. MoneyVerge may be compensated by some card issuers; this does not affect our assessments.