The Short Answer: Not Directly
You cannot pay a credit card bill by swiping another credit card at the register or entering card details on your issuer's payment page. Credit card issuers don't accept payment from other credit cards. It's a firm policy across the industry.
But there are indirect ways to accomplish the same goal — each with its own costs and trade-offs.
Option 1: Balance Transfer
A balance transfer moves debt from one credit card to another. If you're trying to pay off Card A using Card B, a balance transfer does exactly that: Card B pays off your Card A balance, and now you owe Card B instead.
Why people do this: Many cards offer introductory 0% APR on balance transfers for 12–21 months. If Card A charges 25% APR and you can transfer to Card B at 0% for 15 months, you save significant interest.
What it costs: Balance transfer fees are typically 3–5% of the amount transferred. On a $3,000 balance, that's $90–$150. This can be worth it if the interest savings outweigh the fee.
How to do it: Apply for a card with a 0% balance transfer offer (you typically need good credit). When approved, request the transfer. The new card pays off the old card directly.
Option 2: Cash Advance
You can take a cash advance from Card B — essentially withdrawing cash against your credit limit — then deposit that cash to your bank account and use it to pay Card A's bill.
Why this is usually a bad idea:
- Cash advances come with immediate, high interest (typically 25–30% APR) that starts accruing the day you take the advance — no grace period
- There's a cash advance fee: usually 3–5% of the amount
- Your cash advance APR may be higher than your regular purchase APR
The only time a cash advance makes sense is in a genuine emergency with no better option. If you're carrying a rebuilder card and considering this route, our Indigo credit card cash advance guide walks through the actual fee + APR math on a low-limit subprime card so you can see how quickly the cost stacks up.
Option 3: Third-Party Payment Services
Some third-party apps (like Plastiq, historically) allowed you to pay bills using a credit card. The service would charge your card and send payment to the payee.
However, most bill payment services explicitly block credit card-to-credit card scenarios. And even where allowed, they charge fees of 2–3%, negating any points or rewards you'd earn.
What About Rewards Points?
Some people try to pay a card using another card to earn rewards points on the payment. Even where technically possible, the math rarely works out — transaction fees and cash advance costs typically outpace the value of rewards earned.
The Real Solution: Address the Underlying Issue
If you're looking to pay one credit card with another, you're probably carrying more debt than you can comfortably repay. The better long-term path:
- Balance transfer to a 0% APR card if you qualify — then commit to paying it off during the promotional period
- Personal loan to consolidate credit card debt at a lower rate
- Avalanche or snowball method to systematically pay down multiple cards
A word of caution before you consolidate: lenders sometimes close out the cards you just paid off, which can spike your utilization on the remaining accounts. Our explainer on whether debt consolidation closes your credit cards covers what actually happens to the old accounts and how to protect your score during the transition.
Carrying high-interest credit card debt is one of the fastest ways to undermine your financial health. Address it directly rather than shifting it around.
The Bottom Line
Direct credit card-to-credit card payment isn't possible. If you need to reduce debt on one card, a balance transfer is the most viable option — but only if you can pay it off within the promotional period. Learn more about how to pay off credit card debt and build a plan that actually works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card to directly pay another credit card bill?
No. Credit card issuers do not accept payments made via another credit card. You cannot enter a card number as a payment method on your issuer's website or app. Indirect methods like balance transfers or cash advances are the only workarounds.
What is a balance transfer and how does it help?
A balance transfer moves your existing credit card balance to a new card, often one with a 0% introductory APR. This lets you avoid high interest for a promotional period (typically 12–21 months). A transfer fee of 3–5% typically applies. Terms and conditions apply.
What fees are involved in a balance transfer?
Most balance transfers charge a fee of 3–5% of the transferred amount. On a $5,000 balance, that's $150–$250. Compare this to the interest you'd pay at your current APR to determine if the transfer saves money overall.
Is a cash advance a good way to pay off one credit card with another?
Rarely. Cash advances carry high APRs (often 25–30%+) with no grace period, plus a 3–5% advance fee. The total cost typically exceeds what you'd save, making this a last-resort option only for genuine emergencies.
What is the best way to pay off credit card debt on multiple cards?
The avalanche method (paying the highest-APR card first) saves the most interest. The snowball method (paying the smallest balance first) provides psychological wins. A 0% balance transfer card or a debt consolidation personal loan can also reduce your overall interest burden significantly.
