Understanding how to pay Credit Card to credit card payment is important if you want to manage debt or take advantage of rewards, but actual methods and implications depend on regulations and issuer practices. This guide covers recognized techniques, such as balance transfers and cash advances, illustrates the costs and risks, and highlights best practices for making direct and indirect credit card bill payments.
Overview of Credit Card to Credit Card Payments
A direct payment from one credit card to another is not a standard offering by U.S. card issuers due to anti-money laundering rules and lending risks.
Common legal ways to pay one credit card with another include balance transfers or cash advances, sometimes through third-party bill payment platforms—each with different fees, rates, and conditions.
In some countries, apps may enable you to use one credit card as a funding source to pay another’s bill (subject to platform, network, and issuer consent). Such features are rare in the U.S.
Key Concepts
Balance Transfer: Moving debt from one credit card to another—usually to take advantage of a lower introductory APR for a specified period.
Cash Advance: Withdrawing cash from one card, then using it to pay another’s bill. This method incurs immediate interest and often a cash advance fee.
Third-Party Payment Platforms: Some fintech apps (regional or international) may allow funding a bill payment with a credit card, effectively functioning as an intermediated payment.
Rewards Optimization: In specific cases (usually outside the U.S.), apps allow you to earn rewards while paying another card’s bill using your credit card as a funding source. Such setups may come with service fees or added conditions.
Data & Trends
A recent trend in markets like India: select platforms enable users to pay credit card bills with another credit card, particularly with specific network cards such as RuPay (source: Reddit, 2025-08-28).
In Australia, paying off one credit card with another generally requires a balance transfer card; using regular bill pay or cash advances is possible but costlier (source: Canstar, 2025-08-28).
In North America, lenders recommend paying credit card bills directly from checking or savings accounts via online, ATM, or in-branch payments (source: Canada.ca, 2025-08-28).
Globally, regulators and consumer advocates routinely warn against revolving debt between cards due to compounding interest and fee burdens.
How Credit Card to Credit Card Payments Work
Balance Transfers
Initiated through the receiving (“new”) card’s issuer.
You provide details of your old card/account and the amount you want to transfer.
The new issuer pays the old account, and your debt shifts to the new card, often with a promotional (introductory) rate for a limited time.
Fees (typically 3–5% of the transfer amount, sample/illustrative) usually apply.
Cash Advance Method
Request a cash advance from one credit card (through ATM, bank branch, or special checks) and deposit it to your checking account.
Use those funds to pay the other card’s bill.
Cash advances incur fees (often $10 or 3–5% per transaction, sample/illustrative) and attract higher APRs with no grace period—interest begins accruing immediately.
Third-Party & Digital Wallet Solutions
Some digital payment platforms (depending on region and issuer rule) may allow users to pay card bills with a credit card (e.g., via supported networks).
Platforms might charge service fees; terms and availability differ by country and platform.
Some users try this to accumulate cashback or rewards—verify whether such transactions are classified as purchases (eligible for rewards) or as advances (ineligible).
Risks and Costs
Recycling debt from one card to another without a clear repayment plan can worsen your financial position, leading to compounding interest and fees.
Cash advances and third-party payments are typically excluded from reward-earning merchant categories, so reward strategies may be invalidated.
Repeated balance transfers could negatively affect credit scores due to increased hard inquiries and credit utilization.
Fees for balance transfers and cash advances add to your debt’s total cost.
Step-by-Step: Paying a Credit Card with Another
Method
Steps
Typical Fees
Earns Rewards?
Balance Transfer
Apply for a card with a balance transfer option
Submit transfer request with old account details
Wait for issuer to process (may take days)
Old card paid off, new card balance increases
3–5% of balance (sample/illustrative)
No (most issuers exclude rewards)
Cash Advance
Withdraw cash (ATM/branch)
Deposit to checking or use cash bill pay
Pay credit card bill directly
$10 or 3–5% per advance (sample/illustrative) + instant high APR
No
Third-Party Bill Payment/Wallet
Link funding credit card to payment platform
Choose to pay credit card bill via the platform
Enter recipient/card bill details
Payment processes as purchase or cash advance
Varies by platform/service; may be ~1–3%
Sometimes on purchases, never for cash advances
Comparisons & Case Studies
Aspect
Balance Transfer
Cash Advance
Third-Party Platform
Purpose
Reduce interest via promo APR
Immediate liquidity for payment
Possible intermediary, rewards angle
Interest Costs
Low (promo period), then reverts to standard APR
High, accrues immediately
Standard purchase/cash advance rates; check platform rules
Process Time
Several days
Immediate if ATM
Varies; usually instant to 1–2 days
Credit Score Impact
Possible inquiry, utilization ratio effects
Utilization can spike briefly
Depends; may be coded as advance/purchase
Availability (U.S.)
Common across major issuers
Universal, but costly
Rare; some platforms in specific markets
Global Regulatory and Platform Variations
U.S.: Direct payments from one credit card to another are not generally supported except through balance transfers or cash advances. Major issuers and regulators (e.g., the CFPB) recommend direct payment from checking, not another credit card.
India: New platforms sometimes support direct bill pay with credit cards, especially for cards on specific networks like RuPay. Proceed with caution and verify if these are classified as purchases or cash advances by issuers.
Australia: Balance transfer cards are the regulated means by which you can pay off another credit card; direct cross-card payments are generally not available. See more via regulatory and issuer sites.
Methodology & Sources
Synthesis includes regulatory guidance from government sources, international financial platforms, and recent user accounts reflecting regional capabilities.
Official consumer protection agencies (e.g., CFPB, FCAC) advise against using revolving debt solutions as a form of debt management due to high interest and risks.
Can I pay one credit card’s bill with another card directly?
Major U.S. issuers do not allow direct credit card-to-credit card payments except via balance transfer or cash advance.
Some international payment apps may offer this, but check for service fees and how your issuer treats the transaction.
Balance transfers remain the most common, regulated route for this goal.
Will I earn rewards by paying a credit card bill with another card?
Payments classified as cash advances do not earn rewards.
Where platforms treat it as a purchase (rare, country-dependent), limited rewards may apply, but issuer clawbacks and fee changes are common.
Always verify platform and issuer rules before attempting.
What are the risks of paying a credit card with another credit card?
Risk of high fees, compounding interest, and harming your credit score due to increased utilization and inquiries.
Habitually rolling over debt without payoff strategy can lead to worse financial outcomes.
Third-party app fees may outweigh the benefits.
Conclusion
Paying one credit card with another—while technically possible through balance transfers, cash advances, or specific third-party platforms—usually involves fees, higher rates, and added complexity.
Direct payments from card to card are rare in North America and the U.S.; always prioritize using checking/savings account bill pay, which is standard and safest.
If considering such methods for rewards or debt management, scrutinize platform rules, issuer classifications, and the real costs involved.
Consult your issuer’s official guidance for up-to-date methods and do not rely solely on third-party solutions for essential debt management.
