Best Balance Transfer Cards With High Limits [2025]

I’ve definitely crossed my fingers when applying for a balance transfer credit card in hopes of getting a high enough limit. Unfortunately, I don’t have a way to know exactly what my credit limit will be when applying for a card. Credit card issuers determine my credit limit by checking multiple factors, such as my income and credit history.

In my case, I’ve got the limit I needed to be able to transfer my balance, I can’t guarantee that, of course. But if you meet the requirements lenders look for, it’s possible to receive a high credit limit on many different cards.

I recommend applying for cards with excellent intro APR offers on qualifying balance transfers, including the Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card(Rates and fees), which has the longest intro APR for balance transfers on this list, and Chase Freedom Unlimited^®.

4 of the best balance transfer cards that may offer high limits

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Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card

Longest intro APR period on balance transfers

This card has one of the longest 0% intro APR periods for balance transfers around at 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable).

It has a $0 annual fee and cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible), which you don’t find with every card these days.

If approved, you can expect a minimum credit limit of $1,000 with no published maximum amount. Reports show that some cardholders have received credit limits of $10,000 to $20,000 or more.

I wouldn’t recommend this card if you’re also looking for rewards in your balance transfer card. Unfortunately, this card doesn’t offer rewards. It’s very much a balance transfer card, but it does a very good job with that.

Apply now | Read our full Wells Fargo Reflect Card review for more details

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

Excellent for rewards

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a solid rewards card, offering:

• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

It also has a strong welcome offer — New cardmembers can earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

The downsides to this card are its relatively short intro APR periods compared to the Wells Fargo Reflect and Citi Double Cash^® Card and its foreign transaction fee.

According to reports, the Freedom Unlimited credit limit typically starts around $500, but can go as high as $20,000 or more.

Apply now | Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited review for more details

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Excellent for simple rewards

I really like the Citi Double Cash Card for its unique rewards structure — you could earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25). I appreciate that rewards are tied to paying off the card, especially as someone who has struggled with keeping up with credit card debt in the past. It’s nice to be rewarded for being responsible.

The only downside is that, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, it has a foreign transaction fee.

Apply now | Read our full Citi Double Cash review for more details

Bank of America^® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Excellent for customized rewards

This card is unique in that you can choose your own reward. The 3% cash back categories you can choose from include:

• Gas and EV charging stations
• Online shopping
• Dining
• Travel
• Drugstores and pharmacy
• Home improvement and furnishings

You can also earn 2% cash back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter). There is a combined quarterly limit of $2,500 on 3% and 2% earning purchases. You earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

It also has a strong welcome offer — You can earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

According to reports, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card typically has a starting credit limit of around $500, but that could go up to $20,000 or more.

Apply now | Read our full Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards review for more details

How are credit limits determined?

Your credit limit is determined by various elements after you’ve applied for a credit card. In general, most credit card companies will consider some (or all) of these factors.

• Credit history: Lenders want to see your payment history and whether you carry a balance, among other things.
  
• Credit score: A higher credit score could qualify you for a higher credit limit. This is typically a reflection of your credit card usage found in your credit report.
  
• Income: The higher your income, the more likely you are to receive a higher credit limit.
  
• Debt: Your debt-to-income ratio (your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income) is an easy way for lenders to see if you can manage additional credit card debt. If your budget allows, you might qualify for a higher credit limit.
  
• Limits on other cards: Lenders are less likely to offer you a lot of credit if you already have a lot of available credit from other credit cards.

In addition to these factors, you might receive varying credit limits depending on the credit card issuer and the type of card you apply for. For example, premium travel cards with high annual fees often have higher minimum credit limits. A specific instance is the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® requiring a minimum $10,000 credit limit, which is common for Visa Infinite cards.

What to do if your credit limit is too low

What should you do if you’re approved for a credit card but the credit limit isn’t high enough for the balance transfer you’re planning? In this scenario, consider these options.

• Talk to your card issuer: It doesn’t hurt to call your credit card company and see if they can increase your credit limit. Keep in mind that manual credit limit increases could impact your credit score.
  
• Wait for an automatic credit line increase: Some card issuers review your credit card usage and payment history to see if you qualify for an automatic credit line increase. If you always pay your bill on time and often use your credit card, you might receive an automatic increase.
  
• Consider applying for a new credit card: It isn’t recommended to continuously apply for new credit cards as it could affect your credit score. But it’s possible that you might receive a higher credit limit if you’re approved for a different card, especially from a different lender.
  
• If you have multiple cards with one issuer, ask to move credit from another card: Depending on the card issuer, you might be able to transfer some of your existing credit from one card to another.
  
• Do a partial transfer: It’s not an ideal solution, but you could transfer part of your existing debt to your new balance transfer card. This might not be worth it if your new card has a low credit limit.
  
• Look for an alternative: If a balance transfer card isn’t working out, consider other options, such as personal loans or debt consolidation companies. Personal loans can’t usually match 0% intro APR offers on balance transfer credit cards, but they could still make sense for lowering your overall interest rate and organizing your debt.
  
• Develop your own payment strategy: This can take a lot of motivation, but it’s always possible to create your own budgeting strategy. The best budgeting apps can help you stay on track with your preferred budgeting style.

How to choose the best balance transfer credit card

Credit requirements

It’s common to be required to have a good credit score — at least a 670 FICO score — to qualify for most balance transfer cards. If you have above a 670 FICO score and can meet other criteria, such as a good payment history and a low debt-to-income ratio, you have a better chance of being approved for a balance transfer credit card.

Intro APR offer

If you compare credit cards, most balance transfer cards provide 0% intro APR periods of at least 12 months. That means you have 12 months of no interest on a transferred balance.

Keep in mind that some cards offer longer intro APR periods, even up to 18 or 21 months. If you want more time to pay off your balance without having to worry about interest, consider cards with longer intro APR periods.

Potential credit limit

You can’t determine your credit limit ahead of time as it depends on the card issuer and its guidelines or requirements. However, certain types of cards tend to have higher credit limits. For example, if a higher credit limit is your main concern, it could make sense to apply for a Visa Signature card over a Visa Traditional card.

Fees

There are two primary fees to consider with a balance transfer card.

• Annual fee: How much you have to pay each year for card membership
  
• Balance transfer fee: How much you have to pay to transfer a balance

Fortunately, most balance transfer cards don’t have annual fees. Balance transfer fees typically range from 3% to 5% of the balance being transferred. For example, a 5% fee on a $5,000 balance transfer would cost $250. It’s rare to find a balance transfer card that doesn’t charge a balance transfer fee.

Rewards and benefits

While likely not the most important factor in choosing a balance transfer card, having rewards and benefits can be a nice bonus.

That could include earning cash back, points, or miles when you make eligible purchases. For benefits, you might consider things like cell phone protection, purchase protection, and travel insurance coverage.

FAQs

Bottom line

Whether or not you qualify for a balance transfer card with a high credit limit depends on various factors, including your income, the type of card you’re applying for, and the credit card company.

If you meet the criteria card issuers look for, we think cards like the Wells Fargo Reflect and Chase Freedom Unlimited could make sense because they have excellent intro APR offers.

For more balance transfer recommendations, check out our list of the best balance transfer cards.