The Balance Transfer Card I'd Tell a Friend to Get Right Now

I've written about credit cards for years now -- and if a friend asked me to recommend a balance transfer card, I'd point them right to the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (rates and fees).

With the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card, you'll get 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, as long as the transfer posts within 120 days of opening the account. A 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR will apply after.

That's one of the longest interest-free runways available -- no wonder it won our award for Best 0% Intro APR Credit Card for 2026.

It doesn't earn rewards, and it doesn't have a flashy welcome bonus. But it's one of the best options for saving on interest over a long period of time. Here's what to know.

Wells Fargo Reflect Card: Almost two whole years of no interest

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers one of the longest runways you'll find on a balance transfer card. You'll get the same 0% window for upcoming purchases, too. Not many cards offer that kind of savings double-whammy.

After the intro period ends, the ongoing rate becomes a 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR. Your goal should definitely be to get rid of your balance entirely before that APR kicks in.

The only real downside: The Wells Fargo Reflect Card charges a balance transfer fee of 5%, min: $5. On a $6,000 transfer, that's $300 tacked onto your balance right away. That's not the lowest fee you'll find, either -- some cards offer balance transfer fees as low as 3%.

Still, if you need as long of a savings runway as possible, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card and its higher transfer fee are worth the cost. A longer runway means you can make smaller monthly payments and still get rid of your balance before interest kicks in. That can mean thousands of dollars in savings, even after you factor in the 5% fee.

Should you get the Chase Freedom Flex instead?

If you don't need a full 21 months to pay off your debt, the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) is a better pick. That's because it offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then an 18.24% - 27.74% Variable APR applies.

That's a shorter window than the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card by six months. But the Chase Freedom Flex® makes up for it with some solid cash back rates, including:

• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% cash back on dining and drugstores
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

By maxing out the rotating category alone, you can earn $300 a year in rewards. I also love getting 3% back on dining -- and the fact that you'll get it all for no annual fee.

The transfer fee is lower, too: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days.

If your debt is small enough to pay off in a year and change, go with the Chase Freedom Flex®. Its earning rates make it worth holding onto long after your intro period ends.

Current sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!

Wells Fargo Reflect Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex: Which is right for you?

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is my go-to balance transfer recommendation. That's because it has one of the longest intro windows you'll find anywhere, and it applies to both balance transfers and purchases with a 5%, min: $5 balance transfer fee.

If you don't need a full 21 months to pay off your debt, though, you should go with the Chase Freedom Flex®. It has a lower balance transfer fee, a still-respectable 0% window, and earning rates that make it worth holding onto for years.

And if neither feels right, check out our list of the best balance transfer cards available now and find the one for you.