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Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards in Canada

  • Fact checked
  • Interest costs
  • Repayment focus

A balance transfer works best when the repayment plan is clear

Balance transfer cards can help reduce interest, but the promotional period, transfer fee, regular purchase rate, and repayment timeline all matter. RateBuddy helps organize these details so you can compare options with a practical view of total cost and fit.

Important details to compare
  • Promotional balance transfer rate
  • Transfer fee and offer period
  • Regular purchase and cash advance rates
  • Annual fee and repayment timeline

RateBuddyOFFERS AT A GLANCE

Best Credit Card Offers — October 2026

  • Get Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $150 RateBuddy rebate

    Earn 15% cash back for the first 3 months, get 0% on balance transfers for 12 months, plus get the first-year annual fee waived.*. Welcome offer ends

    Welcome bonus (up to)
    $300
    RateBuddy rebate
    $150

    Get from RateBuddy$150

    Rebate ends

  • Exclusive Ratebuddy Rebate $75 RateBuddy rebate
    Scotia Momentum® Visa*  Card credit card
    Scotiabank®

    Scotia Momentum® Visa*  Card

    Featured

    Get a 0.99% introductory balance-transfer rate for the first 9 months.*

    Details

    Get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first nine months. A 2% fee per cash advance applies, and the standard 22.99% cash-advance rate applies after the promotional period. The annual fee is $49. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.*

    Get from RateBuddy$75

    Rebate ends

  • Ratebuddy Cash Rebate $60 RateBuddy rebate

    Earn 5% cash back for the first 3 months, get a 0.99% balance-transfer rate for 9 months and pay no annual fee.*

    Details

    Earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in eligible purchases during the first three months, for up to $100 in promotional cash back. Plus, get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first nine months. A 2% fee per cash advance applies, and the standard 22.99% cash-advance rate applies afterward. The annual fee is $0 for primary and supplementary cards. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.*

    Welcome bonus (up to)
    $100
    RateBuddy rebate
    $60

    Get from RateBuddy$60

    Rebate ends

  • Exclusive Ratebuddy Rebate $100 RateBuddy rebate
    Scotiabank® Value® Visa* Card credit card
    Scotiabank®

    Scotiabank® Value® Visa* Card

    Featured

    Get 0% on balance transfers for 9 months and pay no annual fee in the first year.*

    Details

    Get a 0% promotional interest rate on eligible balance transfers for the first nine months, subject to a 1% balance-transfer fee. Plus, pay no annual fee during the first year. The standard annual fee is $29, supplementary cards have no annual fee, and the maximum balance-transfer amount is $49,999.99. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.*

    Get from RateBuddy$100

    Rebate ends

  • Up to $2,300 including up to 200,000 points and NEXUS Statement Credit

  • Up to $1,600 in value

Smart Card Filter Auto-updates results

Compare Top Balance Transfer Offers — October 2026

Last updated

Use the filters to shape the card results below. Adjust your monthly spend, narrow by provider, or highlight no-fee and welcome-bonus options — RateBuddy will quietly refresh the list so the results stay connected to your choices.

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$
sponsored
Get a 0.99% introductory balance-transfer rate for 9 months.*
Exclusive Ratebuddy Rebate: $75
Scotia Momentum® Visa*  Card
Annual fee $49
Purchase APR 20.99%
Cash advance 22.99%
Scotiabank®
Best for Cash Back Balance Transfer Rewards
Scotia Momentum® Visa*  Card
Best for Cash Back Balance Transfer Rewards
Rewards program Cash Back
Get $75 Ratebuddy Cash Rebate Offer expires Oct 31, 2026
Get a 0.99% introductory balance-transfer rate for the first 9 months.* Get a 0.99% introductory interest rate on balance transfers for the first nine months. A 2% fee per cash advance applies, and the standard 22.99% cash-advance rate applies after the promotional period. The annual fee is $49. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.*
Balance transfer: 0.99% introductory balance-transfer rate for 9 months; 2% fee applies.*.

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 20.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 22.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR 22.99% When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee $15 Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income —
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

sponsored
Earn 15% cash back for 3 months + 0% balance transfers for 12 months + first-year annual fee waived*
Get Ratebuddy Cash Rebate: $150
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite +* Card
Annual fee $120$0 First year waived
Purchase APR 20.99%
Cash advance 22.99%
Scotiabank®
Best for Cash Back Balance Transfer Premium
Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite +* Card
Best for Cash Back Balance Transfer Premium
Rewards program Cash Back
First year free
Get $150 Ratebuddy Cash Rebate Offer expires Oct 31, 2026
Earn 15% cash back for the first 3 months, get 0% on balance transfers for 12 months, plus get the first-year annual fee waived.* Open a new Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite +* account between July 2 and November 1, 2026. Earn 15% cash back on the first $2,000 in eligible purchases posted within the first three months, for up to $300 in total promotional cash back. Plus, receive a 0% introductory interest rate on eligible balance transfers and cash advances for 12 months, subject to a 2% fee with a $5 minimum, and pay no annual fee for the primary or additional cards during the first year. The standard 22.99% cash-advance rate applies after the promotional period. Eligibility restrictions and conditions apply.* Expires Nov 1, 2026
Balance transfer: 0% for 12 months; 2% fee (minimum $5); 22.99% thereafter.*. Expires Nov 1, 2026

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 20.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 22.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR 22.99% When available
Foreign transaction fee 2.50% Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee $50 Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income $60,000
Minimum household income $100,000

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Annual fee $599
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash advance 23.99%
BMO Bank of Montreal
Best for Travel Rewards Balance Transfer Premium
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Best for Travel Rewards Balance Transfer Premium
Up to $2,300 including up to 200,000 points and NEXUS Statement Credit
Balance transfer: 0% Balance Transfer for 12 months (2% transfer fee).

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 21.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 23.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income $150,000
Minimum household income $200,000

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Annual fee $150$0 First year waived
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash advance 23.99%
BMO Bank of Montreal
Best for Travel Rewards Balance Transfer Premium
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard
Best for Travel Rewards Balance Transfer Premium
First year free
Up to $1,600 in value
Balance transfer: 0% Balance Transfer for 12 months (2% transfer fee).

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 21.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 23.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income $80,000
Minimum household income $150,000

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Annual fee $120$0 First year waived
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash advance 23.99%
BMO Bank of Montreal
Best for Cash Back Balance Transfer Premium
BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard
Best for Cash Back Balance Transfer Premium
First year free
Up to $650 in value
Balance transfer: 0% Balance Transfer for 12 months (2% transfer fee).

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 21.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 23.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income $80,000
Minimum household income $150,000

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Annual fee $0
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash advance 23.99%
BMO Bank of Montreal
Best for Travel Rewards No Annual Fee Balance Transfer
BMO eclipse rise Visa Card
Best for Travel Rewards No Annual Fee Balance Transfer
20,000 points + up to 5,000 bonus points every year
Balance transfer: 0.99% Balance Transfer for 9 months (2% transfer fee).

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 21.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 23.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income —
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Annual fee $0
Purchase APR 21.99%
Cash advance 23.99%
BMO Bank of Montreal
Best for Cash Back No Annual Fee Balance Transfer
BMO CashBack Mastercard
Best for Cash Back No Annual Fee Balance Transfer
Up to 5% cash back in your first 3 months
Balance transfer: 0.99% Balance Transfer for 9 months (2% transfer fee).

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 21.99% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 23.99% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee — Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income —
Minimum household income —

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Annual fee $100
Purchase APR 20.90%
Cash advance 21.90%
Desjardins Group
Best for Cash Back Travel Rewards Balance Transfer
Cash Back World Elite® Mastercard®
Best for Cash Back Travel Rewards Balance Transfer

Card essentials

Rates, fees and requirements

The important numbers, organized so they are easy to scan and compare.

Purchase APR 20.90% Regular purchase rate
Cash advance APR 21.90% Cash transaction rate
Balance transfer APR — When available
Foreign transaction fee — Foreign-currency purchases
Additional card fee $30 Supplementary cardholder

Before you apply

Eligibility snapshot

Recommended credit score —
Minimum personal income $80,000
Minimum household income $150,000

Approval, rates and credit limits are determined by the card provider.

Showing 8 of 15 cards

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Attack Your Principal Balance

High interest rates keep you trapped in a cycle of debt. These cards give you the strategic breathing room to pay off what you actually owe.

The Strategic "Interest Holiday"

A 0% balance transfer offer effectively pauses interest charges for a promotional period, often ranging from 6 to 12 months. This ensures that every single dollar you pay goes directly toward reducing your principal debt, rather than vanishing into interest payments. It stops the bleeding and allows your payments to actually make a dent. For anyone carrying a balance, this is one of the most powerful tools available to regain financial control.

Mathematical Savings

Even with a typical 1-3% balance transfer fee, the math is overwhelmingly in your favor. Moving high-interest debt (often 20%+) to a 0% or low-rate environment can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest charges over the course of a year. It converts "dead money" (interest) into debt reduction. Use our Balance Transfer Calculator to see exactly how much you could save based on your specific numbers.

Faster Path to Freedom

By drastically lowering your interest rate, you lower the "cost of carrying" your debt. This accelerates your payoff timeline, helping you become debt-free months or even years sooner than expected. It simplifies your finances by consolidating multiple high-interest debts into one single, manageable monthly payment. This psychological and financial relief can be the catalyst you need to eliminate credit card debt for good.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Compare Top Balance Transfer Offers Cards and financial strategy.

Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Terms subject to change by issuers.

Credit card networks (Visa/Mastercard) set their own daily exchange rates, which are generally very close to the market rate. However, unless you have a No-FX fee card, the issuer adds a surcharge (usually 2.5%) on top of this rate, which is why the total cost is higher than the spot market rate.

Some loyalty programs (like Aeroplan or Scene+) allow for points pooling or transfers between family members, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee. Check the specific terms and conditions of your loyalty program to see if transfers are permitted.

If a transaction pushes you over your limit, the issuer may decline the transaction or, in some cases, accept it and charge an 'Over-Limit Fee' (typically around $29). Exceeding your limit can also negatively impact your credit score. It is best to keep balances well below your limit.

While you can, it is generally not recommended if you are carrying a transferred balance. Payments are typically applied to the balance with the lowest interest rate first (or proportionally), meaning your new purchases might accrue interest immediately at the standard rate. Check the card's allocation of payments policy.

A balance transfer involves moving debt from one credit card to another, often to take advantage of a lower interest rate. Promotional offers may provide a low rate (e.g., 0%) for a set period (e.g., 6-10 months). Be aware that a transfer fee (often 1-3% of the amount) usually applies, and the standard interest rate will apply to any remaining balance after the promo period ends.