Can you do a balance transfer to someone else’s credit card?
Most banks and card companies only accept balance transfers between credit cards in your name. But a few will let you do this, and you do have a few other debt consolidation options too.
Key takeaways
- A balance transfer lets you move one or more card debts onto a new card and pay it off faster. Most banks and card companies only let you do this from another card in your name.
- Only a handful of banks, including NAB and ANZ, let you transfer a balance from a credit card in someone else's name onto a new credit card.
- If you can't transfer someone else's balance onto your card, consider other options like a personal loan or a bank transfer.
Which banks let you transfer a balance from someone else's card?
We were able to confirm the balance transfer conditions with the following banks and card companies. We found only 2 banks that let you transfer a balance from another person's card.
| Bank/card provider | Can you transfer a balance from someone else's card? |
|---|---|
| NAB | Yes |
| ANZ | Yes |
| Westpac | No |
| CBA | CBA does not offer balance transfers to any customers |
| American Express | American Express does not offer balance transfers to any customers. |
| Bendigo Bank | No |
| Virgin Money | No |
| St.George | No |
| Bankwest | No |
How to balance transfer someone's credit card debt
- You need to find one of the few card providers that lets you transfer someone else's balance onto your credit card.
- It's best to call and double check whether your balance transfer scenario is eligible before you apply.
- Apply for a credit card with a balance transfer offer. Nominate the credit card of the person whose balance you wish to pay off.
- You will need to provide details of the account including the name and details of the primary account holder, the card number, the BPAY biller codes of the original card providers, and other details. Include the total balance amount you wish to pay off.
- Once approved, activate the new card. Then the balance transfer should happen within a few days.
- Be sure to close the original credit card once the balance is paid off. If you keep the card open, make sure you don't rack up more debt.
How to apply for a joint balance transfer credit card with your partner
Joint account credit cards are rare in Australia but if you can get one, you and your partner would share legal responsibility for the credit card account and any balance that you transfer onto it.
Keep in mind that some banks don't accept balance transfers from joint accounts.
Beware of the risks of taking on someone else's credit card debt
If you're transferring a credit card debt to someone else – or they're taking on your debt – it means you're also legally changing who is responsible for it.
So before going ahead with a balance transfer from one person to another, make sure you think about the following.
- Your credit history and credit score. If you transfer debt from someone else to an account in your name, it will be added to your credit report and have an impact on your credit score.
- Your future borrowing power. Taking on more debt can also have an impact on how much you can borrow in the future. For example, if you decide you want a new car or are saving up to buy a home, lenders will look at all your current accounts. Any debt – regardless of where it came from – can impact your ability to borrow the money you need for your goals.
- Your relationship with the person. Having someone take on another person's debt could have an impact on the dynamics of a relationship. In some cases, it may feel like you owe them or they owe you.
The National Debt Helpline states that you should carefully think about how you'll manage a relationship "where there's a constant awareness that you're in debt to that person. Many relationships have ended over the issue of money."
If you want more information on relationship issues and debt, you can call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or visit the website and speak to a financial counsellor for free.
Our expert says: Paying off someone else's credit card debt is always risky
"If you do a balance transfer to pay off someone else's debt, you become responsible for that debt. Make sure you and other person have a really honest conversation about this. Make sure both parties are on the same page. Also, make sure you pay off the new card debt before the balance transfer period ends. After this, interest starts getting charged on the remaining balance. "
Other ways to help pay off someone else's credit card debt
Debt consolidation personal loans
A debt consolidation personal loan gives you a way to pay off existing balances for yourself or anyone else. With this option, you could apply for a personal loan in your name and request an amount that covers the existing debts. You'd then repay the personal loan, which could have a lower interest rate than the original credit card.
Guarantor personal loans
If your partner is worried they won't get approved for a new credit card or loan, you could act as a guarantor for their personal loan application. With a guarantor personal loan, you become responsible for the loan if the person who applies doesn't make repayments.
Help pay off the existing account
If you want to help clear the existing credit card debt, you could make additional repayments to their credit card account from your own bank account (or a shared account), using one of the payment options listed on their statement.
While you're usually not legally responsible for someone else's credit card debt, it can be stressful for loved ones. If you, your partner or anyone else is feeling overwhelmed, you can get free financial counselling by calling the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
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Hi, thanks for the information but I’m still not clear on this issue.
In my particular scenario my partner has credit card balances with Latitude, AMEX and CBA. Is it possible for me to balance transfer some/all of her balances onto a new Citibank or Virgin application.
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated before I make a decision.
Hi Stu, thanks for your inquiry!
If the balance transfer is from Latitude Financial Services, AMEX and CBA going to a Citibank or Virgin Money Credit Card this would be fine. However the amount being balance transferred would be defined by the credit limit on the new credit card. Citibank may limit balance transfers in the individual’s account to a proportion of their credit limit, subject to their credit criteria. Virgin Money’s Balance Transfer may not exceed 80% of your maximum available Credit Limit.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Thanks Johnathan, just clarifying is that still the case even if the Citibank or Virgin credit card is in my name not my partners?
Cheers.
Hi Stu,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Depending on whether the cards you balance transfer from are in your partner’s name and whether you are signing up for the card will be important to note. Balance transfers between partners and between two separate people’s names are only supported by certain lenders. You may refer to our list of credit card providers who allow joint-account balance transfers, and lenders who allow balance transferring between two peoples names.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi, all very good info… however the box with Bank Of Queensland is noticeably blank. I the primary cardholder with BOQ, my partner enquired at his bank (Westpac) as to whether he could do a balance transfer from my card.. the answer was no. I’m thinking that in the financial times today, there must be somewhere who will let us do this! I got the card originally almost 6 years ago when I was a working single parent, however I’m now a partnered stay at home mum and as such not eligible for a card from anyone (which is stupid.. I have to afford the one I have now!!) We are just trying to find a way out of debt without having to go to a personal loan, which is all Westpac offered us. Any advice would be fantastic.
Hi Rebekah,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Please see our guide for a list of credit card providers that allow balance transfers between two separate names and joint accounts.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
I hope this helped.
Cheers,
Jonathan
My wife is our primary card holder with a Westpac card and I am the additional card – I wish to transfer our holiday to an interest free card – with me as the primary and my wife as additional card holder. Which is the best card to do this with – lowest fees and longest interest free – I do not intend to spend on the card and cancel once its paid off.
Hi Jon,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Please see our guide on which banks allow balance transfers between two people’s names. You may also see a list of balance transfer offer credit cards and compare their features based on their balance transfer rate, annual fee and savings.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hello,
Thanks for this helpful article.
It is not clear to me whether both the original bank and the new bank have to agree to two different names for a balance transfer.
Specifically in our case:
Original Bank:
BankWest Credit Card in my name, with my partner as an additional card holder.
New Bank: Want to balance transfer to Coles MasterCard (GE Money) with my partner as the card holder and myself as an additional card holder.
Is this possible?
Thanks very much,
JustMe
Hi JustMe,
Thanks for your inquiry,
Unfortunately, GE Money does not allow a balance transfer between two people’s names.
There’s a table above that outlines different banks that accept joint credit card applications. You may compare them based on specific conditions for their application process. You’ll also see a comparison table with a list of credit cards that offer free additional cardholders. Kindly use the table to help you find which card suits you.
When you are ready, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the bank’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
I hope this helps!
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi There
My partner and I have separate credit cards with different banks (NAB & Bendigo) and wish to combine these with a balance transfer so we can close these accounts. If we have separate “primary cardholder” entities on each card could we roll them both into one transfer say in my own name? I tried to get a clear answer from Virgin Money however they didn’t seen to get the question!
Thanks
Hi Jess,
Thanks for your inquiry,
Yes, you may. In your case, you would transfer the debt from your partner’s credit card to your own credit card (or a new balance transfer card that you have applied for). Your husband’s name would be removed from the debt once the balance transfer is processed, which means you would become the person legally responsible for the debt.
There’s a table above that outlines different banks that accept joint credit card applications. You may compare them based on specific conditions for their application process. You’ll also see a comparison table with a list of credit cards that offer free additional cardholders. Kindly use the table to help you find which card suits you.
When you are ready, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the bank’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
I hope this helps!
Cheers,
Jonathan