Credit card debt can quickly turn into a cycle of never-ending payments. Thankfully, there are several solutions if you're looking to get ahead of your debt and pay it off faster.
One way is to apply for a personal loan to effectively move your debt from your credit card issuer to a personal loan lender and hopefully snag a smaller interest rate and better repayment options. By doing so, you'll likely pay less in interest in the long run and can eventually become debt-free. There are also a few other options that are worth considering if you want to consolidate debt efficiently and cheaply.
Below, CNBC Select details what you need to know about using a personal loan to pay off credit card debt, and how to get started.
Benefits of using a personal loan to pay off credit card debt
Credit card debt has ballooned recently as Americans continue to cope with record-high inflation for everyday goods such as gas and groceries. Unfortunately, trends like this can create a slippery slope since credit cards tend to have high-interest rates, allowing consumers to rack up debt even quicker.
If you've found yourself in a credit card debt loop, you may want to think about using a personal loan. Here are two reasons why using a personal loan to pay off credit card debt could make sense for your situation.
Personal loans usually have lower interest rates than credit cards
Let's say you have $10,000 in credit card debt on a card charging you 22% APR and you pay this off in three years. You'll end up paying about $3,749 in interest. But if you had consolidated that debt into a personal loan charging 13% APR, then you would have only paid around $2,130 in interest. That would save you almost $1,619 in interest charges.
And keep in mind that these interest rates are just averages. LightStream, CNBC Select's best overall pick for personal loans, offers APRs ranging from just 6.94% - 25.29% APR with AutoPay, depending on your terms. So, your savings can be even greater.
You can reduce the number of monthly payments you have
If you happen to have more than one credit card with a revolving statement balance, opting for one concise monthly payment with a personal loan could be helpful. Rather than focusing your efforts in multiple places, you'll have all your debt in one place and can put your energy into paying that down. Plus, the more money you put toward the personal loan, the faster you can pay it down and the less overall interest you will pay.
Drawbacks of using a personal loan to pay off credit card debt
Using personal loans to pay off credit card debt doesn't come without risk, however. Here are a few cons to consider before you apply for one.
Personal loans could lead to more debt
If you decide to take this route, it's important to use a personal loan as a means to an end. Even if you use one to pay off your debt, you could quickly find yourself with credit card debt once again, along with a personal loan for your former debt if you're not careful.
If you do take out a personal loan to pay off your credit card debt, make sure you immediately pay off your credit card balances with the cash from the loan. Some lenders will do this automatically for you when you apply for a loan. Then have a plan in place to pay back your loan and create a budget so you don't overspend.
A lower interest rate isn't guaranteed
While there's a large disparity between the average interest rates for credit cards and personal loans, there's no guarantee you'll end up with a better rate. Find out the exact interest rate you're paying on your credit card and do your best to track down a better interest rate with a personal loan. Factors like your credit score, loan amount and term length can all impact what APR you qualify for.
Check out CNBC Select's personal loan marketplace which will allow you to see what loans you're pre-qualified or pre-approved for. It's free, will not impact your credit score and allows you to compare interest rates from different lenders.
Personal loans have fees
As you're researching different lenders, consider any fees you may be charged for the personal loan, which can include application fees, origination fees, prepayment penalties, late payment fees, returned payment fees or payment protection insurance. If the difference in interest rates is small between your credit card and personal loan, the fees can negate any potential savings.
Best personal loans for paying off credit card debt
If a personal loan sounds like a viable solution for your financial needs, here are a few of CNBC Select's favorite lenders to choose from. CNBC Select ranked LightStream as the best personal loan lender overall because of its low interest rates and flexible terms, but PenFed is also good for those seeking smaller loans and Discover for those seeking fast funding. These loans also don't have origination or early payoff fees.
LightStream Personal Loans
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
6.49% - 24.89%* APR with AutoPay
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, home improvement, auto financing, medical expenses, and others
Loan amounts
$5,000 to $100,000
Terms
24 to 144 months* dependent on loan purpose
Credit needed
Good
Origination fee
None
Early payoff penalty
None
Late fee
None
Terms apply. *AutoPay discount is only available prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. Excellent credit required for lowest rate. Rates vary by loan purpose.
PenFed Personal Loans
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
As low as 6.99% APR
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, home improvement, medical expenses, auto financing and more
Loan amounts
$600 to $50,000
Terms
1 to 5 years
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Origination fee
None
Early payoff penalty
None
Late fee
$29
Discover Personal Loans
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
7.99% to 24.99%
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, home improvement, wedding or vacation
Loan amounts
$2,500 to $40,000
Terms
36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 months
Credit needed
Good
Origination fee
None
Early payoff penalty
None
Late fee
None
Terms apply.
Check out Select's personal loan marketplace which will allow you to see what loans you're pre-qualified or pre-approved for. It's free, will not impact your credit score and allows you to compare interest rates from different lenders.
Another way to consolidate credit card debt
While taking out a personal loan is a solid option for paying off credit card debt, another way to go about it is to sign up for a balance transfer credit card that comes with a 0% introductory APR. With this type of card, for a specified amount of time, its balance will not incur any interest as long as you make the minimum payment each month.
For example, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a 0% introductory APR for 21 months from account opening (after, 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% variable APR; see rates and fees) on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min $5.
If a personal loan doesn't suit your needs, consider using a Intro APR credit card such as one of the following listed below:
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is one of the best balance transfer credit cards and also has a generous intro APR offer.
- One of the longest intro-APR offers for balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 16.49% - 27.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- No Annual Fee - our low intro rates and all the benefits don't come with a yearly charge.
- Buy now and pay later. Split your payment for eligible purchases of $75 or more into a fixed payment with Citi® Flex Pay.
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Foreign transaction fee
3%
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.
- Users get a high rewards rate and strong welcome bonus
- Purchases and balance transfers get long intro APR
- No annual fee
- Travelers face a foreign transaction fee
- Few rewarding ongoing benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is great if you want simplicity thanks to its flat-rate 2% unlimited cash rewards on purchases and $0 annual fee.
- High flat-rate return on purchases
- Intro-APR for purchases and qualifying balance transfers for a year
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- Limited redemption options unless you pair it with a Wells Fargo card that allows point transfers
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
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Bottom line
Escaping credit card debt is a great start to building financial stability and long-term wealth, so using any solution to get out of the debt cycle is worth considering.
Before applying for a personal loan, check your credit score to see where you currently stand, as it will help you determine the kinds of loans you'll be able to qualify for.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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*Your LightStream loan terms, including APR, may differ based on loan purpose, amount, term length, and your credit profile. Excellent credit is required to qualify for lowest rates. Rate is quoted with AutoPay discount. AutoPay discount is only available prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. Subject to credit approval. Conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 7.99% APR with a term of 3 years would result in 36 monthly payments of $313.32
