Can I transfer a balance from someone else’s credit card?

Key takeaways

• You might be considering taking on someone else’s credit card balance to help them with high interest or to manage finances jointly.

• It can seem like a helpful option, but it comes with legal and credit implications. In many cases, you’ll become solely responsible for that debt once it's transferred.

• Understanding which providers allow this, and how it affects credit scores, is essential before you proceed.

Can you transfer someone else’s balance onto your own credit card?

Yes, in certain cases, you can transfer a balance from someone else’s credit card to a card in your name. However, it depends on your card provider’s policies and whether they permit balance transfers from accounts not held in your name.

When you make such a transfer, you become legally responsible for repaying that debt – the original cardholder relinquishes liability.

If yes, are there any restrictions?

Yes, restrictions typically include:

• The new card provider may require that the balance being transferred is from a family member, partner, or close friend.

• Some issuers require that the original card and the new card are with the same provider, or disallow transfers within the same banking group.

• You may need to provide full card details, account numbers, and sometimes proof of agreement from the original borrower.

• Only you, as the person taking on the debt, can request the transfer. The existing card holder, who is clearing their balance, cannot.

• The provider’s terms and conditions may explicitly state whether ‘other-person’ transfers are allowed or disallowed.

Which credit card providers allow you to transfer a balance that’s not in your name?

A few UK providers are known to allow you to take on someone else’s debt.

Barclaycard allows you to transfer a balance from someone else’s card, but you still need to check the terms and conditions closely.

For example, the Amazon Barclaycard will only accept a balance transfer from a NewDay card, while other Barclaycards won’t accept balances from cards from any other Barclays Group company.

HSBC, including M&S Bank, may allow these types of transfer along with some specialist or smaller card issuers, but many major issuers (e.g. MBNA, Halifax, Lloyds) explicitly disallow transfers from cards issued by the same bank or from accounts not in your name.

Because policies vary and change, always check with the provider before attempting the transfer.

Do I need a dedicated balance transfer credit card to receive a balance transfer?

Yes, in most cases, you’ll need a dedicated balance transfer credit card to move an existing balance from another account. Regular credit cards don’t typically allow you to shift debt from elsewhere, as they’re designed for everyday spending rather than consolidating or refinancing existing borrowing.

Balance transfer credit cards are specifically set up to receive transferred balances and often come with 0% or low introductory interest rates, making them a much more cost-effective way to manage existing debt.

If you try to move a balance onto a standard credit card, the transfer will usually be rejected, or the provider may treat it as a cash advance, which comes with higher fees and immediate interest charges.

So, while it might seem simpler to use a regular credit card, a dedicated balance transfer card is usually the right and safest route for transferring existing credit card debt.

Who is responsible for the credit card debt once the balance transfer has taken place?

Once the balance is transferred, you are legally responsible for that debt.

The original credit card holder is no longer legally liable to the new card provider. If you miss payments or default, the new card issuer can pursue you for the full balance, interest, and any fees.

You can, of course, arrange privately with the original borrower to reimburse you, but that’s a civil matter and doesn’t affect your legal responsibility to the lender.

How will taking on someone’s balance affect my credit score?

There are a few ways your credit score might be affected:

Hard credit check

The application for the new card or the transfer may trigger a hard credit check, which can temporarily lower your score.

Utilisation ratio

Taking on a large transferred balance also affects your credit utilisation ratio, which might reduce your score if you use a high proportion of the credit available to you.

Credit mix and average account age

The new card appearing with high debt can affect your credit mix and average account age.

Missed payments

If you miss payments, that will directly damage your credit score.

The original cardholder’s credit score is also likely to change.

Once the balance is transferred, their balance falls (or becomes zero), which can improve their utilisation ratio and potentially improve their credit score.

A risk is that if they continue to use the card, which now has a full credit limit and could lead to temptation to overspend, they could fall into debt again. Our guide on how to cancel a credit card might help.

Pros and cons of taking on someone else’s balance transfer

There are advantages and disadvantages to taking on someone else’s credit card balance, including:

Pros

• You may secure a lower interest rate than the original card had.

• Debt is consolidated, making management simpler.

• The original card gets cleared, potentially helping that person improve their credit score.

• If you trust the arrangement, you can help someone without needing to lend cash.

Cons

• You assume full legal responsibility for the debt.

• If payments slip, your credit score suffers.

• The transferred debt could push your credit utilisation high, harming your credit score.

• It may strain your finances if you can’t keep up with payments, especially if the original person doesn’t reimburse you.

Compare balance transfer credit cards

MoneySuperMarket makes it quick and easy to compare balance transfer credit cards from leading providers. You can see 0% interest deals and promotional periods at a glance, check any balance transfer fees before applying, and compare credit limits, rewards, and perks.

We’ll also run a soft search to show your eligibility, so you can find the right card without affecting your credit score. Use our comparison tool to discover the deal that suits your financial situation and helps you manage your debt more effectively.

MoneySuperMarket is a credit broker – this means we’ll show you products offered by lenders. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident. We never take a fee from customers for this broking service. Instead, we are usually paid a fee by the lenders – though the size of that payment doesn’t affect how we show products to customers.