If you want to get the most bang for your buck, then, by all means, you should aim to pay off your full balance before the end of the intro period. Failing to eliminate your credit card balance during the promotional period negates some of your potential savings from a lower-rate or 0% introductory APR. Not only can paying off your full credit card balance save you the most potential money, but once the account shows a zero balance on your credit reports, it will bring your balance-to-limit ratios on the card down to 0%. This is great for your credit scores. Paying off the balance by the end of the promotional period also eliminates any possibility that you’ll be required to pay retroactive interest starting from the day you originally transferred the balance. That’s not a credit score benefit, but it’s certainly a financial benefit. If you are nearing the end of your promotional period and still have a large balance that you feel you can not pay off in time, you have three options: Apply for another balance transfer card and move the existing debt to the new card to restart the clock: This may be difficult if you have too much debt or if your credit score has changed since you applied for the first balance transfer card. Find a way to come up with the money to pay your balance before the promotion expires: This may include working extra hours, pawning an item of value, or borrowing money from a friend or family member. All of these options include inherent risk, so proceed with caution. Keep the debt on the existing card and pay the interest charges: This may be your only option if the two choices above are not viable. While you will have to deal with the finance charges added to your account, don’t let that discourage you from continuing your mission to eliminate your debt.