Consolidate Credit Card Debt - Where to Start

How our program helps:

  • Significantly lower your monthly payment
  • Reduce your debt to a fraction of what you owe
  • Be debt free in as little as 24 to 48 months

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$1,000

$100,000+

Credit Card Debt Consolidation: How It Works and Your Options

See if You Qualify for a Debt Solution

You could save hundreds monthly.

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This won't affect your credit score!

A Path Out of Credit Card Debt — Without the Credit Check

Struggling to pay down a credit card balance? Credit card debt consolidation can simplify what you owe into one lower monthly payment — and with a debt relief program, your credit score won't stand between you and relief. A debt relief program is built around what you can afford each month, not if you have the ability to open a new card or take out a consolidation loan. Because the program targets your balance, not your interest rate, eligible people with significant credit card debt can become debt-free in as little as 24 to 48 months.

Accredited Debt Relief evaluates people in all 50 states for debt consolidation options, with a minimum of $5,000 in unsecured debt required to enroll. Our debt relief program rolls eligible balances into one lower monthly payment, with no upfront fees and 1:1 support from certified debt specialists.

Get a Free Consultation — no pressure, no obligation, won't affect your credit score.

What Is Credit Card Debt Consolidation?

Credit card debt consolidation means combining multiple card balances into a single monthly payment. Instead of tracking several due dates and minimums, you manage one payment. There's more than one way to do it: Balance transfer cards and debt consolidation loans both move what you owe into a new account that you repay over time, usually saving you money on interest, not your overall debt.

A debt relief program works differently: It bundles your eligible balances into one lower monthly payment and targets your balance. That means Accredited Debt Relief's program actively focuses on the source of your debt, not the byproducts it creates. It's a proven method to getting debt-free, faster — just ask the millions of people we've helped since 2011.

How Big Is the Credit Card Debt Problem in 2026?

If you're carrying a balance, you're far from alone. Recent government data shows how widespread credit card debt has become.

High interest is a big part of what makes credit card balances so hard to clear. If even your minimum payments have become hard to manage, talk to us — our debt relief program is designed to address exactly that.

Your Options for Consolidating Credit Card Debt

There are three common ways to consolidate credit card debt, and only one of them is built around what you can afford — not your credit score.

Balance Transfer Credit Card

This means moving balances onto a new card, often with a low introductory rate for a limited window. Approval and the rate you get depend on your credit, so a low credit score can make this option hard to access. A transfer fee usually applies, and any balance left when the introductory window ends can revert to a higher rate.

Debt Consolidation Loan

A new loan pays off your existing card balances, and you repay the loan over time. Approval and the rate also depend on your credit. Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate clients for consolidation loan options as part of the same free consultation.

Debt Relief Program

A debt relief program is built around what you can afford each month, so it doesn't hinge on your credit score. By bundling your debts, our debt relief program can save you 40% or more on eligible monthly payments. And because the program targets your total balance, not your interest rate, you stand to save in the big picture, too. For many people with significant credit card debt, this is the most accessible and affordable option.

Comparing Your Three Options

Debt Relief ProgramDebt Consolidation LoanBalance Transfer Card
How it worksEligible balances are rolled into one lower monthly paymentNew loan pays off existing balances; you repay the loan over timeBalances move to a new card, often at a low introductory rate
Reduces what you owe?Yes — your total debt owed is reducedNo — you owe the full loan amount plus interestNo — you still owe the full balance, plus any transfer fee and interest after the promotional period ends
Typical timeline24 to 48 months4 to 84 months, depending on the loanLimited to the introductory window
Average monthly savings$480 a month on average on eligible enrolled debtsVaries by rate and termVaries by balance and intro rate
Minimum to start$5,000 in unsecured debtLender-dependentCard-dependent
Best forPeople whose minimum payments are already unaffordablePeople with strong credit who can comfortably afford the new paymentPeople with good credit who can repay within the intro window

Why a Debt Relief Program Works Well for Credit Card Debt

Our debt relief program is designed to be an affordable and accessible solution for credit card debt, personal loans, medical debts and more.

Our approach targets your balance, not your interest, which is why the program is so effective for credit card debt. Interest is part of what makes card balances so hard to clear. With the average rate on accounts assessed interest at 21.52% in the first quarter of 2026, according to Federal Reserve data, a balance can grow faster than minimum payments shrink it. A debt relief program targets your balance, not your interest rate, which is what sets it apart from borrowing your way out of debt.

How the Program Works

Getting started takes four simple steps and begins with a free consultation.

1. Free Consultation — You'll speak with an IAPDA-certified debt specialist who reviews your debt, income and monthly obligations. This won't affect your credit score.

2. Personalized Program — Your specialist builds a customized program around what you can actually afford each month, with a target graduation date.

3. One Monthly Deposit — Instead of juggling multiple card payments, you make a single deposit into a dedicated account.

4. Debt-Free in 24 to 48 Months — Because the program targets your balance, not your interest rate, you can get free from debt faster and for less.

Which Debts Are Eligible?

The program is best for people with significant unsecured debts. Credit cards are the most common — alongside personal loans and medical bills.

Eligible Debts

  • Credit cards
  • Personal loans
  • Medical bills
  • Store credit cards
  • Some private student loans

Ineligible Debts

  • Mortgages and home equity loans
  • Auto loans
  • Federal student loans
  • Tax debt
  • Child support and alimony
  • Any secured debt

The minimum amount of debt required to enroll in the program is $5,000, and Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate people in all 50 states.

Why People Choose Accredited Debt Relief

Accredited Debt Relief has helped people work toward becoming debt-free since 2011, with award-winning customer care at the center of the experience. The company has helped more than 1.3 million clients and resolved more than $15 billion in debt. It holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, along with a 4.9 out of 5 customer review average from more than 3,600 BBB reviews. A 2026 Bankrate review reported that the company earns 4.8 stars or higher across the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs and Google.

Our organization has been recognized multiple times over the years for exceptional client support, recently earning two 2026 Gold Stevie Awards, including Customer Service Department of the Year for the second straight year, plus Best in Biz honors, Business Intelligence Group recognition and three ConsumerAffairs Buyer's Choice Awards. We were also named Best for Customer Satisfaction by CBS News MoneyWatch in May 2026. Our clients have access to financial wellness tools, group financial therapy sessions with Certified Financial Therapists and a private online community. Accredited Debt Relief holds a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot from more than 10,000 client reviews.

Every specialist is certified through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators, and all staff benefit from guidance by AFCPE-trained trainers. We're also proud to be a member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR).

But what means most to us is that our clients leave in a better place than when they enrolled: In a survey of over 10,000 Accredited Debt Relief graduates, 92% said their program payments were affordable. Graduates also reported a 42% average improvement in their financial habits, with self-rated habits climbing from 5.7 to 8.1 out of 10 after graduation. In the same survey, 8 in 10 graduates said they would recommend Accredited Debt Relief to a friend struggling with debt.

How to Choose the Right Path for Your Credit Card Debt

A balance transfer or consolidation loan can work well if you have strong credit and can comfortably repay the new balance. But if your minimum payments are already unaffordable, a debt relief program is the more accessible and affordable choice.

During your free consultation, an Accredited Debt Relief debt specialist will review your debt, income and monthly obligations and provide a personalized savings estimate. The consultation is free, no-judgment and won't affect your credit score.

Get a Free Consultation | Call 800-497-1965

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about credit card debt consolidation — answered directly and without jargon.

You can consolidate credit card debt by moving balances to a balance transfer card, taking out a debt consolidation loan or enrolling in a debt relief program. A balance transfer card and a consolidation loan both depend on your credit. A debt relief program is built around what you can afford each month and rolls eligible balances into one lower monthly payment. Accredited Debt Relief evaluates people in all 50 states for debt relief or consolidation loan options, with a minimum of $5,000 in unsecured debt to enroll.

It depends on your situation, but a debt relief program is probably the most affordable option, both when considering your monthly payments and overall debt repaid. Debt consolidation loans and balance transfer cards save you money on interest only, not the actual debt it's attached to. So if you have strong credit and can comfortably afford a new payment, a balance transfer card or consolidation loan may help. But if your minimum payments are already unaffordable — or you want to save on your total debt — a debt relief program is often the most accessible and affordable option.

For a debt relief program, the main requirement is having at least $5,000 in eligible unsecured debt, such as credit card, personal loan and medical debt. There's no minimum credit score, because the program is designed around what you can afford each month.

No. Checking your options with Accredited Debt Relief doesn't affect your credit. Your free consultation reviews your debt, income and monthly obligations so a specialist can build a program around what you can afford.

A debt relief program typically runs 24 to 48 months. Because the program targets your balance, not your interest rate, eligible people can become debt-free in as little as 24 to 48 months. A consolidation loan can run 4 to 84 months depending on the loan.

Eligible debts include credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, store credit cards and some private student loans. Mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans, federal student loans, tax debt and any kind of secured debt aren't eligible.

A debt relief program rolls eligible balances into one lower monthly payment and reduces your total debt owed, and checking your options doesn't affect your credit. Balance transfer cards and consolidation loans move your balance into a new account that depends on your credit, and you still repay the full amount. Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate clients for debt relief or consolidation loan options.

Accredited Debt Relief has been operating since 2011, holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has helped more than 1.3 million clients. It also carries a 4.9 out of 5 BBB customer review average and an Excellent 4.8-star Trustpilot rating from more than 10,000 reviews. Its specialists are IAPDA-certified, the company is a member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief, and staff benefit from guidance by AFCPE-trained trainers.

Ready to Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt?

A free consultation with a certified debt specialist won't affect your credit score and will show you exactly what your monthly payment could look like. No pressure, no obligation — just answers. Available in all 50 states.

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About This Page

Written by: Molly Simon - IAPDA & AFCPE-Certified Consumer Debt Editor

Last updated:

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