Here’s what to do if you have a negative balance on your credit cards
Editor's Note
When you first see it, the term "negative balance" can make you think you made a mistake, like forgetting to pay your credit card balance. However, a negative balance on your credit card is actually a good thing because it means the bank owes you money instead of the other way around.
Still, you may be less than thrilled to have your money tied up in a credit card account. So, we're breaking down the best things to do when you find yourself with a negative credit card balance. We'll cover the different things you can do, all requiring varying degrees of effort on your part.
Why do I have a negative balance?
You'll most often have a negative credit card balance after you've made a return or received a refund for something.
Recently, I experienced this when I made a return before paying the balance on my Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees). However, the return wasn't processed until after I had paid my bill. The result? A negative balance on my card of just more than $100.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
For something as minor as this, I'll just use this card to spend around $100 to take care of my negative balance. However, if you have a much larger negative balance, such as after canceling a major trip, you may want to look into other options.
Related: Getting a refund after you cancel your credit card
Keep spending on the card
This is the simplest option. Just keep using the card with a negative balance, and the purchases you make on the card will eventually bring you back to zero or a positive balance. With this approach, there is almost never a need to contact the bank or do anything out of the ordinary.
Transfer the balance to another card on your account
If you have a balance on another card within the same account, you can contact the bank and ask to transfer your negative balance to a card on which you owe money. This approach takes a small amount of effort, but it gives you the benefit of putting your future spending on a card that will earn you the most points rather than just trying to use the negative balance on one specific card.
TPG credit cards managing editor Matt Moffitt recently had a negative balance of more than $400 on his Platinum Card® from American Express due to a refund. He also had a positive balance of around $500 on a Delta card. Instead of spending more on his Platinum Card, he used the American Express chat feature to ask an agent to transfer the negative balance and put it toward the Delta balance. The agent manually completed this action, and it took less than 48 hours for the balance to show up on the Delta card.
Related: The best way to pay your credit card bills
Ask for cash
If you have a significant negative balance and don't need to transfer it to another card, you may want to ask to receive the negative balance in cash. Often, banks will give you the cash amount through direct deposit or mail you a physical check for the amount they owe you.
Again, this requires contacting the bank and possibly waiting for a check in the mail; however, it can be worth it to have the freedom to spend that money on a different card that will earn you more rewards than the card with the negative balance. Or, you may just want the cash flow.
Related: How 5 minutes of chat got me 85,000 points plus $150
Bottom line
A negative credit card balance is a good thing because it means the bank owes you money. When you find yourself with a negative balance, choose the option that works best for you to use that money and maximize your rewards.
The easiest way is to just spend on that particular card. However, you can also ask your bank to apply the balance to another card on your account or send you the cash by direct deposit or a check in the mail.
Related: Best travel credit cards
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees