What credit score do I need for a 0% intro APR card?

A good credit score (FICO score between 670 and 739) would give you a solid chance to qualify for a 0% intro APR credit card, and an excellent credit score would give you the best approval odds and rates. You may have the best chance at some zero-interest cards with lengthy 21-month offers if your score is closer to excellent (a FICO score of 740 or higher).

What happens when the 0% intro APR offer ends?

When your 0% intro APR offer ends, the card’s regular, ongoing interest rate will apply to any future balance you carry. For example, if your intro APR period is over, and you still have a balance of $200 on your card, your next credit card statement will show that you owe $200 plus any interest you accrue at your card’s regular APR.

What cards have the longest 0% intro APRs?

All the longest intro APR offers on the market currently hover around 21 months. However, these lengthy offers have become harder to find. The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card offers 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period, the APR is 16.99% - 27.99% Variable. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate (with a balance transfer fee of 5% or a minimum of $5; 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR ongoing) The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers made within four months of account opening, but its 0% intro APR on purchases only lasts 12 months. (16.49% - 27.24% (Variable) ongoing) The Citi Simplicity® Card* also has a lengthy 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers. However, its 0% intro APR on purchases is also limited to 12 months, with the same ongoing rate thereafter. (17.49% - 28.24% (Variable) ongoing)

Best 0% intro APR credit cards of August 2026: Introductory APRs until 2026

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Compare Bankrate's top 0% intro APR credit cards

	Our picks for		Ongoing APR	Learn more
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	Dining	12 months 0% intro on purchases for 12 months	Regular APR: 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees	Long intro APR	21 months 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases	Regular APR: 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR	Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
BankAmericard® credit card Apply now on Bank of America's secure site	Low interest	21 billing cycles 0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for purchases	Regular APR: 14.99% - 25.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees	Shopping	15 months 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.74% Variable	Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Cash Back Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	Rotating bonus categories	15 months 0% intro APR for 15 months	Regular APR: 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Everyday use	15 months 0% on purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 19.49%-28.49% Variable	Apply with confidence Hover to learn more Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	Travel	15 months 0% intro on purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Apply now on Bank of America's secure site	Custom categories	15 billing cycles 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases	Regular APR: 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	Simple rewards	15 months 0% intro on purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chase Freedom Flex® Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees	Category variety	15 months 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.74% Variable	Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Citi Strata℠ Card Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees	Beginner travelers	15 months 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases.	Regular APR: 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)	Apply now on Citi's secure site See Rates & Fees
Citi Simplicity® Card *Hover to learn more	Minimal fees	12 months 0% for 12 months on Purchases	Regular APR: 17.49% - 28.24% (Variable)

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Table of contents

What's a 0% intro APR card?
How to choose
Pros and cons
Ask Bankrate
How to best use an intro offer
Mistakes to avoid
Frequently asked questions
Methodology

What is a 0% intro APR credit card?

With a zero-interest credit card, you can get a 0% intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers or both. Offer lengths can vary, depending on the card, but they typically last anywhere from 12 to 21 months — sometimes longer.

This type of card can be a good choice if you’re planning a big purchase or paying off debt. It allows you to save on interest, whether it's by transferring a balance from an existing credit card to your new card or by delaying interest accrual on new purchases during the intro period.

Note that it’s possible to lose a 0% APR offer. For example, a card issuer can start charging you interest before the intro period ends if you skip a payment. And with a balance transfer card, you typically need to initiate the transfer within a certain timeframe (one to three months) to qualify for the zero interest offer.

Learn more: What is a purchase APR?

How to choose a 0% intro APR card

The best 0% intro APR cards have well-rounded features to serve you during the intro period and beyond. While you're browsing introductory zero-interest cards, look for cards that have intro APR periods long enough to meet your needs, reasonable rates and fees and easily obtainable rewards.

Decide how long of an intro period you need.

The longest intro APR periods are usually between 18 to 21 months. If you need extra time to pay off your balance, consider getting a card with the longest period possible. A long intro APR period will give you a lot of breathing room to go with the spending power you’ll get with your new card. At the same time, if you can pay off the balance in a shorter period, look into rewards cards. Some of them come with 12 to 15 months of 0% APR but also offer better long-term value through rewards.
Pay attention to fees.

Avoid cards with annual fees, foreign transaction fees or other high fees that can increase your balance. If you want to transfer a balance, look for cards with low balance transfer fees.
Consider rewards and long-term value.

While you're using the intro period (or after with a balance transfer card), you could also earn rewards and a welcome offer with the right card. You'll sacrifice a few months of the intro offer, but the card will have long-term value from cash back, points or miles. But be honest with yourself: when the goal is to avoid interest or pay off debt, it should be a priority. Be sure you’re giving yourself enough time without interest to achieve your goals before you think about what comes after.

Pros and cons of a 0% intro APR card

While a 0% intro APR credit card can be an excellent tool in many situations, it also comes with certain drawbacks and risks. Here are some benefits and disadvantages you should consider.

Pros

A zero-interest period allows for substantial savings. The average credit card interest rate is close to 20%, according to Bankrate’s data, which makes card debt especially costly. With a 0% APR offer, you can avoid these costs for a while.
A 0% APR card can give you some budget flexibility when you’re planning a big purchase.
Some 0% intro APR cards also offer rewards, meaning they provide value even after the promotional period expires.

Cons

This type of card typically requires good or excellent credit (or a FICO score of 680 or higher). If you have high card balances, your credit score might not be in the best shape, making it challenging to get approved.
It requires discipline to manage a 0% APR card well. You need to have a repayment plan and stick to it to avoid debt.
Cards with the longest intro offers typically don’t have much to offer once 0% APR expires.

How much can you save with a 0% intro APR card?

Credit card interest is the cost of borrowing money if you don't pay your balance in full each month. At the end of each billing cycle, the credit card issuer calculates your interest charges using your average daily balance, current balance, annual percentage rate (APR) and the number of days in the billing cycle.

Let's say you open an 18-month 0% intro APR card for a $3,000 purchase. Bankrate’s credit card payoff calculator shows that an 18-month 0% intro APR offer on new purchases could save you nearly $500 in interest on a $3,000 purchase, compared to a card with no intro APR offer and 20% interest.

APR	Balance after new purchases	Monthly payment	Total interest	Total amount paid
20% for 18 months	$3,000	$194	$497	$3,497
0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months	$3,000	$167	$0	$3,000

How did Bankrate staff use their intro APR offers?

Bankrate staff insights

"My son's tuition is one of my largest expenses of the year. Since I get a discount for paying it all at once, I like to use an intro offer zero-interest credit card to pay the expense and take advantage of the time I have to pay it off incrementally. I can often stack these intro offers with rewards and a welcome bonus to make the deal even better for myself."

Ryan Flanigan, Former writer, Credit Cards

"This may only make sense to me, but I use intro APR offers to lessen the mental ‘blow’ of large purchases. Though I don’t make any purchases I can’t immediately pay off, it never feels good to see a big chunk of money go out of your account. With an intro APR, I can pay off a large purchase in chunks and feel a little less anxiety about it — even if the total amount is no different. It’s just a mental trick that makes life easier for me. A $1,000 car repair is easier to stomach if I think of it as $100 for 10 months than a one-time lump sum of $1,000."

Nouri Zarrugh, Former editor, Credit Cards

"Shortly after I bought a car, I applied for the Citi Custom Cash® Card* because it had an introductory APR offer I wanted to take advantage of alongside my new car loan. I used the card to buy groceries and, occasionally, gas. I never had a loan before, so making car payments was new to me. I wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible, or at least get far enough ahead on the loan that I could trim the overall interest I would pay on it. The intro APR gave me a safety net while I managed a new monthly car payment. I also recently opened a new card with a welcome offer and introductory APR on new purchases to buy a new office chair. I've been whittling away at the balance and enjoying the comfort that comes with an ergonomic chair!"

Brendan Dyer, Former writer, Credit Cards

How to best use a 0% intro APR credit card

Zero-interest intro period cards are great for splitting large purchase payments over time. You can also use them for consolidating current card debt, but you might find better options for that among our best cards for balance transfers.

Here are some situations you might find yourself in that could make a 0% intro APR card a great choice:

Common ways to use a 0% intro APR card	Benefits	Potential risks
Home projects and emergency repairs	You can put the entire cost of the project on the card and pay it off over time, potentially even earning rewards.	Such projects often come with unexpected costs, which might result in hitting the card’s limit before you expect it.
Medical expenses	An introductory 0% interest card can help you carry your regular expenses as a balance so you can allocate more of your cash to medical bills.	Make sure you don’t put your medical expenses on your credit card as you’ll lose some important protections. Instead, use it for your everyday spending as you’re paying down your medical bills.
School expenses and childcare	Introductory no-interest credit card offers can help you pay these costs on your own terms, especially if payment plans aren't available.	Schools and childcare providers often charge convenience fees for credit card payments.
Large purchases	A 0% APR card can safeguard your liquidity by letting you pay off the purchase over time without interest.	You might get stuck in a debt loop if you keep charging your card after the initial large purchase before you fully pay it off.

Common mistakes to avoid with a no-interest intro period

Zero-interest intro period cards have several benefits, but there are pitfalls to keep in mind as you navigate your debt repayment:

Not paying on time: Always pay at least the minimum balance due on your statement every month. You need to avoid late payments, otherwise your issuer may revoke your offer. Plus, a late payment is a huge hit to your credit that will stay on your credit reports for seven years.
Not understanding the terms: Your card will offer an intro APR on purchases, balance transfers or both. Don’t make new purchases on a card that only has an intro APR for balance transfers or vice versa, unless you plan to pay that balance off right away.
Spending beyond your credit limit: Keep your balance as close to 30% or lower of your total available credit to avoid damaging your credit score.
Carrying a balance at the end of the offer: If you want to avoid interest charges, you’ll need to pay off your balance by the time your introductory APR period ends. Credit card debt is an expensive kind of debt, and it’s extremely easy to get caught up in it once you start carrying a balance.
Not redeeming cash back: Rewards and cash back present an opportunity to reduce your balance. Redeem cash back as a statement credit whenever possible.
Missing the balance transfer window: If you're using a zero-interest intro APR card to pay down debt, make sure you transfer your balance to it within the specified time, or you'll miss out on your offer.
Forgetting about balance transfer fees: Remain wary of any fees you’ll owe when you transfer a balance. This fee might still be lower than what you would pay in interest, but calculate what you’ll owe beforehand to avoid sticker shock.
Spending after a balance transfer: If you keep adding debt to a credit card after transferring a balance from it, you’re not reducing debt — you’re adding to it. Balance transfer as a debt consolidation method only works if you don’t make new purchases while you’re paying off the existing balance.

Frequently asked questions about 0% intro APR credit cards

A good credit score (FICO score between 670 and 739) would give you a solid chance to qualify for a 0% intro APR credit card, and an excellent credit score would give you the best approval odds and rates. You may have the best chance at some zero-interest cards with lengthy 21-month offers if your score is closer to excellent (a FICO score of 740 or higher).
When your 0% intro APR offer ends, the card’s regular, ongoing interest rate will apply to any future balance you carry. For example, if your intro APR period is over, and you still have a balance of $200 on your card, your next credit card statement will show that you owe $200 plus any interest you accrue at your card’s regular APR.
All the longest intro APR offers on the market currently hover around 21 months. However, these lengthy offers have become harder to find.
- The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card offers 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period, the APR is 16.99% - 27.99% Variable.
- The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate (with a balance transfer fee of 5% or a minimum of $5; 17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR ongoing)
- The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers made within four months of account opening, but its 0% intro APR on purchases only lasts 12 months. (16.49% - 27.24% (Variable) ongoing)
- The Citi Simplicity® Card* also has a lengthy 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers. However, its 0% intro APR on purchases is also limited to 12 months, with the same ongoing rate thereafter. (17.49% - 28.24% (Variable) ongoing)

Next steps in your credit card journey

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See our selection for this category

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Meet the Bankrate Experts

Written by

Ana Staples Ana Staples

Principal Analyst and Credit Cards Expert

How we choose the best 0% intro APR credit cards

Bankrate’s credit card expertise

Read our full methodology

250

cards compared

rewards programs evaluated

189

cards in our wallets

118

years of industry experience

We select cards for “Best” credit cards pages based primarily on how cards score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features.

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on a “Best” list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way.

Card selection and ordering may vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

For balance transfer and low-interest cards, our scoring breaks down as follows:

Overall Score

Rates and fees 80%
Perks 10%
Customer experience 10%

For rewards cards, the breakdown looks quite different:

Overall Score

Value 65%
Flexibility 15%
Perks 15%
Customer experience 5%

We analyzed over 100 of the most popular zero-interest cards and scored each based on its introductory APR, intro APR period length, ongoing APR, balance transfer fee, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

The primary factor in a balance transfer or low-interest card’s rating and its inclusion in our list is the quality of its introductory APR offer and ongoing APR. This includes both the introductory rate itself and the length of the intro APR promotional on both balance transfers and new purchases.

For cards designed primarily for balance transfers, the intro APR offer on balance transfers has the largest impact on overall score. The quality of these cards’ intro APR on new purchases is also considered, but holds less weight than the intro APR on balance transfers.

For general low-interest cards, the intro APR offer on new purchases has the largest impact on overall score, followed by the ongoing APR and intro APR offer on balance transfers. This weighting assumes cardholders considering a card in this category will prioritize payment flexibility on new purchases or may need to carry a balance long term, whereas cardholders trying to pay off debt will opt for a dedicated balance transfer card.

The cards that score the highest in these categories and are most likely to be included in our list tend to offer long 0 percent intro APRs on both balance transfer and new purchases as well as a lower-than-average low-end APR.

Here’s a closer look at how a card’s rates, fees and intro APR periods are evaluated in our rating methodology:

Balance transfer card rates & fees scoring
5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Overall Score
- Intro APR and offer length for balance transfers 45%
- Intro APR and offer length for new purchases 18%
- Balance transfer, annual and other fees 22%
- Ongoing APR 15%
Low-interest card rates & fees scoring
5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Overall Score
- Intro APR and offer length for new purchases 40%
- Ongoing APR 35%
- Intro APR and offer length for balance transfers 13%
- Balance transfer, annual and other fees 12%
Along with evaluating each card’s intro APR offers, we score balance transfer and low-interest cards based on their fees.

Of primary importance is a card’s balance transfer fee, since this can play a large role in the total cost of a balance transfer. We rate each card’s balance transfer fee based on how it stacks up against the fee you’ll find on competing cards.

While this fee carries less weight when we assess general low-interest cards than dedicated balance transfer cards, it still factors into our evaluation since cardholders may decide to transfer debt to a low-interest card even if it offers no intro APR or an intro APR higher than 0 percent.

And while a lower balance transfer fee could save you more overall than a few extra months of 0 percent APR, this fee carries less weight in our scoring system than a card’s introductory APR and intro APR period. This is because many users prioritize getting as much time as possible to pay off debt while avoiding interest.

Other fees considered in our assessment include the presence of annual, foreign transaction, cash advance and late payment fees, along with penalty APRs. Annual fees are weighted most heavily since these are the only “unavoidable” fees in the list and tend to be less common on dedicated balance transfer and low-interest credit cards.
While getting a generous intro APR offer and low ongoing APR are likely to be the biggest priorities for someone looking for a low-interest or balance transfer card, we also consider how much value a card can offer after its intro APR comes to an end.

Balance transfer and low-interest cards receive a higher rating and are more likely to be included in our list of best cards if they also include an ongoing rewards program or unique and valuable perks. Such features make a card more useful long term and make it less likely you’ll need to apply for a new card (and temporarily hurt your credit score) after you pay off debt.

With this in mind, our best cards list often includes a number of rewards and cash back cards alongside dedicated balance transfer cards. These cards tend to offer slightly shorter intro APR periods, but could help you save more overall, either via rewards earned on everyday spending, valuable perks or a lower balance transfer fee.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

*The information about the Citi Simplicity® Card and Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. “2024 State of Home Spending Report.” Angi. Accessed on March 23, 2026.

Best 0% intro APR credit cards of August 2026

Get personal card recommendations

What’s your main goal with a 0% intro APR credit card?

If there's a better card out there, it's probably here

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

BankAmericard® credit card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Discover it® Cash Back

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Chase Freedom Flex®

Citi Strata℠ Card

Citi Simplicity® Card