Best low-interest credit cards for December 2024
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- Best for long intro APR offers: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
- Best for rotating-category cash back: Discover it® Cash Back
- Best for home improvement: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- Best for big savers: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
- Best for families: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Best for dining and grocery rewards: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for large purchases: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Best low-maintenance cash back card: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for balance transfers: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Best for flat and bonus cash back rates: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Best for everyday spending: Citi Rewards+® Card
- Best credit union card: Gold Visa® Card
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Showing 12 results
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening
Regular APR
17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards rate
N/A
Purchase intro APR
0% for 15 months
Regular APR
18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
Intro offer
Cashback Match
Rewards rate
1% - 5%
Why you'll like this: It offers solid short- and long-term value with its combo of an intro APR, first-year Cashback Match and rotating categories.
Best for home improvement
Purchase intro APR
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Intro offer
$200
Rewards rate
1% - 3%
Why you'll like this: It lets you choose which categories earn rewards year-round, unlike other rotating category cards.
Best for Bank of America customers
Purchase intro APR
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Intro offer
$200
Rewards rate
1.5%
Why you'll like this: You can earn up to a 2.62 percent flat cash back rate based on your savings — one of the highest rates on the market.
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees, Terms ApplyPurchase intro APR
0% on purchases for 15 months
APR
18.49%-29.49% Variable
Intro offer
Earn $200
Rewards rate
1% - 3%
Why you'll like this: It offers a great balance of rewards value and intro APR offers.
Best for dining and grocery rewards
Purchase intro APR
0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Intro offer
$250 Cash Back
Rewards rate
1% - 8%
Why you'll like this: It holds great long-term value as one of the only cards that earns rewards at such a high rate at both grocery stores and restaurants.
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening
Regular APR
19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards
Rewards rate
2%
Why you'll like this: This card has great long-term value through its ability to earn constant rewards, the intro balance transfer offer and great cellphone protection.
Best low-maintenance cash back card
Purchase intro APR
0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Intro offer
$200
Rewards rate
1.5% - 5%
Why you'll like this: Its flat rewards rate and low cost make it a great foundation for a Capital One rewards stack.
Purchase intro APR
0% for 12 months on Purchases
Regular APR
17.49% - 28.24% (Variable)
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards rate
N/A
Why you'll like this: It has one of the longest intro APRs for balance transfers, making it a great pick for debt-reducers.
Purchase intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 28.49% Variable
Intro offer
Up to $300 cash back
Rewards rate
1.5% - 5%
Why you'll like this: Its mix of bonus categories makes it easy to earn travel rewards even if you don’t spend heavily on travel.
Purchase intro APR
0% intro for 15 months on Purchases
Regular APR
17.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
Intro offer
20,000 points
Rewards rate
1X - 5X
Why you'll like this: Since it earns rewards on everyday purchases, it should offer solid long-term value even after the intro APR period ends.
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards Rate
N/A
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.99% Variable APR
Why you'll like this: Its relatively low ongoing APR and simplicity make it easy to focus on paying off your balance.
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Compare Bankrate’s top low-interest credit cards
Card Name | Variable APR | Best for | Bankrate review score |
---|---|---|---|
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Regular APR: 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable APR
|
Long intro APR offers |
4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Wells Fargo's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR
|
Rotating-category cash back |
4.4 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Discover's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
|
Best for home improvement |
4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Bank of America's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
|
Bank of America Customers |
3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Bank of America's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 18.49%-29.49% Variable
|
Families |
4.6 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on American Express's secure site
See Rates & Fees
, Terms Apply
|
|
Regular APR: 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
|
Dining and grocery rewards |
5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR
|
Large purchases |
4.3 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Wells Fargo's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
|
Low-maintenance cash back |
3.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Capital One's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 17.49% - 28.24% (Variable)
|
Balance transfers |
4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Citi's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 19.74% - 28.49% Variable
|
Domestic travel |
4.8 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Chase's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 17.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
|
Everyday spending |
3.9 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards.
Apply now
on Citi's secure site
|
|
Regular APR: 17.99% Variable APR
|
Credit union customers |
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What to know about low-interest credit cards
A low-interest credit card is defined by its annual percentage rate (APR), which can be variable or fixed. If the low end of the variable percentage is around 18 percent, it generally qualifies as a low-interest card. This is useful, considering that over half of American adults have credit card balances, and 60 percent have carried a balance for more than a year, according to Bankrate’s 2024 Credit Card Debt Report.
Often, cards from popular issuers reserve their lowest interest rates for people with excellent credit. Credit unions offer cards with much lower rates than standard banks but require memberships and may only be local to specific states or statuses, such as military veterans. While credit experts agree that paying your balance on time and in full every month is the best way to avoid interest, if you need to carry a balance, a low-interest card could help you pay less interest over time.
Comparing credit card interest charges
The best way to analyze your options is to use your actual spending or balances. You might be surprised how much low-interest credit cards can save you compared to a rewards card or cash back card with a high APR.
Here are two of the best low-interest cards compared with a rewards card using average credit card debt statistics from 2023:
Credit card | Credit card APR* | Daily periodic rate | Balance | Interest for a 30-day billing cycle |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 20.99% | 0.059% | $6,501 | $383.56 |
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | 19.74% | 0.055% | $6,501 | $357.56 |
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card | 17.49% | 0.048% | $6,501 | $312.05 |
*Using each card’s lowest possible Variable APR.
Bankrate Insight
If you're dead set on finding a way to lower your credit card interest rate, contact your issuer. You can call and ask to lower your interest rate or even negotiate a new payment plan entirely. If you've generally been on time with your payments and are a loyal customer, use those points to make your case. With the right approach, you could be successful in lowering your rate.
Expert advice for choosing a low-interest card
Discover our experts' tips on what to consider when choosing the right low-interest card for you.
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Check your credit score
A higher credit score increases your chances of getting a low interest rate. Knowing your credit score and cleaning up any errors before you apply can help you get a low APR.
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Calculate debt payoff
Low-interest cards can help people reduce debt, but the goal should be paying it off. Reviewing card terms and APRs can help you forecast your payoff date.
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Consider the long-term value
While having a low interest rate can be great in the long term, not every low-interest card maintains value over time. Ensure your card has value beyond initial offers like good rewards rates, welcome bonuses and useful perks.
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Look for a balance transfer offer
How much credit card debt do you have, if any? A balance transfer credit card might be better for you if you want to consolidate card debt instead. Many of the best balance transfer cards have intro offers featuring 0 percent interest on balance transfers that last longer than a year.
Still unsure if a low-interest credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool to get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.
What people are saying about low-interest credit cards
As inflation remains a concern, many people online are looking for a low-interest credit card. While big-name issuers dominate the market, credit unions are the go-to recommendation for finding a low-interest credit card. Credit union cards typically don’t have flashy rewards, but their business model allows them to pass savings back to customers at lower rates. But if you want the lowest interest rate possible, be prepared to give up rewards.
“You’ll have good luck by searching credit unions near you. Big corporate banks will offer 0% APR intros only for the most part. They’re promotional. Remember, banks are in this business to make money,” one Redditor said in r/CreditCards. “Credit [u]nions however operate differently and seek to help their communities and they work for you.”
Even Bankrate writer Garrett Yarbrough keeps his credit union card because its interest rate is lower than many other cards’ rates.
“Its greatest strength is one of the main reasons to have a credit union card: the interest rate is far less than the typical APR on a card from a major issuer. I still try to avoid carrying a balance since I don’t want to owe interest or hurt my credit score.”
— Garrett Yarbough, Bankrate writer
Luckily for cardholders, interest rates are decreasing thanks to the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut rates in its September meeting. While one cut won’t make much of a difference, this decision can help alleviate the pressure Americans felt for the past year under interest rate hikes.
Although online users and Bankrate experts recommend always paying in full and taking advantage of your credit card’s grace period to avoid interest altogether, the right low-interest card can mitigate unavoidable charges.
*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.
In the news: Federal Reserve drops rates in September meeting
Relief may be on the horizon for cardholders. In the September meeting, the Federal Reserve dropped interest rates for the first time since 2020, which means lower interest rates for cardholders. Considering this is a relatively steep cut from the Feds, it may also be a sign of more interest rate drops.
In truth, cutting down on your debt will probably be a long endeavor with or without the assistance from the Federal Reserve. “Credit card debt isn’t going to go away on its own. It’s probably your highest-cost debt by a wide margin and Fed rate cuts aren’t going to change that,” says Ted Rossman about credit card debt and rate cuts.
The best way to combat stagnant rates and high prices is by getting rid of your debt as quickly as possible. “Utilizing zero percent or other low-rate balance transfer offers can turbocharge the debt repayment,” says Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate chief financial analyst. “Credit card rates won’t fall fast enough to bail you out of a bad situation.”
Having a low-interest credit card protects you against a higher-than-necessary interest rate. Plus, some low-interest cards come with balance transfer offers, which can help you save hundreds in interest and give you time to focus on paying down your debt.
Our data: What’s the average approval rate of low-interest cards?
Debt drove trends in 2024, with half of American cardholders carrying credit card debt. Because financial strain is so common, it may have led to approval rates for low-interest cards dropping steadily for most of the year.
We dug into our data and looked at the average approval ratings for Bankrate users applying for credit cards on our site. According to our proprietary data, Bankrate user approval rates for the low-interest credit cards on our site started around 64 percent in January 2024 but steadily declined as banks reported tightening standards on credit card products in Q2.
The most significant approval dips were in spring and summer: 57 percent of users were approved in March and only 49 percent in May. These trends closely follow data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s June 2024 SCE Credit Access Survey, which shows that 16.5 percent and 21.7 percent of credit card applicants were rejected in February and June 2024, respectively. However, approval rates on our site increased from 54 percent in June to 56 percent in August, which suggests that approvals may be rising again.
However, approval rates on our site increased from 54 percent in June to 56 percent in August, which suggests that approvals may be rising again.
If you want to know which low-interest cards you have the best chance of being approved for, check out Bankrate’s CardMatch tool to get a better idea of your approval odds or see if the issuer offers preapproval for the card you want.
Ask the experts: Is it possible to get a card with a low interest rate if you have bad credit?
Erica Sandberg
Contributor, Credit Cards
There is a strong correlation between the interest rate you are eligible for and your credit score. The higher your credit score is, the better the rate issuers offer you might be. Even if your credit score is poor, however, you won't be charged any interest if you keep the balance to zero. Most cards will give you a 25 to 30 day grace period. It won’t matter how high your interest rate is, issuers won’t charge finance fees as long as you pay your bill in full before or by the due date. The more you do that, your credit score should rise, so if and when you want a new credit card with a low APR, you will be in a better position to qualify.
Frequently asked questions about low-interest credit cards
How we assess the best low-interest credit cards
When evaluating the best balance transfer and low-interest cards, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders.
This includes users who need to carry a balance long term, need as much time as possible to chip away at debt or are looking for maximum long-term value via rewards.
We analyzed over 100 of the most popular balance transfer and low-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’s a quick look at how our rating methodology breaks down for low-interest cards:
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Intro APR and offer length for new purchases 40%
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Ongoing APR 35%
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Intro APR and offer length for balance transfers 13%
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Balance transfer, annual and other fees 12%