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A 0 percent APR credit card with an introductory offer on purchases, balance transfers or both can help you temporarily avoid interest charges and potentially save hundreds of dollars. Compare the best 0 percent intro APR credit cards available from our partners and get expert advice on how to manage debt responsibly. See how it works with our Credit Card Payoff Calculator and Credit Card Balance Transfer Calculator.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
| Card name | Intro purchase offer | Intro balance transfer offer | Regular APR (variable) | Bankrate score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Reflect Card | Up to 21 months | Up to 21 months (on qualifying transfers) when minimum, monthly payments are made on time | 16.74% –28.74% | 4.7 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 15 months | 15 months* | 17.99%–27.99% | 4.9 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Discover it Cash Back | 15 months | 15 months | 15.74%–26.74% | 4.4 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Citi Simplicity Card | 12 months | 21 months | 17.74%–28.49% | 4.2 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash Card | 15 months from account opening | 15 months (on qualifying transfers) | 18.74%, 23.74%, or 28.74% | 4.3 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | 15 months | 15 months* | 17.99%–27.99% | 3.8 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| My GM Rewards Card | 12 months | None | 17.99%–27.99% | 3.9 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 15 months | 15 months | 18.74%–27.49% | 5 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Discover it Balance Transfer | 6 months | 18 months | 15.74%–26.74% | 4.7 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Citi Diamond Preferred Card | 12 months | 21 months | 16.74%–27.49% | 4.0 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| BankAmericard credit card | 21 billing cycles | 21 billing cycles for balance transfers made in the first 60 days; a 3 percent fee (minimum $10) applies | 15.74% – 25.74% | 5 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Citi Custom Cash Card | 15 months | 15 months | 17.74%–27.74% | 4.4 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | 12 months | 12 months | 17.74%-28.74% | 4.4 / 5 (Read full card review) |
| U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card | 18 billing cycles | 18 billing cycles | 18.24%–28.24% | 3.6 / 5 (Read full card review) |
*3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
Learn more: Wells Fargo Reflect benefits guide.
Read our full Wells Fargo Reflect Card review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Read our full Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: Reasons to love the Discover It Cash Back card
Read our full Discover it Cash Back review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: Citi Simplicity vs. U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card.
Read our full Citi Simplicity Card review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: Wells Fargo Active Cash Card benefits guide.
Read our full Wells Fargo Active Cash Card review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: Why expert Nicole Dieker loves the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card.
Read our full Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to offer details.
Read our full My GM Rewards Card review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: What’s to love about the Chase Freedom Unlimited card.
Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: Is the Discover it Balance Transfer card worth it?
Read our full Discover it Balance Transfer review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: Why expert Andy Shuman loves the Citi Diamond Preferred card.
Read our full Citi Diamond Preferred Card review jump back to offer details.
Learn more: BankAmericard benefits guide.
Read our full BankAmericard credit card review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: Citi Custom Cash vs. Citi Diamond Preferred.
Read our full Citi Custom Cash Card review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: Why our expert Ted Rossman loves the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Read our full Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express review or jump back to offer details.
Learn more: U.S. Bank Visa Platinum benefits guide.
Read our U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card review.
They go by different names — 0 percent APR credit cards, zero-interest credit cards, introductory APR credit cards — but they all have the same purpose: a 0 percent intro APR is a temporary break from interest charges as you steadily pay off large credit card purchases or balance transfers. In the case of credit cards, the term interest rate is interchangeable with APR. Both refer to the rate of interest that is applied to your credit card.
Interest is essentially the cost of borrowing money; it doesn’t take effect if you keep your balance paid off in full every month, but a balance that remains unpaid past the grace period of a billing cycle will accrue interest in accordance with your annual percentage rate (APR).
Even worse, a penalty APR could apply if you have a late payment more than 60 days overdue. Your APR for purchases may differ from your APR for balance transfers, but the lower the APR, the better. Most ongoing APRs (the interest rate you’ll accrue after an introductory APR period is over) are variable, meaning that the interest rate can change based on the market rate. Entities like the Federal Reserve make decisions that affect a bank’s likelihood of raising or lowering credit card interest rates.
The good news is that you could use a credit card’s 0 APR to temporarily receive no interest to avoid the cost of interest charges during the introductory period before the regular, or ongoing rate takes effect. A 0 percent intro offer may apply to new purchases, balance transfers or both.
Want to learn more? Read our full guide on how credit card interest works.
When you open an account with a credit card issuer, they may offer you a 0 percent introductory (APR) period or no-interest financing on purchases made during that time frame. Credit card companies will often offer this type of interest-free promotion for anywhere from 12 to up to 21 months.
While there are usually no upfront fees or penalties associated with this type of promotion, be aware that it won’t last forever. When your 0 percent intro APR offer ends, any balance that remains will start gaining interest at its regular rate — which can be anywhere between 13 percent and 27 percent or more annually — plus any other applicable fees or charges (such as late payments).
If you’re planning for a home renovation, medical expense or another large purchase that’ll require some time to pay off, a card with a 0 percent introductory offer can reduce some of the financial strain. The current average interest rate on a credit card is around 19.2 percent as of November 30th. A card with a 0 percent introductory APR period helps reduce your immediate financial burden and gives you time to pay for your purchases without any interest.
Consider the following example. Our cardholder makes a $3,000 purchase and wants to pay it off in 12 months. If they have a card with no intro APR, they immediately start paying interest, increasing their overall payments. In comparison, with a zero-interest credit card, they only have to focus on the balance and have lower monthly payments.
| Interest rate | Total principal paid | Total interest paid | Monthly payment | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17% | $3,000 | $283 | $273 | $3,283 |
| 0% intro for 12 months | $3,000 | $0 | $250 | $3,000 |
Want to learn more? Read our full guide on pros and cons of zero percent APR credit cards.
Generally, if you’re avoiding credit card interest, applying for one of the best 0 percent intro APR cards makes sense. Consider one of these cards if you find yourself in the following situations.
Still unsure if a 0% APR credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.
A zero-interest card can be a great tool for anyone looking for a break from interest or looking for a way to lower their debt. That said, you’ll get more out of your card if you have a clear purpose for it. Consider the following when choosing a 0 percent intro APR offer card.
Are you looking to make a large purchase and want to use your 0 percent APR card to pay for it interest-free over time? Then consider a card with a long introductory APR period. If you’re looking to pay down existing credit card debt and complete a balance transfer, then you might consider a card with no balance transfer fee. Whatever your goals are, keep them top of mind when deciding between 0 percent APR cards.
A 0 percent APR card offers a temporary interest-free option for credit cards. Knowing what you can afford to pay back before the 0 percent APR period ends is important because not all intro offers provide the same length of time. The best 0 percent APR cards typically offer cardholders between 15 and 21 months.
Additionally, it’s important to make sure your balance is as close to zero as possible when the intro period ends, as any existing balance at the end of your 0 percent intro period will be subject to interest charges, even if you made the purchases before the intro period ended.
While it’s important to find a card with an affordable introductory rate and no annual fee, it’s also important to look at how much value you can get out of your cash back, points or miles once your 0 percent introductory period has ended. It’s important to be mindful of the perks and benefits — like cellphone insurance and concierge service — that come with the card as this also impacts the overall value. Look for features and rewards that best match your lifestyle and spending habits.
If your goal is just to pay down your debt without earning rewards, then choosing any zero-interest credit card will do just fine; however, if you want both a 0 percent introductory rate and rewards that are worth collecting over time, then it pays to do some research before applying for any new cards.
Though 0 percent intro APR offers are a great perk, there is a time limit on this benefit. When you are approved for a credit card, both your credit limit and ongoing interest rate (your interest rate after your intro period ends) are set by the issuer. The ongoing interest rate is often variable, meaning it can change or be different for different people depending on several factors. The issuer considers your credit score, payment history, number of open credit accounts and other information about your personal credit use — so the higher your credit score and the lower your credit usage, the lower your interest rate.
When your 0 percent intro APR offer ends, the card’s regular, ongoing interest rate will apply to any future balance you carry month to month. 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 additional charges from the interest you’ve gained.
Whether you use it for purchases or balance transfers, even the best 0 percent intro APR credit card isn’t a quick fix. You’ll still need to hold up your end of the bargain by making regular monthly payments and erasing the debt before the intro offer expires, to reap the full benefits. You can find your credit card’s ongoing APR in the fine print so you know how much interest is charged after the intro period ends.
Many factors play a part in credit card APR, including government regulators and banks’ lending standards. Due to recent interest hikes by the Federal Reserve, you’ll begin to see a general increase in rates across most cards. That said, it’s not impossible to get a low APR on your card. Try to focus on one factor that you can directly influence: your credit score.
Generally, having a higher credit score means you can qualify for lower APR not only on credit cards but also on personal loans, auto loans, mortgages and other forms of credit. Make sure to monitor your credit score closely and look out for pre-approvals for zero-interest cards.
With inflation at an all-time high, cautious holiday shoppers opted for an early start this year. Historically, November has always been the kick-off to the gift-buying season, but a recent Bankrate survey shows that many shoppers began as early as October in the hopes of avoiding December price-hikes. Of course, not everyone had the foresight to plan ahead. If you still haven’t made much of a dent in your shopping list, or have yet to start at all, don’t stress. There’s still time to apply for a 0 percent APR card which would allow you to finance your December holiday purchases over the course of several months.
Not only will you get a temporary break from interest and time to pay off your purchases, but there may also be shopping perks that help you save more. Some cards have shopping portals that offer discounts on brands or website extensions that automatically apply coupon codes when you buy gifts online while others provide purchase protections and warranty extensions.
Bankrate uses a 5-star scoring system to evaluate the credit cards available from our partners. In selecting the cards featured on this page, we further refine the criteria to focus on qualities that define the best credit cards with 0 percent APR intro offers.
For zero-interest cards, the longer the period without APR, the better. A longer intro period means more time for you to pay for a big purchase or pay off a transferred balance, whichever the case may be, without facing high APR charges. The best 0 percent intro APR offers generally last between 12 to 21 months.
A card's regular APR, sometimes called standard "go-to" APR, refers to the interest rate on a credit card’s outstanding balance after the introductory zero-interest period ends. While you shouldn’t carry a balance on your card, choosing a card with a reasonable go-to APR can help ease the burden if you find yourself in a situation where you have to.
Should you keep this card after it's served its initial purpose? That’s a key question we ask when evaluating credit cards with 0 percent APR intro offers. Several cards on this list have rewards programs and other features that can make them worth keeping even after you’ve paid for a big purchase or paid off transferred debt.
Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
