Over 10 years of experience editing content (healthcare, legal, and personal finance).
Experience
Most recently before joining CreditCards.com, Robert worked as an editor and writer at The Ascent by The Motley Fool, covering a number of personal finance topics, including credit cards, mortgages and loans.
Jessica Merritt is a seasoned personal finance writer specializing in credit cards, consumer banking, and financial wellness. With 8 years of experience analyzing credit card offers, rewards programs, and money-saving strategies, she helps readers make informed financial decisions. Jessica’s expertise lies in breaking down complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice, whether finding the best 0% APR credit cards, maximizing travel rewards, or improving credit scores. Her work has been featured in leading finance publications, including U.S. News, CNN Underscored, and DepositAccounts.com by Lending Tree, guiding consumers toward smarter spending and responsible credit management.
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics
Our editorial team and expert review board provide an unbiased analysis of the products we feature. Our comparison service is compensated by our credit card company partners, and may influence where or how products are featured on the site. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please note: The star-rating system on this page is based on our independent card scoring methodology and is not influenced by advertisers or card issuers. Learn more about our partners and how we make money.
If you frequently carry a credit card balance from month to month, using a low-interest credit card can help you save money. Low-interest credit cards offer lower-than-average annual percentage rates (APRs), so you can pay less in interest and pay off your debt more quickly.
Some low-interest cards have a low or 0% interest rate for an introductory period, while others have a steady, lower rate indefinitely.
When used responsibly, low-interest credit cards can be a valuable resource when you need to make large or emergency purchases and can’t pay off the balance in full. Is a low-interest credit card right for you? Keep reading to find out.
If you frequently carry a credit card balance from month to month, using a low-interest credit card can help you save money. Low-interest credit cards offer lower-than-average annual percentage rates (APRs), so you can pay less in interest and pay off your debt more quickly.
Some low-interest cards have a low or 0% interest rate for an introductory period, while others have a steady, lower rate indefinitely.
When used responsibly, low-interest credit cards can be a valuable resource when you need to make large or emergency purchases and can’t pay off the balance in full. Is a low-interest credit card right for you? Keep reading to find out.
Our rating:5.0
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. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more.
3%
3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service.
1.5%
1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
At A Glance
Annual fee
$0
Balance transfer intro APR
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.49% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.8
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. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
3%
3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
3%
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
1%
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
At A Glance
Annual fee
$0
Balance transfer intro APR
0% on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
20.24% - 29.24% variable
Recommended credit
Good to Excellent
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool.
Our rating:4.6
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. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1%
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
At A Glance
Annual fee
$0
Balance transfer intro APR
0% for 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Our rating:4.1
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. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.
At A Glance
Annual fee
$0
Balance transfer intro APR
0% Intro APR for 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% variable
Recommended credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Low-interest credit cards may offer a 0% introductory rate on purchases or balance transfers, or may offer low ongoing interest rates.
You’ll pay credit card interest when you don’t pay your credit card balance in full at the end of each month, and a high interest rate makes it easy to get in over your head with credit card debt.
Using our payoff calculator, if you owe $3,000 and are paying a rate of 16.5% APR, then it would take you 45 months to pay the minimum amount of $90, and you’d pay $1,041 in interest alone.
If you pay your credit card balance in full, your interest rate doesn’t matter much because you won’t be charged any interest. But a credit card with a low interest rate can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long run if any of the following apply to you:
You often carry a balance from month to month on your credit card.
You want to do a balance transfer to pay down credit card debt.
You have to make an emergency purchase and need time to pay off the balance.
What is the average interest rate on a credit card?
Currently, the national average interest rate for credit cards is 20.93%, but the average APR for low-interest cards is 18.07% APR while the average APR for bad credit is 29.65%.
Pros and cons of low-interest credit cards
Low-interest cards can help lessen the extremes and avoid fighting an uphill battle as you pay off credit card debt. But they’re not for everyone.
Pros
Low interest: With a lower interest rate, payments are more manageable than with a high-interest card that racks up more interest charges.
No annual fee: Most low-interest cards don’t have an annual fee, which can offer savings every year.
Building credit: Paying off debt with a low-interest card can improve your credit score in the long term by decreasing your credit utilization rate.
Cons
Limited cardholder perks: Some low-interest cards have limited or nonexistent rewards and cardholder benefits.
Good credit required: Getting approved for a low-interest credit card usually requires good to excellent credit.
Who should get a low-interest credit card?
You should get a low-interest credit card if:
You carry balances month to month.
You want to do a balance transfer to pay off debt.
You need to finance a large purchase with no interest.
You shouldn’t get a low-interest credit card if:
You have poor credit.
You want to maximize rewards and benefits.
You’ll only make minimum payments.
How to choose a low-interest credit card
When selecting a low-interest credit card, consider these key factors:
What’s your balance and repayment plan? If you carry a balance month-to-month, a low-interest card can help you save money on interest. If your primary goal is to pay off existing debt without accruing more interest, look for a card with a low, fixed APR that will remain consistent over time.
How long will it take to pay off your balance? Understanding your timeline is essential. While low-interest cards can save you money, it’s important to know how long you’ll need to pay off your balance. Some low-interest cards may offer a fixed APR indefinitely, while others could increase after an introductory period. Make sure the APR aligns with your repayment plan.
Are you looking for long-term savings? If you plan to carry a balance for an extended period, you’ll want a card with a competitive, low APR and no hidden fees. Consider any potential annual fees, and ensure the interest rate remains low even after an introductory offer ends.
How to make the most of a low-interest card
Here are four tips to take to ensure you get the most out of your low-interest credit card:
Pay on time to avoid unnecessary fees and improve your credit score.
Pay your balance in full before your 0% APR offer expires, so you can avoid interest charges.
Make more than the minimum payment to reduce your balance faster and save on interest charges.
Avoid new debt while you’re focused on paying for an existing balance.
Alternatives to low-interest credit cards
If you’re concerned about qualifying for a low-interest credit card or want to avoid opening a new card, here are a few alternatives:
Debt consolidation loan: A debt consolidation loan allows you to combine multiple debts into a single loan, ideally with a lower interest rate and one manageable monthly payment. This option can be useful if you need a longer repayment period or want a fixed interest rate for the life of the loan. Typically, consolidation loans offer longer repayment terms than low-interest credit cards, which could help reduce your monthly payments.
Ask for a lower interest rate: If you already have a credit card with a higher interest rate, consider contacting your card issuer to request a rate reduction. If you have a good payment history and a solid credit score, your issuer may be willing to lower your rate, saving you money on interest. You can also use offers from competing cards to negotiate a better deal.
Credit card hardship programs: If you’re struggling with high interest rates and are having trouble paying your credit card bill, inquire about a hardship program. Some issuers offer temporary relief, such as lower rates or suspended payments for a limited time, to help you get back on track. Keep in mind that hardship programs are usually temporary and may affect your credit score, so it’s important to weigh the long-term impact.
How we picked the best low-interest credit cards
Our editorial team and expert review board analyzed low-interest credit cards to identify some of the best offers on the market. The major factors we considered were:
Low APR: Does the card offer a low regular, intro, or balance transfer APR? In the case of intro APRs, how long does the offer last? Does the rate remain low once the introductory term expires?
Fees: Is there an annual fee and is it waived the first year? What fees are associated with balance transfers, foreign transactions, and cash advances? Are these fees competitive with similar cards on the market?
Sign-up bonus, rewards, and ancillary benefits: Do the rewards and sign-up bonus justify the membership costs? If the card offers rewards, how do they stack up against similar cards regarding value? Are rewards easy to redeem?
Our criteria also include ease of application, customer service, and miscellaneous features and benefits.
Our comparison service is compensated by our credit card company partners, which may affect product placement. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Star ratings are based solely on our independent card scoring methodology and are not influenced by advertisers or card issuers. Learn more about our partners and how we make money.
Additional information on low-interest credit cards
For more information on all things low-interest cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:
The main difference between a 0% interest and low-interest credit card lies in how the APR works. A 0% interest card offers an introductory period where you won’t pay any interest on purchases or balance transfers, making it ideal for financing large purchases or paying off debt over time without accumulating interest. These cards typically offer 6-18 months of 0% APR, after which the rate increases to a higher, standard APR.
In contrast, low-interest credit cards provide a lower ongoing APR, which remains consistent even after the introductory period. This makes them a better choice for people who regularly carry a balance and want to minimize interest charges over the long term.
Ultimately, the best card for you depends on your financial situation and goals—whether you need temporary relief from interest or want a long-term solution for managing your credit card debt. Be sure to compare key features like APR, fees, and rewards before making your decision.
The national average for credit card interest rates has hovered around 19% to 21% over the past few years. If your interest rate is below this threshold, it can be considered “good,” but keep in mind that it can still be quite expensive if you carry a balance from month to month.
It is possible to negotiate a lower interest rate for your credit card, and it can’t hurt to call your issuer and ask. If you have a history of timely payments and use your credit responsibly, the issuer may offer a lower rate to keep your business. The worst-case scenario is they say “no,” and you can try again once you’ve spent some time building up your credit score.
If you have bad credit, finding a credit card with a low interest rate is possible. There are several secured credit cards that can help you build credit. With a variable APR of 24.64%, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card has a below-average APR for bad credit and doesn’t require a credit check, though it requires a minimum security deposit of $200 and has an annual fee of $35.
The Chime credit builder card is another solid pick if you have bad credit. It also doesn’t require a credit check, but unlike the OpenSky card, there’s no annual fee and no minimum security deposit required. And the best part is that there are no interest charges. But to qualify, you’ll need to open a Chime spending account and add a qualifying direct deposit of $200 within 365 days of your application.
About the Author
Robert Thorpe
Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com
About the Editor
Jessica Merritt
Jessica Merritt is a personal finance writer with 8 years of experience covering credit cards, banking, and financial wellness. She specializes in turning complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice, with work featured in U.S. News, CNN Underscored, and DepositAccounts.com.
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CreditCards.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditCards.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and the likelihood of applicants' credit approval also impact how and where products appear on this site. CreditCards.com does not include the entire universe of available financial or credit offers. CCDC has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
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