All information about the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card, Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card, Wells Fargo Platinum card, The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express, and Citi Simplicity® Card have been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Comparing Low Interest Credit Card Offers
Although it’s usually best to pay off the balance each month, sometimes that isn’t possible. That’s where low interest cards come in. If you want to look at how interest rates work on credit cards, look no further. We crunched the numbers on more than 800 credit cards to determine the best credit cards with low interest rates, and also included information on how to best utilize these cards. Whether you want to understand the mechanics of our best low interest cards or the difference between interest and APR, we can help. Here, we look at:
Wondering if you qualify? Want to understand how your score affects your interest rates? We look at that and more.
Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Discover it® Cash Back
Why this card is the best credit card for low interest
The Discover it Cash Back, like several other Discover cards, offers a super-low regular interest rate of 11.99%-22.99% variable APR, ideal for the occasional balance.
Pros
The ongoing rewards and the first-year bonus feature are unsurpassed: 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in quarterly purchases in various categories upon activation, then 1%) and Discover will match all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. Add to that, there is no annual fee.
Cons
There’s no sign-up bonus on this card, and the purchase and travel benefits are nonexistent.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Why this card is the best low interest credit card for 0% intro APR
The Blue Cash Everyday offers 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. It’s 13.99%-23.99% variable after that.
Pros
The welcome offer on this card is strong for a cash back card with no annual fee: Earn 20% back on purchases at Amazon.com in the first 6 months, up to $200 back, and earn $100 back after you spend $1,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. Terms apply.
Cons
While it’s tough to match this card’s welcome offer, its ongoing rewards can be beaten by the Blue Cash Preferred. For example, with the Everyday, you can earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%), while with the Preferred, you can earn 6% cash at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%), which might make the Preferred the better choice for the larger family.
American Express Cash Magnet® Card
Why this card is the best low interest credit card for no annual fee
With its rewards, low introductory interest offer on purchases, as well as a low regular low interest offer, it’s rather remarkable that the Cash Magnet has no annual fee.
Pros
Like the Blue Cash Everyday, the regular variable APR starts out low at 13.99%-23.99%. Also, the 1.5% back on purchases is quite convenient.
Cons
If you want to maximize your rewards depending on the purchase, another card may be a better choice due to this card’s flat rate offer.
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card
Why this card is the best low interest credit card for digital wallet purchases
In addition to the Cash Wise’s flat rewards rate, you can earn 1.8% cash rewards on qualified digital wallet purchases, like Apple Pay® or Google Pay™, during the first 12 months from opening your account.
Pros
This card is competitive in all sorts of ways, from the sign-up bonus to the ongoing rewards to the 0% intro offer on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 15 months (then 14.49% – 24.99% variable).
Cons
The balance transfer fee heads into the upper range of 5% (with a minimum of $5) if you make the transfer after 120 days from opening your account. It’s 3% or $5, whichever is greater, up to 120 days. Also, there’s a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
Why this card is the best low interest credit card for sign-up bonus
The Propel offers 20,000 points after a $1,000 spend within the first 3 months of card membership, a solid offer for a low interest card with no annual fee.
Pros
Along with its solid 3X rewards rate on dining, travel and select streaming services, this no annual fee card offers a 0% intro APR on both new purchases, as well as 0% for 12 months on qualifying balance transfers, then 14.49% to 24.99% variable.
Cons
Although it comes with generous earnings, your points can’t transfer to outside loyalty programs and any travel rewards must be redeemed through Go Far Rewards.
Citi® Double Cash Card
Why this card is the best low interest credit card for cash back
The Double Cash’s ongoing rewards of 1% cash back when you spend, then another 1% when you pay for the purchase make it top-of-line among flat-rate cash back cards.
Pros
This card possesses one of the longest BT intro APR offers, with 0% for 18 months, then 13.99%-23.99% variable after that. This means balance transfers at 0% can be carried into 2022.
Cons
As superior as the Citi Double Cash’s rewards are, its lack of a 0% intro APR on purchases may give you pause. Also, there’s no sign-up bonus.
Wells Fargo Platinum card
Why this card is the best low interest credit card for good credit
The card comes with a suite of tools that should help you manage your finances and protect the good credit you’ve worked so hard to achieve. You get access to My Money Map, which you can use to track your expenses, create a personalized budget, set monthly spending goals and monitor your progress toward your savings goals.
Pros
You can take advantage of a 0% introductory APR on new purchases for the first 18 months, as well as 0% for 18 months on qualifying balance transfers, then 16.49% to 24.49% variable. That’s more than a year to chip away at debt or pay down new expenses. The card also stands out for its included cellphone insurance: As long as you pay your phone bill with the card, you can be reimbursed up to $600 per claim should your cellphone be damaged or stolen. You’ll only have to pay a $25 deductible.
Cons
The card offers no rewards program. Additionally, Wells Fargo customer service has failed to impress as of late, ranking eighth out of 11 credit card issuers in J.D. Power’s 2020 customer satisfaction survey.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Why this card is the best low interest credit card for balance transfers
It offers one of the longest promotional APR periods on balance transfers currently available: You’ll get a whopping 18 months to tackle your transferred balance without paying interest (the card’s APR is 14.74%-24.74% variable after that). Plus, the card’s low-end ongoing APR is lower than the average credit card APR.
Pros
In addition to a long intro APR period on balance transfers, the card offers a solid introductory rate on new purchases: The APR is 0% for the first 18 months and 14.74%-24.74% variable thereafter. Having the option to pay off new purchases over time without drowning in interest could come in handy if you need to cover unexpected expenses.
Cons
The card charges a balance transfer fee of 3% (or $5, whichever is higher). As our Diamond Preferred card review breaks down, you can save a significant amount if you opt instead for a balance transfer card that charges no balance transfer fee at all.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Why this card is the best low interest credit card for U.S. supermarkets
It’s tough to beat the phenomenal rewards rates on everyday, practical purchases: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%), 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and 3% at U.S. gas stations and transit. Then, 1% back on general purchases.
Pros
The low end of the 13.99%-23.99% variable APR is quite low, which you may be able to secure if you have excellent credit. Before the interest rate kicks in, you’ll have 12 months of intro 0% APR on purchases.
Cons
Compared to other low interest cards, 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases isn’t a competitive introductory period length. It’s 13.99%-23.99% variable after that.
Compare the best low APR credit cards of 2020
| Credit Card | Best For: | 0% Intro Purchase APR Period | Regular APR | CreditCards.com Rating |
|---|
| Discover it® Cash Back | Low interest | 14 months | 11.99% – 22.99% (Variable) | 3.7 / 5 |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | 0% intro APR | 15 months | 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable) | 3.6 / 5 |
| American Express Cash Magnet® Card | No annual fee | 15 months | 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable) | 4 / 5 |
| Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card | Digital wallet purchases | 15 months | 14.49% – 24.99% (Variable) | 2.8 / 5 |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card | Sign-up bonus | 12 months | 14.49% – 24.99% (Variable) | 3.5 / 5 |
| Citi® Double Cash Card | Cash back | N/A | 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable) | 1.4 / 5 |
| Wells Fargo Platinum card | Good credit | 18 months | 16.49% – 24.49%(Variable) | 4.4 / 5 |
| Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | Balance transfers | 18 months | 14.74% – 24.74%(Variable) | 3.9 / 5 |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | U.S. supermarkets | 12 months | 13.99 – 23.99% (variable) | 3.2 / 5 |
Research methodology: How we chose the best low interest credit cards:
It’s no surprise that when deciding the best low interest credit cards, we chose cards with low APRs. We also took the length of the introductory period into account, since a longer 0% APR period may reduce the total amount of interest accrued on a large purchase.
Number of low interest cards we analyzed: 869
Criteria used: Regular APR, intro APR, other rates and fees, rewards rates, rewards categories, redemption options, miscellaneous features and benefits, customer service, security, credit needed, ease of application
What is a low interest credit card?
Low interest credit cards can be cards with intro offers for purchases and balance transfers, usually at 0%, or they can be simply a card with a low regular interest rate, as in the case of some of the Discover cards. Here, we answer your most common questions about interest rates and credit cards.
What is the average interest rate on a credit card?
Typically, a low interest rate is considered a figure that is below the national average. Currently, the national average interest rate for credit cards is 16.03%. This is one of the lowest interest rates in nearly two years due to our current economic slowdown. When the Federal Reserve dropped interest rates in March 2020, many lenders cut interest rates on new credit cards. This sudden rate change could be beneficial to those who have an outstanding credit card balance (but you may need to ask for a lower rate) or are interested in a card with a lower interest rate.
Average credit card interest rates
What is credit card interest?
Low interest credit cards can be cards with intro offers for purchases and balance transfers, usually at 0%, or they can be simply a card with a low regular interest rate, as in the case of some of the Discover cards. Here, we answer your most common questions about interest rates and credit cards.
What is the average interest rate on a credit card?
Typically, a low interest rate is considered a figure that is below the national average. Currently, the national average interest rate for credit cards is 15.97% as of 10/14/20. This is one of the lowest interest rates in nearly two years due to our current economic slowdown. When the Federal Reserve dropped interest rates in March 2020, many lenders cut interest rates on new credit cards. This sudden rate change could be beneficial to those who have an outstanding credit card balance (but you may need to ask for a lower rate) or are interested in a card with a lower interest rate.
Average credit card interest rates…
- Low interest
- 12.77%
- National average
- 15.97%
- Bad credit
- 24.43%
Source: CreditCards.com rate report
What is credit card interest?
Credit card interest is the amount that you are charged when you don’t pay your credit card balance in full at the end of each month. Your interest rate will be stated as an APR, or “annual percentage rate.” This is the yearly cost of borrowing money, and consists of your interest, fees, and other charges represented as a percentage amount. The amount that you pay in interest each month can vary based on things like creditworthiness and the type of credit account that you have; however, if you pay off your balance in full, you won’t be charged interest. If you don’t pay off your balance each month, the interest rate you pay can be one of the most important features of a credit card.
What is considered a low interest rate?
According to CreditCards.com’s weekly rates survey, the low interest average is currently at 12.77%.
How does your credit score affect your interest rate?
Card issuers look to your credit score to determine how risky it is to lend to you. Since your credit score is primarily derived from your payment history and your balance-to-available-credit ratio, it’s a good predictor of credit behavior.
If your credit score is low, it signals that you’re less likely to pay back the money you borrow. To make up for the risk of a borrower not repaying debt, issuers charge higher interest rates to those who pose the most risk. You can think of interest rates as a safety net for issuers. Read our full article for more information about how credit scores affect interest rates.
Which kind of cardholder are you?
The level of consideration you give to a credit card’s interest rate depends on the way you will be using the card. The American Bankers Association’s Credit Card Industry Monitor divides cardholders into 3 types: transactors, revolvers and dormants. Transactors usually pay their balance in full each billing cycle, while revolvers tend to carry a balance from month to month. Dormants, who make up nearly a quarter of accounts, don’t use their credit card at all. Here are the statistics as of Q1 2020:
- Revolvers
- 44.6%
- Transactors
- 31.6%
- Dormants
- 23.8%
Source: ABA Q1 2020 Credit Card Market Monitor
Since you won’t accumulate any interest by paying your balance in full each month or not using your card at all, having a credit card with low interest is only important for revolvers, who make up the largest segment of cardholders.
How does credit card interest work?
You probably know that if you carry a balance on your credit card, at some point you will pay interest. Here, we explain how that works.
Your interest is expressed in APR, or annual percentage rate. According to Discover, you divide that rate by 365 (days of the year) to calculate your daily rate. So, if your card has an APR of 15%, it will have a daily rate of .041096%. So, with a balance of $1,000 at 15%, you add the interest, and the new balance the next day is $1,000.41. This continues, with compounding, until the end of the month when your balance is $1,013.
You might get a grace period of roughly a month to pay your bill off and avoid interest, and of course you can take out a 0% intro APR card as well to avoid paying interest. But the bottom line is that if you don’t pay off your balance, you can eventually get slammed with interest, and your monthly charges can drag on for years if you only pay the minimum.
To calculate interest on a credit card, use our handy-dandy interest calculators. They allow you to figure out how long it will take you to pay off a balance with the minimum payment, how much you are paying in interest each month, how much you can save by speeding up the payment process and more.
Types of APRs
Here are the typical APRs charged by card issuers:
- APR for purchases. The most common APR, this rate is applied when you carry a balance. Some cards, such as The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express, offer a 0% intro purchase offer for a set time. In the case of the EveryDay, the balance is charged the go-to variable rate of 12.99%-23.99% after 15 months.
- APR for balance transfers. Similar to the purchase APR, balance transfer cards will usually offer a 0% intro APR for a set amount of time, then revert to the go-to rate.
- Cash advance APR. This rate usually kicks in immediately after you take out the cash.
- Penalty APR. This is typically a considerably higher interest rate that’s triggered when you violate issuer terms – usually for late monthly payments. After 6 consecutive on-time payments, the issuer may lower your rate again. Some cards, like Discover products, don’t carry this type of APR.
Why are credit card interest rates so high?
Even with an excellent credit score, the current average low-interest credit card APR clocks in at 12.77% – over double the 5.99% you commonly see for personal loan APRs. So why are credit card interest rates that much higher with the same financial records?
Why loans have lower rates than credit cards can be chalked up to cards’ higher cost to lenders due to risk, regulations, and the economy.
Higher credit card interest rates largely account for the cost to banks if you can’t repay them or a fraudster strikes. Credit cards don’t typically require collateral like loans do.
Want to learn more? Click here to learn more about credit card APRs.
Which is best: low interest, balance transfer or 0% intro APR purchase credit card?
Although any of these types of cards can help you financially, your specific circumstances are what determine the best option for you. Each type has a slightly different impact: Low interest credit cards generally focus on providing a lower ongoing APR, zero interest cards don’t tack on interest charges for a set period and balance transfer cards are designed to help move credit card debt. Depending on the type of cardholder you are, there may be a clear-cut best choice:
The credit-builder: If you’re starting from a healthy financial situation, but still are looking to improve your credit score, a low interest card or 0% intro APR purchase card may be the choice for you. These cards often come with features designed to boost your credit, plus any early mistakes made will be softened thanks to the lower APR.
The traveler: Credit score permitting, those looking to take advantage of their card’s reward system to earn free flights, hotels and similar benefits should look toward travel credit cards. Another savvy saving option: Strategizing with a card offering a 0% intro APR on purchases is the perfect opportunity to pay for a trip up front and cut away at the balance over time.
The debt-holder: For those with credit card debt or any other outstanding movable balance, a balance transfer card can be a no-brainer. By moving debt to an interest-free account, you can declutter your financial situation and make right of past mishaps. This can provide huge savings by avoiding ongoing charges on your debt, likely more useful than earning rewards or a low ongoing APR.
The renovator: Anyone with plans to upgrade their home or yard may want to explore their credit card options and take note of any welcome offers ahead of time. A zero interest card giving freedom on purchases will allow you to buy expensive items interest-free, so you can plan to pay off their cost over the time of the offer. Plus, some options will reward you with cash back or points for your early spending.
The consistent cardholder: You don’t have any transferable debt, and you’re not planning on making a large purchase anytime soon. As long as you pay your balance on time and in full, a low interest card is likely the best choice for you. That way, you won’t have to worry about interest charges and you may even get some extra benefit out of your card by foregoing intro APR offers.
Still unsure of where you stand? Let’s look at some key components of finding the right card:
Factors to consider for low interest credit cards
- What is your credit score? Our top low interest cards require good or excellent credit, and it’s important to apply for a card that matches your credit. If you don’t have good credit, a low interest card is probably not a good option.
- How does the regular APR compare to other cards? If you plan to carry a balance month to month, note the regular APR. Some, such as the Discover it Cash Back (11.99%-22.99% variable), start with a super low APR.
- Are you interested in rewards? Most of our top low interest credit cards offer travel or cash back rewards.
- What is the annual fee? The bulk of our low interest cards offer no annual fee, but some have an annual fee that may actually be worth your while because of the rewards offered.
- What’s next for you? Think about your finances in the upcoming months. If you’re looking to cut down on debt or know you have a large purchase to make, it’s easier to get a sense of direction on the type of card to get.
Comparing two low interest card offers
Here we look at a side-by-side comparison of two low interest cards with the features listed above. As you can see, the cards’ APR rates and annual fees are comparable:
| Card: | Discover it Cash Back
 | American Express Cash Magnet® Card
 |
|---|
| Credit Recommended: | Good – Excellent | Good – Excellent |
| 0% intro APR period – Purchases: | 14 months | 15 months |
| 0% intro APR – Balance transfer: | 14 months | N/A |
| Regular APR: | 11.99%-22.99% (Variable) | 13.99%-23.99% (Variable) |
| Annual fee: | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards rate: | 5% on rotating categories each quarter* | 1.5% unlimited cash back on purchases |
*On up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter after enrollment, then 1%
How to save money with a low interest credit card
A high interest rate is one of the biggest culprits in attaining card debt. If you owe $3,000 and you are paying a rate of 16.5% APR, then it would take you 45 months to pay the minimum amount, and you would end up paying $1,041 in interest alone. Low interest cards can help lessen the extremes and avoid fighting an uphill battle.
Due to a decrease in spending this year, total outstanding credit card balances have seen the sharpest quarter-to-quarter decline in the data’s history. U.S. household credit card debt decreased by $76 billion in the second quarter of 2020 when compared to the previous period, according to the New York Fed, while seriously delinquent credit card accounts (more than 90 days past due) leveled off to 5.05%.
How can I avoid paying interest on a credit card?
To avoid that debt, the best thing you can do is to pay in full each month. Also, avoid putting charges on your card that you can’t pay in full by the due date. Want that big-screen TV but don’t have the cash? Start setting aside the money rather than paying with your card without a plan.
If you’re already stuck in debt, you can avoid paying some interest by paying more than the minimum amount. Remember that $3,000 at a 16.5% rate, in which you end up with more than $2,000 in interest charges because you paid the minimum? Well, if you paid $200 a month, those interest charges would drop to $383.
If you pay more than the minimum…
| Rate | Monthly payment | Months to pay off | Amount owed | Interest to pay off |
|---|
| 16.5% | 3% or $25, whichever is greater | 124 | $3,000 | $2,122 |
| 16.5% | $200 | 17 | $3,000 | $383 |
Another way to save money on interest is to transfer an existing balance to a balance transfer card or a low interest card.
With a lower interest rate, and even better, 0% intro APR, you can pay off that card debt at a faster rate. Also, you save hundreds of dollars in interest charges.
Can you ask for a lower credit card interest rate?
There are several ways to lower your interest rate, the most direct being to simply ask. In most cases, you can call your card provider and work with them to negotiate a better rate. It’s important to stay mindful of what your interest rate is; that way there’s no surprises if you ever carry a balance.
Why you should avoid keeping a balance on your credit card
In addition to interest incurred when carrying a balance, there’s another reason why you should avoid card debt. The second most important factor of your credit score is your credit utilization ratio, or how much you owe on your cards compared to how much credit you have available. So, if you owe $500 and you have $5,000 in available credit, then your utilization ratio is 10%, which is a good ratio.
Figuring out your credit utilization ratio
| Card | Credit available | Amount owed | Credit utilization ratio |
|---|
| Citi® Double Cash Card | $2,000 | $200 | $200/$2,000=10% |
| American Express Cash Magnet® Card | $2,000 | $300 | $300/$2,000=15% |
| Discover it Cash Back | $1,000 | $0 | $0/$1,000=0% |
| TOTAL | $5,000 | $500 | $500/$5,000=10% |
As you can see, there is a ratio for each card and a total ratio for all cards combined. Both matter. The industry standard is to keep the ratios under 30%, but it’s best to keep them as close to 0% as possible, partly to avoid paying interest and partly to keep your credit healthy.
Additional Resources
With our picks for the best low interest credit cards on this page, we cover a unique selection of credit cards with low regular interest rates. We have also curated and compiled a list of the best credit cards with long 0% APR offers and for balance transfers specifically — check them out:
You can read some individual reviews for low interest credit cards at our reviews section. You can use these to get a better idea of how products compare to one another and decide which offer is the best for your needs.
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