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Zero-interest credit cards (or 0% intro APR credit cards) let cardholders make payments with no interest charges on purchases, balance transfers or both for a set period of time. Your entire payment (except for any fees) is applied to your balance. After the introductory period expires, you begin paying a predetermined interest rate.
The best zero-interest credit cards tout long promotional APR periods, usually between 14 to 21 months, and can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest. But before you sign up for one, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Keep reading to learn more and to find the top offers from our partners.
Zero-interest credit cards (or 0% intro APR credit cards) let cardholders make payments with no interest charges on purchases, balance transfers or both for a set period of time. Your entire payment (except for any fees) is applied to your balance. After the introductory period expires, you begin paying a predetermined interest rate.
The best zero-interest credit cards tout long promotional APR periods, usually between 14 to 21 months, and can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest. But before you sign up for one, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Keep reading to learn more and to find the top offers from our partners.
Best 0% APR Credit Cards of 2023
Discover it® Cash Back – 15-month 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR is 16.99% - 27.99% Variable APR
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card – 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 120 days from account opening
Regular APR is 19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% variable APR
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card – 15-month 0% intro APR for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR is 18.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
Discover it® Balance Transfer – 18-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers and 6 months for purchases
Regular APR is 16.99% - 27.99% Variable APR
BankAmericard® credit card – 21-billing-cycle 0% intro APR for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days and purchases
Regular APR is 15.99% - 25.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
My GM Rewards Card™– 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases 19.99% to 29.99% variable purchase APR based on creditworthiness. Rates as of 6/1/2023
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card – 18-billing-cycle 0% intro APR for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days and purchases
Regular APR is 17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card – 18-billing cycle 0% intro APR on balance transfers in the first 60 days and purchases
Regular APR is 17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card – 15-billing-cycle 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR is 19.49% to 29.49% variable
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card – 21 months 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers from account opening
Regular APR is 17.99% - 29.99% variable APR
Chase Freedom Unlimited® – 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR is 19.74% to 28.49% variable
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card – 12-month 0% intro APR for purchases and 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers completed within the first four months
Regular APR is 17.99% – 28.74% (Variable)
Citi Simplicity® Card – 12-month 0% intro APR for purchases and 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers completed within the first four months
Regular APR is 18.99% – 29.74% (Variable)
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.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
15 months
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
15 months
Regular APR
16.99% - 27.99% 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.
Clicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99%, 24.99%, or 29.99% variable APR
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.
Your approval oddsClicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
Our rating:4.9
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 a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
15 months
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% 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:3.7
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 a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
15 months
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
15 months
Regular APR
19.74% - 29.74% 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:4.5
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. The score seen here reflects the card's primary category rating. For more information, you can read about how we rate our cards.
Clicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
15 months
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
15 months
Regular APR
18.99% - 28.99% 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.
Your approval oddsClicking “See your approval odds” will authorize us to run a soft credit pull, which we’ll need to estimate your approval odds. Approval Odds serve as a guide to help you find the right credit card and will never affect your credit score.
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.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
6 months
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
18 months
Regular APR
16.99% - 27.99% 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: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.
0% Intro APR for 21 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee applies.
Regular APR
15.99% - 25.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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.
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
15 months
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
15 months
Regular APR
18.99% - 29.99% 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.
See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool.
Our rating:3.9
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 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in your first three months.
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
12 months
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
Intro offer only applies to purchases
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% 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:4.4
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.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee applies.
Regular APR
17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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.
BEST UNLIMITED CASH BACK FOR PREFERRED REWARDS MEMBERS
Our rating:3.8
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.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
At A Glance
0% intro APR purchase period
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Period
0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee applies.
Regular APR
17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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.
All information about the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
21 months
On purchases and qualifying balance transfers from account opening. Balance transfers made within 120 days from account opening qualify for the intro rate.
Best for rotating category rewards: Discover it® Cash Back
Best features: One of the best rewards credit cards on the market, this card’s rotating categories lets users earn high rewards in a variety of seasonal areas. It also comes with an intro APR offer on new purchases and balance transfers and a unique sign-up bonus that matches all the rewards you earn at the end of your first year. Read more and see how expert Ana Staples uses the Discover It Cash Back card.
Biggest drawbacks: Rotating categories that you have to enroll in can be a hassle for some people. Some may also prefer to earn rewards in their favorite categories year-round instead of quarterly.
Alternative: Depending on your spending habits, you may get more value from the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Though it has an annual fee of $95 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year), instead of quarterly bonus categories, you have the chance to earn an impressive amount of cash back all year in popular household categories, including U.S. supermarkets, select U.S. streaming services, U.S. gas stations and transit.
Bottom line: The Discover it Cash Back is a solid pick for someone looking for a credit card with well-rounded benefits, a potentially low go-to APR and a competitive cash back rewards program.
Best for versatility and long-term value: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Best features: The Active Cash packs in a lot more value than most flat-rate cash rewards cards. On top of earning unlimited 2% cash rewards on eligible everyday spending, members also enjoy an intro APR offer, generous welcome bonus, and a variety of redemption options.
Biggest drawbacks: Depending on spending habits, some may be better served by a card that allows you to maximize earnings in specific categories. It’s also important to note that the intro APR on qualifying balance transfers must be made within the first 120 days as a cardholder to receive the special intro rate.
Alternative: To get even more value out of the Active Cash Card, consider pairing it with a credit card that offers high rewards in bonus categories that fit your everyday spending. One example is to use the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card to earn high cash back on your biggest eligible spend area, like gas, and then use the Active Cash Card for all of your other purchases.
Bottom line: The flat rate of 2% cash rewards on purchases alone makes the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card a worthy addition to any wallet.
Best for unlimited + everyday rewards in popular categories: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best features: This card offers better short and long-term value than most intro APR credit cards. On top of the rewards you earn in popular household and entertainment categories, there’s also a sign-up bonus with a low spend requirement.
Biggest drawbacks: If you don’t qualify for the low end of the regular variable APR rate, you could get hit with high interest rates on any balances carried over from month to month once the intro APR offer ends.
Alternative: If you spend more on groceries than you do dining, consider the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Although it has an annual fee after the second year, it offers an impressive amount of cash back at U.S. supermarkets, plus a statement credit welcome offer and a slew of other perks worth considering.
Bottom line: This versatile card is a great option for modest spenders looking to earn rewards in popular food and entertainment categories.
Biggest drawbacks: Despite its versatility, this card doesn’t earn the highest rewards or offer up the longest intro APR offer. If you need as much time as possible to pay off purchases or credit card debt or you want to earn a higher flat rate for all your purchases, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Also, a 3% fee applies to amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
Alternative: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has a lot in common with the Quicksilver Cash Rewards card, but goes a bit further with 2% cash rewards on your purchases.
Bottom line: The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card is a good fit for someone looking for a card that can do more than provide an intro APR offer.
Best for 0% introductory APR on purchases + cash back: Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Best features: This flexible, low-maintenance card doesn’t just have a nice intro APR. It also comes with a sign-up bonus and a chance to earn 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category. That’s one of the highest rates you can earn in areas like gas, groceries or dining.
Biggest drawbacks: You’ll pay a steep fee for balance transfers. Plus, there’s a cap on your cash back, which eats into the card’s value.
Alternative: For a lot of people, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ will come out on top, thanks to a similar intro APR offer, high rewards in multiple bonus categories and a slightly smaller spending requirement to earn the sign-up bonus. To learn more, check out the battle of the 5% back cards.
Bottom line: The intro APR offer and chance to customize your cash back rewards make the Citi card a great option.
Best for high rewards rate + introductory bonus: Discover it® Balance Transfer
Best features: This card offers a lengthy APR for balance transfers. But what really stands out here are the card’s high rewards rate and Unlimited Cashback Match (Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year).
Biggest drawbacks: The purchase APR period isn’t very long compared to what’s offered by similar cards, and some cardholders can find rotating rewards categories difficult to keep up with.
Alternative: If you don’t want to deal with enrolling in bonus categories that change quarterly, consider a credit card that offers fixed high rewards rates in bonus categories that match your spending. Or look for a simple, flat-rate credit card like the Citi® Double Cash Card, which will give you 2% cash back on all of your purchases (1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases).
Bottom line: Anyone looking for a balance transfer card they can stick with long after paying down the debt will find a lot to like about the Discover it® Balance Transfer, including a high rewards rate and excellent first-year bonus.
Best for low ongoing APR: BankAmericard® credit card
Best features: With this card, you’ll have plenty of time to take advantage of the intro APR on both balance transfers and purchases before it reverts to the regular variable APR. The low regular APR and lack of an annual fee make this card more valuable than the average intro APR card.
Biggest drawbacks: This card doesn’t earn rewards and lacks the features and benefits that would help to make it useful once you’ve finished using it for balance transfers.
Alternative: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card comes with an intro APR offer but also earns rewards, including 3% cash back on grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services (1% on other purchases).
Bottom line: This is a solid pick for someone with a lot of debt or who plans to make a large purchase and wants to pay it off over an extended period without any interest charges.
Best for good credit: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Best features: Families on a budget can get a lot of value out of this card. On top of a long intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers, the card also earns bonus rewards on typical household purchases, including at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. Read about how finance expert Ana Staples uses the Blue Cash Everyday card.
Biggest drawbacks: The 3% rewards are capped at $6,000 in purchases per year in each category, then drops to 1%.
Alternative: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card also has an intro APR offer for both purchases and balance transfers but offers 3% cash back in more bonus categories, including dining.
Bottom line: On top of the intro APR offer, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers an impressive cash back rewards program for no annual fee.
Best features: The 7X points on eligible GM products and services is impressive, but even the 4X flat rate on general purchases is a phenomenal rate that gives you plenty of chances to rack up points on everything you buy.
Biggest drawbacks: Your points are only valuable if you redeem them for eligible GM purchases. Using your rewards on gift cards drops the value of your points from 1 cent to just 0.25 cents.
Alternatives: A card like the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card sacrifices some of the high earning potential but makes up for it with versatility. Cardholders earn 3X points in an impressive number of everyday categories and you can redeem points for cash back, travel and more at a value of 1 cent apiece.
Bottom line: This could be the card for you if you’re a GM loyalist looking to earn and redeem rewards at the dealership.
Best for flexible cash back categories: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Best features: On top of the intro APR offer, this card offers a lot more flexibility than most rewards cards. You can choose one bonus category from a long list of popular, everyday options and even change it once a month if you think you’ll spend more in another area. You can also earn a nice flat rate on your grocery purchases, including wholesale clubs, which typically only earns 1% on traditional rewards cards.
Biggest drawbacks: The $2,500 quarterly spending cap for the 2% and 3% combined categories (then 1%) may not be enough for big spenders, especially Bank of America Preferred Rewards members.
Bottom line: This card has great short- and long-term value for people on a budget, but big spenders could earn more rewards with other options like a flat-rate card.
Best for customizing rewards: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Best features: You get more freedom than most rewards credit cards to choose how you earn high rewards in multiple bonus categories. This card can be a great option for people who want an intro APR offer and love earning as much cash back as possible in a variety of everyday categories.
Biggest drawbacks: It can be a hassle remembering to choose and enroll in bonus categories each quarter. To earn the most value out of your purchases, you may need to juggle multiple credit cards to help offset the card’s spending cap.
Alternative: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card makes life a whole lot easier for rewards seekers. It lets you earn 2% cash rewards on your purchases without having to track your spending or enroll in bonus categories.
Bottom line: There are a lot of opportunities to earn high rewards with the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, but it takes some work to get the most value out of this card.
Best unlimited cash back for Preferred Rewards members: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
Best features: This flat-rate card offers both versatility and value. You’ll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases and have one of the longer intro APR offers for balance transfers and purchases.
Biggest drawbacks: Carry a balance beyond the introductory period and you could wind up paying quite a bit in interest, especially if you fall under the higher APR range. Some may be better served by a card that offers a high rewards rate on bonus categories aligned with their spending habits.
Alternative: Unless you’re a Preferred Rewards member, you’ll get better value out of a card that offers a flat rate of 2% cash back on all purchases. Or, depending on your spending habits, a card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited may be more to your liking thanks to multiple categories that earn bonus rewards, followed by 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Bottom line: This unlimited flat-rate card has broad appeal, but anything less than 2% cash back on eligible purchases might be a disappointment to rewards seekers looking to capitalize on credit card perks.
Best for long intro APR: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Best features: It offers one of the longest introductory APR offers on purchases and qualifying balance transfers on the market.
Biggest drawbacks: You must transfer a balance within 120 days of account opening to qualify for the introductory APR. The card also has a balance transfer fee of 5% (minimum $5).
Alternative: The Citi® Double Cash Card has better long-term value than most credit cards that come with long intro APRs, offering a flat-rate cash back on purchases. It doesn’t have an intro APR offer on purchases, but it does offer a long intro APR offer on balance transfers if you’re looking to pay off credit card debt.
Bottom line: If you suspect you’ll need an extra-long window to pay off a large purchase or a qualifying balance transfer, this card should be top of mind.
Best for 0% intro APR + low fees: Citi Simplicity® Card
Best features: This no-frills credit card packs a punch thanks to its impressively long intro APR offer for balance transfers. It’s also one of the few cards that won’t charge a late fee.
Biggest drawbacks: The card has limited value beyond the intro APR offer. Plus, you’ll pay an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first four months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after four months of account opening.
Alternative: Check out the Citi® Double Cash Card if you want a long intro APR offer on balance transfers and a chance to earn rewards.
Bottom line: If you want to avoid interest in the short term and certain fees in the long term, the Citi Simplicity fits the bill. It’s one of the only cards on the market that lets you avoid late payment fees and a penalty APR for the long haul.
Best for 0% intro APR with rewards: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best features: There’s so much more to the Freedom Unlimited besides the intro APR offer for purchases and balance transfers. Cardholders can also earn a sign-up bonus and enjoy a rewards program that earns bonus rewards for travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, as well as dining and drugstore purchases. And if you pair the Freedom Unlimited with other Chase cards, you could increase the redemption value of the points you earn.
Biggest drawbacks: Anyone looking to travel or shop internationally will be disappointed by the 3% foreign transaction fee.
Alternative: If you spend more on food and entertainment, you might get more value out of the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. It also has an intro APR offer but with more categories that earn 3% cash back, including at grocery stores and with select streaming services.
Bottom line: The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a versatile credit card that will add a lot of value to your wallet long after the intro APR offer, especially if you travel often.
When a bank issues a credit card, they charge the cardholder interest for borrowing money. However, to entice new customers, certain credit cards will offer promotional periods where the interest rate will remain at a fixed 0% for a defined period of time. This period with 0% interest (or whatever the promotional APR is) is referred to as the introductory APR period. After the promotional period has expired, the cardholder will be charged a different APR, which is considered the ongoing APR.
Because the cardholder does not incur any interest charges during the 0% APR promotional period, it offers a unique advantage to save hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars in interest fees. Cardholders may use a zero-percent intro APR card as a strategy for making a large purchase where they have several months to make interest-free payments or for transferring high-interest credit card debt so they can concentrate the entire monthly payment towards the balance.
While 0% interest credit cards usually require the cardholder to have a good or excellent credit score, they can help you avoid additional costly interest charges.
How do 0% intro APR credit cards work?
A card with a zero percent introductory APR allows you to either make purchases, complete a balance transfer or both without paying interest for a specified period. This period, typically anywhere from 12 to 21 months, is ideal for paying down debts without the burden of added interest charges. It could also help decrease the time it takes to pay off your credit card debt.
Once the 0% introductory period is over, ongoing APR charges go into effect. This change means a new interest rate will apply to any purchases or balance transfers made after this time. It also means the ongoing APR will apply to any remaining balance not paid off during the promotional period.
How much can you save with a 0% intro APR credit card?
A 0% intro APR credit card can save you hundreds of dollars and even more. But it depends on a number of factors, including how much you owe, your current APR, and how long it takes you to pay off your balance.
For an accurate picture, a credit card payoff calculator can show you how long it will take you to pay off your debt and how much interest you’ll pay each month. This can give you an idea of how much you can save with a 0% intro APR credit card.
For example, what if you could pay off a balance in full using a credit card with a 21-month APR offer? Here’s how much total interest you could potentially save with 21 months of interest-free payments compared to a credit card with average interest and one with high interest.
Balance
Interest paid over 21 months (0% APR)
Interest paid over 21 months (16.59% variable APR)
Interest paid over 21 months (25.74% variable APR)
$1,000
$0
$157
Min. payment: $56
$251
Min. payment: $60
$2,000
$0
$304
Min. payment: $115
$502
Min. payment: $120
$5,000
$0
$783
Min. payment: $280
$1,254
Min. payment: $300
As you can see, a credit card with a 0% intro APR offer can save you a lot of money. Keep in mind that if you do a balance transfer, most issuers charge a fee that will be added to total balance, which will cut into your total savings.
Pros and cons of 0% APR credit cards
Pros
Savings: You’ll save on interest if you pay your balance transfer or purchases down during the promotional APR period.
Affordability: Zero percent introductory APR cards rarely charge an annual fee.
Building credit: Paying off debt via a balance transfer on a 0% introductory APR credit card can improve your credit score in the long term by decreasing your credit utilization rate.
Cons
Post-offer interest: You could face a high interest rate once the promotional APR expires.
Balance transfer fees: You’ll likely pay a fee for balance transfers.
Short-term credit hits: Balance transfers or large purchases on a 0% intro APR card can ding your credit score in the short term by increasing your single-card credit utilization rate and generating a hard inquiry.
The different types of credit card APR
APR is short for annual percentage rate and is the rate you’ll pay in interest if you carry a balance on your credit card. If you want to know more about how credit card APRs work, one key thing to note is not all APRs are the same.
You’ll see various APR terminology throughout your card’s terms and conditions. The APR or interest rate may be different depending on how it is implemented with the card. For example, the regular, ongoing APR you qualify for is different from a penalty or cash advance APR.
Regular or ongoing APR
Regular or ongoing APR is the standard interest rate issued to you for purchases with the credit card, when you carry a balance. The regular APR is often a variable rate, often determined by the federal prime rate and your credit score. The regular APR is the interest rate charged for purchases if there is no promotional APR offer.
Purchase APR
The purchase APR is the interest rate applied to purchases only. You’ll often find credit cards with promotional purchase APR periods, often for zero percent interest on purchases for a specified period of time. When the promotional period has expired, the rate will revert to the regular purchase APR for your card.
Balance transfer APR
A balance transfer APR is the interest rate applied when you transfer an existing balance from one credit card to another. Credit cards can offer a promotional balance transfer APR, typically zero percent interest for a balance transfer during a specified period. A card may offer either a zero percent purchase APR or zero percent balance transfer APR, but not both. Some cards do have intro APR offers on both, but the length of the offer may differ depending on where it applies.
Cash advance APR
A cash advance APR is the interest rate applied when you use a credit card for a cash advance. It’s important to note the interest on a cash advance begins immediately accruing the day you receive the cash advance, and not at the end of a grace period the way a purchase APR does.
Penalty APR
Cardholders could activate a penalty APR when doing something to violate the credit card’s terms and conditions, such as making a late payment or having a returned payment for insufficient funds. The penalty APR will last for several months (according to your card terms) and is a higher-than-normal APR — in some cases double the regular APR.
How to choose an introductory APR credit card
Are you planning a large purchase or paying down pre-existing debt?
Choosing the right card zero interest card may come down to one goal: paying down a pre-existing balance or financing a large purchase. While a zero interest card can save you money on interest payments for a defined period of time, especially for a large purchase, a balance transfer card may be better suited for those who need to focus on paying down an existing balance. If you’re concerned you’ll need to carry a balance for longer than the promotional APR period, then a low-interest credit card option may be better.
What’s your payoff timeline?
Before selecting a card, understanding your payoff timeline could impact your decision. Not all introductory APR offers are created equal. Some have longer promotional periods than others, which may affect your payoff timeline if you hope to pay as little interest as possible. Keep in mind there are some introductory APR offers that only apply to purchases and may not include balance transfers. Once you have your payoff goal in mind, you can choose the card best suited for your timeline.
Do you plan to use the card for the long haul?
Long-term financial plans should factor into your card selection. Ongoing features, like the annual fee, interest rates after the promotional APR period ends and rewards programs are key elements that could help decide what card you choose. For example, you should consider the ongoing APR to avoid hefty interest charges if you end up carrying a balance. If you do decide you no longer need your zero-interest card, carefully consider the impact before closing it. It’s possible closing a card can negatively affect your credit score by raising your credit utilization and impacting the length of your credit history.
Who should get a 0% intro APR credit card?
The plan-ahead spender. Whether you want to finance home improvements or a dream vacation, a card with a lengthy 0% intro APR period can give you time to pay off your big purchase (typically 12 to 18 months) without incurring interest charges.
The balance reducer. If you carry high-interest credit card debt, you can transfer it to a credit card offering a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. This gives you a window to make progress on reducing the debt itself, but be mindful of potential balance transfer fees.
The emergency spender. From car and home repairs to medical bills and lost wages – unplanned expenses and financial emergencies happen. If you don’t have enough money set aside in an emergency fund, a credit card with a 0% intro APR offer may be the last-resort option that can help get you through difficult times.
The credit novice. For people just getting started on their credit journey, a 0% intro offer may provide a more manageable way for easing into the new financial responsibility of credit card usage. Taking advantage of the 0% APR intro period not only gives you time to pay down your balance while you learn how to budget monthly payments, but many of these cards also offer a $0 annual fee for greater affordability.
Who should skip a 0% intro APR credit card?
The rewards seeker. While some 0% intro APR credit cards do offer rewards, you can usually find more lucrative programs attached to traditional or premium rewards credit cards.
The payment procrastinator. The 0% interest only lasts for the duration of the introductory period, and once it ends, the card will revert to its regular APR, which may not be low (based on your creditworthiness). If you tend to carry a balance month to month, a low interest credit card could be a better option.
The heavy-debt consolidator. There are limits to how much debt you can transfer over to a credit card with a 0% intro APR offer. And if you can’t pay off that debt before the introductory period ends, your balance could get hit with high interest charges. If you’re carrying a heavy debt on multiple credit cards, a personal loan may be a better debt consolidation method for you.
The fee averse. While you can use a 0% APR intro offer as a smart financial tool, other fees attached to the card can quickly add up. It’s not uncommon for 0% APR cards to include balance transfer fees, ranging from 3% to 5% for each transfer, plus late payment charges or potential over-the-limit fees. Foreign transaction fees are another possibility, where issuers charge a percentage of your purchase each time you shop with a foreign currency.
How to make the most of your zero-interest intro APR
Transfer existing, high-interest debt. Chipping away at credit card debt is a good thing, but it’s even better to do so without paying interest charges. For example, say you’re currently carrying a $2,000 balance on a credit card with a 16% APR and you’re making $60 monthly payments. Using our credit card payoff calculator, you can expect to pay that balance off in 45 months and pay around $663 in total interest. If you transfer your balance to, say, the BankAmericard® credit card, you could expect to pay that balance off in 37 months and pay around $179 in interest. Why? Because this card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (15.99% to 25.99% variable APR thereafter) at 3% fee. That means you can pay the balance back eight months sooner and save around $484 in interest.
Nail down your repayment plan. Repaying the total balance before the zero-percent APR period ends is the only sure way to avoid interest charges. If you use the card for a balance transfer, calculating the balance transfer fee and adding it to the balance total will give you the exact amount you need to pay off within the defined time frame. Once you have this total amount of the balance transfer, you can calculate the minimum monthly payment you’ll need in order to pay off the balance and avoid interest. A debt payoff calculator can be helpful in this situation so you know you are working with the most accurate numbers. When possible, paying more than the minimum amount could facilitate paying the balance off faster and reduce the likelihood of incurring any interest charges on the balance in the future.
Plan large purchases ahead of time. Do you have a home improvement project on the horizon? What about a car repair or vacation? If you have a large purchase planned, taking advantage of a 0% intro purchase APR offer can reduce some of the financial strain.
Make sure your balance is as close to zero as possible when the intro period ends. Any balance that you still owe at the end of your 0% intro period will be subject to interest charges, even if you made the purchases before the intro period ended. For instance, if you charged $5,000 to a zero-interest credit card, but are only able to pay off $2,000 before the 0% introductory offer expires. If that card then carries a 22% APR and you start making $500 monthly payments, it’ll take you another seven months to pay off the balance and you’ll pay $208.34 in interest.
Spending limit recommendations. When using a credit card, keep your spending limit well below the card’s total credit limit. Your credit utilization rate is the amount of credit you’re currently using compared to your total available credit. This rate is reported to the major credit bureaus and can impact your credit score and credit report. If you have a 0% intro APR credit card with a $5,000 credit limit and you max it out, your credit utilization rate is 100%, which isn’t good. This suggests to lenders you don’t have a handle on your spending and are a risky borrower who may be unable to pay back your debt. That’s why you should keep your credit utilization rate below 30%. Looking to learn what your credit utilization ratio is? Use our credit utilization calculator.
Alternatives to 0 percent APR cards
If you’re worried that you won’t qualify for a 0 percent intro APR card or you want to avoid opening another credit card, you have a few options.
Consider a debt consolidation loan
With a debt consolidation loan, you could combine debt from several sources into a single loan. The goal of consolidating is to end up with one affordable monthly payment. Debt consolidation loans are ideal if you need a longer payoff time or a lower interest rate. You’ll get a three-to-five-year payoff period with a debt consolidation loan while most 0% interest cards have intro offers that expire after 12 months on the low end or up to 21 months on the high end.
Ask for a lower interest rate
One way to save on interest is by asking your credit card issuer for a lower interest rate. Your issuer isn’t guaranteed to grant your request; however, your odds of landing a lower rate increase if you have a good payment history and you’ve been a loyal customer. If you get better offers from competing cards and you share that information with your issuer, you might get a lower rate to retain your status as a customer.
Look into credit card hardship programs
If you’re struggling to pay your credit card bill each month, you can ask your credit card issuer if it provides a hardship program. These programs vary, and not every provider will offer them to every cardholder. They’re also temporary, lasting at most 12 months. Your credit card issuer might freeze your account for the duration of the program to keep you from adding to your balances.
How we picked the best 0% intro APR credit cards
Research methodology: We analyzed over 1,000 zero-interest intro APR credit cards to identify some of the best offers on the market. The major factors we considered were:
0% intro APR period for purchases: Does the card allow you to skip interest charges on purchases for a set period of time? If so, how long does the offer last?
0% intro APR period for balance transfers: Does the card allow you to skip interest charges on a balance transfer for a set period of time? If so, how long does the offer last?
Regular APRs: After the introductory period expires, are the purchase APRs or balance transfer APRs reasonable, relative to the current industry average?
Balance transfer fee: Do you have to pay a fee to transfer a balance onto the new card to take advantage of the zero-interest offer? If so, is the fee reasonable relative to the industry standard?
Overall card value: Does the card offer benefits once the introductory 0% APR offer ends? For no-frills cards, we considered whether continued use would cost cardholders an annual fee.
Other criteria used include other rates and fees, rewards rates, extra benefits and features, customer service, credit needed, ease of application and security features.
Additional information on 0% APR credit cards
For more information on all things 0% APR cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:
Frequently asked questions about zero interest credit cards
Generally, 0% intro APR offers require a credit score in the good (670 to 739) or excellent (740 to 850) range. There are some intro APR cards that accept lesser credit and even no credit history, but their offers are typically not as rich.
This answer depends on the cardholder and their habits. For people looking to pay off big purchases or emergency expenses, a 0 percent intro APR card is a good fit. It allows for steady payments over time without worrying about additional interest. It’s also useful for balance transfers, making it quicker to lower debts and raise a cardholder’s credit score.
However, if there’s a balance on the card after the introductory period ends, the cardholder will be charged the full interest rate on whatever is left. Therefore, this card may not be the best long-term card for those who tend to keep balances on their card from month to month. There’s also a possibility of the introductory period ending early if you make a late monthly payment.
Both can impact your credit score so make sure you know when your introductory period ends. You can also set up automatic payments, if you’re worried about forgetting.
Once your 0% introductory period is over, you’ll be charged interest on any balance that remains on your credit card. That interest will continue to accrue until you’re able to pay your balance off in full. Our payoff calculator can help you see how long it will take you to pay off your credit card debt and how much you’ll pay in interest.
With A 0% intro APR credit card, you won’t pay interest charges for a limited time, anywhere from 6 to 21 months. When the intro period ends, you are charged the card’s go-to rate for the remaining balance and future purchases, which is typically the regular variable APR.
A low interest credit card is usually a card with a rate that is below the national average, which is currently about 19%. Because most credit cards in the U.S. offer a variable rate that is tied in part to your credit score, you could still be granted a rate above the national average, even if your bank offers a variable rate that falls below that average. For example your card’s rate may be 10.99% to 23.99% variable APR, but you might get a rate of 18%.
No. Deferred interest refers to a type of financing where you make the interest payments at a later date. The card issuer defers interest until the date listed within the financing terms. Cardholders use credit for the initial purchase, and the interest accrues for this purchase until the postponed date. The full amount of interest that accrued is due at the end of the deferred interest period. You can avoid paying this interest by paying off the balance before the deferred interest payment is due, which is why deferred interest is often confused with a zero percent APR offer. With a zero percent APR offer, you do not owe any interest payments during the zero percent promotional period. Once the zero percent promotional period expires, your variable APR for purchases will be based on your creditworthiness and interest will only start to accrue once the intro APR offer ends.
About the Author
Tracy Stewart
Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.
About the Editor
Robert Thorpe
Robert Thorpe is an editor for CreditCards.com
About the Reviewer
Sally Herigstad
Sally Herigstad is a certified public accountant, author and speaker who writes about personal finance for CreditCards.com. She also writes regularly for MSN Money, Interest.com, Bankrate and RedPlum.com, and has been a guest on Martha Stewart radio and other programs.
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