Best 0% APR Credit Cards of December 2023

All information about the Chase Freedom Unlimited, the Chase Freedom Flex, and the BankAmericard credit card 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.

The best 0% intro APR credit cards compared

Editor’s picks: Zero-interest credit card details

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.

Related: Wells Fargo Reflect benefits

Read our Wells Fargo Reflect® Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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.
• 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.

Related: Discover it® Cash Back rewards and benefits guide

Read our full Discover it® Cash Back review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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.

Read our Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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.

Read our full Discover it® Balance Transfer review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for balance transfer: Citi® Diamond Preferred®

• Best features: If paying off debt is your top priority and you have good or excellent credit, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card could be a lifesaver. The card comes with an extremely long 21-month introductory APR offer on balance transfers completed within the first 4 months, after which your APR is a relatively low 18.24% – 28.99% variable. Want to learn more? See how expert, Emily Sherman, uses the Citi Diamond Preferred card.
• Biggest drawbacks: The lack of a base rewards program limits this card’s long-term value. Plus, the balance transfer fee (5% of your balance or $5, whichever is higher) will cost consumers more than the standard 3% fee found with other cards.
• Alternative: If you think you can pay off your balance transfer faster than 21 months, the versatile Citi Double Cash® Card may be a better choice. Its intro APR offer isn’t as long, but it has better value thanks to a rewards program that earns up to 2% cash back on purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay).
• Bottom line: The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is best for someone focused on paying off debt and who isn’t looking for a rewards credit card that offers points or miles.

Related: Is the Citi Diamond Preferred Card worth it?
Read our full Citi Diamond Preferred Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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.

Read our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Ink Business Unlimited: Best for business owners

• Best features: This card’s flat cash back rate and welcome offer are two of the best reasons to choose this as your intro APR card.
• Biggest drawbacks: Although it has a generous rewards program, welcome offer and an intro APR on new purchases, there’s no intro APR for balance transfers.
• Alternatives: If you like this card’s flat rate, you might want to consider a consumer card like the Wells Fargo Active cash card, which has a more generous flat cash rewards rate. However, if it’s a longer intro APR and lower ongoing APR you’re looking for, then the BankAmericard® credit card offers one of the longest intro APR you’ll find on both purchases and balance transfers
• Bottom line: Business owners shouldn’t limit their credit options to business cards, but the Ink Business Unlimited is a great all-around pick for a generous mix of cash back, a welcome offer and an intro APR period.

Related: Main differences between business cards and personal cards

Read our Ink Business Unlimited review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for no annual fee: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Best features: The Quicksilver Cash Rewards has more than just a long intro APR to help you make interest-free payments on purchases and balance transfers (See Rates and Fees). Like the best Capital One credit cards, you also get a sign-up bonus, a chance to earn rewards on all of your purchases, and a number of travel and consumer benefits.
• 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.
• 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.

Related: Is the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card worth it?

Read our full Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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.

Related: Is the Citi Custom Cash Card worth it?

Read our Citi Custom Cash Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

Best for GM dealerships: My GM Rewards® Mastercard®

• 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.

Read our My GM Rewards® Mastercard® review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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.
• Alternative: If your spending aligns with the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, it will give you more food-and-entertainment categories to earn 3% cash back in.
• 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.

Related: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards benefits guide

Read our full Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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.

Read our full Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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.

Related: Blue Cash Everyday Card from Amex rewards and benefits guide

Read our full Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express review.

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.

Related: Is the BankAmericard credit card worth it?

Read our full BankAmericard credit card review.

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.

Read our U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.

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.

Related: Citi Simplicity vs. Discover it® Balance Transfer

Read our full Citi Simplicity® Card review.

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 (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) 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.

Related: What credit score is needed for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card?

Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited review

What is a zero-interest credit card?

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.

For more information, read our complete guide on how 0% APR credit cards work.

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.

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

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.

For more help finding a card that suits your needs, check out our guide on how to choose a 0% intro APR credit card.

How to make the most of your 0% intro APR offer

Plan large purchases around your intro period

If you know you have an upcoming purchase to make, but may not have enough funds set aside, then taking advantage of an introductory APR period can bridge the gap between your spending and savings. You can finance your purchase with a zero interest card and make payments each month — ideally before the introductory period ends — allowing you the option to make smaller, more manageable payments over time.

Simply take the total purchase amount and divide it by the number of months left in your introductory period so you’ll know the minimum amount you must pay on the card each month to avoid interest charges and maximize your intro offer.

Avoid adding to transferred balances

Transferring an existing credit card balance to another card with an intro APR offer on balance transfers is a popular strategy for managing debt and accelerating debt pay off. If paying off debt is your primary goal, it’s best to avoid adding any additional debt (such as new purchases) to your transferred balance. If you avoid adding to your transferred debt, you allow for the possibility of paying off your debt sooner. You can also take advantage of the introductory offer’s lack of interest charges — and put all your payments towards a balance and not the costly interest.

Nail down a payoff strategy early

Building a plan to pay off your balance, even before you transfer any balances or make a purchase, can help you avoid costly mistakes. If you’re using your zero percent intro APR card for a balance transfer, don’t forget to include the balance transfer fee in your final balance. These fees, commonly 3 or 5 percent of the transferred balance, can add significantly to your payoff total. If you’re using an intro offer on a rewards card that carries an annual fee, be sure to account for that cost as you plan. Once you’re aware of your total balance, you can calculate a monthly payment that allows you to avoid interest or payoff within your ideal time frame.

Pay off your balance within the intro period if possible

The most effective way to use an intro APR period is to pay off your balance before the introductory period ends, which means you end up avoiding the interest charges. However, if this goal doesn’t fit within your budget based on the length of the intro period, or life gets in the way and you can’t pay the balance off as planned, the next best approach is to pay down as much as possible. If you choose a credit card with a lower ongoing APR once the intro period ends, then it could make things more manageable for when the interest charges do start.

What happens when an intro APR offer ends?

A 0% interest intro offer is great, but it’s also temporary. So, what happens when that offer expires? Ultimately, your card’s regular interest rate will kick in. Your card’s normal APR will apply to all new purchases and balance transfers that you make, and any balance that you are still carrying on your card. It’s imperative as you choose a zero interest card that you pick one with an ongoing interest rate you can manage if needed.

For example, say you transfer $3,000 to your new card and it has a 0% intro offer that lasts 12 months, and the regular APR is 20% after. If you only paid off $2,000 of your balance transfer before your 0% intro offer ends, your card’s standard APR, the 20%, will now apply to the $1,000 leftover.

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:

• Average credit cards interest rates
• What is an intro APR and how does it work?
• What is a good APR for a credit card?

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.