Best 0% APR Credit Cards of April 2021

All information about the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.

Comparing Zero Interest Credit Card Offers

Here, we show you how to choose the best 0 interest card for your purposes, whether you are refurbishing your home in the spring or planning to travel in the summer. And there’s more to share, like how to compare two zero interest cards and how interest works. But first, here is more on our favorite 0% intro APR cards.

• Best no interest credit cards of 2021
• Summary of 0% interest credit card offers
• Intro to 0% APR credit cards
• How zero interest credit cards work
• How do I choose a credit card with no interest?
• How your credit score affects your interest rate
• How to make the most of a zero interest intro APR
• How to reduce your interest costs
• Alternatives to zero interest credit cards
• Methodology
• Frequently asked questions

Best Zero Interest Credit Cards

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Best for balance transfer

If paying off debt is your top priority and you have the good to excellent credit needed to qualify, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card could be a lifesaver. The card comes with an extremely long introductory APR offer: 0% for 18 months on balance transfers and purchases, after which your APR is a relatively low 14.74%-24.74% (variable). For new cardholders, the balance transfer fee is $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is greater. Unfortunately, the lack of a rewards system limits this card’s long-term value, but there is no annual fee.

Discover it® Cash Back: Best for rotating category rewards

Not only will you earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 you spend in rotating bonus categories each quarter (upon activation, then 1%), you can match your cash back at the end of your first year. The Q1 2021 categories include grocery stores, CVS and Walgreens. Also, take advantage of a 0% intro APR for 14 months on new purchases and balance transfers (11.99%-22.99% variable after that). There is a 3% intro balance transfer fee (up to 5% fee on future balance transfers).

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

This no annual fee card has a decent 0% intro APR on purchases of 15 months, which means you pay off purchases without paying interest throughout 2021; it’s 15.49%-25.49% variable after that. However, there’s no 0% intro APR on balance transfers. Earn $200 after a $500 spend within the first 3 months, and earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for 0% intro APR with rewards

The sign-up bonus on this card is $200 after a super-low $500 spend within the first 3 months. Needless to say, the spend is one of the lowest around for what you get. While there’s no 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers, you can get 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then it’s 14.99%-23.74% variable.

Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card: Best for flexible cash back categories

Choose one of 6 valuable categories each calendar month for 3% cash back: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings. Plus, you’ll also earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%). New cardholders can take advantage of a 0% introductory APR on purchases and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days for 15 billing cycles (after that it’s 13.99%-23.99% variable). Keep in mind that any balance transfers will be subject to a fee of 3% ($10 minimum).

Wells Fargo Platinum card: Best for long 0% introductory APR period

The Wells Fargo Platinum boasts an impressive 18-month-from-account-opening introductory APR period for both purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 16.49%-24.49% variable APR). If you’re looking to maximize the amount of time you can avoid interest charges, this is one of the best offers on the market. However, there is a tradeoff if you’re going to transfer a balance: a fee of 3% or $5 (whichever is greater) for transfers made within the first 120 days from account opening, then up to 5% after that ($5 minimum). Also, there is no rewards program, so the long-term value of this card is limited.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for good credit

Good to excellent credit is required to qualify, but if you make the cut, this no annual fee card should offer terrific long-term value. That means you’ll need a FICO Score of at least 670 out of a range of 300-850 to even be considered for this card. You’ll enjoy an impressive cash back rewards program, and there’s a 0% intro APR on purchases (15 months, then 13.99%-23.99% variable), although not so on balance transfers.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining purchases

Just wow. The SavorOne offers 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, as well as 2% cash back at grocery stores. It’s 1% cash back on everything else. There’s a 0% intro APR offer on purchases for 15 months (then it’s 15.49%-25.49% variable), but not so with balance transfers.

Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card: Best for digital wallet purchase rewards

The 15-month introductory APR period from account opening for purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within the first 120 days isn’t especially long (14.49% – 24.99% variable APR thereafter). Plus, there’s an intro balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5% ($5 minimum) However, the card keeps its value long after that period ends, offering 1.5% cash rewards on purchases. Plus, you’ll earn a boosted rate of 1.8% cash rewards on digital wallet purchases for the first 12 months if you use the card to pay through Google Pay™ or Apple Pay®.

Citi® Double Cash Card: Best for cash back

One of our favorite flat-rate cash back cards, the Citi Double Cash Card is ideal for rewards-savvy applicants with good to excellent credit. Also, you’ll pay 0% interest for the first 18 months on balance transfers, after which the APR is 13.99%-23.99% (variable). The balance transfer fee for new cardmembers is either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. On the flip side, there is no 0% intro APR offer for purchases.

BankAmericard® credit card: Best for low ongoing APR

With this card, you’ll have 18 billing cycles to take advantage of a 0% introductory APR on both balance transfers made within the first 60 days and purchases. After that, your regular APR ranges from 12.99%-22.99% variable. The balance transfer fee is a standard 3%, with a $10 minimum. The low regular APR and lack of an annual fee make this card more valuable than the average 0% APR card.

Summary of 0% intro APR Credit Card Offers

What are 0 interest credit cards?

Every credit card comes with an APR, also known as an interest rate, which is usually expressed as a percentage. APR stands for annual percentage rate and is essentially the cost of using the credit card to borrow money. The lower the interest rate, the less interest you will pay.

If you pay your credit card bill in full each month, you won’t pay any interest charges. But that’s an ideal situation. According to a CreditCards.com survey, the reality is that nearly half of all U.S. adults have credit card debt as of Q2 2020.

A 0% interest credit card is a product that allows you to use the card without accumulating interest for a set amount of time. Some cards even offer a 0% intro APR period for debt you transfer from a different card, too, which can be a saving grace for those who are overwhelmed by an existing credit card balance. Zero interest cards usually require good or excellent credit and often have no annual fee.

When looking for an intro 0 percent card, you’ll have options – according to our January 2020 survey, there were 90 cards offering deals on balance transfers. Surprisingly enough, two-thirds of consumers we polled said they had never applied for a credit card to pay 0% on a new purchase.

How do 0% interest credit cards work?

Each zero percent introductory offer is different, but there are a few generalities that you should be familiar with.

Only for new accounts

Usually, 0% introductory offers are only for new applicants. If you’ve already had the card for years when you find out about the 0% offer, chances are you won’t qualify.

Another situation that usually makes one ineligible for a 0% intro APR offer is completing a product change. Say you call your card issuer and ask to trade your card for a different one without closing your account. Even if the card is new to you, your account wouldn’t be considered new.

For balance transfers or new purchases

Some cards offer a zero percent intro APR period only for new purchases made with the card. Others offer that 0% rate for balance transfers. Some offer the same 0% intro APR period for both.

With balance transfers, the 0% intro APR offer is usually only valid for balance transfers made within a short period of time after you open the account, such as 60 days. Sometimes you can transfer balances from multiple cards. You’ll usually have to pay a fee for transferring a balance, something like 3% – 5% of the transfer amount. If you still have a balance when the intro APR period is over, the APR will apply to whatever the current balance is.

With new purchases, it’s pretty straightforward. You can carry a balance from month to month without accumulating any interest until your intro period is over. Once that period ends, any balance remaining on your card will accrue interest.

How do I choose a credit card with no interest?

Now we understand why it’s worth your while to get a credit card with zero introductory interest, but how do you choose one? Credit scores, length of offer, annual fee – all of these factor into which you choose.

• Credit score – The bulk of cards with high-quality balance transfer and purchase offers require good or excellent credit. There are exceptions, but the offers may not include a term with 0% or they may have a short offer. For example, the Discover it® Student Cash Back offers 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases and 10.99% for 6 months on balance transfers (then it’s 12.99%-21.99% variable).
• Balance transfer fee – Most cards that allow balance transfers charge a fee, which is usually 3% or a set dollar amount, whichever is greater. A precious few cards sometimes waive this fee, which can save you hundreds of dollars, depending on your balance. But there’s a tradeoff, because you may not get rewards or a lengthy offer. For example, the Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum card offers no balance transfer fee but no rewards to speak of.
• Length of offer – When you are looking for rewards in an intro 0% credit card, the zero percent offer is often lower than a card that exclusively offers an introductory 0% on balance transfers and/or purchases. An exception is the Citi® Double Cash Card, which has strong rewards, as well as an 18-month 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers (then it’s 13.99%-23.99% variable).
• Annual fee – Most cards with a 0% intro offer have no annual fee, although there are a few that do, so check before committing. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has a 12-month 0% intro APR offer on purchases (then it’s 13.99%-23.99% variable) and a $95 annual fee, although it is waived in the first year.

How your credit score affects your interest rate

Not only does your credit score impact whether you get credit, your score affects what interest rate you get. This is true of all types of credit, including mortgages, car loans and credit cards.

For credit cards in the U.S., the interest rate is usually a variable, typically the prime rate plus a margin of for example, 10.99%. That’s where your credit score comes in.

Your credit card issuer will look at your application and your credit score to decide where on that variable range your interest rate will land. For example, the range may be 11.99%-22.99% variable APR, and because you have excellent credit and a solid income, you are granted a lower interest rate of say, 12.99%. Have a credit report that shows some missed payments? The interest rate you are assigned will likely be on the higher end.

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. Use our balance transfer calculator to determine how much you could save by transferring your balance to a card with a 0% intro APR. Our calculator factors in the cost of balance transfer fees too.

Plan large purchases ahead of time. Do you have a home improvement project on the horizon? What about a car repair, or even a vacation? If you have a large purchase planned, taking advantage of a 0% intro 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 that reason, you should be hyper-aware of when that period ends.

How to reduce your interest costs

All good things must come to an end, and that includes 0% introductory APR periods. When that time comes, your credit card balance will be subject to interest charges, which can add up quickly if you’re not careful. Let’s look now at how to minimize your interest costs.

• Don’t carry a balance over to the next month. The best way to avoid interest charges is to pay your balance in full and on time each month. Not only will you avoid interest charges, but you’ll also give your credit score a boost.
• Pay more each month. By paying just $100 more each month toward your balance, you can dramatically lower how long it takes to pay off the debt, as well as the total you pay in interest.
• Ask for a lower rate. We’ve found that by picking up the phone and calling, you have a fair shot of getting your issuer to lower the rate.

Further reading:Guide to lowering your credit card interest rate

Alternatives to 0% APR credit cards

If you’re looking to pay down a balance over time while minimizing interest charges, a 0% intro APR card is one of the best ways to do so. But there are shortfalls, like the fact that you usually need good to excellent credit to qualify. Here are a few similar options for those looking to pay minimal interest.

• Bad credit? Consider transferring a balance to a card with no intro APR. Not all balance transfer cards offer introductory 0% interest periods. If you’ve got bad credit, you might have a better shot at approval for a balance transfer card with no introductory APR offer. If you can find a card with a better APR, you may still be able to save money by transferring a balance, even without the introductory period.
• Look for a low interest credit card. While a 0% intro APR period is nice, the ongoing interest rate is important in the long term. If you might carry a balance in the future, a low interest card can save you money.
• Negotiate a lower APR with your current issuer. Some credit card issuers may lower your APR if you make a good case for why you need it. Citing the current financial hardship you’re experiencing, as well as a positive history of on-time payments, will help your case. Read our full guide to lowering your credit card interest rate for step-by-step help.

Further reading:Guide to doing a balance transfer with bad credit

Research methodology

0% intro APR credit cards analyzed: 1,002
Criteria used: 0% intro APR period for purchases, 0% intro APR period for balance transfers, balance transfer fee, regular APR, other rates and fees, rewards rates, extra benefits and features, customer service, credit needed, ease of application, security.