June 10, 2021
Using a credit card to pay down a balance over time can be convenient, but there is a trade-off: interest charges. You can think of interest as the fee you pay for borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage of your balance. You can avoid interest entirely if you pay your balance in full each month.
With a zero interest credit card, you get the best of both worlds: the ability to split up payments over a certain amount of time without accruing interest charges. These credit cards will typically offer new cardholders a 0% introductory APR period – usually 12 months or longer – in which new purchases or even balance transfers made with their card do not accumulate any interest.
With the right zero interest card, you can save hundreds or more. Our experts have analyzed 1,002 different credit cards with a 0% introductory APR period and listed the best offers from our partners, making your decision that much easier. For more, check out our payoff calculator to estimate how much you could save with a zero-interest credit card.
Using a credit card to pay down a balance over time can be convenient, but there is a trade-off: interest charges. You can think of interest as the fee you pay for borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage of your balance. You can avoid interest entirely if you pay your balance in full each month.
With a zero interest credit card, you get the best of both worlds: the ability to split up payments over a certain amount of time without accruing interest charges. These credit cards will typically offer new cardholders a 0% introductory APR period – usually 12 months or longer – in which new purchases or even balance transfers made with their card do not accumulate any interest.
With the right zero interest card, you can save hundreds or more. Our experts have analyzed 1,002 different credit cards with a 0% introductory APR period and listed the best offers from our partners, making your decision that much easier. For more, check out our payoff calculator to estimate how much you could save with a zero-interest credit card.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.
Good to Excellent
Credit Recommended (670-850)
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.Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by CreditCards.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the bank's website for the most current information.
All information about the Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum card and the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.
Zero interest credit cards let cardholders skip paying an annual percentage rate on purchases, balance transfers or both for a set period of time. You’ll still have to make at least your minimum payments each month, and your APR will change once the 0% introductory APR period expires. Still, these cards can save you thousands of dollars in interest and help you pay back balances faster. The best zero interest credit cards tout long promotional APR periods, usually between 14 to 20 months, and provide value, usually in the form of a competitive interest rate or rewards program, once their intro APR has expired. Here, we look at:
Why we picked it: If paying off debt is your top priority and you have good to excellent credit, 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 completed within the first 4 months and purchases, after which your APR is a relatively low 14.74% to 24.74% (variable).
Pros: There’s no annual fee. Plus, cardholders do enjoy certain Citi benefits, including Citi Entertainment, Citi Easy Deals and Citi Flex Plan.
Cons: The lack of a base rewards program limits this card’s long-term value. There’s a balance transfer fee of 3% of your balance or $5, whichever is higher.
Who should apply? Someone looking for a long intro APR on balance transfers who is worried they might be enticed to overspend if their new card offers cash back, points or miles.
Read our full Citi Diamond Preferred Card review.
Why we picked it: This new cash back card from Citi offers competitive base rewards, a lucrative sign-up bonus and a lengthy promotional APR on purchases and balance transfers (0% for 15 months, then variable 13.99% to 23.99%), all for no annual fee.
Pros: You earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (after that, 1% cash back). Eligible categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment. But you don’t have to enroll or track your spending; your earnings adjust automatically each billing cycle. You can also earn $200 in ThankYou points (redeemable as cash back) if you spend $750 within three months of account opening.
Cons: The 15-month 0% introductory APR extends to balance transfers (then variable 13.99% to 23.99%), but you’ll pay a steep 5% balance transfer fee (or $5, whichever is greater) if you take advantage of that offer. There’s a cap on your 5% cash back (up to $500 each billing cycle in your top spending category), which obviously eats into the card’s value.
Who should apply?If you’re looking to make a big purchase that will take you some time to pay off, but ultimately want a card that offers rewards, this Citi card is a great option.
Read our Citi Custom Cash Card review.
Why we picked it: 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% to 23.99% variable).
Pros: 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%).
Cons: Keep in mind that any balance transfers will be subject to a fee of 3% ($10 minimum).
Who should apply? Someone looking for an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers who is also looking for a cash back credit card that offers bonus rewards on everyday spending, once they’ve paid their balances down.
Read our full Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card review.
Why we picked it: One of the best rewards credit cards on the market, the Discover it Cash Back also touts a 0% intro APR for 14 months on new purchases and balance transfers (11.99% to 22.99% variable after that).
Pros: You earn 5% cash back on the first $1,500 you spend in rotating bonus categories each quarter (upon activation, then 1%) and Discover matches your cash back at the end of your first year. The Q2 2021 categories include gas stations, select streaming services and wholesale clubs.
Cons: There is a 3% intro balance transfer fee (up to 5% fee on future balance transfers).
Who should apply? Someone looking for a credit card with well-rounded benefits, including an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers, a potentially low go-to APR and a competitive cash back rewards program.
Read our full Discover it Cash Back review.
Why we picked it: 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% to 22.99% variable.
Pros: The low regular APR and lack of an annual fee make this card more valuable than the average 0% APR card.
Cons: The balance transfer fee is a standard 3%, with a $10 minimum.
Who should apply? Someone who is looking to avoid rewards on their intro APR card, so they can focus on paying down a balance transfer or large purchase. (Be sure, too, you can make any applicable balance transfers within your first 60 days.) This card is also potentially a fit for someone with good credit who is hoping for a low(ish) go-to APR once the intro period expires.
Read our full BankAmericard credit card review.
Why we picked it: 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% to 25.49% variable after that.
Pros: Cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. They can also earn $200 after a $500 spend within the first 3 months.
Cons: There’s no 0% intro APR on balance transfers.
Who should consider this card? Someone looking for an intro APR offer on purchases who ultimately wants to earn cash back without having to think too hard about their card’s rewards program.
Read our full Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
Why we picked it: There’s a 0% intro APR on purchases (15 months, then 13.99% to 23.99% variable).
Pros: You’ll enjoy an impressive cash back rewards program for no annual fee. That includes 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%); 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores; and 1% cash back on general purchases. Cardholders can also earn a $100 statement credit when they spend $2,000 in their first 6 months of card membership and earn 20% back on Amazon.com purchases on the card within the first 6 months, up to $150 back.
Cons: There is no 0% intro APR balance transfer offer.
Who should apply? Someone with good credit who is about to make a large purchase they’ll need some time to pay off and ultimately wants to earn rewards on everyday expenses.
Read our full Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express review.
Why we picked it: 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% to 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.
Pros: The card carries no annual fee.
Cons: 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.
Who should apply? Someone looking for a long intro APR on purchases and qualified balance transfers, given this card touts one of the longest offers currently available. (Just be sure to make any balance transfers in that 120-day window.)
Read our full Wells Fargo Platinum card review.
Why we picked it: You can get 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then it’s 14.99% to 23.74% variable.
Pros: Cardholders receive 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2022); 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases; and 1.5% cash back on general purchases. The sign-up bonus on this card is $200 after a low $500 spend within the first 3 months.
Cons: There’s no 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers.
Who should apply? Someone looking for an intro APR on purchases who is also hoping to secure a competitive sign-up bonus. (Note: Remember to pay any balances off in full before the introductory period expires. Otherwise, you’ll ultimately lose those bonus rewards to interest).
Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
Why we picked it: There’s a 0% intro APR offer on purchases for 15 months (then it’s 15.49% to 25.49% variable).
Pros: 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. You can also earn $200 if you spend $500 in your first 3 months. There is no annual fee.
Cons: There is no zero percent introductory APR for balance transfers.
Who should apply? Foodies looking for an intro APR on purchases who ultimately want to earn rewards on dining, entertainment and at grocery stores.
Read our full Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
Why we picked it: You’ll pay 0% interest for the first 18 months on balance transfers, after which the APR is 13.99% to 23.99% (variable).
Pros: One of our favorite flat-rate cash back cards, the Citi Double Cash Card offers 1% cash back on general purchases and 1% cash back as you pay those purchases back. There’s no annual fee.
Cons: The balance transfer fee for new cardmembers is either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. There is no 0% intro APR offer for purchases.
Who should apply? Someone looking for a credit card that could bolster their financial health via a long balance transfer offer and encourage long-term responsible spending habits, given the card rewards paying down your balances.
Read our full Citi Double Cash Card review.
Why we picked it: This popular rewards credit card from American Express offers best-in-class cash back at U.S. supermarkets (6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and touts a competitive 12-month 0% introductory APR on purchases (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable).
Pros: In addition to the bonus cash back at U.S. supermarkets, cardholders receive 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% cash back on other purchases. You also earn a $150 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases within your first 6 months of card membership and earn 20% back on Amazon.com purchases on the card within the first 6 months, up to $200 back.
Cons: There’s a $95 annual fee, waived the first year, so make sure you spend enough to recoup that cost via the rewards long term. (Learn how to determine if the Blue Cash Preferred or the Blue Cash Everyday is right for you.)
Who should apply? Someone looking for a promotional APR on purchases who spends a lot at U.S. supermarkets and can justify the card’s annual fee.
Read our full Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review.
| Credit card | Best for: | 0% intro APR | Regular APR | CreditCards.com Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | Balance transfer | 18 months On balance transfers completed within the first 4 months and new purchases | 14.74% – 24.74% Variable | 4.0 / 5 |
| Citi Custom Cash℠ Card | 0% introductory APR on purchases + cash back | 15 months On purchases and balance transfers | 13.99% to 23.99% Variable | 4.1 / 5 |
| Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card | Flexible cash back categories | 15 billing cycles On balance transfers made in the first 60 days and new purchases. A 3% fee (minimum $10) applies to all balance transfers. | 13.99% – 23.99% Variable | 4.2 / 5 |
| Discover it® Cash Back | Rotating category rewards | 14 months On balance transfers and new purchases | 11.99% – 22.99% Variable | 4.5 / 5 |
| BankAmericard® credit card | Ongoing low APR | 18 billing cycles On balance transfers made in the first 60 days and new purchases. A 3% fee (minimum $10) applies to all balance transfers | 12.99% – 22.99% Variable | 4.4 / 5 |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | No annual fee | 15 months On new purchases | 15.49% – 25.49% Variable | 3.2 / 5 |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | Good credit | 15 months On new purchases | 13.99% – 23.99% Variable | 3.9 / 5 |
| Wells Fargo Platinum card | Long 0% intro APR period | 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers | 16.49% – 24.49% Variable | 4.0 / 5 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 0% intro APR and rewards | 15 months On purchases | 14.99% – 23.74% Variable | 4.5 / 5 |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card review | Dining purchases | 15 months On new purchases | 15.49% – 25.49% Variable | 3.5 / 5 |
| Citi® Double Cash Card | Cash back | 18 months On balance transfers | 13.99% – 23.99% Variable | 3.6 / 5 |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | Supermarket shoppers | 12 months On new purchases | 13.99% – 23.99% Variable | 4.0 / 5 |
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:
Other criteria used include other rates and fees, rewards rates, extra benefits and features, customer service, credit needed, ease of application and security features.
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. In fact, according to a recent CreditCards.com survey, just over half of all U.S. adults (51%) added to their credit card debt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A 0% interest credit card 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. Keep in mind, you must still make your minimum monthly payments during the 0% intro APR period. Otherwise, the issuer will report a missed payment to the credit bureaus and the account will ultimately go into default.
Each 0% introductory offer is different, but there are a few nuances that you should be familiar with when evaluating each one.
We’ve found that 0% intro APR offers typically require good or excellent credit. There are some intro APR cards that accept lesser credit and even no credit history, but their offers are typically not as rich.
If you have your eye on a 0% intro APR card but you don’t think you have the credit for it, you’ll need to pay your card bills on time each month and start making a dent on your debt. Ironically, you might want the 0% APR card because of existing debt, but you might need to pay some of it down to free up your available credit, which is the second most important aspect of your credit score.
Once you get your FICO score to 670, it’s time to start applying. Make sure you don’t apply for multiple cards at once, because each card you apply for temporarily knocks your score down a few points. For that reason, it’s also a good idea to have a sense of your approval odds in advance of applying. Our CardMatch tool can help direct you to credit card offers that best align with your credit profile. Something else to keep in mind as you apply: card issuers also consider your income, so make sure you include all income that you have legitimate access to, such as your spouse’s income.
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.
Attempting to carry a high balance on a high interest credit card can quickly land you in debt. Interest rates will increase the total amount you pay and can delay your payoff timeline by quite a bit, depending on how much you owe.
Most credit cards have a variable rate, anywhere from 14% to 27%. This rate is determined by the issuer based on your individual creditworthiness.
Let’s say you have a card balance of $5,000 and the issuer has given you an interest rate of 14%. Using our Payoff Calculator to crunch the numbers, we can see that by paying down $300 each month, it would take you 19 months to pay off your entire balance, and you’d spend $593 in interest.
Sometimes an issuer will give you a much higher interest rate after assessing your credit. If you have a $5,000 card balance but an interest rate of, say, 27%, and pay the same minimum $300 each month, it will take you 22 months to pay off your balance and you’ll spend $1,338 in interest.
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.
When looking for an intro 0% interest card, you’ll have options – according to our January 2021 survey, there were 36 cards offering a 0% introductory APR for balance transfers. But how do you choose one? Start by considering these factors.
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. You can expect to pay that balance off in 45 months and pay $662.73 in total interest. Were you to transfer your balance to, say, the BankAmericard® credit card, which offers an 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days at 3% fee (min. $10), you could expect to pay that balance off in 37 months and pay $212.51 in interest**. That means you’ll pay the balance back 8 months sooner and save $450.22 in interest.
Our balance transfer calculator can help you determine how much you could save by transferring your current balance to various cards with a 0% intro APR.
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 purchase APR offer can reduce some of the financial strain.
Using our balance transfer calculator, if you were to charge $3,000 in car repairs to a credit card with an 18% APR on purchases and pay those repairs off in $500 monthly increments, you would pay $168.04 in interest over 7 months. But if you charged those repairs to a credit card with a 0% introductory offer for at least 6 months, you could skip interest entirely and pay your balance off one month earlier.
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.
For instance, let’s say you charged $5,000 to a zero percent 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 7 months to pay off the balance and you’ll pay $208.34 in interest.
* *All calculations were obtained using our balance transfer calculator.
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.
Further reading: Guide to doing a balance transfer with bad credit
Ever wonder what it’s like to use an introductory zero interest credit card? CreditCards.com expert Emily Sherman spoke with our compliance associate Abel Vivas, who used the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card to pay down some debt while saving on interest.
The Citi Diamond Preferred currently offers an 18-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers completed in the first four months and purchases (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable). It charges a 3% balance transfer fee (or $5, whichever is greater).
“When I applied for this card, I had one goal in mind and one goal only. I was going to pay off the balance from my high-interest card,” Abel told Emily. “I just wish I had done it sooner, so I didn’t pay interest to my old card (which only collects dust now). This card will continue to help me in my pursuit of a perfect credit score.”
Abel plans to hold onto the card as long as Citi continues to offer early access to concerts and sporting events through Citi Entertainment.
Learn more about how Abel maximized his Citi Diamond Preferred Card.
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