Best 0% APR Credit Cards of May 2022

The best 0% intro APR credit cards compared

Editor’s picks: Zero-interest credit card details

Best for longest intro APR: Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card

• Best features: This is the one of the longest 0% introductory APR offers on purchases and qualifying balance transfers on the market (up to 21 months from account opening, then 13.74% to 25.74% variable APR).
• Biggest drawbacks: There’s some fine print associated with the introductory APR offer. For starters, you get 18 months from account opening of a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then variable 13.74% to 25.74% APR) with the option of qualifying for an extension of up to three months with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods. Plus, if you don’t transfer a balance within 120 days of account opening, you won’t qualify for the intro rate of 3% and you’ll face a higher balance transfer fee (up to 5% or $5 minimum).
• Alternative: The Citi® Double Cash Card doesn’t have an intro APR offer on purchases, but it does have an 18-month 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers (a variable 14.74% to 24.74% rate after) and offers 2% cash back on purchases (1% upon making a purchase and 1% when paid off).
• 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 low ongoing APR: BankAmericard® credit card

• Best features: 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 13.24% to 23.24% variable. The low regular APR and lack of an annual fee make this card more valuable than the average 0% 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 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: There’s a lot to love about the SavorOne Cash Rewards card. Enjoy 3% cash back on dining, grocery store purchases, popular streaming services and entertainment, along with 1% back on all other purchases. Plus, earn a $200 sign-up bonus after spending $500 on purchases within three months of opening an account.
• 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. It comes with a $95 annual fee but has an impressive 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in spending each year, then 1%), a $300 statement credit welcome offer (when you spend $3,000 within the first 6 months) and a slew of other perks worth considering.
• Bottom line: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option for anyone who wants to earn 3% cash back in popular categories like dining, grocery stores, and select streaming services but doesn’t want to pay an annual fee.

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

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

• Best features: Not only does this card have no annual fee, it also has a decent 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers of 15 months. This means you can pay off purchases or pay down debt without paying interest into 2023; it’s 15.24% to 25.24% variable after that. Learn more and see how our expert Ana Staples uses the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card.
• Biggest drawbacks: The additional benefits this card offers are lackluster compared to some other cash back cards.
• 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 an intro APR offer who ultimately wants to earn cash back without having to think too hard about their card’s rewards program.

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 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% intro APR for 15 months, then variable 14.74% to 24.74%) – all for no annual fee.
• Biggest drawbacks: You’ll pay a steep 5% fee for balance transfers (or $5, whichever is greater). There’s a cap on your 5% cash back (up to $500 each billing cycle in your top eligible spending category, then 1%), which obviously 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, multiple bonus categories and a smaller spending requirement to earn the sign-up bonus. To learn more, check out the battle of the 5% back cards.
• Bottom line: 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.

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 large purchases: U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

• Best features: If you’re planning to finance a large purchase, this card is one of the best options on the market with its long introductory interest rate on purchases as well as a lengthy intro period on balance transfers. Cardholders receive a full 20 billing cycles before they start accruing interest on new purchases (15.24% to 25.24% variable APR thereafter).
• Biggest drawbacks: This card has limited long-term value as it does not offer a rewards program. The card also charges a fee of up to $41 for late payments and 2% to 3% on each foreign transaction you make (2% if the transaction is in U.S. dollars, 3% if in a foreign currency).
• Alternative: If you don’t need the longest interest-free period possible, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card comes with an impressive intro APR offer and has greater long-term value thanks to its cash-back rewards program.
• Bottom line: Anyone seeking a significant amount of time to pay down new purchases interest-free will want to consider the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card.

Read our U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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

• Best features: There’s a 0% intro APR on purchases (15 months, then 14.74% to 24.74% variable) and an introductory bonus of a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first six months of account opening. Read about how finance expert Ana Staples uses the Blue Cash Everyday card.
• Biggest drawbacks: There is no 0% intro APR balance transfer offer and U.S. supermarket rewards are capped at $6,000 per year in spending, then drops to 1%.
• Alternative: The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has an intro APR offer for both purchases and balance transfers and offers 3% cash back in more bonus categories, including dining and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
• 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 or jump back to this card’s offer details.

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

• Best features: Cardholders will enjoy the sign-up bonus, generous rewards program and 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (15.24% to 23.99% variable rate after introductory period).
• Biggest drawbacks: Anyone looking to travel or shop internationally will be disappointed by the 3% foreign transaction fee.
• Alternative: If your everyday spending doesn’t align with travel, 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.
• 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 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, the Discover it Cash Back offers 5% cash back in quarterly rotating categories (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases, then 1%, enrollment required). It also touts a 0% intro APR for 15 months on new purchases and balance transfers (12.24% to 23.24% variable after that). 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, instead of quarterly bonus categories, you can earn 6% cash back all year at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, and 3% cash back all year at U.S. gas stations and transit. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
• 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: This flat-rate cash rewards card just about has it all – a variety of redemption options, generous sign-up bonus, and no annual fee. In addition to the unlimited 2% cash rewards on eligible everyday spending, members also enjoy a long 0% introductory APR period for 15 months from account opening, and that applies to both qualifying balance transfers made in the first 120 days as well as purchases (15.74%, 20.74%, or 25.74% variable APR thereafter).
• 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 5% cash back on your biggest eligible spend area (up to the first $500 spent each billing cycle, then 1%), 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 balance transfer: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

• 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 14.49% to 24.49% (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. There’s a balance transfer fee of 5% of your balance or $5, whichever is higher.
• 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. It has an 18-month 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers (a variable 14.74% to 24.74% rate after) and offers 2% cash back on purchases (1% upon making a purchase and 1% when paid off).
• 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 customizing rewards: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

• Best features: People who love earning as much cash back as possible will enjoy the flexibility this card adds to their wallet along with 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable).
• 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 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: This card offers a $200 online cash rewards sign-up bonus when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days. New cardholders can also take advantage of a 0% introductory APR that lasts for 15 billing cycles on purchases and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (after that it’s 14.24% to 24.24% variable). It also offers cash back at wholesale clubs.
• 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 categories to earn 3% cash back in.
• Bottom line: This card has great intro offers, but smaller spenders will get the most value out of the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit 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 for 0% intro APR + low fees: Citi Simplicity® Card

• Best features: This no-frills credit card will appeal to people looking for a lengthy 0% intro APR (12 months on purchases and 21 months on balance transfers completed within the first four months then 15.49% to 25.49% variable APR thereafter) and consumer-friendly fee structure.
• Biggest drawbacks: You’ll pay a balance transfer fee of 5% or $5 of each transferred balance, whichever is greater. The lack of a rewards program is a drawback if you’re looking to earn points, miles or cash back once you’re done paying down your debt or large purchase.
• 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 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 a 0% intro APR on balance transfers made in the first 60 days and purchases for 15 billing cycles (then 14.24% to 24.24% variable APR).
• Biggest drawbacks: Carry a balance beyond the introductory 15-billing-cycle 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 high rewards rate + introductory bonus: Discover it® Balance Transfer

• Best features: Cardmembers can make use of its lengthy 18-month 0% intro APR for balance transfers, plus a six-month 0% intro APR on purchases (12.24% to 23.24% variable APR after that). 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.

What is a zero-interest credit card?

Zero-interest credit cards give you time to pay for new purchases or pay down existing credit card debt without having to worry about credit card interest for a set period of time. Once the introductory zero-interest period ends, the go-to interest rate will apply.

Of the offers featured on CreditCards.com, the average 0% intro APR for purchases is 13.3 months. Balance transfer offers with 0% intro APR average about 14 months but can go as high as 21 months.

Zero-interest cards usually require good or excellent credit. 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. Plus, you’ll incur fees and, in most cases, lose access to the 0% introductory APR offer.

How do 0% intro APR credit cards work?

The best time to get a credit card with 0% intro APR is when you’re just starting out with credit or plan on making a big purchase. Because of the lack of interest, it will be quicker to pay down any debt you have. It’s also a good time frame to figure out your spending habits and work out a budget.

Zero-percent intro offers are usually reserved for new applicants with credit scores in the good-to-excellent range. That doesn’t mean you won’t find one if you are new to credit or have credit that is less than optimal. It just means your options are limited, and the perks may not be as good.

Since offers can vary, you’ll need to pay attention to the details to know which offer is right for you. You’ll find 0% intro APR offers that can be for as low as six months or as high as 21 months. The longer the intro offer, the better because it gives you more time to make interest-free payments. But the best length of time will depend on you and how much time you need to pay back your debt.

Many intro APR credit cards are for both purchases and balance transfers. Some credit cards like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express may only have an introductory APR offer for purchases. Some, like the Citi® Double Cash Card may only be for balance transfers.

When it comes to balance transfers, the 0% intro APR offer is usually only valid for 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. But how much you can transfer will depend on the credit limit you are given. And you’ll usually have to pay a fee for transferring a balance, typically 3% to 5% of the transfer amount.

No matter if you use your 0% intro APR for purchases or balance transfers, if you still have a balance when the intro APR period is over, the ongoing APR will apply to whatever the current balance is.

Pros and cons of 0% APR credit cards

How to choose an introductory APR credit card

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 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. You can expect to pay that balance off in 45 months and pay $662.73 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 $212.51 in interest. Why? Because this card offers a 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (13.24% to 23.24% variable APR thereafter) at 3% fee (min. $10). That means you can pay the balance back 8 months sooner and save $450.22 in interest.
• 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, let’s say 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.

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 deferred interest?
• 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

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 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.