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These cards offer an outstanding 0% intro APR on purchases, balance transfers, or both. This can help you finally get your hands on that big-ticket item you’ve been eyeing, or manage debt by transferring an existing balance. Our experts have analyzed 1,002 different credit card offers with a 0% introductory APR period and listed the 10 best no interest offers from our partners to suit different spending habits.
These cards offer an outstanding 0% intro APR on purchases, balance transfers, or both. This can help you finally get your hands on that big-ticket item you’ve been eyeing, or manage debt by transferring an existing balance. Our experts have analyzed 1,002 different credit card offers with a 0% introductory APR period and listed the 10 best no interest offers from our partners to suit different spending habits.
Back to topEditorial 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.
Updated: October 10, 2019
The best of us get into trouble with our credit cards. We might have had back-breaking medical bills. Or the car broke down again. The fact is, while credit cards are partly for convenience, sometimes they can seem rather inconvenient because of a steep balance.
The good news is that revolving consumer credit dipped in August 2019 by more than $2 billion, according to the Federal Reserve. The bad news? Revolving debt, of which credit card debt is a part, remains at a stunning $1.078 trillion.
One of our surveys shows that amongst those who don’t have a plan to tackle their credit card debt, though, 42% gave this as their reason: "I just don’t know where to start."
That's where 0% intro APR offers come in. While not a cure-all, a card with a 0% APR offer on purchases, balance transfers or both can help pull you up out of ever-building debt by halting the interest charges that come with carrying a balance. We evaluated over 1,000 credit cards with a 0% intro APR offer and calculated the estimated savings of each offer and the other benefits for each card. Here, we look at:
To understand how a no interest offer can work for you, read on.
In addition to statement credits, this card's earnings can be partnered with select Chase cards to earn extra travel redemptions through Chase Ultimate Rewards, allowing you to earn a 25% boost on those rewards.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited's 15-month 0% intro APR offer is the right choice for a consumer with a moderate amount of debt. Also, the sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards are quite nice.
With a high variable go-to rate of 16.74% - 25.49% APR, the Freedom Unlimited isn't the best choice for carrying a balance after the intro offers end. Also, the balance transfer fee is crazy high.
Not only can you earn $150 after a $500 spend within the first 3 months of card membership, but you can earn 1.5% unlimited cash back with the Quicksilver Cash Rewards.
With no annual fee and a strong cash back offer, this card also doubles as a no interest card, which means it can be good for the long haul. It's 0% intro APR for 15 months for both purchases and balance transfers (15.74%-25.74% variable after that).
This card doesn't have the high cash back rate of the Chase Freedom, which offers 5% back on rotating categories, although you don't have to think about rotating categories when you're using the Quicksilver.
With a fun double your cash back at year end, this card can earn you up to $600 in cash back your first year with its 5% back on select categories up to the quarterly maximum of $1,500 in purchases after activating, making it $300 for the year, then another $300 at year-end. Categories for Q4 2019 include the always popular categories of Amazon.com, Target, and Walmart.com.
The Discover it Cash Back has one of the lowest variable APRs among 0% cards, with 13.74% - 24.74%, which is handy if you think you may carry a balance after the no interest offer ends. Also, the rewards are strong, even with no sign-up bonus.
While decent, 14 months of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers isn't the longest offer out there – if your primary concern is to pay a sizeable balance off while avoiding interest charges, you may want to look elsewhere. There also isn't a lot in the way of purchase and travel benefits with this card.
Not only is there no annual fee, there's no penalty APR with the BankAmericard, meaning paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate. Other account pricing and terms apply.
The BankAmericard has one of the longest offers on both purchases and balance transfers at 18 billing cycles before the regular APR (14.74% - 24.74%) kicks in. It also lets you access your FICO score for free.
There is a time limit to when you must make your balance transfers in order to take advantage of the introductory rate offer: within the first 60 days. Otherwise, there are not many drawbacks to speak of as this card is quite straightforward.
Looking for a 0% intro APR offer that also has a strong rewards offer? The Chase Freedom is worth a look, with its competitive sign-up bonus and 5% cash back on rotating categories. Earn $150 after spending $500 within the first 3 months of card membership.
With a pretty good 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then 16.74% - 25.49% variable) and a strong rewards offer, the Chase Freedom is a fine choice.
Like the Chase Freedom Unlimited, this card carries foreign transaction fees, making it not advantageous for foreign travel or purchases transacted through a foreign bank.
Arguably the best credit card for balance transfers, the Citi Simplicity's 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers is tough to beat (it's 16.49%-26.49% variable after that).
In addition to a bodacious balance transfer offer, this card also offers no annual fee, no late fees and no penalty rate.
Unfortunately, this card has no sign-up bonus and no ongoing rewards. Also, the 0% purchase offer is only 12 months (it's 16.49%-26.49% variable after that).
The Wells Fargo Platinum Visa features a 0% offer of 18 months for purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then 17.24% - 26.74% variable APR. With 18 months of 0 interest on balance transfers, you can pay $100 a month in 6 months with no interest for that staycation planned for the fall. Buying season tickets to fall and winter shows coming to town? You can pay 0% interest until 2021.
Not only is the Platinum Visa card outstanding as a 0% card, you can continue to build credit with it in the long term.
The variable go-to rate is 17.24% - 26.74%, making it on the higher end of cards in this category. Also, there are no ongoing rewards or a sign-up bonus.
Not only do the sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards make this card a contender, it comes with no annual fee, which only further increases your savings.
Earn 1.8% cash rewards on qualified digital wallet purchases, like Apple Pay or Google Pay, during the first 12 months from opening your account. Also, get up to $600 protection on your cell (with a $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly bill with this card.
The zero interest period (15 months, then 15.74% - 27.74% variable) is not a standout compared to other cards in this category, although it's a respectable choice when you have moderate debt.
The Capital One SavorOne's balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 15 months that your account is open or at a promotional APR offered at any other time.
As a dining card, the Capital One SavorOne is a great option, particularly since there's no annual fee. The sign-up bonus is also competitive, as is the intro 0% APR offer of 15 months on balance transfers and purchases (it's 15.74%-25.74% variable after that).
There's not a lot to dislike here, although you may want to opt for a card with a longer intro APR if your debt is sizeable. You'll likely be sacrificing rewards, however.
Many travel credit cards don't offer a no interest period on purchases. The VentureOne defies that trend with a 12-month 0% intro APR on purchases (it's 13.74%-23.74% variable after that). That makes it a good product for the occasional traveler with a moderately large purchase coming up.
As a travel card, the VentureOne is quite rewarding with its no annual fee and an exemplary offer through hotels.com/venture, in addition to a nice little sign-up bonus and flat ongoing rewards.
Unfortunately, this card has no 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers, and if you are looking for a long 0% offer on purchases, you'll probably need to go somewhere else.
| Credit Card | Best For: | 0% APR - Balance Transfers | 0% APR - Purchases | Regular APR | CreditCards.com Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Flexible rewards | 15 months | 15 months | 16.74% - 25.49% Variable | 3.9 / 5 |
| Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card | Cash back | 15 months | 15 months | 15.74% - 25.74% Variable | 4.0 / 5 |
| Discover it® Cash Back | Sign-up bonus | 14 months | 14 months | 13.74% - 24.74% Variable | 3.9 / 5 |
| BankAmericard® credit card | 0 penalty APR | 18 billing cycles* | 18 billing cycles | 14.74% - 24.74% Variable | 3.9 / 5 |
| Chase Freedom® | Rotating category rewards | 15 months | 15 months | 16.74% - 25.49% Variable | 3.9 / 5 |
| Citi Simplicity® Card - No Late Fees Ever | Balance transfer | 21 months | 12 months | 16.49% - 26.49% Variable | 3.7 / 5 |
| Wells Fargo Platinum card | 0% intro APR | 18 months* | 18 months | 17.24% - 26.74% Variable | 4.4 / 5 |
| Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card | No annual fee | 15 months | 15 months | 15.74% - 27.74% Variable | 2.8 / 5 |
| Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card | Low balance transfer fee | 15 months | 15 months | 15.74% - 25.74% variable | 3.8 / 5 |
| Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card | Travel | N/A | 12 months | 13.74% - 23.74% variable | 3.0 / 5 |
*for balance transfers made in the first 60 days
**for qualifying balance transfers
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
A 0% intro APR card is a product that offers no interest for a set amount of time, sometimes up to 18 months or longer. These are great cards for paying off a card balance (or two) without incurring more interest charges. They are also good for consolidating debt into a single payment. These cards can sometimes offer 0% APR on purchases for a limited time. With balance transfers, you can avoid the debilitating costs of interest fees, which can number in the thousands of dollars over time.
Here's a shocker: Two-thirds of consumers we polled said they had never applied for a credit card to pay 0% on a new purchase. Yet, used correctly, they are a great way to defer paying off debt temporarily while paying no interest.
CreditCards.com November 2018 0%/BT survey
The national average APR has been hovering around 17.60%. The average rate among low interest credit cards is currently around 14.50%. Usually, your credit cards' interest rates are variable and depend on the Federal Reserve's rates as well as your payment habits. In the case of 0 APR cards, the lower rate on the scale is sometimes below the national average.
| Card | 0% Offer | Go-to Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Discover it Cash Back | 14 months, BT & purchases | 13.74%-24.74% variable |
| BankAmericard credit card | 18 billing cycles, BT (made in first 60 days) & purchases | 14.74% - 24.74% variable |
You know now that paying down your debt is optimal, but high interest rates can increase the total amount you pay in interest and delay your payoff timeline. Most credit cards have a variable rate, anywhere from 14%-27%. The rate you are given by the card issuer depends in part on your creditworthiness.
If you are assigned a higher rate on the card's range, don't be shy about asking for a lower rate. We found that 56% of consumers who asked were granted a lower interest rate.
And for heaven's sake, know your interest rate. We found that half of balance-carrying consumers are clueless about how much their card charges in interest. Not sure about your rate? Simply call the number on the back of your card.
Credit card issuers assign an APR to your account, based in part on the Federal Reserve's rates, your payment habits and your credit score. The card issuer's interest for that card also influences your rate. Typically, issuers offer a variable rate and you are assigned a rate within that range. If you have been paying on time and you have been keeping your balances low, you have a higher chance of a lower rate.
You aren't charged a single rate with a credit card, unlike other types of loans. Here are the primary types of APRs you can face when you use your credit card:
Credit card issuers don't just charge high rates because they want to gouge the consumer ‐ they face significant risk when they issue a credit card.
Why? Because they are committing to lending you money, just as when a bank grants you a mortgage or car loan. However, cards differ because they are what is called an unsecured product, while a loan to buy a car or house is secured. That means that with a card, there is no collateral, or an asset the lender can recover if you don't pay them their money back.
Also, unlike a lending product such as some student loans in which the federal government may back the loan, no one is backing the loan you are taking out with a credit card every time you make a charge.
When you carry a balance from month to month, you face an interest rate called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR. The rate depends on several factors including your credit score and the card's variable rate.
You are charged interest when you carry a balance, once the grace period ends. In some cases, such as when you take out a cash advance, there is no grace period. There are two balances on your card when you have a 0% intro offer: the one with the offer and the one without.
While your APR is expressed in a year, according to Discover, card issuers use that figure to calculate charges over your monthly statement period. The easiest way to calculate the interest you owe is to check out the CreditCards.com calculators.
With these calculators you can figure out how long it will take you to pay off a balance with the minimum payment; how to maximize paying off the balance within a specified amount of time or amount each month; or figure out your payoff with a balance transfer calculator.
If you want to understand the mechanics of how interest is calculated, here's what Discover has to say about calculating the APR on a credit card:
"To find out how much interest you're paying on your balance each day, you can convert your APR to a daily percentage rate. To do so, divide your APR by 365, the number of days in a year. At the end of each day, the card issuer will multiply your current balance by the daily rate to come up with the daily interest charge. That charge is then added to your balance the next day, a process called compounding.
"For example:
"If your credit card has an APR of 15%, it will have a daily rate of .041096%. Let's say a cardholder has a balance of $1,000 at the 15% APR standard interest rate. The next day, interest is added and the balance becomes $1,000.41, plus any additional purchases and minus any new credits or payments. This process occurs each day until the end of the cardholder's monthly statement cycle. So, at the end of the month, the beginning $1,000 balance becomes $1,013 when interest charges are applied at 15% APR."
Because there are so many factors when choosing a 0 interest card, you need to make sure you are comparing apples with apples. Is there a balance transfer fee? Do the cards offer sign-up balances? What's the 0% APR offer? The answers to these questions will help inform your decision, which we look at below.
| Card | 0% offer | BT fee | Welcome offer | Ongoing rewards | Annual fee | Go-to rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred | 0% intro APR for 12 months, balance transfers and purchases | $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater (see rates and fees) | $250 after $1,000 spend in 3 mths | 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%), 3% at U.S. gas stations and select streaming services, 1% on everything else. | $95 | Ongoing APR 14.74%-25.74% variable |
| Chase Slate†† | 0% intro APR for 15 months, balance transfers and purchases | $0 if transfer made within 60 days, 5% or $5 minimum after that | N/A | N/A | $0 | 16.99%-25.74% APR variable |
As you can see, both cards have similar 0% offers. The Slate has a $0 BT offer but no welcome offer or ongoing rewards, while the BCP has no $0 BT fee offer, but has rewards ideal for the small family that eats at home.
If you spend $500 a month on groceries, you can earn $360 in cash back for the year, plus $250 with the welcome offer when it comes to the BCP. Contrast that with the Slate's $0 BT fee offer, which would save you $150 in the BT fee for a $5,000 transfer. If you don't have plans to use the card much for spending, the Slate is the best choice, but if you are going to take advantage of the rewards on the BCE, that might be the card for you.
Zero interest credit cards are among the best weapons in your financial arsenal when you are trying to pay down debt. But they can beat you down if you don't use them correctly. Here, we look at what happens when they are used incorrectly and the right way to use them.
It's all too easy to get behind on your credit card debt. In fact, our survey found that a third of those polled reported having had more than $5,000 in card debt. Don't fall down that path; use our tips to help you pay down your debt and avoid it in the future.
CreditCards.com November 2018 0%/BT survey
As you know now, a 0% intro APR can free you from that debt, provided you change your habits going forward.
Once you get out from under a balance, there are a number of things you can do to make sure you don't make the same mistake again. With the right steps, you can also work toward building your credit and avoid other bad habits. Here are some tips:
† All information about The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express is no longer available through CreditCards.com.
†† All information about The Chase Slate Credit Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer. The Chase Slate Credit Card is no longer available through CreditCards.com.
Laura is an editor and writer at CreditCards.com. She has written extensively on all things credit cards and works to bring you the most up-to-date analysis and advice. Laura's work has been cited in such publications as the New York Times and Associated Press. You can reach her by e-mail at laura.mohammad@creditcards.com and on Twitter @creditcards_lm.
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