Whether you have a big purchase on the horizon or want to take some time to pay down an amount over a period of time, a 0% intro APR credit card could be a good option for you.
APR stands for annual percentage rate. This rate represents the yearly interest of a credit card (or other lines of credit, like a loan) charged to the borrower. While this number can be pretty high — the average hovered around 16% in summer 2022, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve — lower-interest rates are available. Enter 0% APR credit cards.
This article reviews our picks for the best 0% APR credit cards, including the lengths of interest-free rates, common qualifying factors, pros and cons, and what else you need to consider with these cards.
The 8 Best 0% Intro APR Credit Cards
- Wells Fargo Reflect Card: Best for Members Who Want a Long 0% APR Period
- Citi Custom Cash Card: Best for Users Who Need Time to Earn a Cash Bonus
- Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card: Best for Users to Earn Cash Back at Grocery Stores
- BankAmericard Credit Card: Best for Users Who Want Low-Fee Balance Transfers
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Cardmembers Who Travel and Dine Out Often
- Blue Cash Everyday Card: Best for Users Who Want to Save on Streaming Costs
- Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card: Best for Cardmembers Who Want 1.5% Cash Back
- U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card: Best for Users Who Value High Cash-Back Categories
Wells Fargo Reflect Card
Best for Long 0% APR Period
Key Features
- Up to 21 months 0% APR
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection
- 24/7 on-demand roadside dispatch
While this Wells Fargo card doesn’t offer a sign up bonus or credit cards rewards (others in the WF umbrella do, though), we chose this one since it offers one of the longer 0% intro APR at 18 months — and up to 21 if you make your minimum monthly payments during the introductory period. You can also get benefits like cell phone protection when you use your Wells Fargo card to pay your bill.
Wells Fargo Reflect Card
Credit requirement
Good to Excellent
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR length
Up to 21 months
Sign up bonus
None
Balance transfer fee
$5 or 3% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater)
More information on Wells Fargo Reflect Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers up to 21 months of 0% APR, which includes an intro APR extension of three months with on-time minimum payments. Afterward, interest is at a 15.99%-27.99% variable rate. While this card does not have a sign up bonus or credit card points, there are other benefits like cell phone protection (when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card) and roadside assistance.
Citi Custom Cash Card
Best for Extra Time to Earn a Cash Bonus
Key Features
- $200 cash back bonus
- 15 months 0% APR
- Unlimited 1% cash back
The Citi Custom Cash Card offers a variety of benefits, from a long period 0% APR period to a cash sign up bonus to 1%-5% cash back. Cardmembers can earn 5% cash back on a spend category (such as gas stations or drugstores) and then unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. You can redeem points a few ways, including a statement credit, check, gift card or even shop with points on Amazon.
Citi Custom Cash Card
Credit requirement
Good to Excellent
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR length
15 months
Sign up bonus
$200 cash back
Balance transfer
$5 or 5% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater)
More information on Citi Custom Cash Card
To earn the $200 cash back bonus, users must spend $1,500 on eligible purchases in the first six months of the account opening — compared to other card bonuses, this is a pretty generous period of time. Cardmembers can earn 5% cash back on a particular spend category up to $500, and then it goes to 1% thereafter. After the intro period, the variable APR goes to 16.99%-26.99%.
Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card
Best for Cash Back at Grocery Stores
Key Features
- $200 bonus, plus 5% cash back
- 15 months 0% APR
- Up to $500 for referring friends
The Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card offers users lots of opportunities to get cash back. New members can earn a $200 cash bonus, plus 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (sans Walmart and Target) up to $12K in the first year for a possible additional $600 cash back. On top of 15 months of 0% APR, there are perks like a three-month complimentary membership to both DashPass and Instacart+, too.
Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card
Credit requirement
Good to Excellent
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR length
15 months
Sign up bonus
$200 bonus, plus 5% grocery store offer
Balance transfer fee
$5 or 3% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater)
More information on Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card
You can earn the intro $200 cash back bonus after you spend $500 in the first three months of getting the card. After the 0% intro period, the variable APR is between 17.99%-26.74%. Chase Ultimate Rewards cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account is active, and there’s no minimum amount required to redeem cash back.
BankAmericard Credit Card
Best for Low-Fee Balance Transfers
Key Features
- 21 months 0% APR
- No penalty APR
- 3% balance transfer fee
The BankAmericard Credit Card from Bank of America offers a lengthy 21-month-long 0% APR period. Compared to stipulations with other cards, the balance transfer fee with this card is a straightforward 3% (minimum of $10) for all transfers. If members have a linked Bank of America checking account, they can also take advantage of Balance Connect for overdraft protection.
BankAmericard Credit Card
Credit requirement
Good to Excellent
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR length
21 months
Sign up bonus
None
Balance transfer fee
3%
More information on BankAmericard Credit Card
For a $95 annual fee, the Premium Rewards Credit Card from Bank of America is a solid option to earn rewards, though there is no introductory APR rate or rewards or sign-up bonus. Still, it’s a good option if you need to make balance transfers or want a long intro APR. After the intro rate, a variable APR of 14.99% to 24.99% will apply. There’s also a no-penalty APR with this card, which means that making a late payment won’t automatically raise your APR.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit
Best for Travel and Dining Out
Key Features
- 15 months 0% APR
- $200 cash bonus
- Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars
With the Capital One SavorOne card, clients can get an unlimited 3% cash back on dining, streaming services, grocery stores and entertainment (plus, higher cash back on travel booked through its online portal). Members can enjoy a relatively easy-to-earn $200 bonus and a lengthy 0% APR period with this card, too.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit
Credit requirement
Good to Excellent
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR length
15 months
Sign up bonus
$200 cash bonus
Balance transfer fee
3%
More information on Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
New members can get a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening. If you go to a lot of live events, you’ll appreciate 8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats, too. After the intro rate, the variable APR is 17.99%-27.99%.
Blue Cash Everyday Card
Best for Saving on Streaming Costs
Key Features
- 15 months 0% APR
- Up to $250 statement credit
- 3% cash back on groceries
With the American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card, users get 0% APR and 3% cash back on select categories for no annual fee. There’s also a new member offer of $100 cash, plus up to $150 back when the card is used to check out with PayPal. As an added bonus, users can get $7 back a month when they use their card to pay for The Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+) — that’s half off the cost.
Blue Cash Everyday Card
Credit requirement
Good to Excellent
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR length
15 months
Sign up bonus
Up to $250 statement credit
Balance transfer fee
$5 or 3% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater)
More information on Blue Cash Everyday Card
To secure the $250 statement credit, you need to spend $2,000 in six months to earn $100 and 20% back (up to $150) as a credit when you use your card on PayPal purchases in the first six months. After 15 months, the variable APR sets to 16.99%-27.99%, depending on your creditworthiness.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card
Best for 1.5% Cash Back
Key Features
- $200 cash back bonus
- 15 months 0% APR
- 3% on dining at restaurants
The Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card has a new-member sign-up bonus, cash-back rewards and a long 0% APR period. Users can score 3%-5% cash back on certain categories, as well as 1.5% — a half-percentage more than the typical 1% — on all other eligible purchases. Chase Ultimate Rewards don’t expire as long as the account is open, too.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card
Credit requirement
Good to Excellent
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR length
15 months
Sign up bonus
$200 cash back
Balance transfer fee
$5 or 3% of the transfer amount (whichever is greater)
More information on Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card
You can get $200 cash back after spending $500 in the first three months of the card. Other perks include travel and auto rental protections when you use your card. After the 0% APR period, the interest reverts to 17.99%-26.74%.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
Best for Cash-Back Categories
Key Features
- 3% balance transfer fee
- $200 reward bonus
- 5% cash back on two categories of your choice
The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card is an all-around solid choice for consumers who want 0% APR, cash-back rewards and a new-member bonus. Members get to choose two categories to earn 5% cash back in, such as fast food and home utilities. The U.S. Bank website also has a cash-back calculator that lets users easily see how much cash back they can earn with the card.
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
Credit requirement
Good to Excellent
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR length
15 months
Sign up bonus
$200 rewards bonus
Balance transfer fee
3%
More information on U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
You can get a $200 rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 120 days. You’ll be able to score more cash back when you make purchases online at U.S. Bank’s Rewards Center Earn Mall. After the intro rate, the variable APR will be 17.49%-27.49%.
What Is a 0% Intro APR Credit Card?
A 0% intro APR credit card is a card that does not accumulate interest on any purchases you make during a set amount of time. These cards are popular options for balance transfers and often have perks (think: bonus categories and cash rewards) like other credit cards on the market.
How Do 0% APR Credit Cards Work?
A 0% APR credit card usually has 12, 15, and even longer 0% introductory rates for new users. Once the card has reached the end of its introductory period, the cardholder will begin paying interest on any balances carried over month to month.
Pros and Cons of 0% APR Credit Cards
Like all cards, there are pros and cons when it comes to getting a 0% APR credit card.
Pros
- If you need to fund a big purchase all at once or need some leeway to pay it off, 0% APR credit cards come in handy.
- These cards are a popular option if you want to do a balance transfer to save money on interest.
- Lots of credit card issuers offer 0% APR cards, so there are many available options.
- 0% APR credit cards often have other perks like traditional cards, such as cash back, low or no annual fees and rewards.
- Some credit cards have long introductory-rate periods, such as 15, 18 or 21 months.
- If you have good to excellent credit, you’re likely to be approved for a card quickly.
Cons
- Jumping off that last point, you typically need a credit score in the Good range (and better) to qualify for these types of cards.
- It’s common to pay a fee for balance transfers, but the math usually works out if you’re transferring a high balance to a 0% APR card.
- You’ll likely need to complete a balance transfer within a set period of time after opening the 0% APR, so don’t dawdle.
- A card’s 0% introductory rates may not apply across the board. For example, a balance transfer may not qualify 12 months of no APR, but new purchases will. Read the terms and conditions carefully.
- The introductory 0% APR is temporary, so you’ll need to be mindful of your payback schedule before the higher rate kicks in (usually between 10%-30% APR).
- You’ll want to be aware of foreign transaction fees and cash advance fees.
- Some of these cards don’t offer perks beyond a 0% APR.
It’s important to seek out the best 0% APR credit cards for you and your situation before you apply for one.
What to Look for in a 0% APR Credit Card
When searching for the best 0% APR credit cards, take a look at the following:
- The number of months for the 0% APR
- Qualifying balance transfers, fees and conditions (like the APR on balance transfers)
- Whether there’s a sign-up bonus and how to qualify for it
- The opportunity to earn cash rewards
- If there’s an annual fee
- Additional perks such as cell phone protection, unlimited cash back match or special savings (like an eligible delivery service)
- Any foreign transaction fees or cash advance fees
- If the credit card company has online banking or a mobile banking app
What Happens After the 0% Intro APR Period Ends?
Once the card has reached the end of its introductory period, the APR will resume to its usual rate, which will vary depending on your creditworthiness. So, for example, if you put $5,000 on a 0% APR credit card for 15 months and don’t make any payments on the amount, you’ll still owe $5,000 at the end of your introductory rate period. However, the monthly interest (say, 27.99% variable APR) will kick in, so it’s important you keep that in mind if you want to avoid that charge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About 0% APR Credit Cards
Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about 0% APR credit cards.
Intro APR is a low (or no) rate offered to new cardholders for a set period of time. It’s an attractive option if you need to make purchases but don’t want to incur interest charges while you pay off the balance.
Purchase APR is the amount of interest you pay on purchases made with a credit card when you carry a balance on it. APR typically ranges from 10%-30%.
What Is the Longest 0% Intro Period I Can Get on a Credit Card?
You can find a 0% intro APR period up to 21 billing cycles. Some cards with short periods offer intro APR extensions, too. If you need a longer 0% intro period, keep your eyes out, as cards with longer periods could enter the market.
Can I Request 0% APR on My Credit Card?
If you have a credit card without a 0% APR, your request will likely be denied. However, you could transfer your balance to a 0% APR card. And if you have a card with a 0% APR currently, you could call the credit card company and see if they’ll offer an extension.
Contributor Kathleen Garvin (@itskgarvin) is a personal finance writer based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and covers banking for The Penny Hoarder. She owns a content-writing business and her work has appeared in U.S. News, Clark.com and Well Kept Wallet.
[email protected] (Kathleen Garvin)
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