10 Best 0% APR Credit Cards
Credit card issuers use several types of offers to entice new applicants, but few are as attractive as a 0% annual percentage rate offer. For those looking to pay down debt or make a big purchase, a 0% APR offer can be particularly enticing.
Every card is different when it comes to the terms and fine print that accompany 0% APR offers. Before applying, it can be beneficial to learn how 0% APR credit cards work and how to use them to borrow for the most significant savings. While a 0% APR card can save money, it can also cost money in unexpected interest or fees if the borrower doesn’t fully understand the terms of the card.
Whether using a new credit card to pay down debt more quickly or to finance a purchase, a 0% APR card can provide more repayment flexibility — though cardholders should be sure to compare cards and terms closely. Here are 10 of the best 0% APR credit cards.
How 0% APR Credit Cards Work
A 0% APR credit card offers an introductory period of no interest on purchases and balance transfers for a specified period, typically six to 21 months. New purchases and balance transfers don’t incur any interest during the introductory period. However, terms vary by card, so it is essential for individuals to read an offer carefully to prevent costly surprises after a balance is already on their card.
Most 0% APR credit cards work much the same way. Debt can be transferred onto the 0% APR card, and purchases can be made interest-free. One of the most important things to know about a balance transfer card is the date that it will begin accruing interest at the card’s regular APR. When choosing a 0% APR or low-interest credit card, it can be helpful to determine:
If any credit card transactions are exempt from the 0% APR promotional financing
If any balance transfer fees will apply, and how much
If new purchases and balance transfers each have their own interest-free periods
If the card issuer charges deferred interest once the introductory period ends on balances not paid in full during the introductory period
The card’s regular APR that will apply to remaining introductory balances and new purchases once the introductory period ends
The borrower should keep in mind that a credit card company can cancel a 0% APR if minimum payments aren’t paid as scheduled.
Anyone considering a 0% APR card should also note that these cards are typically only available to those with good to excellent credit scores. Late payments may result in the credit card company canceling the 0% APR offer and even applying the penalty APR. Introductory purchases and balance transfers are limited by the card’s available credit limit.
A Quick Glance at the Best 0% APR Credit Cards
Here’s a look at 10 of the best 0% APR credit cards and their terms, including introductory offer details and the cards’ rates and fees once the introductory periods end. These cards all require a good or excellent credit score to qualify.
Credit Card | Key Details |
|---|---|
– 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, with a 3% balance transfer fee | |
– 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers | |
– 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening | |
– 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening | |
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card | – 24-month 0% APR period for purchases and balance transfers within the first 60 days of account opening |
– 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months | |
– 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers with a 3% balance transfer fee | |
– 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers with a 3% intro balance transfer fee | |
– 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, with an intro APR extension of up to 3 months with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods | |
– 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers |
1. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Card
New cardmembers can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus by spending $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Cardholders also earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases. Rewards can be used to pay for Amazon purchases, on eligible purchases using PayPal or redeemed for cash back.
Capital One provides cardholders year-round complimentary concierge service on dining, entertainment and travel, as well as travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel assistance services.
2. Chase Freedom Flex
New Chase Freedom FlexSM cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months after opening the account. They can also earn 5% cash back on gas station purchases on up to $6,000 spent in the first year.
Throughout the year, cardholders can earn 5% cash back on different categories such as grocery stores, gas stations and select online merchants on up to $1,500 in total combined purchases each quarter. Cardholders also earn the following rewards year-round: 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1% on all other purchases. Rewards never expire.
Chase Freedom Flex cardholders can get cell phone protection for stolen or damaged phones for up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year for phones listed on a monthly cell phone bill paid with the Freedom Flex card. Cardholders can also get purchase protection on new purchases for 120 days in case of damage or theft — up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
3. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card
This rewards card has a 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made within the first 60 days after opening the account.
Cardholders can customize their cash rewards with this card and get higher rewards in their category of choice. Rewards include 3% cash back in the category of choice and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs — on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter. Cardholders also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. Choice categories include online shopping, travel, drugstores, gas, dining and home improvement/furnishings. Cardholders can change the choice category once per month. Preferred Rewards members can earn even more.
4. Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
The Citi Diamond Preferred card has one of the longer 0% introductory APR periods for balance transfers, at 21 months from the date of first transfer. However, balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening. It also offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases. Cardholders can choose their due date to fit their budget better.
Cardholders also can use Citi Entertainment® to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for concerts, sporting events and dining experiences.
5. US Bank Visa Platinum Card
Applicants for the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum card can get a qualifying decision in about a minute. The Platinum card can be added to a digital wallet to make secure, contactless purchases with a single tap. The card’s fraud protection feature detects and notifies cardholders of any unusual card activity. Other perks include interest-free buy now, pay later plans for large purchases and cell phone protection if the phone’s bill is paid with the U.S. Bank Visa.
New cardholders get a special 0% introductory APR for 24 billing cycles on balance transfers made within the first 60 days of account opening and on purchases.
6. American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card
With the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, cardholders earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent each year, 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and 1% cash back on other purchases. The PLAN IT® option allows cardholders to pay off eligible purchases with interest-free payments. Online applicants get a decision in as little as 30 seconds. Terms and restrictions apply.
American Express’s Send & Split feature allows cardholders to send money and split purchases with Venmo or PayPal users directly from the American Express app. The Blue Cash Everyday Card also comes with car rental loss and damage insurance and exclusive access to ticket presales for shows, concerts and sporting events.
7. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card
New Capital One Quicksilver cardholders earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once they spend $500 on purchases within three months of account opening. The 0% intro APR is for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Cardholders earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. This card has no annual fee, and rewards never expire.
Capital One cardholders can receive their cash back rewards as a statement credit, apply them to a purchase or be issued a check. Other Capital One card perks include travel accident insurance, extended warranties on eligible purchases and virtual card numbers for online purchases.
8. Discover it® Cash Back Card
The Discover it card’s introductory 0% APR is for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Cardholders earn 1% cash back rewards on all purchases and 5% cash back on special quarterly categories. New cardholders can earn an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back earned at the end of their first year with Discover it’s Cashback Match.
Discover cardholders can elect to receive alerts if their Social Security number is found on the dark web and quickly freeze a lost or stolen card using the mobile app.
9. Wells Fargo ReflectSM Card
This card doesn’t offer rewards, but cardholders can earn discounts in the form of statement credits when using the card via My Wells Fargo Deals. The introductory 0% APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases lasts for the first 18 months from account opening. Cardholders can earn a three-month extension to 21 months if all payments are made on time during the introductory and extension periods.
Other perks of the Wells Fargo Reflect card include up to $600 of cell phone protection when the phone’s bill is paid for with the Wells Fargo card. Cardholders also have access to Roadside Dispatch®, a 24/7 dispatch network that provides emergency roadside assistance, towing or locksmith service.
10. Chase Freedom Unlimited
With the Freedom Unlimited® card, new cardholders can earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. They can also earn 5% cash back on gas station purchases on up to $6,000 spent in the first year, all without an annual fee. Other purchases earn 1.5% to 5% cash-back rewards with no spending limits on rewards. Cardholders can earn $100 for referrals who open a Chase Freedom card, up to $500 per year.
Other perks include trip cancellation insurance, auto rental collision damage waivers and travel and emergency assistance services. With this card, applicants can apply for the card and start using it the same day if approved.
Pros and Cons of the Best 0% APR Credit Cards
While each of the featured credit cards has some incredible features, they also have their drawbacks. Here is a quick look at some key pros and cons of these top 10 0% APR credit cards.
Credit Card | Pro | Con |
|---|---|---|
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Card | Earns 3% cash back on groceries | Low travel rewards |
Chase Freedom FlexSM Card | Rotating quarterly categories earn 5% rewards when activated, up to a combined quarterly $1,500 maximum | Some rewards must be activated each quarter |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card | Can earn 3% cash-back rewards on a category of choice | Best rewards limited to Preferred card members |
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | Special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events through the Citi Entertainment® program | No rewards |
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card | Can choose a payment due date | Balance transfers that qualify for 0% APR limited to the first 60 days after account opening |
American Express Blue Cash Everyday Card | Has a buy now, pay later option for big purchases | Spending caps on bonus rewards |
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card | No balance transfer fees after the first 15 months | No bonus categories for earning extra rewards |
Discover it® Cash Back Card | New cardholders can earn an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back earned at the end of their first year | Not as widely accepted as Visa or MasterCard |
Wells Fargo ReflectSM Card | Earn up to $600 in cell phone protection | No rewards |
Chase Freedom Unlimited | No spending limits on rewards | A penalty APR could remain in effect indefinitely for late payment |
Before applying for a 0% APR card, a potential new cardholder should check their credit score. Typically, only credit scores considered good — 670 to 739, very good — 740 to 799, and excellent/exceptional — 800 to 850 — qualify for no-interest cards.
Final Take
The best 0% APR credit cards all offer a 0% introductory rate, but each card has unique terms, conditions and perks. Before applying for a new 0% APR card, potential cardholders should understand how 0% APR cards work and the terms such offers entail.
A 0% APR card can be beneficial for paying down debt faster or saving on financing a large purchase, especially if introductory balances can be paid off before the card’s introductory term ends. But the introductory rate is only one factor to be considered when choosing a 0% APR card. Potential cardholders should also compare terms, fees, rewards and other perks.
Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of May 16, 2022.
GOBankingRates is a personal finance and consumer interest rate website owned by ConsumerTrack Inc., an online marketing company serving top-tier banks, credit unions and other financial services organizations. Some companies mentioned in this article might be clients of ConsumerTrack Inc., which serves more than 100 national, local and online financial institutions. Rankings and roundups are completely objective, and no institution, client or otherwise, paid for inclusion or specific placement. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the companies included in the article. All fees and rates are subject to change at the issuers’ discretion. Some interest rates might be short-term or promotional offers only, and it is possible additional terms and conditions must be met to obtain the interest rates listed. Rates and availability might vary by region. Verify terms and conditions before opening an account.
GOBankingRates bases its assessment of “best” and “top” products on the above-stated parameters to create a baseline for comparison. This assessment is an approximation of “best” and “top” designed to help consumers find products that might be appropriate for them. There could be other options available as well. Consumers should consider various options appropriate for their circumstances.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Best 0% APR Credit Cards
