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The best 0% APR credit cards offer a long intro APR period supplemented with additional perks or features that can extend the card’s value even further. Finder’s credit card experts spend nearly 200 hours each week evaluating 0% APR credit cards to choose the best among them. We’ve listed the top 0% intro APR credit cards across several categories based on factors including: intro period length, balance transfer fees, rewards options, and similar features that can extend the value of an intro APR card past its promotional period.
What are the best 0% intro APR credit cards?
Best everyday cashback card with long intro APR on purchases
With a higher-than-average rewards rate on groceries, gas and online retail, this is a card worth adding to your wallet for the rewards alone. However, it also comes with one of the longest interest-free periods on purchases available, letting you make purchases and pay them off interest-free over 15 months. On the other hand, the higher earning Blue Cash Preferred only offers a 12-month intro period.
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Pros
- Intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. The intro APR on purchases and balance transfers can help with holiday spending or other family needs. Get a 0% intro APR period for 15 months following your account opening. After that, your rate reverts to 19.24% to 29.99% variable.
- Earn cash back. Earn 3% cash back on U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Plus 3% on U.S. online retail purchases on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that.
- Welcome offers. You'll earn $200 as statement credit when you use your card to make $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.
Cons
- Cap on 3% cashback categories. Your accelerated rates in these categories only last until you spend $6,000 in each category, each year.
- Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 2.7% fee on purchases made abroad.
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable) |
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Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.24% to 29.99% variable) Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. |
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Welcome Offer | Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months. |
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Rewards | Up to 3% cash back |
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Best value for boosting points with transfers
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is no longer just your average 1.5% cashback card, as it also earns big rewards on several categories, including 6.5% back on travel booked through Chase and 4.5% back on drugstores and dining. Pair it with a Chase Sapphire card and even your base 1.5% cash back becomes either 1.87% or 2.25% for travel redemption. The intro 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months is the cherry on top.
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Pros
- Earn cash back. Earn 6.5% cash back on Chase Travel Portal purchases, 4.5% back on dining, including takeout and delivery, and 4.5% back on drugstore purchases. On everything else, earn 1.5% back.
- Signup bonus. Earn an additional 1.5% back on all purchases on up to $20,000 spent total in your first year. This is a $300 value.
- Intro APR on purchases. Enjoy 15 months of 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24% applies.
- Point transfer value. Pair this card with one of the Sapphire cards and you get either 25% or 50% higher redemption value for travel purchases at the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
Cons
- Foreign transaction fee. All purchases made abroad or online with foreign merchants cost 3% of the amount.
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) |
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Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days |
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Welcome Offer | Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back |
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Estimated welcome offer value | $300 based on Finder's valuation |
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Rewards | Up to 6.5% cash back |
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The information about Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Welcome Offer | $300 |
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Rewards | Up to 6.5% cash back |
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Minimum credit score | 670 |
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Read Review
Terms apply, see rates & fees
Best 5% cashback credit card
Competitor cards offer 5% back on rotating categories only. The Freedom Flex, however, lets you earn back on rotating categories as well as a high cashback rate on the same categories recently added to the Chase Freedom Unlimited: 5% back on travel booked through Chase and 3% back on dining and drugstores. If offers the same 15 months of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers as the Chase Freedom Unlimited, meaning you can choose the one that best suits your spending preferences — or both if you want to build the Chase Trifecta.
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Pros
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back in select rotating categories on up to $1,500 each quarter you activate, then 1%. You'll also earn 5% back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft through March 2022, 3% back at restaurants and drugstores and 1% back on all other purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn $200 cash back after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months from account opening, then 20.49% to 29.24% variable.
Cons
- You'll need to keep track of rotating categories. You won't get the 5% cashback rate on the same categories each quarter. Also, you'll need to activate your cashback categories, or you won't receive the bonus rate.
- Categories not always known. Often, Chase won't reveal the whole year's rotating categories until they're close to launching.
- Foreign transaction fees. You'll pay a 3% fee on transactions made abroad.
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) |
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Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.49% to 29.24% variable) $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days |
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Welcome Offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
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Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
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Rewards | Up to 5% cash back |
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The information about Chase Freedom Flexâ„ has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Welcome Offer | $200 |
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Rewards | Up to 5% cash back |
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Minimum credit score | 670 |
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Read Review
Terms apply, see rates & fees
Best for 0% intro APR for balance transfers
If you want to squeeze the most out of your 0% intro balance transfer APR period, try the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. It traditionally holds the title of longest intro period for balance transfers. 21 months is one of the longest on the market and while the intro APR on purchases isn't nearly as impressive, it's still a helpful tool to have in your financial arsenal. Citi's status as a trusted credit card provider also helps keep this card in the limelight.
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Pros
- Intro APR for purchases and balance transfers. Get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for an impressive 21 months after account opening, then 17.99% to 28.74% variable after that. You'll also get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months following your account opening. After the intro period passes, your rate reverts to an APR between 18.24% to 28.99% variable.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
- Longer than average period to transfer balance. You have 4 months from account opening to transfer your balance and receive the intro offer.
Cons
- No rewards. The card is excellent for saving money on interest, but you won't earn any rewards on your purchases.
- No signup bonus. There's no bonus to earn upon signup.
- Balance transfer fees. This card doesn't offer an intro period for balance transfer fees.
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 18.24% to 28.99% variable) |
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Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 21 months (then 17.99% to 28.74% variable) Balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater |
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Welcome Offer | N/A |
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Rewards | None |
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Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | None |
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Minimum credit score | 670 |
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Read Review
Best for 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Finder Rating: 4.8 / 5 ★★★★★
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers the longest 0% intro period length for both purchases and balance transfers, besting even the Citi Diamond Preferred. If you meet the card's APR extension requirements, you're looking at an unbeatable of 0% APR of 18 billing cycles on purchases and 0% APR of 18 billing cycles on balance transfer. The card's cell phone protection and road side assistance simply affirm this card's value.
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Pros
- Intro APR period. Make purchases and balance transfers at a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles of card membership. After the intro period expires, your rate reverts to variable 19.74% to 29.74%.
- Cell phone protection. Pay your cell phone bill with your card and get coverage for your phone against damage or theft up to $600, with a $25 deductible.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee for the life of the card.
Cons
- No signup bonus. Most credit cards offer a signup bonus after you meet specific criteria. Unfortunately, this card doesn’t have one.
- Balance transfer limits. Make sure you transfer your balances within 60 days of card membership. Otherwise, you won’t get the intro APR period on balance transfers.
- Potentially high APR. If you have a weak credit history, you may be given an interest rate up to 29.74% variable. That’s high, considering the average APR is around 16%.
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 19.74% to 29.74% variable) |
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Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 19.74% to 29.74% variable) |
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Welcome Offer | N/A |
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Rewards | None |
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Welcome Offer | n/a |
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Rewards | None |
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Minimum credit score | 670 |
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Terms apply, see rates & fees
Best for 0% intro APR on balance transfers
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers the longest 0% intro period length for both purchases and balance transfers, besting even the Citi Diamond Preferred. If you meet the card's APR extension requirements, you're looking at an unbeatable of 0% APR of 18 months on purchases and 0% APR of 18 months on balance transfer. The card's cell phone protection and road side assistance simply affirm this card's value.
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Pros
- Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 months, then 18.24% to 29.99% variable. The closest competitor card offers 18 months of 0% intro APR period. Two months may not seem like much, but if you're paying off a larger balance, it could make a difference.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee for the life of the card.
- No penalty APR. If you miss a payment, U.S. Bank won't impose a penalty APR. Other cards often impose a penalty APR of up to 32% and may cancel any 0% intro APR offers. That's one less thing to worry about with this card, however.
Cons
- No rewards program. You get a long intro APR period, but you don't get to earn any rewards.
- Foreign transaction fees. Transactions made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 18 months (then 18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99% variable) |
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Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 18 months (then 18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99% variable) |
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Rewards | Up to x n/a |
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Welcome Offer | |
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Rewards | Up to x n/a |
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Minimum credit score | 800 |
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Best cashback 0% APR card for purchases and balance transfers
Wells Fargo Active Cashâ„ Credit Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cashâ„ Credit Card is an unlimited cashback card that offers a long 0% intro APR period on both purchases and balance transfers. This makes the card an excellent value long after you've exhausted the intro APR offer.
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Pros
- Earn cashback. You’ll earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases using this card, without condition.
- Signup bonus. You can earn $200 after you spend $500 in purchases on your card within your first 3 months of account opening. This card’s biggest competitor, the Citi® Double Cash Card, has no signup bonus as of September 2023.
- Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. This card comes with 15 months 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. After your intro period ends, the APR reverts to a variable 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% APR. Having both types of intro APR on this card offers some excellent flexibility for saving money on interest, whether on new purchases or an existing debt.
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees. Purchases you make abroad will incur a 3% fee per transaction.
- Balance transfer fees. While the card comes with a balance transfer offer, you’ll still need to pay the greater of $5 or 3% of your transferred balance.
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable) |
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Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99% variable) |
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Welcome Offer | $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
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Rewards | Up to 2% cash back |
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Welcome Offer | $200 |
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Rewards | Up to 2% cash back |
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Minimum credit score | 670 |
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Best 0% APR card for travel
If you're looking save on interest on purchases or balance transfers and then turn that card into ongoing travel value, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a strong choice. Most higher performing travel cards lack an intro APR, so this serves as one of the best choices available for now.
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Pros
- Intro APR period. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening, then 19.99% to 29.99% variable. You’ll pay a 3% fee for balances transferred in the first 15 months.
- Unlimited 1.25x miles. You'll earn 1.25x miles on all purchases.
- Rewards. You'll also earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Cons
- Capital One Travel. If you book your travel outside of Capital One Travel, you'll earn 1.25x miles instead of the accelerated 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
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Annual fee | $0 |
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Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.99% - 29.99% variable) |
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Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 19.99% - 29.99% variable) (Fee: 3% for the first 15 months. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR) |
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Welcome Offer | 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel |
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Estimated welcome offer value | $200 based on Finder's valuation |
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Rewards | Up to 5x miles |
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Methodology
A card’s intro period length is the most important factor when comparing 0% APR cards. Beyond that, a card’s additional functions as a financial tool was our primary concern. We elevated cards that could also double up as another type of card, such as a cash back rewards card or travel card, on our rankings. Those that stood out in these sub-categories were highlighted for our list.
Back to topCompare 0% intro APR credit cards
Between purchase and balance transfer intro offers, there are dozens of 0% intro APR credit cards to choose from. If none of our top picks suit your needs, compare even more intro APR credit cards for more options.
The first order of business when choosing a 0% APR credit card is determining whether you need an intro APR on balance transfers, purchases or both. From there, you’ll want to consider a few financial factors to pick out the best card for you.
- Look at your interest-saving needs. You have two primary choices for a 0% APR card — a balance transfer offer or an intro APR on purchases, and some credit cards feature both offers. Which you need will ultimately determine what cards are available for you to choose.
- Consider the length of the intro period you’ll need. Whether it’s for purchases or balance transfers, you’ll find intro lengths ranging from six months to 20 months. Cards are locked into their advertised intro periods, so the length you need is an important part of picking the best option for you.
- Review the card’s revert APR. If you plan on carrying a balance, pay attention to the card’s revert APR after the intro period is over. This is also important to consider if you can’t pay off your balance transfer before the intro period ends, as your remaining debt will build interest based on this revert rate.
- Think about your long-term plans for the card. If you want to use your card well past the intro APR period, look for a card with rewards or benefits that can bring you value after the intro period ends.
Pros and cons of a 0% APR credit card
Pros
- Save on interest. Both types of 0% APR credit cards let you save on interest you would otherwise accrue if you paid your balance off over time.
- Long intro periods. The average intro APR is 12 months and they can go up to 20 months max as of April 2021.
- Possible rewards. Some 0% intro APR credit cards offer rewards, which can extend the value you’ll find with these cards.
Cons
- Good credit required. Most 0% APR credit cards require at least a good credit score for qualification.
- Limited by credit limit. The maximum debt you can transfer is limited by your card’s credit limit.
- Revert APR risky. Remember that an unpaid balance will start accruing interest at the end of your intro period. If you weren’t able to pay down enough of your balance, you could end up in a poor financial situation as the interest on your original balance climbs.
A 0% APR credit card is worth it whenever you want to pay off existing debt interest free or make large purchases and pay it off over time with no interest. Here’s a quick cheat sheet on whether you should pick one up.
You should get a 0% APR credit card if you…
- Have existing debt that can fit on a balance transfer card.
- Want to make several large purchases but can’t immediately pay for it in full and don’t wish to accrue interest.
- Are confident you can pay off your card before the end of the intro period.
You shouldn’t get a 0% APR credit card if you…
- Have poor credit and can’t qualify for a card with good terms.
- Have debt too large to fit onto a balance transfer card.
- Can’t pay off your balance before the end of the intro period.
You have three options when it comes to choosing an intro APR card: a balance transfer APR, a purchase APR, or both. Assess your financial circumstances to choose the best one for your needs.
- Balance transfer card. You have existing debt you want to save interest on and you’re not especially concerned about using your credit card after paying it off.
- Purchase APR card. You need to make a few large purchases and carry them as a balance, and you can also pay off your purchase within the allotted time frame to avoid interest.
- Intro APR on both. It’s difficult to take advantage of both intro APR periods since you should avoid making new purchases on a balance transfer card. However, you can take advantage of both offers on such a card if you can pay off your balance transfer within a reasonable time frame. You can use any time left over on the card’s intro period take take advantage of interest-free purchases for the remainder of the time frame. And you’re welcome to use any one of the offers on the card.
- Do I still need to make payments during my 0% intro APR period? Yes. One of the biggest misconceptions about a 0% intro APR period is that you don’t have to make payments. You’ll need to make at least the minimum payment each month to avoid late fees and potentially losing your promotional interest rate.
- If I make a purchase during the 0% intro balance transfer period, what interest am I charged? You’ll be charged the card’s standard interest rate on purchases made on a balance transfer card. It’s best to pay off any transferred debts before you start spending on your balance transfer card to keep yourself from accidentally incurring interest on your card.
- Does getting a 0% APR credit card hurt my credit score? Getting a new credit card in general — not necessarily a 0% APR card — could lower your credit score by a few points. That’s because your provider will perform a hard pull on your credit report.
- Why is it important to check the balance transfer fee before making a transfer? This fee can add a significant cost you might not expect. The provider usually charges 3% to 5% of the transfer amount. So, if you’re transferring $5,000, you could pay a fee of $150 to $250.
- Are 0% APR credit cards always available? No. Providers occasionally add, remove or change 0% APR offers as they see fit. For example, many providers dropped 0% APR balance transfer offers from their cards during 2020.
How we rate our cards
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our team evaluates credit cards to determine their value against similar cards on the market.
We rank card types — travel, cash back, business — on a set of factors that are most relevant to that type of card. We create these rankings to help you narrow down a credit card that best suits your spending and budget.
Learn the details of our methodology and scoring.