Our pick for 0% intro APR: Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
18 months
Intro APR on transfers
- Market-leading 18 months intro APR on transfers and purchases
- Potentially low revert rate of 14.74%-24.74% variable
- No annual fee
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Getting a 0% APR credit card can be a good way to temporarily stop paying interest on your purchases or balance transfers — sometimes both.
Best credit cards with 0% intro APR
Compare your options with this list of stellar cards.
A quick look at the best 0% intro APR credit cards
- U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best for 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card: Best for longest 0% intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers
- Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card: Best 0% APR travel credit card
- SunTrust Prime Rewards: Best 0% APR card with no balance transfer fee
Best for 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
740
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
n/a
Rewards
Rewards
n/a
Welcome offer
Welcome offer
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card comes with an excellent 0% intro APR for 20 months on both balance transfers and purchases, then 13.99% to 23.99% variable.
- Intro APR. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 20 months, then 13.99% to 23.99% variable.
- No annual fee. Unfortunately, there are foreign transaction fees.
| Annual Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 20 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 20 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable) |
| Welcome offer | N/A |
| Rewards | N/A |
Best 0% APR cashback rewards card:
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
0% intro
Transfer APR
Transfer APR
Up to
1.5%
Cash back
Cash back
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card is one of the few no-annual-fee 1.5% cashback products that still offer intro APRs on both purchases and balance transfers. Many competitors now offer promotional interest rates on only one balance type.
- Intro APR period. Get a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening, then 13.99% to 25.99% variable.
- Cash back. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- Signup bonus. Earn a $150 cash rewards bonus after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months after account opening.
- Foreign transaction fees. You&rsquo
- ll incur a 3% fee on every transaction converted to US dollars.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 25.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 25.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer fee | Intro fee of $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater for the first 120 days (then $5 or 5%) |
| Rewards | 1.5% cash back on all purchases |
Best 0% APR travel credit card
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
0% intro
Transfer APR
Transfer APR
Up to
3x
Points
Points
The Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card offers an excellent accelerated rewards rate on flights, hotels, homestays, car rentals and other categories. You'll also like the strong welcome offer and solid intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
- Intro APR period. Get 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months following your account opening, and 13.99% to 25.99% variable after that.
- Reward points. Earn 3x points on eating out, ordering in, gas, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, homestays, car rentals and popular streaming services. Earn 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Welcome offer. Earn 20,000 bonus points when you make $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of card membership.
- Balance transfer limitations. To use the intro APR period, request your balance transfer within the first 120 days when you open your account.
- Limited eligibility for bonus offers and intro APR. You aren't eligible to earn the signup bonus or use the 0% intro APR period if you had opened a Wells Fargo credit card in the past 15 months.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 25.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 25.99% variable) |
| Balance transfer fee | Intro fee of $5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater for the first 120 days (then $5 or 5%) |
| Rewards | 3x points on dining, gas, transit, travel and streaming and 1x points on all other purchases |
Best 0% APR card with no balance transfer fee
SunTrust Prime Rewards
670
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
$0
Annual fee
Annual fee
4.75% intro
Transfer APR
Transfer APR
Up to
1%
Cash back
Cash back
The SunTrust Prime Rewards is a worthy alternative to 0% balance transfer intro APR cards that have been disappearing from the market as of late. On the downside, it doesn't have a 0% intro APR. However, its promotional rate is very low, and you'll get this rate for a very long time. The card is also one of the few that still offer promotional balance transfer fees.
- Intro APR. Get a 4.75% intro APR for the first 36 months after account opening on balances transferred within the first 36 months. After that, your APR reverts to 12.74% to 22.74% variable.
- Intro balance transfer fee. Within the first 60 days of account opening, pay $0 fees on balance transfers. After this, the fee is $10 or 3% of the transaction amount, whichever is greater.
- Rewards and signup bonus. Earn 1% cash back on all qualifying purchases. Earn a $100 statement credit after you make $500 in qualifying purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- No 0% intro APR. A 4.75% variable intro APR is very low, but you can find other cards with 0% intro APRs.
- So-so rewards. A 1% rewards rate is standard, but nothing special.
| Annual fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Purchase APR | 12.74% to 22.74% variable |
| Balance transfer APR | 4.75% intro for the first 36 months (then 12.74% to 22.74% variable) |
| Balance transfer fee | No balance transfer fees for the first 60 days (then $10 or 3%) |
| Rewards | 1% cash back on all purchases |
How we selected our top cards
We compared these 0% APR credit cards based on a few factors, including balance transfer and annual fees, rewards programs, points or cash back earned per dollar, welcome offers, and other factors consumers might consider when looking for the best interest-free credit cards. Cards with standout performance in one or several of these areas were chosen as our top pick in a category.
What’s changed in 2020
The strong performance of these 0% APR cards ensured that our list remained relatively similar this year. However, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card earned a spot thanks to its 0% intro APRs and surprisingly generous rewards.
At the time of this writing, Capital One removed the intro balance transfer APR from the Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card. Amex, similarly, removed the intro balance transfer APR from the American Express Cash Magnet® Card, which was our replacement for the Capital One product. We’ve replaced these cards with the Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card, which still offers intro APRs on both purchases and balance transfers.
We replaced the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, which no longer offers a balance transfer intro APR or promotional balance transfer fees. The SunTrust Prime Rewards has taken its place.
Citi has reduced the intro APR lengths of its flagship low-interest cards at the time of this writing. Currently, we’ve named the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card as the best product for 0% purchase and balance transfer intro APRs.
What's in this guide?
Compare 0% intro APR cards
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How does 0% APR work?
A 0% APR credit card offers no interest on certain balances for a period of time. This can apply to purchases, balance transfers or both. Of course, the 0% intro APR doesn’t last forever: After it expires, your remaining balance will accrue interest at a higher, standard APR.
If you make a large purchase, or if you move credit card debt to a card with 0% APR, you can pay off your balance without interest. The 0% APR period isn’t unlimited; It often lasts between 6 and 21 months, depending on the card.
Once you start using the intro APR period, make sure to make at least the minimum payment by the due date. Otherwise, some card providers may cancel your 0% intro APR period and impose a penalty APR. The good news is once the intro APR period expires, you won’t be charged interest retroactively to the balance you have paid off. But any unpaid balance will start to accrue interest.
Types of 0% APR credit cards and when you should use them
When you evaluate a 0% APR card, check if the special interest rate applies to purchases, balance transfers or both.
Purchase 0% APR cards
When you buy something with your card during the intro APR period, it won’t accrue interest until your promotional interest rate expires. This is like getting a no-interest loan — one that you have the luxury of paying off over an extended period of time.
- Use a 0% purchase APR card for large, one-time purchases like furniture, a vacation, holiday shopping or emergency expenses.
Balance transfer 0% APR cards
There are 0% intro APR balance transfer cards that can help you pay off your debt from other credit cards with no interest.
- Use these cards to move your debt from another card with high-interest rates and pay it off in up to 21 months with a 0% introductory rate.
How to compare 0% APR cards
Before you pull the trigger and apply for a 0% APR credit card, here’s what to keep in mind:
Purchase or balance transfer APR
If you’re making a large purchase to pay off over time, look for a 0% intro APR on purchases. If you want a lower interest rate on your debt, look for a 0% intro APR on balance transfers.
0% APR length
Most credit cards offer an intro APR period between 12 and 15 months. If you want the longest 0% period on balance transfers, you might need to settle for a more simple card with no rewards.
Ongoing low APR
Once the 0% intro APR period expires, a standard ongoing APR will start to apply. If you can’t pay off your balance while the intro APR period lasts, look for cards with low ongoing APR.
Annual fee
Most cards with 0% intro APR period come with no annual fee. But there are a few that do charge an annual fee. Consider if the card’s benefits will make the fee worth it.
Balance transfer fees
Balance transfer cards often come with fees of either 3% or 5% of the amount transferred. This can make your $5,000 balance transfer cost either $150 or $250. Determine if the fee would be more or less than the interest you’d save. If it’s more, the card may not be worth it. There are some cards, though, that waive the balance transfer fee for a certain period after you open your account.
Rewards
Cards that offer 0% intro APR period are often cashback cards. However, travel cards, including airline and hotel cards rarely offer this perk.
How much can I save on interest with a 0% APR card?
Many people don’t realize how much money they spend on credit card interest. The following table shows the interest you can save on a $2,500 balance with a 0% APR product.
| Credit Card A | Credit Card B | Credit Card C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase balance | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Purchase APR | 0% | 14.99% | 22.99% |
| Repayment period | 15 months | 15 months | 15 months |
| Monthly payment | $167 | $184 | $193 |
| Interest Paid | $0 | $257 | $401 |
Interest-free credit card offers by provider
Amazon 0% intro APR offers
Amazon offers 0% deferred interest on its store cards and 0% special financing on its business credit cards.
The deferred interest on the Amazon store cards is a strong feature where you can defer interest on select purchases. But you must pay your full balance before the deferred interest period is up and the revert interest rates are often way higher than the average credit card interest rates.
American Express 0% intro APR offers
At the time of this writing, Amex has removed balance transfer intro APRs from its in-house cards, though a few cards still have purchase intro APRs. Depending on the card you choose, the intro period can be 12 months or 15 months.
After the intro period expires, any unpaid balances will start to accrue a variable interest rate depending on your creditworthiness.
Wells Fargo 0% intro APR offers
There are several Wells Fargo 0% balance transfer cards to choose from. Depending on the card, you can get an intro APR period between 12 and 18 months, shorter for the student credit card. Most of these cards also offer 0% intro APR period on purchases with the same length.
Once the intro period ends, your rate reverts to a variable APR. Of course, the revert rate depends on the card you choose and your creditworthiness among other factors.
Bank of America 0% intro APR offers
Similar to other large card providers, Bank of America offers 0% intro APR balance transfer cards. The intro APR period length varies between cards, but it’s either 12 or 15 months. The same APR intro period length often applies to purchases as well.
The revert rate, once the intro APR period expires, varies depending on your creditworthiness.
Capital One 0% intro APR offers
You’ll find fewer Capital One cards with 0% APR for purchases compared to other card providers. Despite that, you find solid 15-month 0% intro APR periods.
Your revert rates depend mostly on your creditworthiness, so expect a variable APR to apply after the intro period expires.
Interest-free credit card offers by period
As mentioned before, all 0% intro APR periods last for a limited time. The length of the intro APR period has nothing to do with your creditworthiness and it only depends on the card. Different APR intro period lengths can serve different purposes, however, and are generally offered by a specific type of card.
6-month 0% APR credit card
This is the shortest intro APR period you’ll find in a credit card. Typically, student credit cards or cards for building credit offer six months of a promotional, interest-free period. However, some student cards offer longer intro APR periods, so make sure to compare your options if this is a perk you need.
| Credit card | Intro APR period on purchases | Intro APR period on balance transfers | Revert rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it® Chrome for Students | 6 months of 0% intro APR | 6 months of 10.99% intro APR | 12.99% to 21.99% variable |
| Wells Fargo Cash Back Collegeâ„ Card | 6 months of 0% intro APR | 6 months of 0% intro APR | 11.15% to 21.15% variable |
12-month 0% APR credit card
This is a slightly more common intro APR length than six months for personal credit cards. But it’s most common for business credit cards. Cashback credit cards or rewards credit cards are typically the ones that offer this intro APR length. Because of that, you’ll need a good to excellent credit score to get approval for this type of card.
| Credit card | Intro APR period on purchases | Intro APR period on balance transfers | Revert rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (see rates & fees) | 12 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 13.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card | 12 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 12.99% to 22.99% variable |
| Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card | 12 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 15.49% to 25.49% variable |
| Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card | 12 months of 0% intro APR | 12 months of 0% intro APR | 13.99% to 25.99% variable |
| U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card | N/A | 12 billing cycles of 0% intro APR | 13.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Ink Business Cashâ„ Credit Card | 12 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 13.24% to 19.24% variable |
| Ink Business Unlimitedâ„ Credit Card | 12 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 13.24% to 19.24% variable |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students | 12 billing cycles of 0% intro APR | N/A | 14.99% to 22.99% variable |
15-month 0% APR credit card
This is by far the most common 0% intro APR period you’ll find in a credit card. Cashback credit cards and other rewards credit cards — excluding travel rewards credit cards — are the ones that offer this feature.
| Credit card | Intro APR period on purchases | Intro APR period on balance transfers | Revert rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex EveryDay® Credit Card | 15 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 12.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (see rates & fees) | 15 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 13.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card | 15 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 15.49% to 25.49% variable |
| Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card | 15 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 15.49% to 25.49% variable |
| American Express Cash Magnet® Card | 15 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 13.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Citi Rewards+â„ Card | 15 months of 0% intro APR | 15 months of 0% intro APR | 13.49% to 23.49% variable |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 15 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 12.99% to 24.74% variable |
| Chase Freedom® credit card | 15 months of 0% intro APR | N/A | 14.99% to 23.74% variable |
| TD Cash Credit Card | 15 billing cycles of 0% intro APR | 15 billing cycles of 0% intro APR | 12.99%, 17.99% or 22.99% variable |
| Bank of America® Cash Rewards for Students | 15 statement closing dates of 0% intro APR | 15 billing cycles of 0% intro APR | 13.99% to 23.99% variable |
| BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students | 15 statement closing dates of 0% intro APR | 15 statement closing dates of 0% intro APR | 12.99% to 22.99% variable |
18-month 0% APR credit card
There are a few cards with 18 months of no interest. Citi’s best low-interest cards periodically fall to this tier, though they sometimes also bounce to the 21-month tier for balance transfers.
| Credit card | Intro APR period on purchases | Intro APR period on balance transfers | Revert rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® Double Cash Card | N/A | 18 months of 0% intro APR | 13.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Wells Fargo Platinum Card | 18 months of 0% intro APR | 18 months of 0% intro APR | 15.49% to 24.99% variable |
| HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card | 18 months of 0% intro APR | 18 months of 0% intro APR | 13.99% to 23.99% variable |
| Citi Simplicity® Card | 18 months of 0% intro APR | 18 months of 0% intro APR | 14.74% to 24.74% variable |
| Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card | 18 months of 0% intro APR | 18 months of 0% intro APR | 14.74% to 24.74% variable |
20- to 21-month 0% APR credit card
These are some of the longest intro-APR periods on the market. Cards with these promotions may not offer rewards on your purchases, but they can be ideal if your only goal is to pay off debt.
Citi periodically offers 21-month intro APR promotions for balance transfers, but sometimes reduces these to 18 months. At the time of this writing, U.S. Bank offers a great alternative at the 20-month mark.
| Credit card | Intro APR period on purchases | Intro APR period on balance transfers | Revert rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card | 20 months of 0% intro APR | 20 months of 0% | 13.99% to 23.99% |
Are there no-interest credit cards for 24 months?
You may find cards offering 0% interest for 24 months, but these are often store cards with deferred interest rates. If you’re looking for a standard credit card, you’ll have to settle for up to 21 months of an interest-free period.
Be careful with balance transfers
With most cards, your balance transfers only qualify for the intro APR if you make them within a certain time. Transfers you make after that will accrue interest at the normal APR.
What do I do when my 0% intro period ends?
If you still have a balance on your card and your intro APR will expire soon, you have a few options. For more information, read about what happens when an intro APR period ends.
- Try to pay off the balance as soon as possible. If you tighten the belt for a while, you might be able to accomplish this before your balance starts accumulating interest.
- Let your balance start accruing interest at the normal rate. If your balance isn’t too high, you might not mind your intro APR expiring before you’ve paid off your debt. Consider making a solid plan to pay off your balance so you don’t pay too much interest.
- Make a balance transfer. You may be able to get a 0% intro APR balance transfer card, which could help you pay off your balance with lower interest. If you do this, however, consider whether you’re making progress toward paying off your debt — or if you’re just shuffling it around.
Card providers are unlikely to approve you for a balance transfer card if your credit utilization ratio is very high. They’ll be wary of taking you on as a customer if they think you’re drowning in debt. - Take out a personal loan. If you don’t want to deal with another card but you want a lower interest rate on your balance, consider a personal loan. You could get an APR that’s substantially better than your credit card’s normal APR.
Bottom line
Getting a 0% APR credit card can be a smart move for certain purchases, and it can be helpful if you need a lower interest rate on existing debt. However, be careful with it — your card provider is hoping you won’t pay off your balance by the time your 0% intro APR ends.
To avoid this, know precisely what you’ll use your card for. Then make a plan to pay off your debt before your 0% intro APR expires.
If you think you’ll carry a balance for a long time, consider a low-interest rate credit card.
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Ask an Expert
Hi Toni!
Thanks for contacting finder – the leading comparison website & general information service built to give you advice in your buying decision needs.
Yes, you can cancel the card and transfer to a cheaper one after a promotional period. However, you may have to contact your bank how to go about this before your promotional period ends to make sure there is no balance left on the card.
Please note that we’re a product comparison website and we hold no affiliation with any company we feature on our site. We provide general information on products to assist you in your buying decision process hence we cannot recommend product / service that is rightfully fit for you.
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
Nikki