As with all other types of credit cards, zero-interest credit cards let you make purchases on credit, which you can then repay by making at least minimum monthly payments. When you carry forward balances from one billing cycle to the next with a regular card, the outstanding amount accrues interest. However, with a card that comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases, you get to pay no interest for a predetermined time. Once this period ends, you need to start paying interest toward any outstanding promotional balance.
Best 0% APR Credit Cards in 2024
A 0% APR credit card comes with a promotional period during which you pay no interest on eligible new purchases. MoneyGeek used a proprietary ranking algorithm to narrow down the best 0% interest credit cards.
Updated: November 5, 2024
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More about 0-APR Credit Cards
Selecting a credit card with 0% APR on purchases requires paying attention to different aspects. In arriving at the best of the lot, we’ve taken note of factors such as annual fees, standard APRs that apply after the promo period and additional features. The information we put forth is through charts, tables, tips and expert advice.
The best 0% APR credit cards require applicants to have good to excellent credit. If you’re someone who has just gotten on the path to building your credit history, know that you have other options. While you might not get the best card in the world straight away, you can definitely work your way there by relying on our tips and selections.
MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 11 0% APR Credit Cards
Credit Card | Balance Transfer Offer | Balance Transfer APR (after the Intro offer) | Balance Transfer Fee |
---|---|---|---|
0% for 21 months on balance transfers | 18.74% - 29.49% variable | 3 percent ($5 minimum) intro balance transfer fee for balance transfers completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, a 5 percent fee for each transfer (minimum $5) applies. On Issuer's Site | |
0% for 21 months on balance transfers | 17.74% - 28.49% variable | 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum On Issuer's Site | |
0% for the first 18 billing cycles | 15.74% - 25.74% variable | 3% of the amount of each transaction On Issuer's Site | |
0% for 18 months on balance transfers | 20.24% - 28.99% variable | Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. On Issuer's Site | |
0% for 18 months on balance transfers | 18.74% - 28.74% variable | 3 percent intro balance transfer fee ($5 minimum; 5 percent after the first four months) On Issuer's Site | |
0% for 21 months on balance transfers | 17.74%, 24.24%, or 29.49% variable | 5% for each balance transfer, minimum $5 On Issuer's Site | |
0% for 15 months on balance transfers | 18.24%–28.24% variable | 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms) On Issuer's Site | |
0% for 15 months on balance transfers | 19.99% - 28.74% variable | Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater On Issuer's Site | |
0% for 15 months on balance transfers | 18.74% - 28.74% variable | 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. On Issuer's Site | |
0% for 12 months on balance transfers | 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% variable | 3% of the amount of each balance transfer On Issuer's Site |
On This Page
Best 0% APR Credit Cards
Our experts have selected the best no-interest credit cards after accounting for all their pros and cons. For example, if a card comes with an extended promotional period, we inform you about it at the start.
Some of the best 0% APR cards come with promotional periods of 15 months or more. Several such cards let you earn rewards or cash back. The top alternatives tend to come with no annual fees as well. As long as you pay off your balance before the end of the promotional period, you pay no interest. You might consider using such a card to make an expensive purchase that you plan to pay off within a stipulated time frame.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
If you’re focused on paying down your balance, Citi Simplicity®’s 21-month 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and no-fee policy are hard to beat. However, it doesn’t let you earn cash back.
- PROS
- Long 0% intro APR period for balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No late fees or penalty rates -0% intro APR period for purchases
CONS- No rewards program
- Requires good to excellent credit
- No late fees, penalty rates or annual fees.
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of the first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24%–29.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening. There is an introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the transfer amount, whichever is greater for balance transfers completed within four months of account opening.
- Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has one of the longest 0% intro APR on balance transfers at 21 months. It’s a great pick if you aim to pay off your debt from other cards. It also comes with a year of 0% APR on new purchases but doesn’t offer rewards or a signup bonus.
- PROS
- Lengthy 0% APR period for balance transfers
- No-interest period for purchases
- No annual fee
CONS- No intro balance transfer fee
- No rewards program
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- No annual fee.
- 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. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% to 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening. There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
We recommend the BankAmericard® credit card to people who are looking for no-annual-fee cards with intro APR offers. This card comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles. However, you need to carry out your balance transfer within the first 60 days, and you need to pay a balance transfer fee. Using this card outside of the U.S. might not be a good idea because it comes with foreign transaction fees.
- PROS
- No annual fee
- 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles
CONS- Balance transfer fees
- Foreign transaction fees
- No rewards program
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% purchase and balance transfer APR for the first 18 billing cycles, then a variable APR between 16.24% and 26.24%.
- No penalty APR.
- Balance transfer fee of $10 or 3%, whichever is greater.
- Foreign transaction fee of 3% (5% for overseas cash advances).
- FICO Score for free.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Citi Double Cash® offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases, making it ideal for those who want a simple, hassle-free way to earn rewards without worrying about categories or limits.
- PROS
- Easy 2% cash back on all purchases
- Lengthy 0% intro APR on balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Accepts fair credit
CONS- No intro 0% APR for purchases
- Penalty APR
- Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. This bonus is awarded as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 2% on every purchase, with 1% cash back when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- 5% total cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal until December 31, 2024.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.24% applies, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers do not earn cash back, and the intro APR does not apply to purchases. Interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance, including balance transfers, by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% (minimum $5) for each transfer completed within the first four months of account opening. After that, the fee is 5% (minimum $5) for each transfer.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card stands out with its 21-month 0% intro APR for both balance transfers and purchases, which is among the longest on the market. With no annual fee, it’s great if you’re managing multiple high-interest credit card balances. This card is a top pick for balance transfers with maximum financial flexibility.
- PROS
- 21-month 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases
- No annual fee
CONS- No rewards or cash back
- 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 21 months from account opening; 18.24%, 24.74% or 29.99% variable APR after that.
- Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate at a fee of 5% (minimum $5).
- $0 annual fee.
- Get up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible).
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get personalized deals from various merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when shopping, dining or enjoying an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo Credit Card.
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
If you're a strategic spender who doesn't mind tracking category bonuses to get high rewards, the Discover it® Cash Back Card could work for you. It features 5% cash back on rotating categories and a generous 0% intro APR period.
- PROS
- Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Cash back match in the first year
CONS- Bonus categories have a quarterly cap and require activation
- Rotating bonus categories
- Low regular cash back rate
- $0 annual fee.
- Discover automatically matches all cash back earned in the first year.
- No minimum spending is required, and there's no cap on rewards for the cash back match.
- Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories like groceries and gas each quarter upon activation.
- All other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back.
- Discover assists in minimizing online exposure of your personal data on certain sites, activated via the mobile app.
- Every dollar in cash back you earn is a dollar you can use.
- Enjoy a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24%–28.24% after that.
- Standard APR ranges from 18.24%–28.24% (variable).
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card delivers with unlimited 2% cash back, a $200 welcome bonus after $500 spent in three months, and no annual fee. Designed for seamless everyday rewards, it also includes a 12-month 0% intro APR, though its 3% foreign transaction fee may deter international travelers.
- PROS
- Unlimited 2% cash back
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then a variable APR of 19.74% to 29.74% after
CONS- Foreign transaction fees
Introductory Offers
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 within the first three months.
- Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening. After that, a variable APR of 19.74% to 29.74% applies.
Rewards
- Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
- No categories to track and cash rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open.
APRs, Fees, and Penalties
- Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and a 3% fee. After that, a balance transfer fee of up to 5% (minimum $5) applies.
- No annual fee.
Perks & Benefits
- Enjoy a premium collection of benefits at prestigious hotel properties with Visa Signature Concierge.
- Earn up to $600 in cell phone protection against damage or theft when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card, subject to a $25 deductible.
Our experts analyze 57 data points they collect from issuer websites, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau and details provided by our partners to make sure we give you the most accurate information possible. They subject all new and existing cards from this segment to our unique ranking methodology that takes multiple parameters into account to arrive at the best of the lot.
- APR: 3%
- Annual Fee: 5%
- Cash Back Rate: 5%
- Miles Rate per $: 5%
- Points Rate per $: 5%
- Balance Transfer Offer: 25%
- Balance Transfer Duration: 25%
- Balance Transfer Fee: 5%
- Balance Transfer APR: 5%
Quick Tips for Comparing Zero Interest Credit Card Offers
You need to consider different factors before applying for a 0% interest credit card.
- Applicable categories: Determine if you need a 0% APR card for purchases, balance transfers or both. Depending on the card you get, the APR offer might apply to just one of the two.
- Introductory offer period: Introductory APR offer periods with consumer credit cards typically vary from 12 to 20 months. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has a unique offer with a 0% intro APR for 18 months, which you may extend by up to 3 months by making on-time minimum payments.
- APR after the intro period: No matter whether you get a 0% APR card for purchases or balance transfers, you need to start paying interest toward any outstanding amount that remains at the end of the promotional period. This aspect requires your particular attention if you plan to carry forward balances from one month to the next in the future.
>>MORE: APR vs. APY
- Balance transfer fee: If you plan to use a card’s 0% APR offer on balance transfers, find out how much you’ll need to pay as balance transfer fees in advance. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card, you need to pay either $5 or 3% of the transferred amount (whichever is greater) on transfers you carry out within 60 days of account opening. Then, it changes to $5 or 5% of the transferred amount.
- Annual fees: None of the 0% interest credit cards we’ve selected come with annual fees.
- Rewards/cash back rate: While some 0% APR cards let you earn cash back, others offer reward points that you may redeem in different ways. In both cases, you may find alternatives that offer higher earn rates on category-based spending. For instance, the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express offers 3% cash back on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 in purchases per year; 2% cash back on gas purchases at U.S. gas stations, and at select department stores in the U.S.; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Added perks: Since the 0% APR cards that MoneyGeek has selected come with no annual fees, they generally don’t offer premium benefits. However, some include valuable benefits, like no foreign transaction fees, fraud protection, basic insurance coverage and travel assistance services.
Other Cards to Consider
MoneyGeek’s Quick Guide to Understanding 0% APR Credit Cards
A 0% APR credit card is one that charges no interest on purchases, balance transfers or both for a predetermined time frame. More often than not, you need good to excellent credit to qualify. Low-interest credit cards, unlike 0% APR cards, come with low APRs that stay in place for as long as your account remains active. Some cards from both categories come with no preset spending limits. This means that your credit line fluctuates based on your purchase, payment and credit histories.
What’s the Difference Between a 0% Credit Card and a Low-Interest Card?
When you get a credit card with a 0% APR offer, you get to pay no interest for a given number of months, typically ranging from 12 to 20. Once the introductory period ends, any outstanding balance starts accruing interest. Depending on the card you get, the 0% APR offer might apply either on new purchases or balance transfers or even on both. You’ll find out the APR that will apply after the intro period once you get approved for your card, and it essentially depends on your creditworthiness.
The low APR of a low-interest credit card stays in effect as long as your account remains active. However, credit card interest rates are typically variable, which means it is subject to change based on federal prime interest rates. Even if your card’s low APR changes because of fluctuations in prime rates, you can still expect it to be toward the lower end of the spectrum.
With low-interest credit cards, the APR that applies to purchases might not be the same as the APR that applies to balance transfers. In addition, the APR on cash advances is typically high no matter which card you get.
If you take advantage of a 0% balance transfer offer, you must still pay off all of your purchases each month to avoid interest on those transactions. — Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com
How Do 0% APR Credit Cards Work?
0% APR cards work in the same basic manner as regular credit cards do, wherein you are required to make at least minimum monthly payments toward the amount you borrow. In addition, they charge no interest for a stipulated time frame. However, there’s more:
- Eligibility: Qualifying for the best 0% APR credit cards requires that you have good or excellent credit. If you don’t, you might consider applying after you’ve taken steps to build your credit.
- Not all transactions are covered: The interest-free period may only apply to purchases or balance transfers depending on your 0% promo offer. Make sure you understand the details of your offer before charging anything to your card. Cash advances start accruing interest from the day of the transaction, and these never come with interest-free days.
- Limits might apply: This might be the case with 0% balance transfer APR offers. For example, you might not be able to transfer more than a fixed percentage of your new card’s available credit limit.
- Outstanding balances will accrue interest: Once the promo period ends, any outstanding balance will start accruing interest. You get to know the APR that will apply well in advance.
- Your card provider might cancel the offer: It’s important that you keep making at least your minimum monthly payments on time. If you don't, your card provider might cancel the intro APR offer before it expires. A late or returned payment might also result in a penalty APR that is notably higher than your regular APR.
How to Take Advantage of Zero-Interest Credit Cards
A 0% APR card can help you avoid or minimize how much you pay in interest charges. If you have no outstanding balance at the end of the promo period, you pay no interest at all. Once the promo period ends, any outstanding balance starts accruing interest at the card’s regular APR. That is why you should try to pay off as much of the balance as possible before the intro 0% APR offer ends.
Consider the example below to see how much a balance transfer can save.
how much a balance transfer can save
How Much You Will Pay With Your Current Credit Card | How Much You Will Pay When You Transfer Your Balance |
---|---|
Current outstanding balance: $10,000 | Balance transfer amount: $10,000 Total savings: $1,851.16 |
Are 0% APR Credit Cards Worth It?
A 0% APR credit card can be worth it if you have a clear goal in mind. When appropriately used for a predetermined time, this type of card can provide the help you need to make a large purchase or to avoid paying interest on existing credit card debt. However, you need to determine if the benefits outweigh the possible drawbacks at the very onset.
Benefits & Risks
Benefits
- The large purchase factor. If you plan to make a large purchase on credit and know that you will be able to repay the amount within a given time frame, a card with a 0% APR offer on purchases might work well for you. As long as you repay the amount during the promotional period, you’ll pay no interest.
- Balance transfers. If you have high-interest credit card debt, you may consider transferring it to a card that has a 0% APR offer on balance transfers. This way, you get a predetermined period to repay the amount without it accruing any interest. Since all your repayments go toward the principal and not interest, you get the opportunity to repay your debt faster.
Risks
- The 0% APR is not permanent. Depending on the card you get, the 0% APR offer might last for 12 to 20 months. Then, the regular APR kicks in and applies to any outstanding balance. The regular APR depends on your creditworthiness and does not have to be low. This requires being careful about carrying forward balances when the promo period ends.
- Balance transfer fees. It is common for cards with 0% APR offers on balance transfers to charge balance transfer fees. This is usually 3% or 5% of the transferred amount (minimum fees of $5 to $10 may apply).
- Penalty APR may apply. You might have to say goodbye to the 0% APR if you make a late or returned payment. In such a scenario, a high penalty APR might apply.
Expert Advice For Finding the Right Card
We’ve asked academic and financial experts a few questions, the answers to which can help you determine if you should consider getting a card that comes with a time-bound 0% APR offer.
FAQs About 0% APR Credit Cards
In this section, we provide answers to other commonly asked questions about 0% APR credit cards.
The best 0% interest credit cards are ones that offer extended promotional periods and give you the ability to earn rewards or cash back. The top cards from this category come with no annual fees as well.
Zero-interest credit cards are good for avoiding paying interest during a predetermined period. The 0% APR might apply to new purchases, balance transfers or both. These cards are good, provided you do not keep any outstanding balance when the promo period ends.
Some card issuers provide 0% balance transfer offers to existing customers through targeted mailings or online offers. Contact your card's customer service to see if you are eligible. If you have good standing with your card provider and excellent credit, you may also consider negotiating for a lower rate.
A 0% interest credit card has the potential to affect your credit score just like any other credit card. For instance, if you end up using much of the credit that’s made available to you, it may have an adverse effect on your credit utilization ratio, which, in turn, might affect your credit score.
Credit card providers calculate minimum payments on 0% APR cards in the same way that they do for regular cards. In most cases, you need to pay the higher of either a flat fee or a fixed percentage of the total outstanding balance.
While APRs and interest rates are not the same when it comes to mortgages and auto loans, the credit card interest is closely related to APR. So, yes, 0% APR means no interest on a credit card — although only for a predetermined period.
You may use a balance transfer card to pay off existing high-interest credit card debt. Doing so is ideal when you’re sure about paying off the entire amount before the end of the promo period because a card’s regular APR kicks in then. You might also have to pay balance transfer fees, which could be up to 5% of the transferred amount.
Start by selecting a card that comes with a 0% APR offer on balance transfers. If you have the option of providing details of the card from which you wish to transfer a balance during the application process, do so. Alternatively, speak with a customer service representative of your card provider. Once initiated, a balance transfer usually goes through in five to seven days, although it might take up to 21 days with some card providers.
The main aim of credit card companies that run 0% APR offers is to attract new customers. Besides, while you pay no interest for a given time, they still make money because of you. For instance, every time you make a purchase, the merchant in question needs to pay an interchange fee. If you plan to get a 0% APR card for a balance transfer, you might need to pay a balance transfer fee. In addition, the regular APR comes into play as soon as the promotional period ends.
Most banks will not extend the duration of your 0% APR offer. If you need more time to pay off your balance, your best option is to apply for a balance transfer card to receive a new 0% APR offer. Pick a new bank when applying because some banks will not allow you to do a balance transfer between two cards at the same bank.
Now that you know how 0% APR cards work on new purchases and balance transfers, determine if getting one might work well for you. If you think it might, make sure you compare your alternatives across aspects such as promotional periods, fees and rewards.
Further Reading
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "Credit card agreement database." Accessed November 5, 2024.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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