Featured Partner Offer Show
Featured PartnerChase Slate Edge℠No Rewards The Slate Edge does not offer rewards on purchases. Regular APR17.99% - 26.74% Variable Credit ScoreExcellent, Good (700 - 749) Editorial Review The Chase Slate Edge is a reasonable option for those looking to consolidate debt. Pros & Cons
Card Details
The Best 0% APR Credit CardsBest OverallWells Fargo Active Cash® CardUnlimited 2% Rewards Rate Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases Welcome Bonus$200 Cash Rewards Regular APR18.74%, 23.74%, or 28.74% variable APR
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good (700 - 749) Why We Picked It The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers an unlimited 2% cash rewards rate on purchases and charges no annual fee. This puts it in competition with the best flat-rate cash back cards on the market. Pros & Cons
Card Details
Best 0% APR Card for Overall RewardsChase Freedom Flex℠Up to 5X Reward Rate Earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate quarterly on up to $1,500 when enrolled, 5% on travel purchased throughRead More Regular APR17.99% - 26.74% Variable Credit ScoreExcellent, Good (700 - 749) Why We Picked It This card has the brawn to handle just about all of your credit card spending needs without an over-inflated price tag. The card has an annual fee of $0, yet comes with a pumped-up earnings structure that covers a wide swath of expenses including travel, drugstores and dining plus rotating quarterly bonus categories in areas many households are likely to find appealing. Pros & Cons
Card Details
Best 0% APR Card for Grocery SpendingAmex EveryDay® Credit Card *Up to 2x Reward Rate Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1X); Earn 2X points atRead More Welcome BonusEarn 10,000 points Regular APR15.99% - 26.99% variable Credit ScoreGood/Excellent (700 - 749) Why We Picked It If you are looking for a solid intro APR offer and frequently spend at US supermarkets, this is the card for you. Pros & Cons
Card Details
Best for 0% APR Card for Travel RewardsCapital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardUp to 5X Reward Rate Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and earn unlimited 1.25X miles on everyRead More Welcome Bonus20,000 miles Regular APR17.99% - 27.99% (Variable) Credit ScoreExcellent, Good (700 - 749) Why We Picked It This card is a good choice for those who don’t travel enough to justify a high-annual-fee alternative. Pros & Cons
Card Details
Best 0% APR Card for Cell Phone InsuranceWells Fargo Reflect® CardRegular APR16.74% - 28.74% variable APR Credit ScoreExcellent, Good (700 - 749) Why We Picked It Those seeking a balance transfer card will likely appreciate that the Wells Fargo Reflect Card offers a generous introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. However, the card doesn’t offer rewards or other notable benefits, so give it a pass if you don’t need a long introductory APR period. Pros & Cons
Card Details
Best 0% APR Card for Financing Large PurchasesU.S. Bank Visa® Platinum CardNo Rewards The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card does not offer rewards on purchases. Regular APR18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) Credit ScoreGood/Excellent (700 - 749) Why We Picked It The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers a very lengthy intro APR rate and no annual fee. There are two caveats, which are the balance transfer fee and the lack of a rewards program. Still, the savings on interest during the introductory period can eclipse the fee. Pros & Cons
Card Details
Best 0% APR Card for Rotating CategoriesDiscover it® Cash BackUp to 5% Reward Rate Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations,Read More Welcome BonusCashback Match™ Regular APR14.99% - 25.99% Variable APR Credit ScoreExcellent/Good (700 - 749) Why We Picked It For moderate spenders who are willing to activate the 5% rotating categories and track the quarterly spending cap, this no-annual-fee card can deliver tidy rewards outside of its ongoing 1% earning rate. Pros & Cons
Card Details
Best for Welcome BonusDiscover it® chromeUp to 2% Reward Rate Earn cash back on your next road trip with 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up toRead More Welcome BonusCashback Match™ Regular APR14.99% - 25.99% Variable APR Credit ScoreExcellent/Good (700 - 749) Why We Picked It The Discover it® chrome is a mediocre card with one redeeming feature: the 1-for-1 cash back match, which doubles your rewards at the end of the first year. The high balance transfer fees make the intro APR offer on balance transfers less appealing, and the 2% bonus cash back category is limited to the first $1,000 in quarterly spending in limited categories. All other purchases earn 1%. Pros & Cons
Card Details
Best 0% APR Card for Late Payment ForgivenessCiti Simplicity® CardRegular APR17.74% - 28.49% (Variable) Credit ScoreExcellent, Good (700 - 749) Why We Picked It The Citi Simplicity Card offers a very long intro APR offer for balance transfers, with the catch that each transfer incurs a fee. You'll also get an intro APR offer on purchases. However, there is no rewards program nor any welcome bonus, making this truly a "simple" card for those looking to hold a balance for a long period of time. Pros & Cons
Card Details
Best for Flexible RewardsChase Freedom Unlimited®Up to 5X Reward Rate Earn 5% on Chase travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all otherRead More Welcome BonusUp to $300 cash back Regular APR17.99% - 26.74% Variable Credit ScoreExcellent, Good (700 - 749) Why We Picked It A good overall spending card that allows you to hold a balance on new purchases with a low introductory APR, pay no annual fee, and still earn at least 1.5% cashback on all purchases Pros & Cons
Card Details
The Best 0% APR Credit CardsMethodologyNot all 0% APR cards are created equally. To generate our list of top picks for 0% APR credit cards, Forbes Advisor reviewed dozens of 0% APR credit cards across a broad spectrum of issuers. We weighed a number of factors including the length of a card’s 0% APR offer, any welcome bonuses and any credit card fees as part of ownership and/or ability to transfer a balance from another card. We also considered the usefulness of the card beyond the intro APR period including if it earned rewards on purchases. What Does 0% Intro APR Mean?A 0% introductory APR offer means cardholders don’t pay interest on eligible transactions for a specified period of time. Any remaining balance carried at the end of the period does begin to accrue interest at a regular APR. Unlike deferred interest offers, a 0% introductory APR typically does not apply interest retroactively to the purchase date if you carry a balance past the end of the offer period. Introductory APR offers usually apply to eligible purchases, balance transfers or both. Many cards offer periods greater than one year, with some cards extending 0% introductory APRs beyond 18 or 20 months. Though balance transfer fees still apply to 0% introductory APR-eligible balance transfer transactions, fees are typically not charged for use of a 0% introductory APR. Minimum payments will still be required during any 0% introductory APR period. What Is a 0% Intro APR Credit Card?A 0% APR credit card offers an introductory period without finance charges on either purchases, balance transfers or both. Getting a break from finance charges can be a welcome change from the double-digit interest typically charged on credit cards or other loans. The less you’re paying in interest, the more you can put towards paying off your debt. Who Should Get 0% Intro APR Credit Cards?Credit cards with a 0% introductory APR are helpful to consumers who need extra time to pay off their charges. Cards with 0% purchase APRs can be used for large purchases instead of applying for financing through other channels and cards with 0% balance transfer APRs are good if you already have a running balance on an existing credit card and need time to pay it down. Someone who is consistently able to pay their balance in full before accruing interest does not need to get a 0% APR credit card. How Do You Qualify For 0% APR?Cards with 0% introductory APR offers are typically most available to those with good or excellent credit. If lenders are going to forego the opportunity to charge you interest on carried balances for any period of time, they’ll want to ensure you’re capable of making regular, on-time minimum payments and remain unlikely to default on the balance, so the better your income and credit, the more likely you’ll see an approval for a card with a 0% introductory APR. Check your credit before applying for any credit card to ensure you catch any mistakes. Taking steps to improve your credit before applying for new cards is always advisable. How To Pick a 0% APR Credit Card
How To Make the Most of Your 0% APR Credit CardUsing a 0% APR credit card can be a valuable resource since it allows you the time and flexibility to pay off large balances. The best way to make the most of a 0% APR credit card is to time your card application just before you anticipate needing to make a large purchase or balance transfer. You usually only have a short amount of time to initiate a balance transfer or 0% purchase. You’ll then have additional time to pay off those balances. However, you’ll only make the most of it if you have a plan to pay off the balance by the end of your promotional period. Otherwise, you’ll accumulate interest at the standard rate as soon as the initial period is over, which will eat into any savings along the way. How Much Could You Save With a 0% Intro APR Offer?Credit cards often have interest rates of 10% or higher, and even 20% is relatively common. Because of this, not having to pay interest for a year or more could save you substantial money on large balances. For example, a $10,000 balance at a 15% APR would accumulate $1,500 in interest over the course of the year if you didn’t make payments toward it. At a 0% APR, it would not accumulate interest at all, at least until the introductory period ends. Learn more about calculating interest. Bottom LineCredit cards with 0% APR are a strategic way to save money on interest, but they’re not all created equal. Each offer has its own pros and cons, which might determine whether your promotional rate is available for purchases, balance transfers or both. The timeline for initiating transfers, paying off balances and other benefits along the way vary as well—but all of them are an opportunity to pay for charges over time without the expense of interest. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is a purchase APR?Purchase APR (Annual Percentage Rate) refers to the amount of interest you’ll pay on something you bought with your credit card if you carry a balance from month to month. Your card’s APR should be clearly spelled out when you’re approved for your card and also can be found on your monthly statement in the section showing how your interest for that billing cycle was calculated. Most credit cards calculate interest using the average daily balance method, which means your interest is compounded and accumulates every day, based on your daily rate of interest. In other words, every day your finance charges are based on the balance from the day before. The daily rate of interest on your purchase is determined by dividing your card’s APR by 365 to find the daily rate of interest and then multiplying that number by your balance. What is an intro APR?An introductory APR is a promotional offer made by credit card companies to entice potential customers to sign up for a new card. An intro APR is typically either a 0% or ultra-low APR offer that applies for a limited period of time. When the intro offer expires the card will revert to its standard APR, which is within a range specified in the cardholder agreement. How can I get 0% APR on an existing credit card?Most credit cards only offer a limited-time 0% APR as a welcome offer for new cardmembers. This is why a 0% APR is often listed as an “introductory” rate. Once your promotional period is over, your interest rate will return to the standard rate and you are no longer eligible at 0% APR. That said, current cardholders are sometimes targeted for 0% APR offers either by postal mail or via their online accounts. If you are not targeted for an offer and are looking for a 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers, you will most likely need to open a new credit card to take advantage of one of these offers. What determines the APR on a credit card?Each card sets their own APR, or annual percentage rate. Most cards advertise a range of APRs, with your exact interest rate being determined by your creditworthiness or a company’s risk analysis on your ability to pay. What is the best credit card with no interest?There’s no one best credit card with no interest, only what’s best for your particular circumstances. When choosing a credit card for its interest-free offer, if you’re seeking the best no interest offer on purchases, consider the length of time of the offer. If you’re seeking the best no interest offer on a balance transfer card, consider both the length of time and the amount it will cost if there’s a balance transfer fee. You should also look beyond the interest-free period and see if there’s value to you in the card when the promotional offer expires. What is the longest 0% period I can get on a credit card?Offers are updated frequently, with 0% APR frequently being offered for 12 months or more. Some of the better offers are for an 18-month 0% period, with some rare periods of up to 20 or even 21 months before interest begins to accrue. What is a purchase interest charge?A purchase interest charge is the amount you’ll pay in interest for anything you buy on your credit card. For example, if your credit card has an APR of 20% and you buy a new couch for $1,000, over the course of a year if you didn’t make a single payment towards your card, you’d tack on an additional $200 in interest charges. In practice, you typically accrue interest on a daily accumulated rate, which means every day your finance charges are based on the balance from the day before. The daily rate of interest on your purchase is determined by dividing your card’s APR—in this example 20%— by 365 to find the daily rate of interest and then multiplying that number by your balance. Since this method is compounding your interest charges, you’ll end up paying more than $200 in additional interest over the course of a year if you made zero payments towards that principal amount of your purchase. What is the longest 0% period I can get on a credit card?The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card currently offers one of the longest 0% introductory APRs on the market with its . Next Up In Credit CardsInformation provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners. What does 0 APR for 18 months mean?What does 0% APR mean? A 0% APR on a credit card means that you won't be responsible for paying your card's ongoing interest rate for a certain period of time, typically 15 to 18 months. Depending on the card, the promotional APR will apply to purchases, balance transfers, or both.
Do 0% APR credit cards exist?They do exist, but terms differ. For example, the $0-annual-fee Discover it® Balance Transfer comes with the following introductory offer: Get 0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 14.99%-25.99% Variable APR.
What does 0 for 20 months mean on a credit card?A 0% purchases card is a credit card that doesn't charge any interest on your new spending during a promotional period that can last from 1 month up to 20 months or more.
Is 18 percent APR good on a credit card?A good APR for a credit card is 14% and below. That is better than the average credit card APR and on par with the rates charged by credit cards for people with excellent credit, which tend to have the lowest regular APRs.
|