Best 0% APR credit cards of December 2024
The best 0% APR credit cards offer a compelling combination of rewards and a valuable interest-free financing window. These cards can significantly ease the burden of large purchases, providing a strategic alternative to store credit cards or external loans. … View More
By carefully choosing the right card, you can extend your repayment timeline without incurring interest or fees. While opening a new card may raise concerns, it often presents a cost-effective solution compared to tapping into your savings or taking out a separate loan. However, responsible management is crucial; failing to settle the balance before the intro period ends results in standard rates, and late payments can further escalate the situation. For financially disciplined individuals, these cards present a remarkable opportunity to improve their financial well-being. Our team of experts has carefully selected the best 0% APR credit cards to empower informed decision-making! View Less
Brooklyn Lowery
Last Updated:
List of Winners
- CardName – Best for Cash-Back Rewards
- CardName – Best for Everyday Purchase Categories
- CardName – Best for Dining and Entertainment Rewards
- CardName – Best for Flexible Categories
- CardName – Best for Rotating Cash-Back Categories
- CardName – Best for Rewards/Points
- CardName – Best for the Longest Intro APR Period
- CardName – Best with Cash Back for Businesses
- CardName – Best with Flat Rate Cash Back for Businesses
card_name discontinued_disclaimer
Read our full CardName review.
Intro 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!
0% Interest Details: CardName features a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then, RegAPR).
The Annual Fee: AnnualFees
The Rewards: Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel™, Chase's premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase Travel; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining; and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- 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!
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, Chase's premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
CONS:
- If you frequently travel abroad, this might not be the card for you as it charges a foreign_fee fee on all foreign transactions.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.9 | 85.0 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 7.8 | 8.4 |
| Customer Service | 7.7 | 8.6 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.0 | 8.9 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.6 | 9.0 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.9 | 8.1 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
card_name discontinued_disclaimer
Read our full CardName review.
The Bonus: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months.
0% Interest Details: The CardName features a 0% introductory APR of 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then, RegAPR).
The Annual Fee: AnnualFees
The Rewards: Cardholders earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 spent in each category per year, then 1%), and 1% back on other eligible purchases.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- For a credit card with no annual fee, this card offers high rewards opportunities.
- This card offers really solid rewards in categories that benefits the majority of people: U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retail purchases.
- The length of the intro 0% APR period is a step up from many other cards, especially considering the fact that the card offers so many other great perks.
CONS:
- The 3% earn rate in a few everyday categories is great, especially for a card with no annual fee; however, that earn rate is capped annually at $6,000 spent each year in each category. After that, users will only earn 1% on those purchases. For many people though, this might not be a problem.
- Be sure to pay attention to what American Express considers a supermarket. For example, superstores such as Walmart and Target do not qualify for 3% back.
- Though the fee is better than some, this might not be the card for you if you frequently travel abroad as it charges a foreign transaction fee of foreign_fee
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 82.2 | 78.0 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.2 | 7.8 |
| Customer Service | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.4 | 7.9 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.8 | 7.7 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 8.1 | 7.6 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
card_name discontinued_disclaimer
Read our full CardName review.
The Bonus: Earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
0% Interest Details: Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (balance transfer fee applies), then RegAPR.
Annual fee: AnnualFees
The Rewards: Earn 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services and 1% on all other purchases. Additionally, you earn 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). Plus, earn 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
Credit needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- Finally, a card for foodies! We love that this no-annual-fee card offers bonus rewards on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), rewarding us for something we all have to do – eat!
- Not only is this a good card for dining out, but it’s great for eating in as well thanks to bonus rewards earned at grocery stores, too.
- You can earn a tasty one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first three months after opening your account.
CONS:
- This is an excellent no-annual-fee card for people whose spending is largely on food, whether dining out or shopping at grocery stores. If that isn't you, you'll want to search for a cash-back card with higher earn rates in other categories.
- If you like to accumulate miles for travel or like to redeem your rewards for merchandise, this is likely not the card for you. It's technically possible to redeem your rewards for things like gift cards, but it's really designed as a cash-back card and the value of redemption changes when you start looking at other redemption options.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79.2 | 84.5 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.0 | 8.4 |
| Customer Service | 7.5 | 8.4 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.8 | 9.0 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.7 | 8.5 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.5 | 8.4 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
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The Bonus: Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 90 days.
0% Interest Details: Enjoy IntroAPRRate and on balance transfers made within the first 60 days (then, RegAPR). A 3% intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open; after that the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
The Annual Fee: AnnualFees
The Rewards: Earn 3% cash back in a category of your choosing from the following list: on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases; earn 2% back on your grocery store and wholesale club purchases (3% and 2% earnings apply to the first $2,500 spent quarterly on combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases, then earn 1%); and 1% back on everything else.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- This card allows you to maximize your cash back in the category of your choice, which is a nice perk for anyone who has expenses all over the place.
- Once you choose your bonus category, you're not locked into it. You can chance your choice category once each calendar month.
- If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client you could earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase made. That means the 3% choice category rewards could be worth as much as 5.25% and the 2% categories could be worth as much as 3.5% back! That’s excellent rewards-earning for any card, but especially for a card with no annual fee.
CONS:
- One potential downside of this credit card depends on your spending habits. You do get to choose the category you want your cash back rewards in, but the cap is $2,500 per quarter. Do the math, do your homework, and make sure it's worth it for you. You don't want to leave money on the table if you could earn more with another card.
- A balance transfer fee applies of BalanceTransferFees This is pretty standard for balance transfer credit card offers, though.
- This card charges a foreign_fee foreign transaction fee, so if you frequently travel abroad, you might want to consider bringing another card along for your international purchases.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.1 | 80.2 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| Customer Service | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| Website/App Usability | 8.6 | 8.1 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 9.0 | 7.9 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.7 | 7.8 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
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Read our full CardName review.
The Bonus: Earn a $200 bonus, worth 20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening.
0% Interest Details: 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers (then, RegAPR).
The Annual Fee: AnnualFees
The Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal and 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in categories that rotate quarterly (activation is required each quarter). You can also earn 3% cash back at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- It’s rare to find a credit card with no annual fee that offers bonus cash back in multiple categories. This card covers more categories than many others, especially if you’re looking for a card to use on day-to-day purchases.
- It’s also rare for a no-annual-fee card to offer both an intro APR period as well as a welcome bonus.
- This is one of the few credit cards offering cell phone insurance if you use the card to pay your phone bill.
CONS:
- You can earn 3% and 5% cash back in multiple categories but at least for the 5% you’ll need to remember to activate rotating categories. This, along with all of the different bonus cash back categories can be overwhelming and difficult to manage.
- This isn’t a card you want to use on purchases you make outside of the U.S. because of the foreign_fee fee on all foreign transactions.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.3 | 80.6 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 7.4 | 7.8 |
| Customer Service | 7.1 | 8.4 |
| Website/App Usability | 7.5 | 8.2 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.4 | 8.1 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
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Read our full CardName review.
The Bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after making $1,500 in purchases within the first three months. Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.
0% Interest Details: Enjoy 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of first transfer (must be made in the first four months) and on purchases from the date of account opening (then, RegAPR.
Balance Transfer Fee: BalanceTransferFees
The Annual Fee: AnnualFees
The Rewards: Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X point thereafter. Plus, earn 1X point on all other purchases.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- Rounding up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase is a unique feature that means your points could add up quite quickly.
- Since this card's awards accumulate as ThankYou® Points, you can use your rewards for travel, cash back or a number of other redemption options.
CONS:
- Don't overlook the balance transfer fee. It's in line with other cards' fees, but you should still consider it if you're making a transfer.
- Speaking of fees, this card isn't great for traveling overseas as you'll be charged foreign transaction fees of foreign_fee on every purchase while abroad.
- Keep an eye on the spending cap to earn your 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations – if you'll spend well over that $6,000 per year in those categories combined, you could miss out on higher rewards through another card that doesn't cap those purchases.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.7 | 75.3 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 7.8 | 7.5 |
| Customer Service | 7.6 | 7.4 |
| Website/App Usability | 7.9 | 7.8 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.5 | 8.2 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.9 | 7.3 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
card_name discontinued_disclaimer
Read our full CardName review.
0% Interest Details: The CardName features 0% introductory APR for 21 months from the date of first transfer on balance transfers (all transfers must be made within the first four months), and for 12 months from the date of account opening on new purchases. This intro period gives you ample time to spread out your payments without paying interest (then, RegAPR).
Balance Transfer Fee: BalanceTransferFees
The Annual Fee: AnnualFees
The Rewards: There are no traditional ongoing rewards offered with this card.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- If you have a large purchase that will take a while to pay off, this is a clear winner for the task.
- This is an excellent card for those who are looking to consolidate high interest credit card debt, with no annual fee.
- While there aren't rewards, there are some nice extra perks and access offered by this card.
CONS:
- There is no traditional ongoing rewards program offered with this card.
- This card charges a fee on foreign transactions so it’s probably not the best choice for frequent international travelers.
- It’s all about priorities when determining if this card is right for you. If you’re looking for a low interest card for balance transfers and purchases, this is a great choice. If you’re looking for high-ongoing perks like cash back or airline miles, this isn’t the card for you as it doesn’t earn points on purchases.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.3 | 76.6 |
| Features Satisfaction | 7.3 | 7.4 |
| Customer Service | 7.4 | 7.8 |
| Website/App Usability | 7.7 | 7.9 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.2 | 7.6 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
card_name discontinued_disclaimer
Read our full CardName review.
The Bonus: Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
0% Interest Details: Enjoy 0% introductory APR on purchases made within 12 months of the account's opening. After that, a RegAPR APR rate will apply.
The Annual Fee:: AnnualFees
The Rewards:: Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year; 2% back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% back on all other purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.
Credit Needed:: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- This card is routinely among our top picks for small business credit cards without an annual fee thanks in large part to its rewards of as much as 5% cash back in popular small business spending categories.
- Office supply stores sell much more than ink refills and staplers. Big ticket items like computers, software and office furniture purchased at office supply stores all earn 5% as well (up to the cap), offering you the chance to realize big rewards.
- New cardholders can jump start their rewards earning with $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
CONS:
- Be mindful of the cap on bonus cash back. If you know you'll spend more than $25,000 in the 2% and 5% categories, you might be better off with a card with a higher limit, or no limit, instead.
- This isn’t the best card for frequent international travelers as it charges a fee on all foreign transactions.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.0 | 78.7 |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| Customer Service | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| Website/App Usability | 7.9 | 8.2 |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.1 | 7.6 |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.7 | 8.0 |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
card_name discontinued_disclaimer
Read our full CardName review.
Welcome Bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first three months.
0% Interest Details: Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, then RegAPR.
The Annual Fee: AnnualFees
The Rewards: Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded
PROS:
- There is an annual spending cap on the amount of bonus rewards you can earn, yes, but it’s quite high for a card with no annual fee.
- Your business needs likely change all the time. From office supplies to airfare, this card rewards you for it all.
- This card offers Expanded Buying Power, which allows you to spend beyond your credit limit. Just remember, the amount you can spend above you credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, and credit record.
CONS:
- Though the annual spend cap on bonus rewards is quite high, it could be prohibitive. If you know that your business spends more than $50,000 each year, you might want to consider another card.
- This isn’t the best card for frequent international travelers as it charges a foreign_fee fee on all foreign transactions.
| Current Scores | Past Scores | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79.1 | n/a |
| Rewards Program Satisfaction | 7.6 | n/a |
| Customer Service | 8.2 | n/a |
| Website/App Usability | 8.4 | n/a |
| Likelihood of Continuing to Use | 8.2 | n/a |
| Recommend to a Friend/Colleague | 7.8 | n/a |
*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.
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What is the best 0% APR card?
The best 0% APR credit card is usually the card offering both a 0% APR on purchases and balances, for the longest period of time. Under those peramaters, many might consider the card_name to be the best 0% APR card because it offers 0% introductory APR for 21 months on balance transfers (from the date of first transfer – balance transfers must be completed within four months of account opening) and for 12 months from account opening on new purchases. After the introductory periods, regular APR will apply (RegAPR.)
Ultimately, deciding which 0% APR credit card is the best for you will depend on factors such as whether you need to transfer a balance from another higher APR card, whether you need a longer 0% intro APR for a large purchase you need to make, or whether you need both.
What does 0% APR mean?
Most simply put, a credit card with 0% APR means that it does not charge interest. You read that right: zero interest. Sound too good to be true? It’s not; however, not all 0% APR cards operate the same way. Credit card issuers typically offer a 0% introductory APR for purchases or balance transfers (or both) allowing you to transfer a balance from a high APR card or make a large purchase and pay it down within a specific period of time without paying interest. This can help you pay off debt without the additional expense of interest.
What credit score is required for a 0% intro APR card?
Credit cards with 0% APR offers are generally reserved for consumers with good to excellent credit scores.
Can I get a 0% APR credit card with bad credit?
Unfortunately, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be approved for a 0% APR credit card if you have bad credit.
How do 0% APR credit cards work?
Most often, 0% APR is an introductory rate. That means you won’t have to pay any interest on purchases or balance transfers for a specific number of months after you open an account. Some cards limit the offer to only purchases or balance transfers while others offer 0% APR on both. Some issuers will even offer a few months on one, and an extra few months on the other, so just be sure to pay close attention to the offer details.
However, there can be caveats to 0% APR cards. For instance, a card may offer 12 months of zero interest, but that could only apply to balance transfers made within the first 60 days. What’s more, even if you aren’t being charged interest, you might still have to pay a balance transfer fee. Read the fine print before transferring money since the terms for each card can be different.
Also, be aware that if you miss a payment or are late, there could be a penalty such as increased APR, so you’ll want to be sure to still complete your payments on time. And furthermore, if you have a balance on your account when the introductory 0% APR period expires, you’ll be charged the regular APR rate on that balance, so be sure you pay your card off or at least down as much as possible before the introductory period expires.
What happens after the 0% APR period ends?
Once an introductory 0% APR period ends, the card’s regular APR will apply. That means any balances that remain will be subject to the card’s potentially high APR. Therefore, it’s very important that you pay off your balances before the promotional period expires or you might find yourself in a worse position than where you started.
Which credit card has the longest introductory interest-free period?
The card_name and the card_name have some of the longest interest-free periods of any offers we’ve seen, with both offering a 0% introductory APR for 21 months from the date of your first balance transfer (balance transfers must be completed in the first four months of opening an account) and 12 months of no interest on new purchases from date of account opening. After the introductory periods, regular APRs will apply (RegAPR for Diamond Preferred® and RegAPR for Citi Simplicity®). Simplicity® – BalanceTransferFees. Diamond Preferred® – BalanceTransferFees
When should you use a 0% APR credit card?
The best time to use a 0% APR credit card is when you want to avoid paying interest on a necessary but expensive purchase that is going to take some time to pay off.
A journalist for nearly 20 years, Brooklyn has published work on a broad range of topics including personal finance and business as well as travel and human interest pieces. As a finance expert, she has provided commentary on credit cards, card rewards and personal finance for outlets including Forbes, Fox Business and many others. Her own wanderlust and travel experiences...Read more
Survey Methodology: CardRatings commissioned Op4G in September 2023 to conduct surveys among 1,869 cardholders nationwide. CardRatings website analytics from Jan. 1, 2023-Aug. 31, 2023 were used to determine a selection of the most popular cards and additional cards were included to add survey breadth. Responses to each of nine questions were given on a scale of 1-10 and respondents’ scores were then averaged under broad topics. To determine the overall score, responses from questions 1-8 were summed and the answer to “How likely are you to recommend this card to a friend, coworker or family member?” was double weighted. “Current Scores” reflect scores from the most recent survey (2023); “Past Scores” reflect scores from the 2022 survey.
Ranking Methodology: CardRatings experts review the fine print, details, perks, rewards and features of hundreds of cards and compare them side-by-side with similar cards. A card that makes an excellent balance transfer card may not make a great cash-back rewards card even though it offers those rewards. While the Best of the Year list is announced annually, that list – and all other “best of” lists on CardRatings – are regularly reviewed and updated as issuers change the terms and features of each card often.
For rates and fees for American Express cards mentioned in this post, please see the following links: CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees)
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying.
This content is not provided by any company mentioned in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any such company. CardRatings.com does not review every company or every offer available on the market.