This New Card Offers a 0% Intro APR for 2 Years. Is It Worth It?

Published on March 19, 2025

James McClenathen

By: James McClenathen

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KEY POINTS

  • The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® credit card comes with 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 24 billing cycles.
  • The card has a $0 annual fee and pays 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center when you use your card.
  • The balance transfer fee of 5% ($5 min.) is on the high end. We have another option for you that charges less.

Offer status

U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® credit card is unavailable on Motley Fool Money. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.

If you have credit card debt, or you want to finance a big purchase soon, then a credit card with a 0% intro APR could save you a fortune. And there's good news: One of the best 0% intro APR offers we've ever seen just hit the market.

The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® credit card comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 24 billing cycles. You won't find a longer interest-free window than that right now.

Should you apply? Let's look at the pros and cons of this new card, as well as an alternative that might work better for some.

Highlights of the U.S. Bank Shield Visa

U.S. Bank Shield Visa cardholders will pay no interest on purchases for the first 24 billing cycles. This also applies to balances that are transferred to the card within 60 days of account opening. After that, any outstanding balance and future purchases will be charged the card's standard 17.74% - 28.74% (Variable) APR.

Balance transfers are subject to a fee of 5% ($5 min.) of the amount transferred. That's on the high end.

The card comes with some other perks as well:

  • $0 annual fee
  • 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center when you use your card
  • $20 statement credit when you make purchases for 11 straight months

This card's benefits not quite what you're looking for? Check out our best credit cards list to find a better alternative for your lifestyle and spending habits.

Should you apply?

The U.S. Bank Shield Visa card is a great deal -- for some.

Consider applying if:

  • You have high-interest debt that may take up to two years to pay off
  • You'd like to finance a large purchase that you can pay off before the 0% intro APR period ends
  • The card's balance transfer fee makes sense for you

If none of these apply to you, then you may be better off looking for a rewards credit card, like one that pays cash back on everyday spending.

An alternative to consider

The balance transfer fee on the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® credit card can be pretty steep if you're transferring a large balance.

If you want to pay a lower fee in exchange for a slightly shorter 0% intro APR period, check out the Citi Simplicity® Card.

Ratings Methodology
Award Icon 2025 Award Winner

Citi Simplicity® Card

Apply Now for Citi Simplicity® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

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Citi Simplicity® Card
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5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Citi Simplicity® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 12 months on Purchases

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months on Balance Transfers

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)

Rewards

N/A

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

Long intro balance transfer APR

  • This is one of our favorite cards for balance transfers. It has 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and a discounted balance transfer fee for the first four months. That combo makes it one of the most generous balance transfer offers we’ve seen. But it doesn't have much ongoing value after the intro 0% APR period ends. Read Full Review

    • Great intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • No late fees
    • No penalty APR
    • Choose your own payment date
    • No rewards
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
    • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and for 12 months on purchases; after that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
    • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
    • Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock

This card offers:

  • $0 annual fee
  • 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months on Purchases
  • At the end of the intro period, the card's go-to 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR will apply.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

The 0% intro APR period is three months shorter than that of the U.S. Bank Shield Visa card, but the lower balance transfer fee could potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Click here to read our review of the Citi Simplicity® Card and find out how you could get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for nearly two years.

Our Research Expert

James McClenathen
James McClenathen icon-button-linkedin-2x

Managing editor for Motley Fool Money. James has worked full-time for The Motley Fool since 2012. A longtime editor and former reporter, James oversees the production and quality of Motley Fool Money's editorial content.