Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

This device is too small

If you're on a Galaxy Fold, consider unfolding your phone or viewing it in full screen to best optimize your experience.

Skip to main content

Best 0% APR Credit Cards for Worry-Free Spending

Review Updated
Lyle Daly
Brittney Myers
Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

A 0% APR credit card can be a powerful financial tool, letting you make purchases or transfer balances with no interest for an introductory period. This means you can pay down debt faster or make larger purchases without extra costs piling up.

We've reviewed over 260 credit cards to find the best no interest cards below.

  • Our team of experts reviewed over 260 credit cards
  • We evaluate all credit cards across the same 4 key criteria: value, welcome experience, fees, and perks
  • Our credit card ratings are never influenced by our advertising partners
  • If we wouldn't recommend an offer to a close family member, we won't recommend it to you

Simplify your search for the best 0% intro APR credit cards

Here are two of our favorite options:

Award Icon 2025 Award Winner

Great for: Long 0% intro APR

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
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)
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 Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular APR

17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR

Rewards

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • This no-frills card is a solid choice if your priority is to avoid credit card interest for as long as possible. It offers an incredible intro APR. The balance transfer fee (5%; $5 min.) is higher than some cards, but if you want an equally long intro APR on purchases, this card is hard to beat. Read Full Review

    • Long 0% intro APR offer
    • No annual fee
    • Cellphone protection
    • Free FICO® Score
    • Balance transfer fee
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • No rewards program
    • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
    • 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
    • $0 Annual Fee.
    • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
    • Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Award Icon 2025 Award Winner

Great for: Unlimited cash rewards

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
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)
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 Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular APR

19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

2% cash rewards

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

$200 cash rewards

  • This card’s unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases is the highest we’ve seen for a flat-rate rewards card with no annual fee. It also has an incredibly easy-to-earn $200 welcome bonus and a decent intro APR offer. We simply haven’t come across this combination of top perks in one card before. Read Full Review

    • Unlimited 2% cash rewards
    • Long 0% intro APR offer
    • Generous cash rewards welcome bonus
    • No annual fee
    • Cellphone protections
    • No bonus categories
    • Foreign transaction fees
    • Balance transfer fee
    • Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
    • Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
    • Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
    • 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
    • $0 annual fee.
    • No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
    • Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
    • Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Award Icon 2025 Award Winner

Great for: No Penalty APR or late payment fee

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
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)
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 from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. 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

Great for: Cash back versatility with a big bonus

Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex®

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
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 Chase Freedom Flex®

On Chase's Secure Website.

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 Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months

Regular APR

19.74% - 28.49% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

5% cash back offer

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!

$200 bonus

  • This Chase card is one of our favorites, and with good reason. You earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate, alongside other standout perks (and at least 1% on all purchases). Plus, this one comes without an annual fee and with a generous welcome bonus. Read Full Review

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Lucrative cash back program
    • Long 0% intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • Purchase and travel protections
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
    • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
    • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
    • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
    • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
    • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74%-28.49%.
    • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
    • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
    • Member FDIC

Great for: Purchases and balance transfers

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
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)
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 Circle with letter I in it. 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.24% - 29.24% (Variable).

Purchases: 0%, 21 billing cycles on purchases

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 billing cycles

Regular APR

18.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Rewards

N/A

Annual Fee

N/A

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • Got a big purchase to finance over time? Consider this U.S. Bank card, as it'll give you a whopping 21 billing cycles of 0% APR on purchases. This also goes for balance transfers, making this one a great fit if you have some existing debt to pay off. It also comes without an annual fee.

    • Long 0% intro APR offer
    • No annual fee
    • Cellphone protection
    • Free credit score monitoring
    • No rewards
    • High balance transfer fee
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • For a limited time, 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 18.24% - 29.24%.
    • Get up to $600 protection on your cell phone (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when you pay your monthly cellular telephone bill with your U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
    • Choose a payment due date that fits your schedule
    • No Annual Fee
    • Terms and conditions apply.
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum 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.
  • At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.

    Our highest-rated credit cards have:

    • A rewards rate above 2% (or 2x points or miles) with average spending, or competitive 0% intro APR balance transfer and purchase offers
    • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
    • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
    • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

    We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Motley Fool Ascent rates credit cards.

How to compare credit cards offering 0% APR

The top two features when comparing 0% APR cards are the type of intro offer and the length of the intro period. Here are a few steps you can follow when looking for a 0% intro APR card:

  • Decide if you need a 0% intro APR on purchases, balance transfers, or both.
  • Figure out how long of a 0% intro APR period you need.
  • Pick a card that fits those needs.
  • Use rewards and bonus opportunities as tiebreakers if there are multiple cards that work for you.

Let's say you have some upcoming expenses that are going to take you two years to pay off. If one card has a 0% intro APR for 18 months and another has it for 21 months, then the second card is probably the better choice.

On the other hand, if you'll only need 12 months to pay back what you spend, there are plenty of cards that have a 0% intro APR period lasting that long. Since you have so many options, it makes sense to compare the sign-up bonuses and cash back rates on those cards, too.

More details on the best 0% APR credit card offers

Let's take a deeper look at how to best leverage your 0% intro APR card for maximum benefit.

Discover it® Chrome

Some balance transfer cards are light on rewards, or don't offer them at all. That's not the case with this Discover card, which has one of the longest balance transfer offers as well as a rewards program and an excellent welcome offer.

This 0% intro APR credit card is best for:

  • Those who want a balance transfer card that can also earn cash back, while paying off credit card debt.
  • Users who want good customer service (Discover consistently ranks near the top of the J.D. Power studies).

Apply for the Discover it® Chrome

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

This award winner is purely a 0% intro APR credit card. Other benefits are limited -- most notably, it doesn't have any sort of rewards program. That means no cash back or points, and no welcome bonus for new cardholders.

This no interest credit card is best for:

  • Cardholders who need as much time as possible to pay off purchases.
  • Those dealing with a large amount of credit card debt.
  • Consumers with a sizable purchase to make.

Apply for the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Chase Freedom Flex®

This card is The Motley Fool Ascent's award winner for the best no annual fee credit card. Cash back and a 0% intro APR are one of the best combinations you can get from a credit card. It's where this Chase credit card excels, as it's made for earning cash back bonuses and paying off purchases interest-free.

This no interest credit card is best for:

  • Maximizing your savings on costly expenses with a cash back program
  • A rewards card with no annual fee

Apply for the Chase Freedom Flex®

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

This is one of our favorite cash rewards cards, earning an unlimited 2% on purchases. It also has a competitive 0% intro period, although it's not quite as long as some other cards on this list.

This 0% intro APR credit card is best for:

  • Financing purchases while earning big rewards
  • Those who don't want a learning curve to make the most of this card

Apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Citi Custom Cash® Card

This Citi card checks all the boxes: A 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers, a welcome offer, and an excellent cash back program. It's unique in that it earns 5% back in your top eligible spend category (from a list of 10) every billing cycle, up to a spending cap of $500.

This no interest card is great for:

  • Consumers with high spending in a single category
  • Financing home improvement projects because home improvement stores are one of the eligible 5% back categories
  • Paying off concerts and other event tickets over time, as live entertainment is one of the 5% back categories

WARNING SCL [creditcard slug=citi-custom-cash field=apply_url] does not generate a link. Anchor tag will not render in production.Apply for the Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Simplicity® Card

This Citi card has a lengthy balance transfer offer, and it's also light on fees. There's no annual fee, no late payment fee, and no penalty APR.

This 0% intro APR card is best for:

  • Refinancing debt with a balance transfer offer
  • Choosing your payment due date

Read more about the Citi Simplicity® Card

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Not only will you have plenty of time to pay off your card's balance, you'll also be able to do it on your schedule, as U.S. Bank lets you pick the due date that works best for you.

This 0% intro APR credit card is best for:

  • Payment flexibility
  • Financing options with the U.S. Bank ExtendPay® Plan, as it allows you to divide eligible purchases into equal monthly payments
  • Credit monitoring

Read more about the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Compare our ratings of the top credit cards with 0% APR

The Picks
Card Rating Great For
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Balance transfers and cash back

Award Icon 2025 Award Winner
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Long 0% intro APR

Award Icon 2025 Award Winner
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Unlimited cash rewards

Award Icon 2025 Award Winner
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

No Penalty APR or late payment fee

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Cash back versatility with a big bonus

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 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.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Purchases and balance transfers

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum 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.

How to get approved for a 0% APR card

The most important part of getting approved is your credit score. Card issuers consider your credit score and credit history as a whole, and this generally plays the largest role in their decision.

Some card issuer's also have their own rules about applications. These are normally related to the number of credit cards an applicant has opened. If you've opened a large number of cards recently, that could cause your application to be denied, even if you have a high credit score.

Here are more details on each of these factors.

What credit score for a 0% APR card?

A FICO® Score of around 670 or higher.

The majority of cards with 0% intro APR offers require you to have good credit. However, that's not to say you won't be approved with a lower credit score (or rejected with a higher one). The issuer will consider your entire credit history, as well existing income and debt, when making its decision.

You may be able to check for pre-approved offers if you're unsure of your credit qualifications. Getting pre-approved won't mean you're guaranteed approval, but it's definitely a positive sign that your credit doesn't immediately disqualify you.

Can you get a 0% APR credit card with no credit?

Folks with a troubled credit history may not qualify for any 0% APR cards. In that case, you may need to work on rebuilding your credit before you try to apply for a card with an intro APR offer.

If you have average credit, or even no credit, you'll have to look a little harder for a 0% APR card. Some starter cards may come with 0% APR offers, though they aren't usually as appealing as those from cards with higher credit requirements. 

You may also need to look at issuers other than the big national banks. Smaller regional banks may have more flexible credit requirements. And local credit unions can have some great credit card offers for all sorts of credit backgrounds.

Types of no interest rate credit cards

Expand each section below to learn more.

  • If you're looking to finance a future purchase, you'll want a card with a great zero interest card offer on new purchases. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is built for this job, offering a long intro period that eclipses our other top picks.

    While the best no interest credit cards on purchases all have fantastic intro APR offers -- that's about all you get. These cards don't come with rewards or other perks that will make you want to keep them for the long haul.

  • Our top pick here is the Citi Simplicity® Card thanks to its long zero interest introductory period and a low introductory balance transfer fee. If you need as much time as possible to pay off debt, this is the card to choose.

  • A good pick for most folks will be the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, which pairs a high flat rewards rate with a competitive introductory term. Many rewards credit cards also offer intro APR deals, so you can earn rewards and still save money on interest fees. Remember that you only earn rewards on new purchases, not on balance transfers.

  • Business credit cards with intro APR offers used to be fairly rare, but they've become increasingly common. You can now find 0% APR offers on business cards that are nearly as good as those on personal cards. Here a few examples:

    Anyone with a business can apply for a small business credit card. This includes sole proprietors and independent contractors. There are no minimum revenue requirements in most cases.

    Keep in mind that you must personally guarantee your small business credit cards. The issuer will run a personal credit check. As with personal cards, getting approved for 0% APR business cards typically requires good personal credit.

tip_light_bulb exported from figma
TIP
How to maximize your 0% APR credit card

The best way to use 0% intro APR credit cards is use the interest-free period to finance a major purchase or refinance credit card debt. Make at least minimum monthly payments on time, and pay off your balance in full before the intro period ends. This will allow you to avoid interest entirely.

Is the best 0% APR credit card worth it?

Credit cards with a 0% intro APR are useful if you want to avoid interest charges, either on purchases or balance transfers. Ideally, we'd all pay our credit card balances in full each month. But sometimes you just need a little more time.

You can get that time without the high interest fees if you use a top 0% APR credit card. But once the intro period ends, you'll start accruing interest at the go-to rate.

Make sure to consider how long of a 0% APR period you need. Cards with the longest 0% introductory periods often offer just that -- long 0% APR periods -- but nothing else. If your needs are met with a somewhat shorter introductory APR period, you could get a card with that and other benefits, such as cash back and a welcome offer.

Can you get 0% APR on an existing card?

The simple answer here is that it's possible, and it doesn't hurt to ask.

It's not uncommon for issuers to offer you random APR deals on existing credit cards. Sometimes, those deals may even include a 0% APR for a limited time. (In my experience, it's more often a reduced APR, not a 0% APR.)

Anecdotally, I've read stories of people who have successfully called up their issuer and asked for a 0% APR offer. This is most likely to be successful if you have a long history with the issuer, use the card often, and always pay on time.

Per-purchase payment plans

These plans are different from APR offers in that your actual interest rate won't be impacted. However, they may still be a good option for repaying large purchases in some cases.

Some issuers may offer a payment plan option for large purchases. For example, Chase Pay Over Time® lets you break up purchases into equal monthly payments.

There are also store credit cards that offer zero interest promotional financing on purchases. Note that these are often deferred interest offers. With deferred interest, if you don't pay off your entire balance within the promotional period, the card issuer can charge you interest going back to the purchase date.

FAQs

  • A 0% APR credit card doesn't charge interest on purchases for an introductory period. If you carry a balance from purchases during that time, you won't incur any interest charges. You are required to make minimum payments because if you don't, the card issuer may cancel the zero-interest offer.

  • Once the 0% APR offer ends, the standard credit card APR will apply to the current balance and new charges. You'll be charged the regular interest rate on any remaining balance you couldn't pay off before the end of the intro period. That's why it's highly recommended you pay off your entire balance before the end of the intro 0% APR offer.

  • The length of the intro period varies by card. Some credit cards offer a 0% intro APR for six months or less, but there are also intro 0% APR credit cards offering 18 months or longer without interest.

  • You can avoid paying credit card interest on the best 0% APR credit cards by paying off your entire balance before the introductory period ends. This can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars compared to what standard credit card interest rates would cost you.