A 0% interest introductory offer on purchases works like a pause button for interest accrual.
This type of 0% offer is often used to help extend payment of a large purchase over several months rather than paying in full upfront or revolving the balance on another high-interest credit card. This can be helpful for buying new appliances, for example, or financing a car repair.
But a 0% interest period isn’t a free pass to avoid paying your credit card bill. In fact, it’s even more important to pay down your credit card balances within the intro period, so you aren’t carrying any balance over once your regular APR kicks in.
These are NextAdvisor’s top picks for introductory 0% interest offers on new purchases. While many do offer 0% interest on both purchases and balance transfers, if you’re looking for the best card to help with consolidated debt payoff, see our picks for the best balance transfer credit cards.
Before You Start
Before charging a purchase under a 0% interest offer, always make sure you have a solid plan to pay it off before the introductory period ends. A 0% interest offer can buy you time to pay off large balances, but it doesn’t mean you can avoid paying altogether. No matter how long the intro period, you’ll accrue interest on any current balance at your assigned ongoing APR once it expires.
Our Picks for the Best 0% Interest Credit Cards
- Intro offer:N/A
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:14.49%-26.49% Variable APR
- Recommended credit score:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
NextAdvisor’s Take
- Long intro APR
- No annual fee
- Cell phone protection
- No rewards
- High APR after the introductory offer ends
- Must meet requirements to get full 21 months of 0% intro APR
Additional Card Details
- Get a 0% introductory APR for up to 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers — start with a 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then unlock up to three additional months with on-time minimum payments during the 18-month offer and the extension period, then a 14.49% to 26.49% variable APR thereafter
- Cell phone protection worth up to $600 when you pay your bill with your eligible Wells Fargo card (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Get access to My Wells Fargo Deals: earn cash back in the form of a statement credit when you use your eligible Wells Fargo card with select retailers
- Roadside dispatch
- Introductory balance transfer rate:0% for 20 billing cycles on balance transfers
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:15.99% – 25.99% (Variable)
- Recommended credit score:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
NextAdvisor’s Take
- Long 0% interest intro offer for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No penalty APR
- Fees for late or returned payment
- 3% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum) applies
- No rewards structure
Additional Card Details
- 0% introductory APR for 20 billing cycles on new purchases
- 0% introductory APR for 20 billing cycles on balance transfers posted to your account within 60 days of account opening
- Balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of balance, whichever is greater
- No penalty APR
- Cellphone protection for damage or theft up to $600 for up to two claims per year with a $25 deductible.
- Intro APR:0% for 12 months on Purchases
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:16.24% – 26.24% (Variable)
- Recommended credit score:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
NextAdvisor’s Take
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months for balance transfers and 12 months for purchases (then variable APR 16.24% to 26.24%)
- No annual fee
- No late payment fees or penalty APR
- No rewards
- No welcome offer
- 5% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum)
Additional Card Details
- Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening
- Includes Citi Identity Theft Solutions protection
- Choose your payment due date
- Digital wallet compatible
- Intro APR:0% intro on purchases for 15 months
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:16.49% – 26.49% (Variable)
- Recommended credit score:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
NextAdvisor’s Take
- Flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for 15 months (16.49% – 26.49% variable APR thereafter)
- No higher-earning bonus rewards categories
Additional Card Details
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then a variable APR of 16.49% – 26.49% based on creditworthiness
- No foreign transaction fees
- Rewards don’t expire as long as the account is open
- Unlimited 1.5% rewards
- Multiple redemption options
- Access to Capital One Experiences
- Intro APR:0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months
- Annual fee:$0
- Regular APR:15.74% – 24.49% Variable
- Recommended credit score:670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 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. 1.5% on all other purchases.
NextAdvisor’s Take
- Flexible, hybrid rewards structure made up of tiered categories and flat cash back
- No annual fee
- Valuable first-year bonus
- Competitive intro APR period can be useful for paying off large purchases over time
- Not a great choice for international travelers — you’ll incur a 3% foreign transaction fee
- Travel bonus rewards only apply to travel booked through Chase
Additional Card Details
- 0% introductory interest offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months after account opening, variable 15.74% – 24.49% interest thereafter; intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025
- Complimentary 3-month subscription to Doordash’s DashPass, followed by 50% off DashPass for 9 months (activate by 12/31/24)
- Travel protections
- Purchase protections
- Intro APR:0% for the first 15 billing cycles following account opening.*
- Annual fee:$0*
- Regular APR:9.99% – 19.99% (Variable)
- Recommended credit score:740-850 (Excellent)
NextAdvisor’s Take
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles
- $100 welcome offer
- Relatively low ongoing APR after intro period
- No rewards or cash back opportunities
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Few added benefits
Additional Card Details
- $100 bonus after you spend $1,000 or more in first three billing cycles
- Balance transfer fee of 3% or $5, whichever is greater, within the first 90 days
- Access to travel and emergency assistance services
- $0 fraud liability and PNC Easy Lock
Best 0% APR Credit Cards of January 2022
Wells Fargo Reflect Card
Good For: Long Intro Period
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card has one of the longest intro periods available today on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 18 months from account opening. You can earn an intro APR extension of up to 3 months, with on-time minimum payments during the intro and extension periods. After that, the variable APR of 14.49%-26.49%.
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
Good For: Intro Offer
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum has an introductory 0% APR period clocking in at 20 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers before your variable APR of 15.99%-25.99% kicks in.
Citi Simplicity Card
Good For: Long Intro Period and Low Fees
The Citi Simplicity Card has a 12-month 0% introductory APR period on purchases and 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers made in the first 4 months, for no annual fee and a minimal balance transfer fee of 5% of your transfer ($5 minimum). After the introductory APR period, the regular APR is 15.49% – 25.49% variable.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Good For: Welcome Bonus
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a 15-month 0% introductory APR period on new purchases and balance transfers (16.49%-26.49% variable APR thereafter), and 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Good For: Ongoing Rewards
The Chase Freedom Unlimited has a nice 15-month introductory period for purchases and balance transfers (then 15.74% – 24.49% variable APR), and can offer you cash back with ongoing rewards. There is an intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater) in the first 60 days. You’ll earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and at drugstores, and at least 1.5% on all other purchases. You’ll also earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
PNC Core Visa Credit Card
Good For: Lower Ongoing APR
The PNC Core Visa Credit Card has a 15-billing-cycle introductory 0% APR period on purchases and balance transfers, then a regular variable APR of 9.99%-19.99%. This variable APR stands far below the 16% national average, and can save you money in the longer run.
Best 0% Interest Credit Cards Summary
| Card | What It’s Good For | 0% Interest Intro Period | Regular APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Reflect Card | Good for Long Intro Period | Up to 21 Months | 14.49% – 26.49% (Variable) |
| U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card | Good for Intro Offer | 20 Billing Cycles | 15.99% – 25.99% (Variable) |
| Citi Simplicity Card | Good for Good for Long Intro Period and Low Fees | 21 Months* | 15.49% – 25.49% (Variable) |
| Capital One Quicksilver Rewards Card | Good for Welcome Bonus | 15 Months | 16.49% – 26.49% (Variable) |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | Good for Ongoing Rewards | 15 Months | 15.74% – 24.49% Variable |
| PNC Core Visa Credit Card | Good for Lower Ongoing APR | 15 Billing Cycles | 9.99% – 19.99% (Variable) |
*0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer
Understanding Interest Rates and APRs
How to Avoid Paying Credit Card Interest Entirely
After your introductory 0% interest period ends, any remaining or new balance you carry begins accruing interest at the ongoing APR assigned upon account opening. This rate varies, but the current average credit card interest rate is around 16%, and some credit cards carry rates upwards of 24%.
The best way to avoid paying high interest is to pay off your balance in full and on time every month. Use your card like a debit card; never charge more than you can afford to pay off by the time your statement closes.
While revolving balances over the introductory period won’t result in interest fees, it’s important to pay down your statement balance in full each month after that period ends to avoid taking on long-term debts.
Pro Tip
Differentiate between 0% interest on new purchases versus on balance transfers to make sure the card offer aligns with your goals. A 0% APR offer on balance transfers is useful for paying down debt, but you’ll still accrue interest on new purchases, and an intro offer on new purchases won’t help you pay down existing debt. Some cards offer a combination of both, but always read the fine print to be sure.
What’s the Difference Between APR and Interest Rate?
Your interest rate is the rate at which your balance will incur interest charges. For example, if your interest rate is 16% and your credit card balance is $500, you will have to pay an interest expense of .16*500 = $80 if you don’t pay your bill on time.
APR stands for “annual percentage rate,” and is just another way of saying interest rate — they are the same thing when referring to credit cards.
APR Terms to Know
- Purchase: An introductory 0% APR on purchases means you won’t pay interest on any new items purchased with your credit card during the length of that intro period.
- Balance Transfer: A balance transfer is when you transfer a balance that you owe on an existing credit card to a credit card with an introductory 0% interest rate to help you pay down your debt.
- Cash Advance: Getting cash from an ATM using your credit card. This usually involves a fee, and you will pay interest on any cash you access this way.
- Introductory: Credit cards with a 0% APR generally only offer that rate for the first year or so — known as the introductory period.
- Ongoing: Your ongoing APR is going to be what you pay after the introductory period has ended.
- Variable: Your APR will be variable, or subject to change, depending on your creditworthiness.
How Do 0% APR Offers Work?
When you open a new card account with a 0% APR introductory offer on purchases, you won’t accrue any interest on balances you carry month-to-month within the intro period as long as you pay at least your monthly minimum. Intro periods for 0% APR cards generally range from 12-18 months. These cards can be valuable tools for paying off large, one-time purchases over time without high-interest fees.
Outside of the intro offer, 0% interest cards work like any other credit card in your wallet. They often come with rewards or other benefits that can help you maximize spending. Once the 0% APR period ends, you’ll also begin accruing interest (at the rate assigned by your issuer) on any balances left or new charges you don’t pay down.
How Credit Card Interest Rates Are Set
Credit card interest rates revolve around the prime rate, a number determined by how much banks are charging creditworthy clients. This number is usually a few points higher than the interest rate set by the Federal Reserve.
Credit card issuers generally offer a range of APRs that you may fall within, known as variable APR. Your exact APR will depend on your credit score and history.
What is the Impact of Credit Card Interest Fees?
Credit cards are notorious for their high interest rates, which can lead to a cycle of debt. A 0% interest card won’t eliminate interest forever, but taking advantage of this offer can save you money compared to revolving a balance on your current card.
Consider, for example, you purchase a new washer and dryer set that costs $3,000. You might prefer to pay off the purchase over time than dip into your savings to pay upfront. Here’s how covering the cost with a 0% interest credit card compares to charging it to a current card in your wallet carrying 16% interest, paid off over the same period.
| Purchase Balance | Payoff Period | Interest Paid | Monthly Payment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current 16% Interest Card | $3,000 | 18 months | $394 | $188 |
| 0% Interest Credit Card | $3,000 | 18 months | $0 | $166 |
Pro Tip
Avoid interest altogether by paying balances in full at the end of each statement period. Whenever possible, avoid charging anything to a credit card that you might be unable to pay off at the end of the month.
Our Methodology
EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE
As with all of our credit card reviews, our analysis is not influenced by any partnerships or advertising relationships.
To determine our picks for the best 0% interest credit cards, NextAdvisor’s editorial team took a qualitative approach to find the cards that offer maximum value throughout their introductory 0% interest periods and beyond. We evaluated each of the cards currently on market offering introductory periods of 0% interest on new purchases from major card networks. Our final picks were chosen based on factors including intro offer, ongoing APR, fees and penalties, sign-up bonus, and additional benefits.
*All information about the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card and PNC Core Visa Credit Card has been collected independently by NextAdvisor and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
