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The Best 0% Intro APR Credit Cards of September 2023

CREDIT CARDS - 0% APR CREDIT CARDS
You can save big money with these 0% introductory APR credit cards.
Miranda Marquit
By Miranda Marquit
Ben Walker, CEPF
Edited by Ben Walker, CEPF
Updated Sept. 21, 2023
Smiling woman holding credit card

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

The average credit card interest rate is around 15% according to the Federal Reserve. If you’re not paying your credit card balance in full each month, interest costs can creep up quickly and make a major dent in your budget.

One way to save, especially if you’re trying to pay down high-interest credit card debt or make a large purchase, is to use a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) credit card. These cards provide you with a 0% intro APR for a set period of time. Often this low intro APR can last for 12 months, but some credit card offers might include an intro period of up to 18 months. And as long as you pay off your balance before the end of that period, you can avoid paying interest charges altogether.

If you’re looking for the best 0% intro APR credit cards, consider the fantastic options below.

In this article

The best 0% intro APR credit cards

Compare the best 0% intro APR credit cards

There are plenty of great low interest credit cards out there. Here is a look at some of the best options available today from a variety of credit card issuers:

Card name Intro balance transfer APR details Intro purchase APR details Welcome bonus Annual fee
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable) 0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months from account opening (then 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable) N/A $0
Chase Freedom Unlimited® 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months, and then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, and then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable 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
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable) 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months from account opening (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable) $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months $0
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card N/A 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then 18.49% - 24.49% Variable Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening $0
BankAmericard® credit card 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles for any qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 16.24% - 26.24% Variable) 0% intro APR on purchases for 21 billing cycles (then 16.24% - 26.24% Variable) N/A $0
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable) 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable) Earn a $200 online cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening $0
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable) 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable) Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases $0
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 19.99% - 29.99% (variable); 3% fee for the first 15 months. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then 19.99% - 29.99% (variable) Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening $0
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable) 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable) Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months $0 (Terms apply)
Citi Custom Cash® Card 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)) 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)) Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back $0
Chase Freedom Flex℠ 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 20.49%-29.24% Variable) 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 20.49%-29.24% Variable) Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening $0
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on balance transfers (then 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable)) 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases (then 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable)) N/A $0
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers (then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)) 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases (then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)) N/A $0
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.99% - 29.99% (variable)); 3% fee for the first 15 months. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.99% - 29.99% (variable)) Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening $0
Citi Simplicity® Card 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)) 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases (then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)) N/A $0

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best for longest intro APR period

Intro balance transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable)

Intro purchase APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months from account opening (then 18.24%, 24.74%, 29.99% variable)

Annual fee: $0

Why we like it: The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card has some of the longest intro APR offers available.

The Wells Fargo Reflect is great for people who want a particularly long time to pay off qualifying balance transfers or eligible purchases. If you’ve always wanted that fancy new couch but would need more than a year to pay for it, then the Reflect’s long intro APR offer makes it an excellent option. But it’s not a good card for earning rewards because it doesn’t offer cash back, points, or miles.

You can also take advantage of this card’s cell phone protection perk, which can help repair or replace your phone if it’s damaged. You don’t see that benefit on many credit cards.

Learn more in our Wells Fargo Reflect Card review.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for rewards

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months, and then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, and then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® provides useful intro APR offers for both balance transfers and purchases. Even better, the Freedom Unlimited has a $0 annual fee and you can earn valuable Chase points at a rate of 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

You can also take advantage of this welcome bonus: 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.

Check out our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: Best for flat-rate cash rewards

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable)

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months from account opening (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% variable)

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card provides worthwhile intro APR offers on qualifying balance transfers and purchases. It also has a $0 annual fee and offers unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. For its welcome bonus, you can earn $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

Read our Wells Fargo Active Cash review.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Best for business

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases, then 18.49% - 24.49% Variable

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card provides an intro APR offer on purchases, which could help with large business expenses. It also has a $0 annual fee and you can earn $900 after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.

The earning rate for the Ink Business Cash includes 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% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Learn more in our Chase Ink Cash Business Credit Card review.

BankAmericard® credit card: Best for balance transfers

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 21 billing cycles for any qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 16.24% - 26.24% Variable)

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 21 billing cycles (then 16.24% - 26.24% Variable)

The BankAmericard® credit card doesn’t typically have a welcome bonus or offer any rewards. But it has a $0 annual fee and provides top intro APR offers for qualifying balance transfers and purchases. There’s also no penalty APR for late payments.

Check out our BankAmericard credit card review.

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card: Best for elevated cash back

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable)

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable)

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card has two excellent intro APR offers for qualifying balance transfers and purchases. It also has a $0 annual fee and offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. And if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25% to 75% more cash back on your purchases.

For its welcome bonus, you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.

Read our Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards review.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Best for travel

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable)

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable)

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has two useful intro APR offers on qualifying balance transfers and purchases. It also has a $0 annual fee and offers 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. These points are flexible and can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, restaurant purchases, and more.

You can also earn 25,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.

Learn more in our Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card review.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for simple cash back

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 19.99% - 29.99% (variable); 3% fee for the first 15 months. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases, then 19.99% - 29.99% (variable)

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is a rewards card with a $0 annual fee that earns cash back and has intro APR offers on balance transfers and purchases. The cashback rate is 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).

You can also earn $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

Check out our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards review.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for gas and groceries

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable)

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.24% - 29.99% Variable)

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is an excellent choice for its two intro APR offers on balance transfers and purchases, as well as for earning cash back on everyday expenses.

It has a $0 annual fee and offers 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail purchases (up to $6,000 per year on purchases in each category, then 1%); and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases.

You can also earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.

Read our American Express Blue Cash Everyday® review.

Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for custom cash back

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable))

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable))

The Citi Custom Cash® Card allows you to customize how you earn rewards. It has a $0 annual fee offers 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back), plus unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

You can also earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.

Learn more in our Citi Custom Cash Card review.

Note: If you want simpler cashback rewards on a 0% intro APR card, then you might want to check out the Citi® Double Cash Card instead.

Chase Freedom Flex℠: Best for rewards on rotating categories

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 20.49%-29.24% Variable)

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 20.49%-29.24% Variable)

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a rewards card with two helpful intro APR offers. It has a $0 annual fee and provides maximum rewards when used for purchases in its rotating categories.

The rewards rate is 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

You can also earn $200 after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

Check out our Chase Freedom Flex review.

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card: Best for cell phone protection

Intro balance transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on balance transfers (then 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Intro purchase APR: 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases (then 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Annual fee: $0

Why we like it: The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has a long intro APR offer, and it provides cell phone protection if you use it to pay your phone bill.

The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum makes sense if you want an above-average length of time to pay off balance transfers and eligible purchases. This card’s intro APR offer is among the longest available.

This card also offers cell phone protection when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with this card. You can receive up to $600 per claim for covered damage or theft, with a $25 deductible. You may file up to two claims (with a maximum benefit of $1,200) per 12-month period.

Note that this card doesn’t earn any rewards, so it doesn’t make sense to rely on it for your everyday spending.

Check out our U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card review.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Best for long intro APR period on balance transfers

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers (then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable))

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases (then 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable))

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card doesn’t typically have a welcome bonus or offer any rewards on purchases. But it has a $0 annual fee and one of the longest intro APR periods on balance transfers. This makes it one of the best balance transfer cards available.

Learn more in our Citi Diamond Preferred review.

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining and entertainment

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (then 19.99% - 29.99% (variable)); 3% fee for the first 15 months. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.99% - 29.99% (variable))

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card provides above-average intro APR offers on balance transfers and purchases. And it has a $0 annual fee and offers $200 cash bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

You can also earn 3% cash back on dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), popular streaming services, and entertainment; 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats (through 11/14/2024); and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Check out our Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards review.

Citi Simplicity® Card: Best for no late fees

Introductory APR offer on balance transfers: 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable))

Introductory APR offer on purchases: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases (then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable))

The Citi Simplicity® Card is nearly identical to the Citi Diamond Preferred. It has a long intro APR on balance transfers, a $0 annual fee, and doesn’t typically have a welcome bonus or earn rewards. But the Citi Simplicity also has no late fees.

Read our Citi Simplicity Card review.

How to choose the best 0% introductory APR credit card

When choosing the best 0% intro APR credit card, it’s important to look at your situation and goals. For example, will you be using the card for a big purchase? Or are you planning to use it to help pay down your credit card debt?

If you’re looking to finance a large purchase, opt for a credit card that offers a 0% introductory APR on new purchases. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to transfer an existing balance from another card, a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers will help you tackle your principal faster. Some cards offer both perks, though introductory periods can vary.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind as you consider 0% intro APR credit cards:

  • Length of the introductory period: Find out how long the introductory period is. Some credit cards, like the Citi Simplicity card, come with a introductory APR on balance transfers for 21 months (then 19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)). The longer your introductory period, the more likely you are to avoid interest payments. Any amount not paid off at the end of your intro period will be subject to your card's regular variable APR.
  • Balance transfer fee: Pay attention to the balance transfer fee, as it’s common to see a fee of 3% or 5% of the amount of each transfer. Run the numbers to determine if your interest savings will offset any balance transfer fee, and keep in mind that some cards will also waive this fee if you complete your balance transfer within a set period.
  • Welcome offer: While a welcome offer isn’t everything, it is definitely worth considering as you shop around for a credit card. For instance, you might opt for a card like the American Express Blue Cash Everyday®, which has this welcome offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.
  • Monthly payments: Always be sure to make your monthly payments on or before the due date. If you make a late payment, you'll not only be hit with unnecessary late fees, but you could lose the benefit of your intro APR. You might even be charged a penalty APR that is higher than normal. So at least be sure to always make your minimum payment.
  • Other rewards and perks: In some cases, it might make sense to get a card that you’ll keep using after the introductory period ends. Take a detailed look at each cards rewards program. Consider if a cash back card or a travel rewards card fits your lifestyle better. Check to see if the card has any additional benefits like no foreign transaction fees, extended warranty protection, or statement credits for certain types of spending or with certain retail partners.

Think about your goals, compare a few cards, and narrow down your options before you apply for a new card. Figure out how much you need to pay each month so that your entire balance is down to zero before the end of your introductory period when the variable rate of interest kicks in.

How do 0% APR offers work?

In general, a 0% APR offer means you won’t have to pay any interest on qualifying balance transfers, purchases, or both for a set period of time.

So with certain credit cards that have 0% APR intro balance transfer offers, you could transfer a balance from another credit product and not worry about accruing interest on that balance for the time frame of the offer. Many balance transfer credit cards provide 0% intro APR offers that last between 12 to 18 months.

After the intro APR period ends, the interest rate typically reverts back to a variable rate. So it’s important to pay off a balance before the intro APR offer ends or you could end up with loads of interest charges moving forward.

Keep in mind that it doesn’t always make sense to take advantage of balance transfers on 0% APR credit cards. You’re basically guaranteed to pay a balance transfer fee for any balance transfer, so you have to calculate whether the money you might save on interest is more than the amount you could pay in fees.

How to avoid credit card interest after your 0% APR period

The simplest way to avoid credit card interest after your 0% APR period ends is to:

  1. Pay off your balance before your 0% APR period ends
  2. Don’t carry a balance moving forward

The point of a 0% APR period is to give you time to pay down a balance without having to worry about interest charges. And moving forward, you typically don’t want to carry a balance on your credit card at all.

Your credit card interest rate typically jumps dramatically after an intro APR offer ends, so it’s best to pay off the balance during the offer’s time period. If you plan to continue using your credit card for everyday purchases, be sure to pay off the balance each month so that there’s no chance of being charged interest.

But if your 0% APR card isn’t tied to a rewards program, it’s likely better to use a cashback credit card or travel credit card for everyday spending. That way you’ll earn rewards for the purchases you already make.

Why we chose these cards (methodology)

We chose these zero-interest credit cards for their relatively long introductory rates, along with some of their other perks. This list contains a mix of cards that offer rotating, tiered, and flat cashback programs, as well as cards that don’t offer rewards, but do offer longer 0% introductory APR periods. We created this list for consumers with different needs and preferences in order to help them find a card to achieve their long-term financial goals.

FAQs

Are 0% intro APR credit cards worth it?

If you can pay off your credit card before the promotional period ends, a 0% intro APR credit card can be worth it. Some of these cards might also be able to earn you bonus cash back on certain new purchases. However, a plan to pay off the credit card is important if you want to save money on interest and get rid of your debt faster.

What’s the best 0% intro APR credit card?

Some of the best credit cards with a 0% intro APR offer include:

However, the best credit card is one that you’re likely to use and that meets your individual needs. Carefully consider what’s likely to work best for you.

Can a 0% intro APR credit card damage your credit?

Depending on how you manage your credit, any card could potentially be a problem, including a credit card with an introductory offer. If you use too much of your available credit and cancel your old card, it could reduce your credit score, thanks to credit utilization. Additionally, if you miss payments on your card, you could see a lower credit score. That said, a 0% intro APR credit card also has the potential to help your credit score because it might enable you to pay down your credit card debt faster.

How is APR different from interest?

APR, or annual percentage rate, is a number that expresses how much you’ll pay for borrowing money, including interest, fees, and other charges. An interest rate is how much interest you’re charged for borrowing money. The APR and interest rate for credit cards are basically the same thing, but these rates are typically different for loans.


The bottom line on the best 0% intro APR credit cards

What is the best 0% intro APR credit card for you? In the end, it’s all about what is most compatible with your goals and priorities. A good credit card can complement your budget, provide you with cash back or travel rewards, help you manage your money, and maybe even provide a welcome bonus. Thankfully, a lot of credit card companies offer these cards, so you have a number of offers to pick from. 

If you are a small business owner, you might also want to check out the best 0% intro APR business credit cards.

To get the most out of a new credit card with an interest-free period though, it’s important to pay your bill on time, focusing on responsible use to build your credit score, pay down your debt or purchases, and make the most of your spending.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

Author Details

Miranda Marquit
Miranda Marquit Miranda Marquit has covered personal finance for more than a decade and is a nationally-recognized financial expert and journalist, appearing on CNBC, NPR, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, FOX Business, and numerous other outlets.
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