Although many other financial products have interest rates that are lower than those on credit cards, some cards offer a promotional 0% APR term. Some cards with 0% APR allow you to avoid paying interest on both purchases and balance transfers, while others limit their offers to just one or the other. When evaluating cards with 0% APR, keep in mind that some may not have the rewards programmes or other incentives that would encourage you to use the card after the promotional time has ended.
Methodology
Not all credit cards with 0% APR are made equal. Forbes Advisor evaluated hundreds of 0% APR credit cards from a variety of issuers to come up with our list of the best 0% APR credit cards.
The duration of a card’s 0% APR offer, any welcome incentives, and any credit card costs associated with ownership and/or the capacity to transfer a debt from another card were among the many considerations we took into account. We also took into account the card’s usefulness beyond the introductory APR period, including if it offered points for purchases.
The Best 0% APR Credit Cards
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card may satisfy those who don’t like yearly fees or other gimmicks. The card gains additional considerable value from the plethora of supplementary advantages included with most Capital One cards, earning 5 miles for every dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel and 1.25 miles for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
Annual Cost:
0
Intro APR Offer:
15 months of 0% intro APR on purchases and credit transfers; afterwards, variable APR of 16.49% to 26.49%; intro APR offer; on transfers made during the first 15 months, there is a 3% charge.
Fee for Balance Transfer:
3%
Citi Simplicity Card
The introductory APR offer for the Citi Simplicity® Card is meant to be straightforward. There are no late fees, penalty rates, or yearly costs associated with the card. It doesn’t earn any incentives either, so your best bet is to utilise it as a tool in your debt repayment strategy.
Annual Cost:
0
Offer for Introductory APR:
Receive a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months starting on the first transfer, and a 0% intro APR on purchases starting on the opening day of your account for 12 months. After that, depending on your creditworthiness, the variable APR will range from 16.99% to 26.99%. Transfers of balances must be done within four months of account establishment. The greater of $5 or 5% of each transfer’s value will be charged as the balance transfer fee.
Balance Transfer Cost:
This promotion includes a balance transfer fee. $5 minimum; 5% of each balance transfer.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you may earn plenty of points. With no annual fee, this all-purpose workhorse of a card earns 5% cash back on travel bought via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% cash back on qualified dining and pharmacy expenditures, and 1.5% on all other transactions.
Annual Cost:
0
Intro APR Offer:
0% introductory APR on purchases and debt transfers is available for 15 months starting at account opening; after that, a variable APR of 17.24% to 25.99% is in effect. Within the first 60 days of account establishment, there is an initial transfer cost of $5 or 3% of each transfer’s value, whichever is higher. After that, a fee of $5 or 5% of each transfer’s value will be charged.
Balance Transfer Fee:
$5 or 5% of each transfer’s value, whichever is higher.
What Is a Credit Card with a 0% Intro APR?
An initial term without financing costs on purchases, debt transfers, or both is provided by 0% APR credit cards. It might be a pleasant departure from the double-digit interest rates often applied to credit cards or other loans to be exempt from finance charges. The less interest you pay, the more you may apply to clearing your debt.
Who Should Get Credit Cards with 0% Intro APR?
Consumers who need more time to pay off their debt might benefit from credit cards with 0% introductory APR. 0% purchase cards Instead of asking for financing via other channels and using cards with 0% balance transfers, major purchases may be made using APRs. If you already have a running charge on a credit card and need some time to pay it off, APRs are a smart option.
A 0% APR credit card is not necessary for someone who can regularly pay their debt in full before interest starts to accrue.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Credit Card with 0% APR
A credit card with a 0% APR may be a useful tool since it gives you the time and flexibility to pay off significant sums. The optimum time to apply for a credit card with a 0% APR is just before you expect to need to make a large purchase or transfer a debt. Most of the time, you have a limited window of opportunity to start a balance transfer or 0% purchase. Then, you’ll have more time to settle those amounts.
However, if you have a strategy in place to settle the amount before the conclusion of your promotional time, you’ll get the most out of it. If not, when the first time is finished, interest will start to accrue at the usual rate, reducing whatever savings you may have made thus far.
How much money could you save if the introductory APR rate was 0%?
Interest rates on credit cards are often 10% or more, and even 20% is rather typical. As a result, deferring interest payments for a year or more might save you a lot of money on high amounts. For instance, if you didn’t make payments on a $10,000 amount with a 15% APR, you would end up paying $1,500 in interest over the course of the year. It would not accrue interest at all with a 0% APR, at least not until the promotional period is through.
Bottom Line
Although using credit cards with 0% APR is a smart approach to save your interest costs, not all 0% APR cards are made equal. The benefits and drawbacks of any deal might influence whether your promotional rate is valid for purchases, balance transfers, or both. There are different time frames for starting transfers, paying down balances, and receiving various perks along the road, but they are all ways to pay for charges over time without incurring interest costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
An introduction APR is what?
A promotional offer made by credit card companies to entice potential customers to sign up for a new card is known as an introductory APR. An intro APR is often a 0% or very low APR deal that is valid for for a short time. When the introductory offer ends, the card’s usual APR, which falls within a range outlined in the cardholder agreement, will take effect.
How can I receive an existing credit card with 0% APR?
Most credit cards only provide new cardmembers with a temporary 0% APR as a welcome offer. For this reason, a 0% APR is sometimes referred to as a “introductory” rate. Following the expiration of your promotional term, your interest rate will go back to the regular rate, making you ineligible for the 0% APR offer.
However, some 0% APR offers are sent to existing cardholders by postal mail or via their online accounts. You will probably need to obtain a new credit card in order to take advantage of one of these offers if you are not a target for the offer and are interested in 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers.
What factors impact a credit card’s APR?
Every credit card has a different annual percentage rate. The majority of credit cards list a range of APRs, with the actual rate depending on your creditworthiness or a business’s assessment of the risk associated with your capacity to pay.
