NerdWallet’s Best 0% and Low Interest Credit Cards, Spring 2013

If you have credit card debt or need to make a big purchase, a low-interest credit card can be your salvation. Offering over a year of 0% APR to get rid of your debts, these cards are the best in the business, from waived fees to rewards and more. Transfer your balance and you’ll get some time to breathe and, we hope, a chance to get out of debt.

0% APR meets no fees meets rewards: the Discover It

The Discover It has it all, whether you’re looking to shed debt or earn rewards:

• Either 14 months of 0% interest on purchases and transfers or 18 months of 0% on transfers and 6 on purchases
• 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories, up to $1,500 spent quarterly
• No penalty APR or foreign transaction fee; first late payment fee is forgiven
• Extra perks like purchase, warranty and return protection

If you don’t need the Citi Simplicity’s full 18 months of 0% on purchases and transfers and ongoing waived late fees, the Discover It is a great way to earn rewards and work towards debt freedom.

Discover it®
	The new Discover it card is out to change the way people think about credit cards. Fair...No annual fee. No overlimit fee. No foreign transaction fee & no pay-by-phone fee. No late fee on your first late payment. And we won't increase your APR for paying late.* Generous…5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in purchases at Home Improvement Stores now through June with free and easy sign-up. And 1% cash back on all other purchases.* Plus a Cashback ConciergeSM who guides a free, personalized online tour to help you get the most rewards for how you use your card. Flexible…Choose your own due date and pay up to midnight ET online or by phone. Human…talk to a real person any time with 100% U.S.-based service. Safe…Because you’ll never pay for unauthorized purchases with our $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee. 0% Intro APR* on purchases and balance transfers for 14 months. Then the variable purchase APR applies, currently 10.99% - 22.99%. *Click apply for Terms & Conditions.		Pros No annual fee 0% for 14 mos on transfers No foreign transaction fee

Longest 0% APR period: the Citi Simplicity

The Simplicity’s one of our favorites because it treats debtors delicately all around. Not only does it have 18 months of 0% interest on purchases and transfers – the best in the business – it charges no annual fee, forgoes late fees and a penalty APR and has a lower-than-standard 3% transfer fee. In other words, if you pay late, you won’t be slapped quite as hard with fees as you would with another card. Whether you’ve made a few late payments on accident, or need some time to get rid of your credit card debt, the Simplicity is unparalleled.

Citi Simplicity® Card
	0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99% - 21.99% based on your creditworthiness. There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. No late fees - EVER No penalty rate - EVER No annual fee - EVER Save time when you call with fast, personal help, 24 hours a day.		Pros No late fee No annual fee 0% for 18 months* on transfers Cons No rewards

Low interest and rewards: the Chase Freedom

The Chase Freedom is an excellent choice for folks with excellent credit who also need some time to get rid of debt. The card gives you 15 months of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers and even earns rewards. You earn 5% cash back on bonus categories that change every quarter, up to $1,500 spent per period; all other purchases earn a flat 1%. There’s a $100signup bonus to sweeten the deal, and last but not least, the card has no annual fee.

Chase Freedom® Visa
	This offer is for people with a good to excellent credit history which means, among other things, that your credit history is clear of bankruptcy and seriously delinquent accounts Earn $100 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent between July 1 and September 30, 2013 at gas stations, theme parks, and Kohl's® You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like gas stations, restaurants and Amazon.com. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter! Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases No annual fee and rewards never expire		Pros Bonus cash back categories No annual fee 0% for 15 mos on transfers

No balance transfer fee: the Chase Slate

The Chase Slate might not stand out among the others for its rewards or intro period like the others – 15 months as opposed to 18 with the Simplicity. Still, it’s worth your attention because of one detail in particular: no balance transfer fee for the first 60 days, a feature that, among this group, only the Barclaycard can boast. There’s no annual fee either, which means this card is easy on your bank account, especially for those who need to consolidate a tall pile of debt.

Slate® from Chase
	Introductory Offer - No Balance Transfer Fee!* Transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open, and as an introductory offer you will pay no balance transfer fee!* 0% Introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers!* Avoid interest and pay down balances faster with free Blueprint® features* Patented Fraud Protection and zero liability on unauthorized purchases* Add an additional card user to your Slate account at no extra cost* No Annual Fee*		Pros No annual fee 0% for up to 15 months* on transfers No balance transfer fee Cons No rewards

For long-term credit card debt: the Barclaycard Ring

Barclays won’t give you an introductory period of 0% APR, but they will give you a really low 8% variable ongoing rate, whereas most cards will charge between 12% and 20%. Further: no annual or balance transfer fee, no penalty APR and late fees are $25, not the standard $35. One final bonus: if you refer a friend, you’ll get $20 upon their approval.

If you’re going to be in debt for a long time, the Ring card might catch your eye . Take the average American’s credit card debt for example – it easily tops $15,000. You probably can’t pay that off in a year and a half, so your card’s ongoing interest should be of concern. The bottom line: if you know you’ll be in debt for some time, check out the Barclaycard Ring. If not – congrats – and take a look at some of the other cards we list here.

Barclaycard® Ring MasterCard®
	A low 8% variable APR on balance transfers and purchases No Annual Fees No Balance Transfer Fees - start saving immediately! Choose your card benefits and features Get rewarded through the new Giveback™ program, where Barclaycard Ring members get money back for good performance Get exclusive access to our online community and vote on the card features you like and view the financials of the Barclaycard Ring MasterCard online Learn more about personal finance from Barclaycard and other members		Pros No annual fee Cons No rewards