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Looking for low apr credit cards?

Do you carry a balance month-to-month? A low interest credit card will save a lot of money over time, so no matter how tempting a rewards card may sound, be mindful that you’re likely to pay more in high interest than you earn back in rewards. Low APR credit cards come in two flavors: a 0% introductory period, and a low ongoing rate. Credit unions are often good options for low APRs, especially if they’re federally chartered. For our recommendations, check out our list of the best low interest credit cards.

Results 1 - 5 of 176 Results per-page: 10 | 25 Page 1 of 36 | next >
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Ranks #1 out of 176 cards, sorted by estimated annual Average APR.
Citibank Diamond+Preferred Credit Card
Average APR
2.99%
over 2 years
Intro APR Promotions
Purchase:
0% for 18 months*

Transfer:
0% for 18 months*
APR, variable*
Min APR:
11.99%
Max APR:
21.99%
Default:
29.99%
Cash Adv:
25.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Annual Net Rewards
$0*
(4/5 - 213 Votes)
"...I wasn't allowed to transfer over as much as I had originally wanted, but I'm pretty happy that I got $4,800 taken down from 14.95% to 0% for the next 21 months...." (see all 2 comments)
Average Annual Percentage Rate Calculation**
Promo APR, 18 months
0.00%
Ongoing APR, 6 months, based
on est APR of 11.99% for good credit
11.99%
Total APR, 24 months
2.99%
Summary
*includes signing bonuses, annual fees, and rewards

**rate calculations include both promotional periods and ongoing APR.
More Info & APR Calculator for Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard®
Ranks #2 out of 176 cards, sorted by estimated annual Average APR.
Citibank Platinum+Select Credit Card
Average APR
2.99%
over 2 years
Intro APR Promotions
Purchase:
0% for 18 months*

Transfer:
0% for 18 months*
APR, variable*
Min APR:
11.99%
Max APR:
21.99%
Default:
29.99%
Cash Adv:
25.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Annual Net Rewards
$0*
(4/5 - 323 Votes)
"...I got approved for 0% for 18 months last year, which was great given my credit isnt perfect, but now the offer is 21 months? How annoying...." (see all 6 comments)
Average Annual Percentage Rate Calculation**
Promo APR, 18 months
0.00%
Ongoing APR, 6 months, based
on est APR of 11.99% for good credit
11.99%
Total APR, 24 months
2.99%
Summary
*includes signing bonuses, annual fees, and rewards

**rate calculations include both promotional periods and ongoing APR.
More Info & APR Calculator for Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard®
Citi Simplicity® Card
Ranks #3 out of 176 cards, sorted by estimated annual Average APR.
Citibank Simplicity Credit Card
Average APR
3.23%
over 2 years
Intro APR Promotions
Purchase:
0% for 18 months*

Transfer:
0% for 18 months*
APR, variable*
Min APR:
12.99%
Max APR:
21.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Annual Net Rewards
$0*
(4.5/5 - 162 Votes)
"...I spent more than $100 on late fees last year ... my bank raised my interest rate to almost 30%! So I said to hell with them, switched to the Simplicity card, and haven't paid any penalties since. ..." (see all comments)
Average Annual Percentage Rate Calculation**
Promo APR, 18 months
0.00%
Ongoing APR, 6 months, based
on est APR of 12.99% for good credit
12.99%
Total APR, 24 months
3.23%
Summary
*includes signing bonuses, annual fees, and rewards

**rate calculations include both promotional periods and ongoing APR.
More Info & APR Calculator for Citi Simplicity® Card
Slate℠ from Chase
Ranks #4 out of 176 cards, sorted by estimated annual Average APR.
Chase Slate+Elite Credit Card
Average APR
4.48%
over 2 years
Intro APR Promotions
Purchase:
0% for up to 15 months

Transfer:
0% for up to 15 months
APR, variable*
Min APR:
11.99%
Max APR:
21.99%
Default:
29.99%
Cash Adv:
19.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Annual Net Rewards
$38*
(3.5/5 - 121 Votes)
Average Annual Percentage Rate Calculation**
Promo APR, 15 months
0.00%
Ongoing APR, 9 months, based
on est APR of 11.99% for good credit
11.99%
Total APR, 24 months
4.48%
Summary
*includes signing bonuses, annual fees, and rewards

**rate calculations include both promotional periods and ongoing APR.
More Info & APR Calculator for Slate℠ from Chase
Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by Chase Bank USA, N.A. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of Chase Bank USA, N.A, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Chase Bank USA, N.A. "Sponsored" above means this site may be compensated through the Chase Bank USA, N.A Affiliate Program.
Capital One® VentureOne℠ Rewards Credit Card
Ranks #5 out of 176 cards, sorted by estimated annual Average APR.
Capital+One VentureOne+Rewards Credit Card
Average APR
5.94%
over 2 years
Intro APR Promotions
Purchase:
0% intro APR until February 2013

Transfer:
None
APR, variable*
Min APR:
11.9%(V)
Max APR:
19.9%(V)
Default:
29.4%(V)
Cash Adv:
24.9%(V)
Annual Fee
$0
Annual Net Rewards
$320*
(3.5/5 - 208 Votes)
"...How do you guys compare the VentureOne (1.25%, no annual fee) to the regular Venture (2%, $59 annual fee)? In which situations is one better than the other?..." (see all 3 comments)
Summary
*includes signing bonuses, annual fees, and rewards

**rate calculations include both promotional periods and ongoing APR.
More Info & APR Calculator for Capital One® VentureOne℠ Rewards Credit Card

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Not sure what to look for?

How to Choose the Best Low Interest Credit Card

The most important question is whether you’re going for a 0% interest promo period or a low ongoing APR. Both are fairly straightforward: in the first case, look for a credit card with the longest 0% intro period, and in the second, search for the lowest interest rate possible. Currently, the Citi Platinum Select and Citi Diamond Preferred offer the longest intro periods at 21 months. The Discover Motiva is also great card for those with average credit, with 3.99% introductory rates for 15 months. In all cases, you should take a look at your local credit union, since these small, community-oriented institutions often charge lower interest rates than banks but have less exciting rewards programs.

While choosing a low APR credit card is more straightforward than, say, a rewards credit card, there are a few “gotchas” to keep in mind:

  • For 0% interest offers, a high ongoing interest rate
  • Scattered fees such as cash advance, foreign transaction and raised credit limit charges
  • Higher APRs for people with bad credit, despite low advertised minimum rates
  • Penalty interest rates (which can be as much as 30%) and late payment fees (up to $35)
  • While federal credit unions can’t charge more than 18% interest (even penalty rates), non-federally charted ones can charge as much as they like
More from our blog:
  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=205295 Tim Chen

    Now you can easily compare one card to another, including those pesky shrouded fees (late payment
    fees, penalty APRs, cash advance fees, etc) by using our head to head credit card comparison tool.

  • mike

    zions bank rep just said that to get a card  you have to be in the state of utah or have an existing account with them to get a credit card 

  • Dan

    what about an option for fixed vs variable rates?

  • Abbey

    For the Zion’s Bank Visa Signature you have to have an annual income of $75,000, and for the Platinum you have to have an income of $35,000