We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.
Best 0% APR Credit Cards of October 2025
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Updated · 10 min read
How is this page expert verified?
NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.
Paul Soucy has led the Credit Cards content team at NerdWallet since 2015 and the Travel Rewards team since 2023; he is also director of content for Consumer Credit verticals. He was an editor with USA Today, The Des Moines Register and the Meredith/Better Homes and Gardens family of magazines for more than 20 years. He also built a successful freelance writing and editing practice with a focus on business and personal finance. He was editor of the USA Today Weekly International Edition for six years and received the highest award from ACES: The Society for Editing. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration. He lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife, Sarah; his two sons; and a dog named Sam.
Caitlin Mims is an editor covering credit cards and travel rewards. Before joining NerdWallet, she was an editor at CreditCards.com and Bankrate. Caitlin has written about personal finance for nine years and has also covered credit scores, retirement planning and the financial challenges women face.
Published in
At NerdWallet, our content goes through a rigorous editorial review process. We have such confidence in our accurate and useful content that we let outside experts inspect our work.
Kenley Young directs daily credit cards coverage for NerdWallet. Previously, he was a homepage editor and digital content producer for Fox Sports, and before that a front page editor for Yahoo. He has decades of experience in digital and print media, including stints as a copy desk chief, a wire editor and a metro editor for the McClatchy newspaper chain.
Managing Editor
A zero-percent or 0% APR credit card saves you money by stopping the clock on interest for a year or more. Got a big expense coming up? Put it on one of these credit cards and then pay it off without finance charges. Many of the best zero-percent credit cards, as chosen by NerdWallet's credit cards editorial team, not only come with a long 0% APR period, but also earn rewards and offer bonuses that can translate into big discounts on big purchases.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 16.99%, 23.49%, or 28.74% Variable APR
0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.99%-28.49% Variable APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.99%-26.99% Variable APR
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.99%-28.99% Variable APR
Full list — best 0% APR credit cards of October 2025:
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Interest rate:0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 16.99%, 23.49%, or 28.74% Variable APR.
Why the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is our pick for longest intro APR period: The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers maximum breathing room for paying off a big purchase, with an introductory APR period approaching two years. Most cards top out at 12-15 months, and a fair number stretch to 18 months, but few go this far. The biggest downsides? There's no bonus offer and no rewards, and the ongoing APR is nothing to write home about, so there's limited value once that promotional period runs out. The card's rating also gets pulled down a bit by the 5% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum), which is on the high side. But if you're just looking to finance a large expense over as long a period as possible, this might be your card.
Rewards? No.
Bonus offer? No.
See our pros and cons for this card
Pros:
Exceptional intro APR period that beats most cards on the market.
Cell phone protection.
$0 annual fee.
Cons:
You won't earn ongoing rewards, aside from being able to opt in to one-time offers from My Wells Fargo Deals, so the card's usefulness after the promotional APR period runs out is limited.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Interest rate:0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.99%-28.49% Variable APR.
Why the Chase Freedom Unlimited® makes our list of the best intro APR cards: This card earns 5 stars for its outstanding cash back, but it also packs a strong money-saving punch with a good introductory APR offer for new cardholders. In terms of rewards, you get bonus cash back on travel booked through Chase and at restaurants and drugstores, as well as a higher-than-usual ongoing rate on spending outside those categories. You can even transfer your rewards to other Chase-branded credit cards for greater flexibility.
Rewards? Yes.
Bonus offer? Yes. Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
See our pros and cons for this card
Pros:
Intro APR period of more than a year.
Rewards: 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase; 3% cash back at restaurants and drugstores; and 1.5% on other purchases.
Rewards can be transferred to Chase's Sapphire cards for greater redemption value.
Bonus offer.
$0 annual fee.
Cons:
Depending on your spending patterns and appetite for complexity, juggling multiple bonus categories and rates can be complicated compared with a card that earns a flat rewards rate.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Interest rate:0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.49%-28.49% Variable APR.
Why the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Cardmakes our list of the best intro APR cards: Credit cards with an intro APR period this long for purchases don't typically offer spending rewards. And while the U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card doesn't give you cash back or points for every purchase, you can earn some decent cash back on purchases through the issuer's travel portal. There's also an incentive to keep the card in your wallet — an annual $20 statement credit if you make a purchase for 11 consecutive months. Still, the primary draw is the lengthy break from interest.
Rewards? Only on select purchases.
Bonus offer? No.
See our pros and cons for this card
Pros:
Significant 0% intro APR period of well over a year.
Rewards: 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly through U.S. Bank’s Rewards Center.
Annual $20 statement credit for 11 consecutive months of purchases.
Cell phone protection.
$0 annual fee.
Cons:
It's possible to find lengthier intro APR offers — even on U.S. Bank's own website. And if you're willing to accept a slightly shorter intro APR window, you can find cards with superior rewards.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Interest rate:0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.99%-26.99% Variable APR.
Why the Discover it® Cash Back makes our list of the best intro APR cards: This card earns rich cash back while giving you plenty of breathing room to pay down a balance without interest. Although the rewards program takes a little work to manage — requiring you to activate the cash back categories online every three months — the effort is worth it. You also get Discover's signature bonus offer for new cardholders.
Rewards? Yes.
Bonus offer? Yes. INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
See our pros and cons for this card
Pros:
Intro APR period of more than a year.
Rewards: 5% cash back in rotating bonus categories that you activate (on up to $1,500 in spending per quarter); 1% back on other spending.
Has bonus offer.
$0 annual fee
Cons:
Bonus rewards are capped.
It can be a hassle to track rotating bonus categories and opt in to them every quarter, compared with cards with a flat rewards rate or static categories.
You’ll have to wait a full year to collect your bonus.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Interest rate:0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.99%-28.99% Variable APR.
Why the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express makes our list of the best intro APR cards: If you've got a major purchase you're looking to finance, there's a good chance you'll be making it online (or have the option to do so), and this card is one of the best you'll find for bonus rewards on online spending. Especially noteworthy is that the cap on the amount of spending eligible for the elevated rewards rate is assessed on an annual basis rather than quarterly, meaning that more of your big purchase will be able to qualify. This card also has outstanding rewards in other major categories. And of course there's the good intro APR period.
Rewards? Yes.
Bonus offer? Yes. Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
See our pros and cons for this card
Pros:
Intro APR period of more than a year.
Rewards: 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in spending in each category); 1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome offer.
$0 annual fee.
Terms apply.
Cons:
Bonus rewards are capped.
Depending on your spending patterns, a flat-rate card that earns the same rewards rate on all purchases might be less of a hassle.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Interest rate:0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.99%-28.49% Variable APR.
Why the Chase Freedom Flex® makes our list of the best intro APR cards: If you're willing to put in a little work, this card offers high rewards potential that will endure after its solid 0% APR period runs out. Its rewards structure is a rather unique combination of permanent bonus categories (travel booked through Chase, restaurants, drugstores) and rotating categories that change every three months. Those quarterly categories commonly include major budget items like grocery stores and gas stations, although some more niche offerings creep in from time to time.
Rewards? Yes.
Bonus offer? Yes. Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
See our pros and cons for this card
Pros:
Intro APR period of more than a year.
Rewards: 5% cash back in bonus categories that change every three months (on up to $1,500 per quarter in spending, then 1%; activation required); 5% back on travel booked through Chase; 3% back at restaurants and drugstores; and 1% back on other purchases.
Rewards can be transferred among other eligible Chase credit cards to get greater value.
Bonus offer.
$0 annual fee.
Cons:
It can be a hassle to track rotating bonus categories and opt in to them every quarter, compared with cards with a flat rewards rate or static categories.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Interest rate:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.99%-27.99% will apply.
Why the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card makes our list of the best intro APR cards: Unlike many of the other rewards cards on this list, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card has a rewards structure that just about anyone can keep track of: 1.5% cash back on purchases (2% in the first year). No, that's not the highest ongoing flat rate you can find — several cards are permanently 2% on everything. But if you are a member of the Bank of America® Preferred Rewards program, you earn higher rates. And besides, those other cards don't have an intro APR period for purchases as long as this one's.
Rewards? Yes.
Bonus offer? Yes. $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
See our pros and cons for this card
Pros:
Intro APR period of more than a year.
Simple rewards: 2% cash back on all purchases in the first year, and then 1.5% after that.
If you're a member of the issuer's Preferred Rewards program, you can boost your rewards rates by 25% to 75%.
Bonus offer.
$0 annual fee
Cons:
Simplicity comes with trade-offs: You don't have to keep track of bonus categories, but you'll also miss out on the elevated rewards rates that a bonus-category card can offer.
1.5% cash back on everything is a strong rate, but a growing number of cards pay 2%, and not just in the first year.
Note: This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Interest rate:0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.99%-27.99% will apply.
Why the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card makes our list of the best intro APR cards: This card combines a strong intro APR offer, a solid sign-up bonus and a rewards structure that lets you choose which purchases earn the highest cash-back rate. If you've got a big expense coming up, see whether it fits into one of this card's customizable 3% categories, which include such options as online shopping, travel and home improvement and furnishings. It can take a minute to master the details of this card, but it's a keeper for the long term.
Rewards? Yes.
Bonus offer? Yes. $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
See our pros and cons for this card
Pros:
Intro APR period of more than one year.
Customizable rewards: 3% cash back (6% in the first year) in a category you choose and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, on up to $2,500 per quarter in combined spending in those categories. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. (You can change your 3% category once a month.)
Cardholders who are eligible for the Bank of America® Preferred Rewards program can earn 25% to 75% higher rewards rates.
Bonus offer.
$0 annual fee.
Cons:
The amount of spending eligible for the bonus rewards is capped, which means you might earn more rewards with a simple flat-rate card that pays an unlimited 1.5% or 2% on everything.
Note: This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Interest rate:0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.99%-28.99% Variable APR.
Why the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card makes our list of the best intro APR cards: The original 1.5% cash back card is still the best-known name in the 1.5% game. Less known but no less significant is its lengthy intro APR period. You can find other cards that pay a higher flat rate, but they usually don't give you as much breathing room to pay down purchases without interest.
Rewards? Yes.
Bonus offer? Yes. LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn $300 in welcome bonuses. Enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
See our pros and cons for this card
Pros:
Intro APR period of more than a year.
Simple rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plus 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Bonus offer.
$0 annual fee.
Cons:
Simplicity is central to this card's appeal, but depending on how you spend money, you might earn more rewards with a card that pays higher rates in specific categories.
1.5% back on all purchases is decent, but a growing number of cards offer a flat rate of at least 2% back.
NerdWallet assigns star ratings to credit cards based on how much value they provide to a typical consumer. Our scale goes from 1.0 at the bottom to 5.0 at the top and is incremented in tenths of a star — such as 2.5, 3.7 or 5.0.
How ratings are set
Credit card ratings are determined by proprietary formulas developed by NerdWallet’s credit card experts. When it comes to the best 0% APR credit cards, there are generally two kinds of products:
“Pure” 0% cards that offer an extra-long introductory APR period. These cards usually don’t offer rewards; their primary value proposition is that they save you money on interest and fees.
Rewards cards that offer a shorter, but still substantial, intro APR period. The primary appeal of these cards lies in their rewards, bonuses and perks. The 0% offer is an added enticement.
Each credit card on this page is rated under the formula that best matches the card’s core value proposition.
What the stars mean
A five-star card isn’t a “perfect” credit card; there’s no such thing as an objectively perfect card because every consumer has different needs. Rather, a 5.0 rating indicates a best-in-class card that will deliver the most value to the most people. Depending on your specific circumstances, a card with a 4.0 rating or even a 3.5 rating might actually be the perfect card for you.
Because the credit cards on this page are a mix of pure 0% cards and rewards cards, you may find yourself comparing two cards that were rated using different formulas. Even so, each is a strong choice for someone looking to finance a big purchase without interest. For many people, the cash back or points they earn with a rewards card with a 15-month intro period are worth far more than a few extra months at 0%.
Pure 0% credit cards
NerdWallet’s formula for rating “pure” 0% cards puts the greatest weight on how much money you could save by using that card, compared with using a typical credit card with a high ongoing interest rate. Key factors in that calculation include:
The length of the 0% introductory APR period.
Whether the intro 0% APR applies to purchases, balance transfers or both.
Fees, including annual fees and balance transfer fees.
Our formula also considers whether the card provides significant value after the 0% period ends, such as with an ongoing perk like cell phone insurance. Many pure 0% cards don’t provide much of an incentive to keep using them.
Rewards credit cards
To be considered for our roundup of the best 0% APR credit cards, a rewards card generally needs to offer a 0% period longer than a year and charge no annual fee.
Beyond that, NerdWallet’s ratings formulas for rewards cards focus not on savings, but on earnings — how much money you can make by using the card as your primary payment method. Key factors in that calculation include:
Rewards rates.
Bonus categories. (We use federal consumer spending data to assess the relative value of different categories.)
The complexity of the rewards structure, or how much “work” is required to understand it and ensure you’re getting proper value.
Sign-up bonuses, and how difficult they are to earn.
Ask our credit card experts
Nerdy Perspective
How do you use 0% APR credit cards?
I seek out a 0% APR card that offers rewards and a sign-up bonus any time I have a big expense coming up. The 0% APR period allows me to make structured payments over time and preserve cash on hand, while the rewards and sign-up bonus help offset the overall cost. I used the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card to finance a home remodel. I would have paid in cash, but the 0% APR period allowed me to put that cash in a high-yield savings account and earn interest over the promotional period.
I’ve used 0% APR offers for large planned expenses to avoid tapping into my emergency fund and reap savings in the process. For instance, I previously used the 0% APR from a new credit card to cover a large vet bill. I earned rewards on the amount spent and I was also on my way to meeting the requirements for the $200 sign-up bonus. The interest-free window gave me enough time to pay down the bill, and my emergency fund was kept intact in case I needed it.
I want that interest-free period to be as long as possible. My husband and I used the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to pay for new windows that cost more than $20,000. At the time, the Freedom Unlimited card had a 15-month 0% APR period, which gave us plenty of time to pay off that sizable balance. If you're really serious about avoiding interest, note the date the 0% APR period ends — ask the issuer if you're not sure — and calculate how much you'll need to pay each month in order to pay off the balance before the promotional APR expires.
I moved into an older house that needed several updates: a new water heater, new curtains, new paint, new plumbing, updated electricity. I used a 0% card — the Citi Custom Cash® Card — to cover all these purchases and was able to pay off the balance within a year without interest. If I were paying cash, I might've spaced out those purchases more, but I wanted to get the work done before I moved in. (Living in a home while it's being painted seems … stressful.) The card helped me get the job done, and I earned a sign-up bonus and rewards in the process.
I seek out a 0% APR card that offers rewards and a sign-up bonus any time I have a big expense coming up. The 0% APR period allows me to make structured payments over time and preserve cash on hand, while the rewards and sign-up bonus help offset the overall cost. I used the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card to finance a home remodel. I would have paid in cash, but the 0% APR period allowed me to put that cash in a high-yield savings account and earn interest over the promotional period.
I’ve used 0% APR offers for large planned expenses to avoid tapping into my emergency fund and reap savings in the process. For instance, I previously used the 0% APR from a new credit card to cover a large vet bill. I earned rewards on the amount spent and I was also on my way to meeting the requirements for the $200 sign-up bonus. The interest-free window gave me enough time to pay down the bill, and my emergency fund was kept intact in case I needed it.
I want that interest-free period to be as long as possible. My husband and I used the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to pay for new windows that cost more than $20,000. At the time, the Freedom Unlimited card had a 15-month 0% APR period, which gave us plenty of time to pay off that sizable balance. If you're really serious about avoiding interest, note the date the 0% APR period ends — ask the issuer if you're not sure — and calculate how much you'll need to pay each month in order to pay off the balance before the promotional APR expires.
I moved into an older house that needed several updates: a new water heater, new curtains, new paint, new plumbing, updated electricity. I used a 0% card — the Citi Custom Cash® Card — to cover all these purchases and was able to pay off the balance within a year without interest. If I were paying cash, I might've spaced out those purchases more, but I wanted to get the work done before I moved in. (Living in a home while it's being painted seems … stressful.) The card helped me get the job done, and I earned a sign-up bonus and rewards in the process.
I seek out a 0% APR card that offers rewards and a sign-up bonus any time I have a big expense coming up. The 0% APR period allows me to make structured payments over time and preserve cash on hand, while the rewards and sign-up bonus help offset the overall cost. I used the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card to finance a home remodel. I would have paid in cash, but the 0% APR period allowed me to put that cash in a high-yield savings account and earn interest over the promotional period.
I’ve used 0% APR offers for large planned expenses to avoid tapping into my emergency fund and reap savings in the process. For instance, I previously used the 0% APR from a new credit card to cover a large vet bill. I earned rewards on the amount spent and I was also on my way to meeting the requirements for the $200 sign-up bonus. The interest-free window gave me enough time to pay down the bill, and my emergency fund was kept intact in case I needed it.
I want that interest-free period to be as long as possible. My husband and I used the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to pay for new windows that cost more than $20,000. At the time, the Freedom Unlimited card had a 15-month 0% APR period, which gave us plenty of time to pay off that sizable balance. If you're really serious about avoiding interest, note the date the 0% APR period ends — ask the issuer if you're not sure — and calculate how much you'll need to pay each month in order to pay off the balance before the promotional APR expires.
I moved into an older house that needed several updates: a new water heater, new curtains, new paint, new plumbing, updated electricity. I used a 0% card — the Citi Custom Cash® Card — to cover all these purchases and was able to pay off the balance within a year without interest. If I were paying cash, I might've spaced out those purchases more, but I wanted to get the work done before I moved in. (Living in a home while it's being painted seems … stressful.) The card helped me get the job done, and I earned a sign-up bonus and rewards in the process.
I seek out a 0% APR card that offers rewards and a sign-up bonus any time I have a big expense coming up. The 0% APR period allows me to make structured payments over time and preserve cash on hand, while the rewards and sign-up bonus help offset the overall cost. I used the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card to finance a home remodel. I would have paid in cash, but the 0% APR period allowed me to put that cash in a high-yield savings account and earn interest over the promotional period.
I’ve used 0% APR offers for large planned expenses to avoid tapping into my emergency fund and reap savings in the process. For instance, I previously used the 0% APR from a new credit card to cover a large vet bill. I earned rewards on the amount spent and I was also on my way to meeting the requirements for the $200 sign-up bonus. The interest-free window gave me enough time to pay down the bill, and my emergency fund was kept intact in case I needed it.
I want that interest-free period to be as long as possible. My husband and I used the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to pay for new windows that cost more than $20,000. At the time, the Freedom Unlimited card had a 15-month 0% APR period, which gave us plenty of time to pay off that sizable balance. If you're really serious about avoiding interest, note the date the 0% APR period ends — ask the issuer if you're not sure — and calculate how much you'll need to pay each month in order to pay off the balance before the promotional APR expires.
I moved into an older house that needed several updates: a new water heater, new curtains, new paint, new plumbing, updated electricity. I used a 0% card — the Citi Custom Cash® Card — to cover all these purchases and was able to pay off the balance within a year without interest. If I were paying cash, I might've spaced out those purchases more, but I wanted to get the work done before I moved in. (Living in a home while it's being painted seems … stressful.) The card helped me get the job done, and I earned a sign-up bonus and rewards in the process.
Ask Reddit: What's the best 0% APR card?
Reddit users who frequent the site's personal finance forums, particularly r/CreditCards, know that requests for credit card recommendations come up on a daily if not hourly basis. These requests are so common that r/CreditCards asks users to fill out a detailed template with enough information to help other redditors make an appropriate recommendation.
Posters on r/CreditCards commonly ask "What's the best 0% card?" But those requests don't generate the volume of responses you typically see for questions related to rewards credit cards. That's because if all someone is looking for is a 0% intro APR period, there's not a lot to debate. The only real differentiators are the length of the zero-percent introductory period and, if the purpose is to pay down existing high-interest debt, the balance transfer fee. Beyond that, 0% cards pretty much all work the same.
Searching r/CreditCards for "best 0% APR card" turns up dozens of discussions that come at the question from different angles, whether it's the best option for large purchases, for transferring, for business and so on. In that transfer discussion, one user boils down the options in 0% APR cards the same way NerdWallet usually does:
"Assuming you have good credit, you have two broad options:
1. A 12-15 month 0% APR card that’ll have decent rewards & be useful after you’re finished paying down the BT balance.
2. An 18-21 month 0% APR card that’ll have basically no rewards and be pretty useless once you’re done, apart from potentially product changing it."
Perhaps the liveliest discussion among the threads that Reddit's algorithm identified as most relevant for "best 0% APR card" isn't about specific card recommendations at all. It's a post in which a redditor emphasizes that nearly every card can be a 0% APR card ... if you pay your statement balance in full every month. When you do that, you typically have a grace period in effect that prevents interest from ever accruing. That, in turn, means the ongoing APR on your card is irrelevant because your rate is always effectively 0% on purchases.
The trick, of course, is making sure that you do, in fact, pay the balance in full each month. Not everyone is able to do so. But for those who can but sometimes choose not to in the interest of preserving cash for a "rainy day," carrying debt month to month is literally throwing money away. Several users offer helpful ways to frame the issue:
"Treat a credit card bill like any utility bill. You wouldn't pay off 1% of your electricity bill every month, so don't do it with a credit card," said a user who goes by Ranzar.
"Cards are negative APR if you pay your balances in full and are smart with earning rewards," said user noemata1. This is referring to the fact that when you earn rewards on a purchase and pay no interest, your net out-of-pocket cost is less than the amount of the purchase. Compare this with what happens when interest accrues and makes out-of-pocket cost more than the purchase amount.
"I remember being amazed when I first figured out that credit cards offered FREE 30-60 day loans (depending on when you make the purchase relative to your billing cycle)," added user avg_swe.
Most popular 0% APR credit cards
NerdWallet’s credit card experts have reviewed hundreds of credit cards. These are the most visited review pages for 0% APR credit cards.
“Pure” 0% APR cards: These credit cards have a longer introductory APR period, but they generally don’t offer rewards. (Some of these cards have a long intro period for balance transfers but not for purchases. This page focuses on purchase APR; see our best balance transfer cards for more options.)
Rewards cards: These credit cards have an introductory APR period longer than a year but shorter than what you’d find on “pure” 0% cards. However, they offer rewards that give them long-term value after the intro period runs out.
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best 0% APR credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation include annual fees, the length of a card's introductory 0% APR periods (if any) on purchases and balance transfers, ongoing APRs, balance transfer fees, bonus offers for new cardholders, rewards rates and redemption options, and other noteworthy features such as fee waivers or the ability to qualify with less than good credit.
What’s the difference between a 0% credit card and a low-interest card?
Both a 0% credit card and a low-interest credit card save you money on interest, but they do it in different ways — short-term versus long-term.
A 0% credit card doesn’t charge any interest at all for a period of time after you open the account, then it shifts to an often-high ongoing interest rate. Zero-percent cards are good for people who want to spread out payments on a large purchase or gain breathing room to pay down debt without interest.
A low-interest credit card charges an ongoing interest rate that's lower than other cards on the market. Low-interest cards are good for people who expect to roll over a balance most months (meaning they don’t pay off their balance in full every month).
How much will my credit card payments be with 0% APR?
How much your card payments will be with a 0% APR depends entirely on which bank issued your card, how much you put on the card and how much you are able to pay. Every issuer has its own formula for calculating your minimum payment. It's usually made up of the interest and fees that have added up over the past month, plus a small amount of the actual debt, say 1% or 2%. There may also be a minimum dollar amount for each payment, such as $40 (except in cases where the total statement balance is less than that). When you have a 0% APR in effect, no interest is adding up, so your entire payment can go toward paying down your debt.
How do 0% credit cards work?
A 0% credit card works just like any other credit card except that for a certain period of time after you open your account, the bank doesn’t charge any interest on your balance. You’re still responsible for paying at least the minimum amount due each month. (And be sure you do: If you don't, the issuer might cancel your 0% period.) Once the introductory 0% period ends, your APR rises to the ongoing rate, and you will be charged interest on your balance going forward.
What’s the longest 0% period I can get on a credit card?
Among credit cards from major issuers, the longest 0% APR periods tend to be around 18 months, although in a few cases you might find 20 or 21 months, especially for balance transfers. (Depending on the card, the 0% period may apply to purchases, balance transfers or both; some cards have different 0% periods for purchases and transfers.) Cards from smaller issuers or credit unions may offer longer 0% periods. It’s most common to see periods of 12 to 15 months.
How can I qualify for a 0% credit card offer?
Credit card issuers use 0% introductory offers to attract new customers, so to get one, your best bet is to apply for a new card that advertises a 0% period. Generally speaking, you’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify for a card with a 0% offer. That roughly translates to a credit score of 690 or better — although credit scores alone do not guarantee approval for any credit card. You’ll also need to be able to show income and meet other requirements.
Should I close a 0% credit card after the 0% period ends?
If the card doesn’t charge an annual fee, there’s no harm in keeping the account open once the introductory 0% rate expires. In fact, closing the account could hurt your credit score by reducing the amount of credit you have available, which could increase your credit utilization. If the card charges a fee, however, or if you fear that the open credit line will tempt you to overspend, then closing it might be the best action.
Do no-interest cards hurt your credit score?
A credit card with a 0% interest rate doesn't affect your score any more or less than a card with a regular interest rate. Your credit score takes into account how long the card has been open, how much debt you currently have on the card, the utilization ratio on the card (the current debt as a percentage of the total credit limit) and your payment history. The interest rate doesn't factor into scoring. That said, there are a couple of things to be aware of:
Credit card issuers offer 0% promotions to entice you to use the card more. Overspending affects how much debt you carry on the card, and that can affect your credit scores indirectly.
Charge cards (as opposed to credit cards) do not let you carry debt from month to month. The full balance is due each month. Therefore, these cards charge no interest, so they could be thought of as "no interest" cards. Many charge cards don't have a preset spending limit. Without a specified credit limit, scoring formulas can't calculate utilization for the card, so these cards can have a smaller impact on your score than a regular credit card.
How can I get a 0% APR on an existing credit card?
Credit card issuers will sometimes offer you a promotional 0% APR on a card you already have — usually as an incentive to get you to use your card when you haven't been doing so. You can't really count on these offers, though. You could try calling your credit card company and asking for a 0% offer; it doesn't hurt to try. But this isn't likely to work if you've been using the card regularly.
What’s the difference between a 0% credit card and a low-interest card?
Both a 0% credit card and a low-interest credit card save you money on interest, but they do it in different ways — short-term versus long-term.
A 0% credit card
doesn’t charge any interest at all for a period of time after you open the account, then it shifts to an often-high ongoing interest rate. Zero-percent cards are good for people who want to spread out payments on a large purchase or gain breathing room to pay down debt without interest.
A low-interest credit card
charges an ongoing interest rate that's lower than other cards on the market. Low-interest cards are good for people who expect to roll over a balance most months (meaning they don’t pay off their balance in full every month).
How much will my credit card payments be with 0% APR?
How much your card payments will be with a 0% APR depends entirely on which bank issued your card, how much you put on the card and how much you are able to pay. Every issuer has its own formula for calculating your minimum payment. It's usually made up of the interest and fees that have added up over the past month, plus a small amount of the actual debt, say 1% or 2%. There may also be a minimum dollar amount for each payment, such as $40 (except in cases where the total statement balance is less than that). When you have a 0% APR in effect, no interest is adding up, so your entire payment can go toward paying down your debt.
How do 0% credit cards work?
A 0% credit card works just like any other credit card except that for a certain period of time after you open your account, the bank doesn’t charge any interest on your balance. You’re still responsible for paying at least the minimum amount due each month. (And be sure you do: If you don't, the issuer might cancel your 0% period.) Once the introductory 0% period ends, your APR rises to the ongoing rate, and you will be charged interest on your balance going forward.
What’s the longest 0% period I can get on a credit card?
Among credit cards from major issuers, the longest 0% APR periods tend to be around 18 months, although in a few cases you might find 20 or 21 months, especially for balance transfers. (Depending on the card, the 0% period may apply to purchases, balance transfers or both; some cards have different 0% periods for purchases and transfers.) Cards from smaller issuers or credit unions may offer longer 0% periods. It’s most common to see periods of 12 to 15 months.
How can I qualify for a 0% credit card offer?
Credit card issuers use 0% introductory offers to attract new customers, so to get one, your best bet is to apply for a new card that advertises a 0% period. Generally speaking, you’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify for a card with a 0% offer. That roughly translates to a credit score of 690 or better — although credit scores alone do not guarantee approval for any credit card. You’ll also need to be able to show income and meet other requirements.
Should I close a 0% credit card after the 0% period ends?
If the card doesn’t charge an annual fee, there’s no harm in keeping the account open once the introductory 0% rate expires. In fact, closing the account could hurt your credit score by reducing the amount of credit you have available, which could increase your
. If the card charges a fee, however, or if you fear that the open credit line will tempt you to overspend, then closing it might be the best action.
Do no-interest cards hurt your credit score?
A credit card with a 0% interest rate doesn't affect your score any more or less than a card with a regular interest rate. Your credit score takes into account how long the card has been open, how much debt you currently have on the card, the
on the card (the current debt as a percentage of the total credit limit) and your payment history. The interest rate doesn't factor into scoring. That said, there are a couple of things to be aware of:
Credit card issuers offer 0% promotions to entice you to use the card more. Overspending affects how much debt you carry on the card, and that can affect your credit scores indirectly.
cards) do not let you carry debt from month to month. The full balance is due each month. Therefore, these cards charge no interest, so they could be thought of as "no interest" cards. Many charge cards don't have a preset spending limit. Without a specified credit limit, scoring formulas can't calculate utilization for the card, so these cards can have a smaller impact on your score than a regular credit card.
How can I get a 0% APR on an existing credit card?
Credit card issuers will sometimes offer you a promotional 0% APR on a card you already have — usually as an incentive to get you to use your card when you haven't been doing so. You can't really count on these offers, though. You could try calling your credit card company and asking for a 0% offer; it doesn't hurt to try. But this isn't likely to work if you've been using the card regularly.
The information related to the Citi Custom Cash® Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, see this page.
OUR PICKS
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
