Credit Cards / Balance Transfer

6 Best 0% APR Cards You Can Get Right Now

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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available or the benefits and terms have changed. View the issuer’s site for current information.

A credit card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate can help you finance a large purchase or pay down a high-interest balance. Banks offer 0% as a promotional rate that remains in effect for six to 21 months, depending on the card. There are some caveats, however. You’ll have to make the minimum payment each month, for example, and paying late can result in an automatic increase to the standard rate, leaving you with a large, high-interest balance you weren’t expecting. Be sure you understand how long the 0% rate lasts, what the standard rate is and any fees associated with the card before you apply.

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GOBankingRates has identified some of the top cards currently offering 0% introductory APRs to new customers. The selections were based on the length of the introductory period, the value of other perks offered and fees.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card

Why we like it: The Blue Cash Preferred card from American Express offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (followed by a APR) and the most generous cash-back rewards in this round up: 6% at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases), 6% on select U.S. streaming services, 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit and 1% on other purchases. American Express will waive the annual fee for the first year. After that, you’ll pay $95 per year.

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Benefits

Generous intro APR on purchases
Excellent cash-back program
$0 annual fee in first year, $95 thereafter

Drawbacks

Shorter 0% APR term than other cards
Annual fee
Balance transfers not eligible for 0% APR

Length of 0% APR: 12 months

Standard APR after promotional period ends:

Balance transfer fee: N/A (no balance transfer option)

Annual fee:

Current Promotion:

Find Out: Why It’s Still Better To Use Your Credit Card Over Your Debit Card

Capital One SavorOne Rewards Card

Why we like it: The SavorOne Rewards card from Capital One comes with 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (followed by a 14.99%-24.99% Variable APR). You get cash-back rewards on all your purchases: 8% on tickets purchased from Vivid Seats, 3% on dining, entertainment, groceries and popular streaming services and 1% on all other purchases.

Benefits

Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
No annual fee
Cash-back rewards

Drawbacks

Need good to excellent credit to qualify (though that’s needed for all of these cards)

Length of 0% APR: 15 months

Standard APR after promotional period ends: 14.99% to 23.74% variable

Balance transfer fee: 3%

Annual fee: $0

Current Promotion: Get a $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 within the first three months after account opening

Chase Slate Edge Credit Card

Why we like it: Slate Edge has a generous 18-month 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers followed by a 14.99%-23.75% variable APR. After the promotional rate ends, you can shave 2% per year off the standard rate per year, until your rate is 9.74% plus the prime rate (current minimum is 12.99% APR), by charging $1,000 to your card each year and paying your bills on time.

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Benefits

Very generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
No annual fee
Buy-now pay-later plan fees waived for first 18 months
Automatic credit limit review after six months with $500 in spending and on-time payments
2% annual rate reduction for eligible customers

Drawbacks

Fewer perks than other cards in roundup

Length of 0% APR: 18 months

Standard APR after promotional period ends: 14.99%-23.74% variable APR

Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3%, whichever is greater

Annual fee: $0

Promotion: Free buy-now pay-later plan for 18 months; auto credit limit review when you spend $500 and pay on time in first six months

Helpful: 13 Credit Cards That Every 30-Something Should Consider

Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card

Why we like it: In addition to a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (then APR), the Freedom Flex credit card from Chase offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on combined purchases in a bonus category you activate each quarter. You get 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and 1% on other purchases.

Benefits

Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Lucrative cash-back rewards
No annual fee

Get Credit Card Perks

Drawbacks

5% cash back limited to first $1,500 in purchases in activated category

Length of 0% APR: 15 months

Standard APR after promotional period ends:

Balance transfer fee: $5 or 3%, whichever is greater

Annual fee: $0

Promotion:

US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card

The Altitude Go Visa Signature card from U.S. Bank offers a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for your first 12 billing cycles (then 14.99%-23.99% variable). In addition, you can earn points on every purchase you make: 4X points on dining (including takeout and restaurant delivery), 2X points at grocery stores, gas stations, electric-vehicle charging stations and on streaming services; and 1X points on all other purchases. U.S. Bank rewards cardholders earn extra points for shopping at any of more than 1,100 online stores in the Rewards Center Earn Mall, plus a $15 annual credit after 11 months of streaming service purchases like Netflix, Apple TV+ and Spotify. Points never expire and are redeemable toward merchandise, gift cards travel and cash back.

Benefits

Generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Lots of ways to earn points
Statement credit for streaming purchases
No annual fee

Drawbacks

Shorter 0% APR intro rate period than most other cards

Length of 0% APR: 12 months

Standard APR after promotional period ends: 14.99%-23.99% variable

Balance transfers: $5 or 3%, whichever is greater

Annual fee: $0

Promotion: Earn 20,000 points, worth $200, when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days after account opening

Read: 90-Second Moves To Raise Your Credit Score 200 Points

Wells Fargo Reflect℠ Card

The (Rates & Fees) has a solid introductory 0% APR period from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers of any card listed here – 18 months, plus up to three additional months when you make at least your minimum payment on time each month (then, ). In addition, the starting standard rate edges out the other cards. The Reflect card provides up to $600 in cell phone protection when you pay your phone bill with your card ($25 deductible applies).

Benefits

Extremely generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers
Low standard APR for qualifying cardholders
Cell phone protection

Drawbacks

Cell phone protection doesn’t cover lost phones
No ongoing rewards

Length of 0% APR: Up to 21 months from account opening

Standard APR after promotional period ends:

Balance transfers: 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5

Annual fee: $0

Promotion: No promotion currently offered

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About the Author

Daria Uhlig is a personal finance, real estate and travel writer and editor with over 25 years of editorial experience. Her work has been featured on The Motley Fool, MSN, AOL, Yahoo! Finance, CNBC and USA Today. Daria studied journalism at the County College of Morris and earned a degree in communications at Centenary University, both in New Jersey.