What credit score is required for a 0% intro APR card?

A good credit score (FICO score between 670 and 739) would give you a solid chance to qualify for a 0 percent intro APR credit card, and an excellent credit score would give you the best approval odds and rates. You may have the best chance at some zero-interest cards with lengthy 21-month offers if your score is closer to excellent (a FICO score of 740 or higher). You can estimate your approval odds — and potentially find prequalified card offers — through Bankrate’s CardMatch tool if you want an extra vote of confidence.

What happens when the 0% intro APR offer ends?

When your 0 percent intro APR offer ends, the card’s regular, ongoing interest rate will apply to any future balance you carry. For example, if your intro APR period is over, and you still have a balance of $200 on your card, your next credit card statement will show that you owe $200 plus any interest you accrue at your card’s regular APR.

What are the longest 0% intro APR credit card offers?

All the longest intro APR offers on the market currently hover around 21 months, with one exception. However, these lengthy offers have become harder to find. The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card offers 0 percent intro APR for 24 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers for a limited time. After the intro period, the APR is 17.74% - 28.74% Variable. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a 0 percent intro APR for 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate (with a balance transfer fee of 5 percent or a minimum of $5). (17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR ongoing) The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has a 0 percent intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers made within four months of account opening, but its 0 percent intro APR on purchases only lasts 12 months. (17.24% - 27.99% (Variable) ongoing) The Citi Simplicity® Card also has a lengthy 0 percent intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers. However, its 0 percent intro APR on purchases is also limited to 12 months, with the same ongoing rate thereafter. (18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) ongoing)

Is deferred interest the same as a 0% intro APR credit card?

Deferred interest can be much costlier than a traditional 0 percent intro APR if you don’t pay off your balance before the offer period ends. Deferred interest still begins compounding when you open the account, but the interest is forgiven once you pay off your balance in the specified time period. However, that interest that’s been building in the background is added to your balance if you don’t pay the full balance off in time.

13 Best 0% intro APR credit cards of May 2025: Introductory APRs until 2026

Compare Bankrate's top 0% intro APR credit cards

	Our picks for		Ongoing APR	Learn more
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees	Shopping	15 months 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 18.99% - 28.49% Variable	Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	Dining	15 months 0% intro on purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Everyday use	15 months 0% on purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees	Long intro APR	21 months 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening	Regular APR: 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR	Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Cash Back Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees	Rotating bonus categories	15 months 0% for 15 months	Regular APR: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR	Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	Travel	15 months 0% intro on purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply	Families	12 months 0% on purchases for 12 months	Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable	Apply now on American Express's secure site See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees	Flat-rate rewards	12 months 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening	Regular APR: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR	Apply now on Wells Fargo's secure site See Rates & Fees
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees	Business purchases	12 months 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 Months	Regular APR: 17.49% - 23.49% Variable	Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees	Simple rewards	15 months 0% intro on purchases for 15 months	Regular APR: 19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)	Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Apply now on Bank of America's secure site	Custom categories	15 billing cycles 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases	Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
BankAmericard® credit card	Low interest	18 billing cycles 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases	Regular APR: 15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Citi Custom Cash® Card	Pairing	15 months 0% for 15 months on purchases	Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Researching the best 0% intro APR credit cards

100+

card ratings

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APRs tracked

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data points analyzed

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perks evaluated

We highlight the best 0 percent intro APR credit cards, focusing primarily on the best cards with introductory APRs on new purchases. Many of these cards can also be good for transferring a balance, but you should look at our best cards for balance transfers to get a more detailed look at the options to reduce your current card debt. Bankrate experts chose the cards on this page as the best introductory 0 percent interest cards because they also have low fees or offer value to cardholders beyond any introductory offer period. Learn more about our methodology below.

What is a 0% intro APR credit card?

A zero-interest credit card is a credit card that offers a 0 percent intro APR offer on either purchases, balance transfers or both upon opening the card. Offer lengths can vary, depending on the card, but they typically last anywhere from 12 to 21 months — sometimes longer. The introductory period on these cards can let you save on interest, whether it's by transferring a balance from an existing credit card to your new card, or by delaying interest accrual on new purchases during the intro period.

Learn more: What is a purchase APR?

Best 0% intro APR card features

The best 0 percent intro APR cards have well-rounded features to serve you during the intro period and beyond. While you're shopping for introductory zero-interest cards, look for cards that have intro APR periods long enough to meet your needs, reasonable rates and fees and rewards. Weigh which features matter most to you to find the card with the perfect mix of features to meet your needs.

Long intro APR periods

The longest intro APR periods are 18 to 24 months. If you need extra time to pay off your balance, consider getting a card with the longest period possible.

Great examples: The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card*, BankAmericard® credit card* and Wells Fargo Reflect Card

Reasonable rates & fees

Avoid cards with annual fees that add to your balance and closely look at the ongoing APR. Remember, you'll pay interest on whatever balance you carry after the intro period.

Great example: The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

Rewards potential

While you're using the intro period, you could also earn rewards with the right card. You'll sacrifice a few months of the intro offer, but the card will have long-term value from cash back, points or miles.

Great examples: The Blue Cash Everyday Card and Discover it® Cash Back

Ask Bankrate staff: How did you use your intro APR offer?

Bankrate staff insights

"This may only make sense to me, but I use intro APR offers to lessen the mental ‘blow’ of large purchases. Though I don’t make any purchases I can’t immediately pay off, it never feels good to see a big chunk of money go out of your account. With an intro APR, I can pay off a large purchase in chunks and feel a little less anxiety about it — even if the total amount is no different. It’s just a mental trick that makes life easier for me. A $1,000 car repair is easier to stomach if I think of it as $100 for 10 months than a one-time lump sum of $1,000."

Nouri Zarrugh, Senior Editor, Credit Cards

"Shortly after I bought a car, I applied for the Citi Custom Cash card because it had an introductory APR offer I wanted to take advantage of alongside my new car loan. I used the card to buy groceries and, occasionally, gas. I never had a loan before, so making car payments was new to me. I wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible, or at least get far enough ahead on the loan that I could trim the overall interest I would pay on it. I knew I would eventually pay off my card balance before the offer period ended, but the intro APR gave me a safety net while I managed a new monthly car payment. It also helped me avoid a lot of interest on my car loan because I didn’t need to pay my card off right away and could keep paying down the principal on my loan."

Brendan Dyer, Wriiter, Credit Cards

"I always use it on purchases. Whenever there’s a big transition or I know I have a short timeframe to make a lot of necessary purchases, I consider a 0 percent intro APR card because it gives me a safety net to buy what I need and a good amount of time to pay it off."

India Davis, Editor, Credit Cards

When should you get a 0% intro APR card?

You can make a 0 percent intro APR card worthwhile if you’re planning on making several new or unexpected purchases, or are taking on a large project that will require some short-term spending. These cards are great for splitting large purchases over time, which can make paying your bills easier.

Learn more: The pros and cons of 0% APR credit cards

Making new or unexpected purchases

Unexpected purchases can add stress and uncertainty to your spending habits, sometimes giving you less breathing room in your budget to make recurring purchases like bills, rent or other necessities. Introductory APR offers are a great way to bring relief to your spending and provide a lifeline for staying on top of other financial commitments.

Here are some situations you might find yourself in that could make a 0 percentintro APR card a great choice:

Home projects and emergency repairs

Cards with 0 percent intro offers can be the greatest tool in your shed during a home renovation project. Home improvement and project site, Angi, reports that homeowners spent an average of $12,050 on projects, maintenance and emergencies in 2024. The cost of your home project will vary, but if you can pay back $12,000 over 15 months or longer — instead of upfront — you’ll retain some liquidity for other expenses in your life.

The best cards for home projects are: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Medical expenses

According to health policy organization, KFF, 53 percent of people with $10,000 or more in medical debt don’t think they will ever pay it off. While the credit profile of these users might vary, if you face medical expenses, whether it’s new or old, an introductory 0 percent interest card can help you get on top of payments by letting you carry your regular expenses as a balance, so you can allocate more of your cash to medical bills. And if you have to travel for a family emergency or to receive medical care, an intro APR card can help cover those costs that you can pay over time.

Although there isn’t a great way to earn cash back or rewards for medical purchases, consolidating your everyday purchases on an intro 0 percent interest card can open up your budget to repay medical bills.

The best 0% intro APR cards for medical purchases: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express or Wells Fargo Reflect® Credit Card
Large purchases

Maybe you’re expecting to make a new, large purchase and want to retain some cash in your savings because it’s more comfortable to live that way. It can induce anxiety to watch the number in your savings drop, but it also makes sense to use every tool available to your advantage.

An introductory 0 percent interest card is a means to safeguard your liquidity by letting you chip away at a balance over the duration of your card’s introductory period. Plus, if it’s one of the best 0 percent intro APR cards, you’ll earn a decent chunk of cash back which you can use to help repay what you owe.

The best cards for large purchases: Citi Custom Cash® Card* or Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Consolidating debt

It might be tempting to pick a card with an introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers because you can stall debt you have and plan to take on. However, it might be difficult to make the most of both 0 percent intro offers without accruing a substantial amount of debt. If you’re carrying a balance on one or more credit cards right now, it might be better to commit to reducing that debt or paying it off entirely with a balance transfer card. Once you’ve paid most of it off, then you can focus on making new purchases with a different intro APR card.

Learn more: How to choose a 0% APR credit card

Common mistakes to avoid with 0% intro APR cards

Like with any financial product, there are pitfalls to avoid with 0 percent intro APR cards. You should keep these in mind as you navigate your debt repayment:

Not paying on time: Always pay the minimum balance due on your statement every month. You need to avoid late payments, otherwise your offer may be revoked.
Not understanding the terms: Your card will offer an intro APR on purchases, balance transfers or both. Don’t make new purchases on a card that strictly carries an intro APR for balance transfers or vice versa.
Forgetting about balance transfer fees: Remain wary of any fees you’ll owe when you transfer a balance. This fee might still be lower than what you would pay in interest, but to avoid sticker shock you should calculate what you’ll owe beforehand.
Spending beyond your credit limit: Keep your balance as close to 30 percent or lower of your total available credit to avoid damaging your credit score.
Carrying a balance at the end of the offer: If you want to avoid interest charges, you’ll need to pay off your balance by the time your introductory APR ends.
Not redeeming cashback : Rewards and cash back present an opportunity to reduce your balance. Redeem cash back as a statement credit whenever possible.

How much can you save with a 0% intro APR card?

Credit card interest is the cost of borrowing money if you don't pay your balance in full each month. At the end of each billing cycle, the credit card issuer calculates your interest charges using your average daily balance, annual percentage rate (APR) and the number of days in the billing cycle. How much interest you pay depends on the card's APR, which is determined partly by your creditworthiness and federal interest rates, and whether you carry a balance from month to month. It's one of the main ways that credit card companies make money.

Let's say you open an 18-month 0 percent intro APR card for a $3,000 purchase. Bankrate’s credit card payoff calculator shows that an 18-month 0 percent intro APR offer could save you roughly $400 in interest compared to a card with no intro APR offer and 20 percent interest.

APR	Balance with 3% balance transfer fee	Monthly payment	Total interest	Total amount paid
20% for 18 months	$3,000	$194	$497	$3,497
0% intro on balance transfers for 18 months	$3,090	$167	$0	$3,090

Learn more: How to maximize your 0% APR credit card and avoid debt traps

BANKRATE EXPERT FAQ

Ask the industry: What are the best ways to avoid paying interest on a credit card?

Thomas Nitzsche

Financial Educator, Debt and Credit

Whenever possible, pay off your credit cards every month. If you have a balance with a high interest rate, look for balance transfer opportunities and try to pay off the balance within the promotional rate time frame. If you have bad credit and are struggling to pay down your balance, look into a debt management plan through a nonprofit credit counseling agency. Some creditors offer as low as 0 percent through a debt management plan, and multiple monthly payments can be consolidated into one. On average, a debt management plan lasts four years, but there is no prepayment penalty if you are able to pay it off sooner. Keep in mind that a debt management plan will close the accounts you’re consolidating, so this isn’t something you want to do as a first option.

Frequently asked questions about 0% intro APR credit cards

All the longest intro APR offers on the market currently hover around 21 months, with one exception. However, these lengthy offers have become harder to find.
- The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card offers 0 percent intro APR for 24 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers for a limited time. After the intro period, the APR is 17.74% - 28.74% Variable.
- The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a 0 percent intro APR for 21 months on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate (with a balance transfer fee of 5 percent or a minimum of $5). (17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR ongoing)
- The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has a 0 percent intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers made within four months of account opening, but its 0 percent intro APR on purchases only lasts 12 months. (17.24% - 27.99% (Variable) ongoing)
- The Citi Simplicity® Card also has a lengthy 0 percent intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers. However, its 0 percent intro APR on purchases is also limited to 12 months, with the same ongoing rate thereafter. (18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) ongoing)

How we choose the best 0% intro APR credit cards

We select cards for “Best” credit cards pages based primarily on how cards score in our proprietary card rating system, our editors’ subjective assessment of card quality, card approval odds and credit requirements and unique card features.

Cards typically must score a minimum of 3.0 stars to be included on a “Best” list. However, we may include cards with scores below 3.0 if they have low credit requirements or unique features — despite their scores, these cards may still be among the “best” in certain categories. Card ratings are not influenced by advertisers or issuer relationships in any way.

Card selection and ordering may vary based on business considerations, including Bankrate visitor interest, site interactions and card application volume. Affiliate commissions (see how we make money), limited-time offers and a card’s general popularity in the product landscape may also influence which cards we feature on our pages and the order in which they appear. Bankrate’s editorial and business teams also strive to feature a variety of card types from various issuers.

For balance transfer and low-interest cards, our scoring breaks down as follows:

Overall Score

Rates and fees 80%
Perks 10%
Customer experience 10%

For rewards cards, the breakdown looks quite different:

Overall Score

Value 65%
Flexibility 15%
Perks 15%
Customer experience 5%

We analyzed over 100 of the most popular zero-interest cards and scored each based on its introductory APR, intro APR period length, ongoing APR, balance transfer fee, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

The primary factor in a balance transfer or low-interest card’s rating and its inclusion in our list is the quality of its introductory APR offer and ongoing APR. This includes both the introductory rate itself and the length of the intro APR promotional on both balance transfers and new purchases.

For cards designed primarily for balance transfers, the intro APR offer on balance transfers has the largest impact on overall score. The quality of these cards’ intro APR on new purchases is also considered, but holds less weight than the intro APR on balance transfers.

For general low-interest cards, the intro APR offer on new purchases has the largest impact on overall score, followed by the ongoing APR and intro APR offer on balance transfers. This weighting assumes cardholders considering a card in this category will prioritize payment flexibility on new purchases or may need to carry a balance long term, whereas cardholders trying to pay off debt will opt for a dedicated balance transfer card.

The cards that score the highest in these categories and are most likely to be included in our list tend to offer long 0 percent intro APRs on both balance transfer and new purchases as well as a lower-than-average low-end APR.

Here’s a closer look at how a card’s rates, fees and intro APR periods are evaluated in our rating methodology:

Balance transfer card rates & fees scoring
Overall rating
Pie chart with 5 slices.
End of interactive chart.

5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Overall Score
- Intro APR and offer length for balance transfers 45%
- Intro APR and offer length for new purchases 18%
- Balance transfer, annual and other fees 22%
- Ongoing APR 15%
Low-interest card rates & fees scoring
Overall rating
Pie chart with 5 slices.
End of interactive chart.

5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Overall Score
- Intro APR and offer length for new purchases 40%
- Ongoing APR 35%
- Intro APR and offer length for balance transfers 13%
- Balance transfer, annual and other fees 12%

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

*The information about the BankAmericard® credit card, Citi Simplicity® Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card and The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Continue reading:

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. “How does my credit card company calculate the amount of interest I owe?” Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. Accessed on May 9, 2025.
2. “2024 State of Home Spending Report.” Angi. Accessed on May 9, 2025.
3. “Health Care Debt In The U.S.: The Broad Consequences Of Medical And Dental Bills.” KFF. Accessed on May 9, 2025.

Brendan Dyer Writer, credit cards

Brendan Dyer is a Bankrate editor who writes and edits content for rewards, travel, cash back and business credit cards. He’s passionate about informing readers about the most…

Courtney Mihocik Senior editor, credit cards

Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at…

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

13 Best 0% intro APR credit cards of May 2025

+ Show Summary

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Discover it® Cash Back

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

BankAmericard® credit card

Citi Custom Cash® Card