The best 0% APR credit cards for September 2024

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Opening a 0% APR credit card helps you save money by avoiding interest charges for a period of time. This can consolidate balances from high-interest cards and pay down debt faster.

But how do you pick the right 0% offer? We analyzed the top cards based on the length of 0% term, balance transfer options, rewards, and fees.

Whether you need relief from interest fees or want to finance a purchase, finding the card that aligns with your goals is key. Here are our top picks for the best 0% APR credit cards.

What are the best 0% APR credit cards?

The best 0% APR credit cards offer intro periods of up to 21 months for purchases and balance transfers, $0 annual fees, and even cash back or travel rewards. 

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
• Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
• Citi Simplicity® Card
• U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (completed in the first 60 days) for 15 months, followed by a regular variable APR of 19.99% to 28.74%.

Balance transfer fee: 3% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum)

Rewards:

• 5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)
• 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3% cash back on dining at restaurants 
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0 

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® strikes a balance between rewards and affordability through its straightforward cash back structure.

You’ll earn 5% back on travel booked through Chase and on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), 3% back on dining, 3% back on drug store purchases, and 1.5% back on everything else. The cash back potential and no annual fee make it easy to come out ahead when you spend.

Rewards are worth 25% more when booking travel through Chase’s travel portal. The Freedom Unlimited is best for consumers who want to maximize cash back on everyday spending while enjoying 0% APR for over a year.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 19.74% to 29.74%.

Balance transfer fee: 3% balance transfer fee

Rewards:

• 5X miles on hotels and rental cars when you book through Capital One Travel
• 1.25X miles on all purchases

Annual fee: $0 

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is an excellent option for those who want to earn flexible travel rewards while paying down balances interest-free.

With this card, you’ll earn 1.25X miles on all purchases and 5X on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Miles can be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, and point transfers to Capital One airline and hotel partners. This card also has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (made within 120 days) for 12 months from account opening, followed by a variable APR of 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99%.

Balance transfer fee: 3% balance transfer fee for balance transfers made within 120 days, then up to 5% ($5 minimum)

Rewards: Unlimited 2 percent cash rewards on purchases

Annual fee: $0 

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card makes earning cash rewards easy, offering a flat 2% back on purchases — no categories or caps to worry about.

While it doesn’t offer flexible redemptions like other cards, you’ll get a consistent value on everyday spending. There's no annual fee, making this card one of the best cash back cards on the market.

Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (completed in the first 60 days) for 16 months, followed by a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.24%.

Balance transfer fee: 3% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum)

Rewards

• 2X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1X)
• 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through American Express Travel
• 1X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0 

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card offers grocery rewards and a solid intro 0% APR offer. You’ll earn 2X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1X) and on prepaid rental cars booked through American Express Travel. You’ll earn 1X points on all other purchases.

By making at least 20 purchases in a billing cycle, you trigger a feature to earn 20% more points on those purchases. You can redeem points for gift cards, merchandise, travel through Amex, and transfers to airline and hotel partners.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (completed in the first 120 days) for 21 months, followed by a variable APR of 18.24%, 24.74%, and 29.99%.

Balance transfer fee: 5% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum)

Rewards: None

Annual fee: $0 

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card boasts one of the longest intro APR periods available today. Because this card doesn't earn rewards, it's best for consolidating and paying down high-interest debt.

This card also comes with cell phone protection, which covers damages and theft when you pay your monthly bill with your card.

Citi Simplicity® Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on balance transfers (completed in the first four months) for 21 months and 0% APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening, followed by a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99%.

Balance transfer fee: 3% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum)

Rewards: None

Annual fee: None

The Citi Simplicity® Card comes with a length 0% APR offer, plus no annual fees, late pay fees, or penalty APR. This provides flexibility and potential savings when used responsibly.

This card is another balance transfer credit card that doesn't offer rewards and is best for debt consolidation. The card's lack of fees makes it attractive for those who want to pay down their debt for the lowest cost possible.

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers (completed in the first 60 days) for 18 billing cycles, followed by a variable APR of 19.74% to 29.74%.

Balance transfer fee: 3% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum)

Rewards: None

Annual fee: $0 

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is a solid option for anyone building credit for the first time or re-establishing credit. Why? This card comes with a lengthy intro APR offer and no annual fee.

But because this card doesn’t offer rewards, it's best for consumers who need to consolidate and pay down debt. U.S. Bank is also known for welcoming applicants even with a limited credit history, adding to its appeal as a starter card.

How do 0% APR credit cards work? 

Typically, 0% APR credit cards offer an interest-free period, ranging from 12-21 months, on new purchases or balance transfers. This allows consumers to:

• Save on interest charges
• Make large purchases without accruing fees right away
• Transfer existing balances to pay down high-interest debts quicker
• Consolidate multiple credit card balances onto one card with a lower rate

But, if you carry a balance beyond the introductory period, a regular APR will apply to the remaining balance. This APR can be quite high and can cause your debt to snowball if you’re not careful.

Most balance transfer cards also charge a balance transfer fee, ranging from 3%-5% of the transferred amount. This fee is usually added to your balance, so consider it when deciding whether a balance transfer is worthwhile.

0% purchase APR vs. 0% balance transfer APR

It's important to know the difference between 0% purchase APR offers and 0% balance transfer APR offers, as they serve different purposes. 

• A 0% purchase APR means you can make new purchases on the card and pay no interest on those purchases for a set period, often 12-18 months. This is ideal if you have a large upcoming expense and want time to pay it off interest-free. 
• A 0% balance transfer APR allows you to move existing high-interest credit card debt to the new card and pay no interest on that balance for a set period. The key is to avoid making new purchases on the card, as those will often incur interest unless the card also has a 0% purchase APR. 

Some cards offer 0% APRs on both purchases and balance transfers, which can provide the most flexibility. Just be aware that balance transfers often incur a fee of 3-5% of the transferred amount.

Downsides to 0% APR cards

While 0% APR credit card offers can be a smart tool, there are also some risks to be aware of: 

• High regular APRs: Once the 0% introductory period ends, the card's regular APR will kick in on any remaining balance. This rate is often quite high, often up to 30%. It's crucial to have a plan to pay off your balance before the 0% period expires to avoid these high interest charges. 
• Missed payments: Most 0% APR offers require you to make at least the minimum payment on time each month. If you miss a payment, you could lose the 0% rate and be charged a high penalty APR on the balance. 
• Temptation to overspend: Having a 0% APR on purchases can make it tempting to spend more than you can afford. It's important to stick to a budget and not view the 0% period as "free money." 
• Applying for too many cards: Each time you apply for a new credit card, the lender does a hard pull on your credit report. Too many hard pulls in a short time can ding your credit score. 

How do I qualify for a 0% APR credit card? 

Most of the best 0% APR credit cards require good to excellent credit to qualify — or a FICO score of 670 or above. 

If your credit is just fair or average (FICO scores of 580-669), it may be more challenging to qualify for a top 0% APR offer. You might need to consider cards designed for fair credit, which often have shorter 0% periods or slightly higher regular APRs. 

If you have poor credit (FICO scores below 580), it will be very difficult to qualify for an unsecured 0% APR card. Secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit, are usually a better option for building credit in this case.

 Before applying, check your credit score. This can help you target cards you're more likely to qualify for.

Picking the best 0% APR credit card

The best 0% APR credit cards can help you save money on interest for a limited time, but they don't all work the same. Here are four steps to find the right credit card for your needs.

1. Know why you want one: Is it to finance a large purchase over time? Consolidate higher-interest credit card debt? Save money as you pay off existing balances? Each use case will help you determine which card is best for you.
2. Check the introductory period length: Shorter 0% terms like 12 months limit your wiggle room. Opt for more extended intro offers (between 15-21 months) to ensure you have enough time to pay off balances before variable APR hits.
3. Compare balance transfer fees: Most cards charge a 3-5% fee to move existing credit card debt onto a 0% card. Crunch numbers to see if those fees cancel out the interest savings based on your transfer amount.
4. Decide if you want rewards: Sign-up bonuses, cash back, and points are vital secondary perks worth considering when picking a 0% APR card.

How to make the most of your 0% APR credit card

You got approved for a shiny new 0% intro APR credit card. Now what? Here are some tips to help you make the most of your card. 

• Get serious about debt repayment: Only sign up for a 0% APR credit card if you plan to pay down as much debt as possible before the card's intro period ends. If you use your card for purchases and pay the bare minimum, you could end up worse than where you started.
• Make and follow a plan: Determine how much you must pay each month to become debt-free. Creating a plan for debt payoff before you get started increases your odds of success.
• Be cautious with new spending: Some cards with 0% APR also offer rewards for spending but be wary of spending more on top of your existing balance. If you’re not careful, you could have more debt over time.
• Never miss a payment: Make sure you never miss a payment or pay your bill late. A late payment could mean losing your intro APR offer and being charged a penalty APR instead. It can also cause your credit score to drop.

How we rated the best 0% APR credit cards

To determine the best balance transfer cards, we evaluated each card's introductory APR offer, benefits, annual fee, and more. 

Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available. Read more about our methodology here. 

Frequently asked questions about 0% APR cards

Can you get a 0% APR card with bad credit?

It's very unlikely to qualify for a 0% APR credit card with bad credit, meaning a FICO score below 580. Most 0% offers require good to excellent credit. With bad credit, focus on rebuilding your score with tools like secured credit cards or credit-builder loans. Once your score improves, you may have a better chance at 0% offers.

What happens if I still have a balance after the 0% period?

If you still have an unpaid balance on your card when the 0% APR period ends, the card's regular APR will begin to accrue interest on that balance. This rate is often quite high, sometimes up to 30%. 

To avoid this, make a plan to pay off your balance before the end of the intro period. Divide what you owe by the number of months in the 0% period to see how much you need to pay each month to zero out the balance. 

If you can't pay it all off in time, consider transferring the remaining balance to a new 0% balance transfer card. This can buy you more interest-free time. Just be mindful of balance transfer fees. 

Finally, if you're really struggling, contact your card issuer. They may be willing to work out a hardship plan or reduced payment schedule if you explain your situation. The worst thing to do is just ignore the debt, as that can lead to late fees, penalty rates, and credit score damage.

The bottom line

Having 0% APR for a limited time can help you avoid interest on new purchases or save money as you pay down debt. No interest means every dollar you pay toward your balance during the intro period reduces your debt.

By comparing the best 0% APR credit cards based on their introductory offers, rewards, perks, and fees, you will find one that works for you.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.