The Best 0% Intro APR Credit Cards of December 2024

Whether you want to make a big purchase without worrying about interest charges or need a boost in your debt payoff plan, 0% intro APR credit cards make that easier with limited-time 0% annual percentage rates (APRs) for a certain number of months after you sign up. This might be 12, 15, 18, or even 21 months, and an offer can extend to new purchases and/or balance transfers.

Among the best 0% intro APR cards are the Discover it^® Cash Back, Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, and Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees), which are a few of our favorites for worthwhile rewards many people are likely to benefit from long after a promotional APR expires. Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card and Citi Simplicity^® Card are stand-out options for long intro periods on balance transfers. If you’re going to add another card to your wallet, it should be worth it, which could mean going for the long-term benefit of getting out of debt and/or earning rewards on your spending from here on out. Here are five cards that promise one or both.

The best 0% intro APR credit cards

• Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card
• Citi Simplicity^® Card
• Chase Freedom Unlimited^®
• Discover it^® Cash Back
• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees)

Compare 0% intro APR credit cards

There are plenty of great credit cards out there that offer promotional interest periods. Here is a look at some of the best options available today from five different credit card issuers.

Card	Balance transfer APR details	Purchase APR details
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card 4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Intro APR: 0% on balance transfers for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers Regular APR: 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable	Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 21 months from account opening Regular APR: 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable
Citi Simplicity® Card 4.5 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Intro APR: 0% on balance transfers for 21 months Regular APR: 18.49% - 29.24% (Variable))	Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 12 months Regular APR: 18.49% - 29.24% (Variable)
Chase Freedom Unlimited® 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Intro APR: 0% on balance transfers for 15 months, Regular APR: 19.74% - 28.49% Variable	Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 15 months Regular APR: 19.74% - 28.49% Variable
Discover it® Cash Back 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Intro APR: 0% on balance transfers for 15 months Regular APR: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable *Rates as of December 12, 2024	Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 15 months Regular APR: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable *Rates as of December 12, 2024
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees) 4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Intro APR: 0% on balance transfers for 15 months; Balance transfer fee applies Regular APR: 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)	Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 15 months Regular APR: 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)

Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card

• Intro APR period: 0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months from account opening, then 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable; 0% on balance transfers for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers, then 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable
• Annual fee: $0

If you have some major spending coming up that you’re looking to pay off over time, you might want a 0% intro APR card with the longest promotional period we’ve seen for purchases. The Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card fits the bill. This card will give you 21 months from account opening to pay off new purchases at 0% intro APR, plus you'll pay 0% for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After the intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers, the APR is 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable. We recommend it more for purchases because it has a higher balance transfer fee of 5%, min: $5.

But there’s a catch with this card, and it’s that it doesn’t earn cash back, miles, or any other sort of rewards. I wouldn’t typically recommend taking out a credit card for a “one-and-done” use like making a big purchase, but if you’re choosing between an intro APR card and a personal loan (or even a payday loan or BNPL loan), choose this — as long as 21 months from account opening will be enough time for you to pay off at least a good chunk of your balance before the regular APR kicks in.

Read our full Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card review for more details.

Citi Simplicity^® Card

• Intro APR period: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 18.49% - 29.24% (Variable); 0% on balance transfers for 21 months, then 18.49% - 29.24% (Variable)
• Annual fee: $0

Transferring a balance from one high-interest credit card to a new card with a 0% intro APR offer can be a smart, safe way to get control of your debt without racking up more interest, and the Citi Simplicity^® Card is the crème de la crème of balance-transfer cards. You’ll see us recommend it for balance transfers often, and that’s for three main reasons: 1) It’s tied with just a few others for the longest intro period on balance transfers, 2) It has a lower balance transfer fee of 3% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum) within 4 months of account opening; then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) after the 4 month intro period ends, and 3) It has no late fees or penalty APRs.

But like the Wells Fargo Reflect, this isn’t a gift that keeps on giving. It doesn’t earn rewards, so the value you get will be strictly limited to saving money on interest. I probably don’t need to tell you that this could be worth far more than cash back rewards in the long run, but it’s still a bummer.

Read our full Citi Simplicity^® Card review for more details.

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

• Intro APR period: 0% on purchases for 15 months, then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable; 0% on balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.74% - 28.49% Variable
• Annual fee: $0
• Rewards rate: 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is a favorite no-annual-fee option for beginner jet-setting because it comes with complimentary travel benefits, like select travel insurance — including up to $6,000 in trip cancellation insurance per trip and auto rental coverage — and the opportunity to earn elevated cash back when you book flights and hotels through Chase Travel. These benefits set it apart from other cash back cards and give it a bit of an edge for travel. But unlike many true travel cards, it comes with a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers.

The 0% intro APR offer is slightly shorter than the others on the list at 15 months but not the shortest you’ll find. I can see this one coming in handy if you’re planning a big trip, since you can put a lot of spend on the card upfront without incurring interest right away, and you’ll earn points on everything, plus protect your trip. However, it has a foreign transaction fee, so consider taking another card with you if you’re headed out of the country.

Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited review for more details.

Discover it^® Cash Back

• Intro APR period: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 18.49% - 27.49% Variable *Rates as of December 12, 2024; 0% on balance transfers for 15 months, then 18.49% - 27.49% Variable *Rates as of December 12, 2024
• Annual fee: $0
• Rewards rate: Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The Discover it^® Cash Back is one I keep in my wallet because it offers a little bit of everything without an annual fee. Not only will you get a 0% intro APR offer for 15 months (then 18.49% - 27.49% Variable *Rates as of December 12, 2024), but you’ll also earn excellent quarterly bonus rates. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. On top of that, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This effectively doubles your rewards. This can be especially helpful if you want an intro APR card to get out of debt or soften the blow of a big expense.

All that said, it does take some planning to maximize the bonus cash back — i.e., you have to activate it for the quarter and then either buy gift cards or max out the $1,500. But even if I forget to shop within the activated category, I still earn 1% on all other purchases. Past bonus categories have included gas stations, home improvement stores, and more.

Read our full Discover it^® Cash Back review for more details.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

• Intro APR period: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable); 0% on balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable); Balance transfer fee applies
• Annual fee: $0
• Rewards rate: 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services; 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; and 1% cash back on all other purchases

I never recommend opening a new credit card just to get a welcome offer, especially if you’re facing down considerable debt or looking to transfer a sizable balance. That said, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees) is a great 0% intro APR credit card that just happens to come with one of the easiest welcome offers to qualify for. You can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Many 0% intro APR cards don’t have welcome offers at all. However, this card is ideal for new purchases rather than balance transfers — you should prioritize paying off your balance, not running it up, if you have high-interest debt.

This is also a low-effort option for earning rewards after an intro period since it includes elevated rates on categories you probably couldn’t avoid spending in if you tried, like groceries and dining. The Savor Cash Rewards Card is a good option for international travel, too, because it has no foreign transaction fees.

Read our full Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card review for more details.

How to choose the best 0% introductory APR credit card

When choosing the best 0% intro APR credit card, it’s important to look at your situation and goals. For example, will you be using the card for a big purchase? Or are you planning to use it to transfer a balance to help pay down your credit card debt?

Here are a few other things to keep in mind as you consider 0% intro APR cards.

• Offer terms: If you’re looking to finance a large purchase, opt for a credit card that offers a 0% introductory APR on new purchases. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to transfer an existing balance from another card, a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers will help you tackle your principal faster. Some cards offer both perks, though introductory periods can vary.
• Length of the introductory period: Intro APR periods generally range from 12 to 21 months. The longer your introductory period, the longer you have to carry a balance without the threat of it growing with interest. Any amount not paid off at the end of your intro period will be subject to a card's regular variable APR.
• Balance transfer fee: Pay attention to the balance transfer fee, as it’s common to see a fee of 3% or 5% of the amount of each transfer. Run the numbers to determine if your interest savings will offset any balance transfer fee.
• Monthly payments: Always be sure to make your monthly payments on or before the due date, whenever possible. If you make a late payment, you'll not only be hit with late fees, but you could lose the benefit of your intro APR. You might even be charged a penalty APR that is higher than normal. At least be sure to always make your minimum payment.
• Other rewards and perks: You might want to get a card that you’ll keep using after the introductory period ends. Take a detailed look at each card's rewards program. Consider if a cash back card or a travel rewards card fits your lifestyle better. Check to see if the card has any additional benefits like no foreign transaction fees, extended warranty protection, or statement credits for certain types of spending or with certain retail partners.

Think about your goals, compare a few cards, and narrow down your options before you apply for a new card. Figure out how much you need to pay each month so that your entire balance is down to zero before the end of your introductory period when the variable rate of interest kicks in.

How do 0% APR offers work?

A 0% intro APR offer means you won’t have to pay any interest on qualifying balance transfers, purchases, or both for a set period of time.

With intro balance transfer offers, you could transfer a balance from another credit product without accruing interest on that balance for the time frame of the offer. After the intro period ends, the rate reverts to the regular variable rate. It’s important to pay off a balance before an intro ends, or you could end up with just as much interest as you started with (or more).

With intro purchase offers, you can charge new purchases to a card without accruing interest on your balance for the time frame of the offer.

How to avoid interest after a 0% APR period

The simplest way to avoid credit card interest after your 0% intro APR period ends is to:

1. Pay off your balance before your 0% intro APR period ends.
2. Avoid carrying a balance moving forward.

The point of a 0% intro APR period is to give you time to pay down a balance or cover a purchase without having to worry about interest.

Your credit card interest rate typically jumps dramatically after an intro APR offer ends, so it’s best to pay off the balance during the offer. If you plan to continue using your card for everyday purchases, be sure to pay off the balance each month so there’s no chance of being charged interest.

If a 0% intro APR card doesn’t earn rewards, it might be better to use a cash back credit card or travel credit card for regular spending. Instead of opening up a new card, you could call your creditor and ask if it's possible to be upgraded to another card after you use the 0% intro APR perk.

FAQs

Cards that didn’t make our list

BankAmericard^® credit card

Although it earns no rewards, the BankAmericard^® credit card does offer 0% intro APR on new purchases for 18 billing cycles (then 15.49% - 25.49% Variable) and 0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any qualifying balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 15.49% - 25.49% Variable). This card rivals the Citi Simplicity, but we chose the Simplicity because it has a longer intro period and a discounted balance transfer fee for more time after opening.

Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday^® Card from American Express comes with 0% intro APR on new purchases for 15 months (then 18.24% - 29.24% (variable)) and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months (then 18.24% - 29.24% (variable)). This is similar to the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees), but it lost to this one because the bonus category earnings are capped at $6,000 per year in each category, and the welcome offer is much harder to qualify for.

Bottom line

What is the best 0% intro APR credit card for you? In the end, it’s all about what is most compatible with your goals and priorities. A good credit card can complement your budget, provide you with cash back or travel rewards, help you manage your money, and maybe even provide a welcome bonus. Thankfully, a lot of credit card companies offer these cards, so you have a number of offers to pick from.

If you are a small business owner, you might also want to check out the best 0% intro APR business credit cards.

To get the most out of a new credit card with an interest-free period though, it’s important to pay your bill on time, focusing on responsible use to build your credit score, pay down your debt or purchases, and make the most of your spending.

No annual fee & 0% Intro APR

Citi Simplicity^® Card

4.5

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Citi Simplicity^® Card

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Rates and fees

Current Offer

Long introductory APR period on balance transfers

Annual Fee

$0

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• $0 annual fee.
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 18.49% - 29.24% (Variable) APR
• Includes access to Citi Entertainment, which offers exclusive presales.

Drawbacks

• Foreign transaction fee of 3%.
• No rewards program, but that’s common for balance transfer cards.
• No welcome offer, but again, that’s normal for this type of card.

Card Details

• No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
• 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.49% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock

Author Details

Miranda Marquit

Miranda Marquit has covered personal finance for more than a decade and is a nationally-recognized financial expert and journalist, appearing on CNBC, NPR, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, FOX Business, and numerous other outlets.

Author Details

Ashley Eneriz

Ashley Eneriz is a seasoned financial writer with bylines on leading platforms such as TIME, Forbes, Yahoo, MSN, Reader's Digest, Slickdeals, Credit Sesame, GOBankingRates, WiseBread, and ConsumerAffairs. A proponent of smart spending, she enjoys hunting for deals at thrift stores and flipping them for profit.