Zero percent APR offers nearly went extinct during the last financial crisis, as banks struggled to maintain revenues from credit card customers. However, shareholder pressure has changed the minds of many banking executives, who now realize that offering a no-interest deal is one of the best ways to lure the least risky consumers to their brands.
Zero percent promotional offer periods can vary from months to years, even on cards bearing the same name. Our credit card tables can help you tell the difference between competing offers, separating the very best deals from similar accounts with lots of strings attached.
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99% - 21.99% based on your creditworthiness.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- No late fees - EVER
- $100 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 12 months. After that, the APR will be 12.99%-22.99% variable based on your creditworthiness*
- Earn 5% cash back from Citi at Home Depot, Home furnishing stores and home and garden stores between 4/1/13 and 6/30/13, with enrollment
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99% - 21.99% based on your creditworthiness.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- No late fees - EVER
- The new Discover it card is out to change the way people think about credit cards.
- Fair...No annual fee. No overlimit fee. No foreign transaction fee & no pay-by-phone fee. No late fee on your first late payment. And we won't increase your APR for paying late.*
- Generous...5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in purchases at Home Improvement Stores now through June with free and easy sign-up. And 1% cash back on all other purchases.*
- Get 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the APR will be 11.99%-21.99% based upon your creditworthiness.*
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer.
- Citi® Price Rewind searches for a lower price. Learn how you can get lower price after you purchase an item.
- The new Discover it card is out to change the way people think about credit cards.
- Fair...No annual fee. No overlimit fee. No foreign transaction fee & no pay-by-phone fee. No late fee on your first late payment. And we won't increase your APR for paying late.*
- Generous...5% Cashback Bonus on up to $1,500 in purchases at Home Improvement Stores now through June with free and easy sign-up. And 1% cash back on all other purchases.*
- Introductory APR on Purchases of 0.00% or 7.50% for 12 months from date opened. (If there is an interest charge, the charge will be no less than $0.50). This rate will not change during the introductory period.
- Low Introductory APR on Balance Transfers of 1.99% or 7.50% for the first 12 billing cycles, this rate will not change during the introductory period. Applies to balance transfers processed within three months of your account open date. After that, your APR will be the same as your assigned purchase rate, based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Low Ongoing Variable Rate APR, after introductory period, APR of 7.50%, 9.50%, or 11.50% (Prime + 4.25%, Prime + 6.25%, or Prime + 8.25%) based on your creditworthiness. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. (If there is an interest charge, the charge will be no less than $0.50).
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99% - 22.99% based upon your creditworthiness*
- Earn 1 ThankYou Point for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Enjoy no limit on the number of points you can earn
- Earn 15,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $1000 in card purchases within 3 months of account opening - enough for $150 in gift cards or other great rewards!
- 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 12 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99%-22.99% based upon your creditworthiness*
- Earn 1 ThankYou Point for every $1 you spend on all purchases
Disclaimer:*These quotes are from credit card issuers which have paid for a link to their website. Offers are subject to change without notice and may not be the same for all consumers.
This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.
Discover is a paid advertiser of this site. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the Discover online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards.
Find the Best 0% APR Credit Cards
How do banks make money on 0% APR credit cards?
Don't think for a second that banks are letting your balance float at no interest out of the goodness of their hearts. They're looking for something in return for your application. Even if you intend to pay your balance off completely before your promotional period expires, your credit card company will still earn a portion of the fees that retailers spend to process each of your transactions.
Credit card companies also hope that you'll investigate some of the special offers from their retail and travel partners. Many zero percent interest credit cards now feature online shopping portals that save you some money, even if yours isn't a cash back rewards account. Banks enjoy a small kickback whenever they refer you to their preferred vendor, so your purchases could help cover the overhead required to maintain your account.
Chasing the lowest "go-to rate"
Of course, even the most generous credit card program manager will admit that banks really do want to earn some finance charges from your balance. Your "go-to rate" determines how much interest you'll pay each month at the end of your special promotion. Typically, longer "teaser" periods lead to higher APRs.
Read the fine print on your credit card application carefully. Some zero percent interest credit card offers penalize you for failing to pay off your balance before the end of the teaser period, especially on retail purchases. In a nightmare scenario, you could actually be on the hook for all the interest you would have paid at your "go-to rate" for the entire time you've had the card! Use our credit card tables to look for offers that charge interest only on the remaining balance after your promotion expires.
Getting the most from a balance transfer offer
0% balance transfer credit cards can help you consolidate multiple bills into a single monthly payment. If you keep your monthly budget the same, you'll knock down your debt quickly. Balance transfers now typically charge upfront fees of 3 to 5 percent, but you can often track down special offers that can shave one or two percentage points from those service charges. Look for deals that will let you consolidate multiple bills over the first few weeks with your card, instead of limiting you to just one or two balance transfers.
Maintaining a good credit score
Accepting a no-interest credit card can help you spend less on finance charges, but your new account could cause some unintended consequences in other areas of your financial life. A sudden drop in your credit score could hamper your attempts to get the best rates on a mortgage or an auto loan, even when banks are prepared to fight each other for your credit card business.
Credit scoring algorithms measure credit utilization across all of your accounts. If you use more than half of the available credit limit on your new card, your score may drop a few points. Likewise, if you cancel an older credit card after your balance transfer, you'll have reduced the length of your active credit history and incurred another penalty. Do your homework first and then apply for the best credit card deals you can find, so the "hard pulls" on your credit report don't spook other lenders.
