0% APR can have a variety of applications. Sometimes you need more than 30 days to pay for something, or need to increase the amount of cash on hand. This is usually the best way to solve that problem while avoiding interest. Credit cards normally have 15-20% APR, and it’s rarely worthwhile to pay interest on card purchases. One of the downsides here is that most of the below cards require a minimum credit score of 650+. People who really need 0% APR often have lower credit scores. If you fall into this category, check to see if you’re prequalified before applying. Most banks have this option. Search “[bank name] prequalification” and their website should pop right up.
Most of the below cards also have 0% APR on balance transfers, but balance transfers almost always have a fee associated with them. It’s better to put new purchases on a 0% APR card instead of trying to do a balance transfer. Note: This list is current as of December 2021 and is subject to change.
1. Chase Freedom Flex
0% APR for 15 months and a $200 sign-up bonus (worth $300+ with the Chase Trifecta). The card earns 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories, plus 3% at drugstores and restaurants, and 1% cash back on everything else. The card has other benefits too, like cell phone insurance and Mastercard World Elite perks.
2. Citi Custom Cash
0% APR for 15 months. When applying online, the sign-up bonus is $200; when applying in a local branch, the sign-up bonus is $300. The card earns 5% cash back in a category of your choice, and 1% back on everything else. It’s usually best to use this card for groceries, but can work for anyone’s needs.
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited
0% APR for 15 months and a $200 sign-up bonus (worth $300+ with the Chase Trifecta). The card earns 3% at drugstores and restaurants, and 1.5% cash back on everything else.
4. Wells Fargo Active Cash
0% APR for 15 months and a $200 sign-up bonus. The card earns 2% cash back on all purchases. Although it has a 3% foreign transaction fee, there aren’t any other clear downsides. Active Cash is one of the best everyday-use cards.
5. Capital One SavorOne
0% APR for 15 months and a $200 sign-up bonus. SavorOne earns unlimited 3% cash back for groceries, dining, entertainment, streaming, then 1% back on other spending. No foreign transaction fees is another plus.
6. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
0% APR for 15 months and a $200 sign-up bonus. This card earns 3% cash back in a category of your choice, and 1-2% cash back on other spending. Your earnings will be higher if you’re part of their Preferred Rewards program, up to 5.25% cash back.
7. American Express Blue Cash Everyday
0% APR for 15 months and a $200 sign-up bonus. This card earns 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and online retail purchases. In general, Capital One SavorOne is a better card for long-term use. The AMEX Blue Cash Preferred can also have an introductory 0% APR, and is a better card overall, although the annual fee isn’t worthwhile for everyone.
8. Capital One Quicksilver
0% APR for 15 months and a $200 sign-up bonus. The card only earns 1.5% cash back on everything, so it isn’t the best card for long-term use. The introductory bonuses are worth considering though.
9. Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards
0% APR for 15 months and a $200 sign-up bonus. The card only earns 1.5% cash back on everything, so doesn’t have much long-term potential, just like the Capital One Quicksilver. Bank of America’s card is slightly worse because of foreign transaction fees and a higher sign-up bonus requirement. Preferred Rewards members can, however, earn more ongoing cash back.
10. Discover It Cash Back
0% APR for 14 months. Discover’s sign-up bonus is that they double all the cash back you earn in your first 12 months of holding the card. The Cash Back card earns 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories, and 1% cash back on everything else (10% back and 2% back when counting the introductory bonus).
11. Discover It Miles
0% APR for 14 months. Discover’s sign-up bonus is that they double all the cash back you earn in your first 12 months of holding the card. The Miles card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases (3% back when counting the introductory bonus). Like the Cash Back card, the value of this sign-up bonus depends heavily on personal spending habits.
12. Bank of America BankAmericard
0% APR for 18 months and a $100 sign-up bonus. The card doesn’t earn any cash back so it’s only for short-term use. Other credit cards on this list are likely better choices.
13. Wells Fargo Reflect
0% APR for 18 months, with a potential extension to 21 months. This is the longest intro period of any 0% APR card. However, the card doesn’t earn any cash back and doesn’t have a sign-up bonus. YMMV on the utility of this card. For most situations, 12-15 months of 0% APR is generally enough. Or you can open multiple 0% APR cards.
14. U.S. Bank Visa Platinum
0% APR for 20 months, but no other significant benefits. U.S Bank also has regional restrictions, so it could be tougher to get this card than something else on this list.
15. Citi Diamond Preferred & Citi Simplicity
These cards are functionally identical. 0% APR for 12 months, or 0% APR for 21 months on balance transfers. No cash back benefits or sign-up bonuses. The balance transfer fee on either card is $5 or 5% “of the amount of each credit card balance transfer, whichever is greater.”