The Best 0% Intro APR Credit Cards of 2024
A credit card may be a lifesaver when you need to buy the perfect dress for that special occasion but don't have enough in your bank account. With an 0% APR, use it as long as needed and pay off at any time without incurring interest charges.
A big purchase can leave people's wallets feeling empty if they are not careful with their spending habits.
A way of helping alleviate this problem is by using a no-interest balance transfer credit card -- these cards help save money on major purchases while also providing some security against overspending because there will still be room left in one's budget even after paying back the loaned funds (not counting interest).
The duration of the interest-free period will vary from credit card to credit card, but some of them will waive interest for up to 24 months.
Furthermore, some of these introductory 0% APR offers also include balance transfers (just watch out for the typical 3% balance transfer fee).
They can help you with your goal of reducing debt without having interest charges slow down your progress.
Unfortunately:
Currently, there are no credit cards that provide a 0% APR for 24 months on purchases or balance transfers.
However, these are your next best options:
The Best 0% APR Credit Cards of 2024
| Credit Card | Best for | MyBankTracker Rating (1-5 Stars) |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | Best for Cash-Back Rewards | 3.0 |
| Chase Freedom Flex | Best for Rotating Categories | 4.0 |
| Wells Fargo Reflect | Best for Long Intro Period | 5.0 |
| Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express | Best for Everyday Purchase Categories | 5.0 |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | Best for Dining & Entertainment | 4.0 |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | Best for Travel Abroad | 4.0 |
| American Express Blue Business Cash Card | Best With Flat Rate Cash Back for Businesses | 5.0 |
| Ink Business Cash Credit Card | Best With Cash Back for Businesses | 4.0 |
| Citi Diamond Preferred Card | Best for the Longest 0% Intro APR Period | 3.0 |
| U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card | Best for Purchases and Balance transfers | 4.0 |
Chase Freedom Unlimited: Best for Cash-Back Rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited is ideal for consumers who have have a broad mix of spending categories -- you'll earn a high amount of cash back on the majority of your everyday purchases.
Notably, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
Also, the card has no annual fee.
Chase Freedom Unlimited Card Pros & Cons
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Read the Chase Freedom Unlimited editor's review.
Chase Freedom Flex: Best for Rotating Categories
The Chase Freedom Flex credit card is one of the best cards on the market to have in your wallet because it offers an opportunity for you to rack up points by rotating through different categories each month.
You can pick from six options, including gas stations and grocery stores!
The bonus reward at any given time varies as well depending upon how many purchases were made last year (as long as they are within that category).
If you're not sure about which type of purchase will get you more rewards then choose wisely with this flexible option.
Chase Freedom Flex Card Pros & Cons
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Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card Review
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for Everyday Purchase Categories
See Rates & Fees. Terms apply.
Blue Cash Everyday from American Express Pros & Cons
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The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express is a great card for everyday purchases.
It has low-interest rates and rewards, but it doesn't come with any annual fees so you can save yourself some money!
You can also earn cash back on grocery store items like milk or eggs which will help stretch your budget even further.
The only downside to this credit card is the higher than average transaction costs because of its lack of high-end features such as travel insurance benefits, rental car coverage, roadside assistance services, and more.
Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express Editor's Review
Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for Dining & Entertainment
Dining and entertainment are what we live for! With Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card, you can enjoy the finer things in life without sacrificing your financial freedom.
This card provides a generous cash back rate of 3% on all dining, entertainment, select streaming services, and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target) with no annual fee.
Eat out as much as you want because this credit card makes it easy to pay off those expenses by putting money away via automatic monthly payments from every purchase's balance that has available funds so there is literally nothing stopping us from enjoying our lives while saving up at the same time!
SavorOne Rewards from Capital One Pros & Cons
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Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card Editor's Review
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for Travel Abroad
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is the best credit card for those that travel abroad.
The no-annual fee and introductory 0% APR on purchases make it easy to use while outside of the United States, because not having an annual fee means you won't have any unexpected charges when returning back home.
Plus, its cash-back system rewards users with 1.5x points on every purchase they make from a participating retailer in Europe or anywhere else in North America!
If your travels take you across borders this year then be sure to pack just one single card - your trusty old Quicksilver Card will handle all of your needs without hassle (or expense).
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Pros & Cons
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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card Editor's Review
Ink Business Cash Credit Card: Best With Cash Back for Businesses
Ink Business Cash Credit Card is the best option for businesses looking to earn cash back. Ink Business Cash provides competitive rates and a line of credit that makes it easy to stay afloat during tough financial periods.
In addition, they offer no annual fee on all card memberships, which helps save your business money in turn!
Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card Pros & Cons
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Ink Business Cash Credit Card Editor's Review
Citi Diamond Preferred Card: Best for the Longest Introductory Offer
With the , you also get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for a very long time.
The Citi Diamond Preferred card caters to your unique needs and demands through personalized services, concierge, travel booking assistance, and entertainment assistance.
The Citi Diamond Preferred allows you to transfer an existing credit card balance to the new card. The charge to do so is either $5 or 5%, whichever is greater.
When you make a purchase with the Citi Diamond Preferred Card, you can benefit from an extended warranty on purchased goods, damage and theft protection, and liability protection if fraudulent charges are made with your card.
If you use your card when you travel, you can expect the highest security and 24/7 support.
Travel services offered on your worldwide trip include rental car insurance, accident insurance, emergency assistance, and trip cancellation and interruption services.
Citi Diamond Preferred credit card holders benefit exclusively from the Citi Private Pass.
The Citi Private Pass is for weekend adventures, dining experiences, date nights, and more.
The Citi Private Pass provides cardholders with private access to special ticket pricing, event passes, and free screenings. Citi even allows you to purchase tickets before they go on sale.
Citi Diamond Preferred Card Editor's Review
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card: Best for Purchases and Balance Transfers
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card offers a 0% APR for an extended period of time on purchases and balance transfers.
It's a solid, no-frills option to help with your debt consolidation goal.
The card has no annual fee but the balance transfer fee is the standard 3 percent of the transferred amount ($5 minimum).
Read the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card editor's review.
How We Picked
We analyzed more than 20 credit cards with introductory periods on purchases and balance transfers and compared their introductory APRs, fees, and benefits. Then, we ranked them according to how they could best serve consumers who seek to avoid the most interest for the longest period of time.
How Much Can You Save With A Zero Interest Credit Card?
Whenever you make a large purchase on a credit card and don’t pay it off in full, you’re likely to face interest charges.
The exact amount of interest will vary based on your card’s APR.
Therefore, it is important to understand how the cost of your purchase increases significantly when you also account for the interest.
The APR is actually not charged all at once during the year. The balance on your credit card is charged interest daily.
Here’s a real-life example:
If the item you purchase costs $2,000, and your APR is 15%, you are charged interest every day the balance is not paid off. The bank charges a daily periodic rate, which is your interest rate –15%--divided by 360 or 365, depending on the rate the card company uses.
How Much Savings After 24 Months
| Balance | Interest Rate | Minimum Payment | Interest paid after 18 Months | Interest paid after 24 Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | 15% | $40 | $415 | $550 |
| $5,000 | 15% | $100 | $1,000 | $1,300 |
| $10,000 | 15% | $200 | $2,000 | $2,700 |
- If you have a $2,000 balance with a 15% interest rate and a $40 minimum payment, you can expect to pay about $415 in interest after 18 months. If you continue to make the monthly minimum payment for 24 months, you will pay nearly $550 in interest.
- If you have a $5,000 balance, with a 15% interest rate, and a $100 minimum payment, you can expect to spend nearly $1,000 in interest after 18 months, and more than $1,300 in interest after 24 months if you pay the minimum.
- If you have a $10,000 balance, 15% interest rate, and a $200 minimum payment, you can expect to pay over $2,000 in interest after 18 months, and more than $2,700 in interest after 24 months.
In other words:
Choosing a 0% APR credit card for 24 months can save you hundreds of dollars, and it helps you keep your balance lower.
Without interest dragging you down for so many months, you can focus on paying off your credit card earlier, before the interest piles on.
Bottom Line
When choosing a zero-interest credit card, consider a few important takeaways: how long do you get 0% interest, what is excluded, what is your APR after the introductory month, and what is the fee for transferring a balance from an old card to the new card?
With a 0% APR credit card, you can focus on paying down balances without the interest keeping you from becoming debt-free.
