10 Best 0% APR No-Interest Credit Cards – Reviews & Comparison

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Under ideal circumstances, the best way to avoid excessive credit card debt is simply to avoid using credit cards to make purchases you can’t afford. But circumstances aren’t always ideal. Unforeseen emergencies such as car problems that require expensive repairs or medical treatments that demand high out-of-pocket payments can blindside even the most responsible consumers. If you can’t afford to pay for an urgent purchase or expense out of your own pocket, you may have no choice but to use a credit card.

The good news is there’s no shortage of credit cards that make it easy to charge big-ticket purchases or expenses without accumulating interest from day one. Dozens of credit cards come with 0% introductory purchase APRs periods, many of which last 12 months or longer. Although every introductory APR period eventually comes to an end, the opportunity to get a head start on repaying purchases without worrying about ballooning interest is invaluable.

Best Credit Cards With 0% APR Interest on Purchases

These are the best credit cards with 0% purchase APR promotions on the market today.

Although most charge no annual fee, some carry miscellaneous fees and charges that can raise the cost of card ownership prior to the end of the intro APR period and beyond.

Pay attention to each card’s regular (post-promotion) purchase APR too. Some of these cards stake their reputations on low ongoing APRs, while others are less generous.

1. U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

0% Intro Purchase and Balance Transfer APR for 20 Months

It’s hard to get simpler than the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card. For a limited time, it comes with a 20-month 0% purchase and balance transfer APR, after which variable APR applies, depending on your creditworthiness and prevailing rates. Qualifying balance transfers must be made within 60 days of account opening to snag the intro APR. Additional perks include no annual fee, a free credit score accessible through your account dashboard, and a cell phone protection plan that provides up to $600 in coverage.

Introductory APR: There is a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 months from account opening. After that, variable regular APR applies.
Key Fees: There is no annual fee. Foreign transaction fees range from 2% to 3%, depending on how the transaction is denominated.
Sign-Up Bonus: There’s presently no sign-up bonus.
Other Perks: The cell phone protection plan provides up to $600 in coverage per incident and $1,200 in coverage per year once the $25 deductible (per incident) has been met.

See our U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how you can apply here.

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2. Citi Simplicity® Card

0% Intro Purchase and Balance Transfer APR for 18 Months

The Citi Simplicity® Card has one of the best purchase APR promotions around: 0% APR for 18 months from account opening, after which variable APR applies, depending on prevailing rates and your creditworthiness. Citi Simplicity also comes with an 18-month 0% balance transfer APR for transfers made within four months of account opening, after which rates align with the regular purchase APR.

Although this card is great for cardholders looking to avoid interest charges for as long as possible, it’s not ideal for folks who crave cash back, travel rewards, or sign-up bonuses. What you see is what you get here.

Introductory APR: There is a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months. After that, variable regular APR applies.
Key Fees: There are no annual or late payment fees. Foreign transactions cost 3%.
Sign-Up Bonus: There’s presently no sign-up bonus.
Other Perks: This card comes with a nice lineup of standard Citi perks, including Apple Pay mobile wallet integration, customizable account alerts, EMV chip protection, and the ability to choose your payment due date.

See our Citi Simplicity® Card review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how you can apply here.

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3. Citi® Double Cash Card

0% APR on Balance Transfers for 18 Months; 1% Cash Back When You Spend and 1% Cash Back When You Pay Your Balance

The Citi® Double Cash Card‘s 18-month 0% APR balance transfer promotion is among the best in the cash-back category. If you’re struggling with high-interest credit card debt and seek a payoff method that earns a nice return on spending in the bargain, Double Cash is a top contender.

To be sure, Citi Double Cash’s two-tiered cash-back program is the main attraction for most new applicants. Cardholders earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases when they make them, then another 1% cash back when they pay off those purchases. Pay your statement in full each month to effectively earn 2% cash back on virtually all card transactions, but be mindful that cash back expires after 12 months of account dormancy (meaning no purchases or redemptions).

Introductory APR: Enjoy 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then variable regular APR applies. Qualifying transfers must be made within four months of account opening.
Key Fees: There’s no annual fee. The foreign transaction fee is 3%.
Sign-Up Bonus: There’s presently no sign-up bonus on the Citi Double Cash Card.
Other Perks: This card comes with a standard package of Citi perks.

See our Citi Double Cash Card review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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4. Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card

0% Intro Purchase and Balance Transfer APR for 15 Months; Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on Purchases

The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card has a 15-month 0% APR introductory promotion on purchases and balance transfers. Following the end of the introductory period, variable APR applies, depending on prevailing rates and your personal creditworthiness.

If a year of 0% APR interest doesn’t do it for you, perhaps the prospect of a $150 cash bonus with $500 in eligible purchase spending within three months of account opening and unlimited 1.5% cash back in perpetuity will.

Introductory APR: There is a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.
Key Fees: There is no annual fee. The foreign transaction fee is 3%.
Sign-up Bonus: When you make at least $500 in qualifying purchases within three months of account opening, you get a $150 cash bonus.
Other Perks: Enjoy complimentary cell phone protection, up to $600 per incident and $1,200 per year after the $25 deductible. You’re also entitled to complimentary rental car insurance when you pay for the rental in full with your card.

See our Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Credit Card Review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.

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5. Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card

0% Intro Purchase APR for 15 Months; Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on Purchases

The information related to the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card has been collected by Money Crashers and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card is first and foremost a cash-back credit card. With no annual fee and a flat return of unlimited 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchase spending, it’s among an elite cadre of premium cash-back products for everyday spending.

But Freedom Unlimited also has a strong 0% APR introductory offer: 15 months at 0% APR on purchases. If you’re planning to finance a major purchase in the near future, why not opt for a 0% APR offer that earns cash back too?

Introductory APR: There is a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After that, variable regular APR applies.
Key Fees: There is no annual fee, but foreign transactions cost 3%. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 5% of the transferred amount, while cash advances cost the greater of $10 or 5%. The late payment fee ranges from $15 to $37, depending on balance. The returned payment fee is always $37.
Sign-up Bonus: Earn $150 bonus cash (15,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points) when you spend $500 on qualifying purchases within three months of account opening.
Other Perks: For up to 120 days after you purchase an item with your Chase Freedom card, Chase’s Purchase Protection covers it against theft, damage, and loss up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account. Other perks include extended warranty coverage and complimentary coverage on car rentals purchased in full with your card.

See our Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.

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6. Chase Freedom® Credit Card

0% Intro Purchase APR for 15 Months; Up to 5% Cash Back on Purchases

The information related to the Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card has been collected by Money Crashers and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

The Chase Freedom® Credit Card‘s introductory APR promotion mirrors that of the Freedom Unlimited card: 0% APR interest on all purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening. Qualifying balance transfers can be made at any time during the 15-month window. Once the promotional period ends, variable regular APR applies, depending on your creditworthiness and prevailing interest rates.

Chase Freedom’s cash-back rewards program is worth highlighting. Purchases in select quarterly rotating categories, such as gas and restaurant meals, earn 5% cash back, up to $1,500 total per quarter. All other purchases, including 5% category purchases above the $1,500 quarterly cap, earn an unlimited 1% cash back. A word of warning: to earn at the 5% rate, you need to manually activate your bonus cash back each quarter.

Introductory APR: There is a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. After that, variable regular APR applies.
Key Fees: There is no annual fee, but foreign transactions cost 3%.
Sign-up Bonus: Earn $150 bonus cash (15,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points) when you spend $500 on qualifying purchases within three months of account opening.
Other Perks: For up to 120 days after you purchase an item with your Chase Freedom card, Chase’s Purchase Protection covers it against theft, damage, and loss up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account. You’ll also enjoy complimentary extended warranty coverage, coverage on car rentals purchased in full with the card, and other Visa-backed benefits.

See our Chase Freedom® Credit Card review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.

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7. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

0% Intro Purchase APR for 15 Months; Up to 3% Cash Back on Purchases

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a no-annual-fee cash rewards credit card that boasts a 15-month 0% introductory APR on purchases. To qualify, balance transfers must be made within 60 days of account opening. After the intro period ends, variable regular APR applies, depending on creditworthiness and prevailing rates.

Blue Cash Everyday has more to offer than a generous introductory APR promotion. Its three-tiered cash back program rewards users as follows:

Supermarket purchases earn 3% cash back up to a $6,000 annual limit, and an unlimited 1% cash back after that
Gas station and department store purchases earn unlimited 2% cash back
All other eligible purchases earn unlimited 1% cash back.

Plus, there’s a nice welcome offer: a $150 statement credit for spending at least $1,000 within three months of opening your account.

Introductory APR: The purchase APR is 0% for the first 15 months your account is open. After that, variable regular APR applies.
Key Fees: There is no annual fee. The foreign transaction fee is 2.7%.
Welcome Offer: Get a $150 statement credit when you spend at least $1,000 within three months of opening your account. Plus, for a limited time (apply by Oct. 7, 2020), earn 20% back on Amazon purchases during the first six months, up to $200 cash back.
Other Perks: American Express’s generous Return Protection policy refunds an item’s entire purchase price, up to $300 per item and $1,000 per calendar year, when you attempt to return it within 90 days of purchase and the merchant rejects it for any reason. Other benefits include complimentary rental car insurance when you charge the full cost of the rental to your card, and complimentary travel accident insurance — a bare-bones form of travel insurance.

See our Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.

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8. The Blue Business Plus® Credit Card from American Express

0% Intro Purchase APR for 12 Months; 2x Membership Rewards Points on the First $50,000 in Annual Purchases

The Blue Business Plus® Credit Card from American Express is one of the only small-business credit cards to make this list. With a 12-month 0% APR purchase promotion, it’s easy to see why. Following the promotional period’s end, variable regular APR applies.

Blue Business Plus has a nice rewards program too: 2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 in eligible business purchases each year, then unlimited 1x Membership Rewards points on all subsequent purchases. Depending on your redemption method, your return on spending for 2x purchases will be close to 2%.

Introductory APR: There is a 0% introductory purchase APR for the first 12 months.
Key Fees: There is no annual fee. Foreign transactions cost 2.7%.
Sign-Up Bonus: There’s presently no sign-up bonus.
Other Perks: This card comes with a slew of exclusive benefits for business cardholders, including customizable account alerts, year-end spending reports, employee card controls, and complimentary employee cards.

See our The Blue Business Plus® Credit Card from American Express review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.

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9. Citi Rewards+℠ Card

0% Intro Purchase and Balance Transfer APR for 15 Months; 2x Points on Supermarket & Gas Station Purchases

The Citi Rewards+℠ Card has a generous introductory APR promotion for purchases and balance transfers: 15 months at 0% APR on both types of transactions, with the balance transfer APR kicking in only after the first transfer. Once the introductory period ends, variable regular APR applies, depending on your creditworthiness and prevailing interest rates.

This card’s rewards program is worth calling out here. Eligible supermarket and gas station spending earns 2 points per $1 spent, up to $6,000 in combined category spending per year. All other eligible spending earns unlimited 1 point per $1 spent. Plus, Citi rounds up rewards earned on every purchase to the nearest 10 points — turning (for example) a 5-point purchase into a 10-point purchase — and kicks back 10% of redeemed points up to the first 100,000 points redeemed each year. Depending on how you spend and redeem, your rate of return on spending can exceed 2% on supermarket and gas station purchases and top 1% on all other purchases.

Introductory APR: There is a 0% introductory purchase and balance transfer APR for the first 15 months. After that, variable regular APR applies.
Key Fees: There is no annual fee. Foreign transactions cost 3%.
Sign-up Bonus: Earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months of account opening (worth up to $150 at redemption).
Other Perks: Citi Entertainment entitles you to specially priced and/or exclusive tickets, reservations, and experiences. Fees and restrictions may apply.

See our Citi Rewards+℠ Card review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.

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10. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

0% Intro Purchase APR for 12 Months; Up to 6% Cash Back on Purchases

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the only cards on this list with an annual fee: $95. It makes up for this extra cost with an extremely generous cash-back rewards program.

First things first: the introductory purchase APR is 0% for 12 months, after which variable regular APR applies, depending on prevailing rates and your creditworthiness.

Now, for the goods: Blue Cash Preferred has the most generous cash-back program of any card on this list. Supermarket purchases earn 6% cash back up to an annual limit of $6,000, and an unlimited 1% cash back thereafter. Gas station and department store purchases earn an unlimited 3% cash back. All other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back. And don’t sleep on the welcome offer: when you spend at least $1,000 in eligible purchases within three months of account opening, you’ll earn a $300 bonus statement credit.

Introductory APR: There is a 0% APR on purchases for 12 months, after which variable regular APR applies.
Key Fees: The annual fee is $95, and the foreign transaction fee is 2.7%.
Welcome Offer: When you make at least $1,000 in qualifying purchases within three months of account opening, you get a $300 statement credit.
Other Perks: American Express’s Return Protection policy refunds up to $300 per item and $1,200 per calendar year for attempted returns rejected by merchants within 90 days of purchase.

See our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.

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Final Word

Credit cards with 0% intro purchase APR promotions are great for financing big-ticket purchases — such as supplies for home improvement projects or wedding expenses — that you’d normally struggle to pay for out of pocket.

However, it’s essential to pay off these big-ticket items before the promotional APR expires. If you don’t, you could find yourself struggling just to make the minimum payments on your card — and facing a pile of interest-accumulating credit card debt that could stay with you for years.

Create a plan to pay off purchases made during your 0% APR period before the rate rises. And if you expect to make many large purchases over time — perhaps to finish off that home improvement project or turn your wedding dreams into reality — look into low-APR credit cards with affordable regular interest rates that reduce the cost of carrying a monthly balance.

Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Published at Tue, 22 Dec 2020 22:46:02 +0000