Longest 0% Intro APR Credit Cards
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Whether you need to make an expensive purchase or pay off high-interest credit card debt, a 0% intro APR credit card can help you save money by eliminating interest charges for a limited period of time.
Carrying a balance can be expensive as interest charges are added to an unpaid balance every month, making it that much more difficult to dig out of debt. A study by LendingTree found interest rates averaging 16.43% for all credit card accounts that accrue interest.
Based on our research of cards available through LendingTree, as well as top cards offered by major issuers, we’ve rounded up the longest 0% APR credit cards that don’t charge an annual fee.
Longest 0% intro APR credit cards
20-month intro 0% APR period
18-month intro 0% APR period
15-month intro 0% APR period
12-month intro 0% APR period
We also go over some situations where these cards can be helpful, so you can decide if opening a 0% intro APR credit card is worth the hard inquiry on your credit report. You can also skip directly to our card recommendations or check out some answers to frequently asked questions.
When to use an intro 0% APR credit card
A card offering an intro 0% APR on new purchases can be helpful when you need time to pay off a big-ticket item. Whether it’s remodeling a bathroom or fixing your car’s transmission, using a long intro 0% APR credit card is an easy way to stretch out your payments over time without paying interest.
Once the intro period expires, any balance remaining will be subject to the ongoing APR.
If you’re looking for a way to consolidate debt for a longer period of time than these cards offer, take a look at our debt consolidation guide to figure out whether a personal loan is a better option than a balance transfer card.
A balance transfer card allows you a break from interest charges while you pay off debt transferred from another credit card. When you do a balance transfer to an intro 0% APR card, that gives you a window of time when the entire payment goes toward the principal of your debt, rather than the principal plus interest. You may have to pay a balance transfer fee on the amount transferred (though there are cards on this list with no balance transfer fee), but that fee may be worth it if you save more in interest than you pay to make the transfer.
Use a balance transfer calculator to estimate how long you’ll need to pay off a transferred balance depending on what you can afford to pay each month.
Longest intro 0% APR credit cards
20-month intro 0% APR period
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles on Purchases*. After that, a 14.49% - 24.49%* (variable) APR applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 20 billing cycles on Balance Transfers*. After that, a 14.49% - 24.49%* (variable) applies.
- Balance transfer fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Additional benefits: $0* annual fee. Receive cell phone coverage for damage or theft up to $600 per claim, with a $25 deductible, for up to two claims (maximum $1,200) per 12-month period, when you pay your cellphone bill every month with your card.
18-month intro 0% APR period
Citi Simplicity® Card - No Late Fees Ever
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% for 18 months on purchases. After that, an APR of 14.74% - 24.74% (variable) applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on balance transfers. After that, an APR of 14.74% - 24.74% (variable) applies.
- Balance transfer fee – either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. If you miss a payment, you won’t incur a fee or see your interest rate spike, since there are no late fees and no penalty APR.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% for 18 months on purchases. After that, an APR of 14.74% - 24.74% (variable) applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on balance transfers. After that, an APR of 14.74% - 24.74% (variable) applies.
- Balance transfer fee applies with this offer: 3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. Plus, Citi Entertainment provides special access to tickets for concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: N/A. The regular purchase APR is 13.99% – 23.99% (variable).
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on balance transfers. After that, an APR of 13.99% – 23.99% (variable) applies.
- Balance transfer fee: 3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
BankAmericard® credit card
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, then 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR.
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After that, a 12.99% - 22.99% Variable APR applies.
- Balance transfer fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.
Additional benefits: There’s no penalty APR on this card, so if you make a late payment, it won’t cause your interest rate to go up. (Of course, any payment later than 60 days will be reported to the credit bureaus.)
HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% Introductory APR on credit card purchases for the first 18 months from account opening. Then, a Variable APR of 13.99% - 23.99% will apply after the Introductory Period.
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% Introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months from account opening. Balance Transfers must be posted within the first 60 days following Account opening. Then, a Variable APR of 13.99% - 23.99% will apply after the Introductory Period.
- Balance transfer fee: Either $10 or 4%, whichever is greater, will apply on each balance transfer and credit card check.
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. You get one late-fee waiver each year with this card, and there’s no penalty APR.
Wells Fargo Platinum card
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening. After that, a 16.49%-24.49% (variable) APR applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months on qualifying balance transfers on qualifying balance transfers. After that, a 16.49%-24.49% (variable) APR applies.
- Balance transfer fee: 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. If your cell phone is damaged or stolen and your monthly bill is paid with your card, you can receive up to $600 of protection per claim (subject to $25 deductible) and a maximum of $1,200 per 12-month period.
15-month intro 0% APR period
Chase Slate®
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months. After that, a 16.49% - 25.24% variable APR applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months. After that, a 16.49% - 25.24% variable APR applies.
- Balance transfer fee: $0 for the first 60 days that your account is open, after that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Additional benefits: Get 3 months of complimentary membership in DashPass — DoorDash’s subscription service providing unlimited deliveries with no delivery fee for orders that are at least $12 (other fees may apply). After the 3 months ends, you’ll be automatically enrolled in DashPash at 50% off the regular price for the next 9 months. Activate by Dec. 31, 2021. The card is also contactless, so you can tap to pay.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% intro on purchases for 15 months. After that, a 15.49% - 25.49% (variable) APR applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: N/A
- Balance transfer fee: $0 at the Transfer APR
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. Cardholders earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Plus, earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. And the card offers a variety of travel benefits, such as roadside assistance and travel accident insurance — as well as exclusive access to entertainment, sporting events and dining experiences.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months. After, a 14.99% - 23.74% variable APR applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: N/A
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. Earn 5% cash back on eligible purchases in rotating categories, 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. In addition, new cardholders earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
And finally, this card also offers purchase protection, extended warranty protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and Mastercard World Elite benefits, such as cellphone protection.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months. After that, a 14.99% - 23.74% variable APR applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: N/A
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. You can also earn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2022. This card also has purchase and extended warranty protection and is contactless, so you can just tap to pay for purchases in-store. For ongoing rewards: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% on purchases for 15 months. After that, a 13.99%-23.99% Variable APR applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: N/A
- Balance transfer fee: N/A
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. This card offers a rewards program where you earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations and at select U.S. department stores. 1% cash back on other purchases. You can also earn $100 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months of card membership. Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit. Other benefits include car rental loss and damage insurance and exclusive access to ticket presales for entertainment events. Terms apply.
To see the rates and fees for Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here .
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% intro on purchases for 15 months. After that, a 15.49% - 25.49% (Variable) APR applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: N/A
- Balance transfer fee: $0 at the Transfer APR
Additional benefits: $0 annual fee. Earn 3% cash back on dining; 3% cash back on entertainment; 2% cash back at grocery stores; 1% cash back on all other purchases. And there’s a sign-up bonus where you can earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
12-month intro 0% APR period
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Intro 0% APR offers:
- Intro purchase APR: 0% for 12 billing cycles on purchases*. After that, a 14.99% - 23.99%* (variable) applies.
- Intro balance transfer APR: 0% introductory APR for the first 12 billing cycles for balances transferred within 60 days from account opening. After that, a 14.99% - 23.99%* (variable) APR applies.
- Balance transfer fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
Additional benefits: $0* annual fee. There’s a $15 credit for annual streaming service purchases such as Netflix and Spotify®. The rewards rate is also very generous for foodies: Earn 4X points on dining, takeout and food delivery, 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services and gas stations, and 1X points on all other eligible purchases..
FAQs about credit card intro APRs
How does an intro APR work on a credit card?
When using a credit card, you generally incur interest charges on any balance not paid off by the payment due date. With a card with an intro APR period, you get a certain number of months at a reduced interest rate or with no interest. A card may offer an intro APR period on purchases, balance transfers, or both. Once the intro period ends, you’ll incur interest at the regular APR.
If you need to finance a big purchase, a credit card with an intro APR period on purchases can allow you to pay off the purchase over time without being charged interest. And if you need to move high-interest debt on one card to a balance transfer card with an intro APR period, that can give you some relief from interest charges and let you work on paying down just the principal of your debt instead of the principal plus interest.
Is an intro APR different than deferred interest?
Yes, intro APR and deferred interest are two different types of promotional periods. The way deferred interest works, if you don’t pay off the balance in full by a certain date, you’ll owe back interest from the date of purchase. Deferred interest deals are often promoted on store cards. With an intro APR offer, you’ll only be charged interest on any remaining unpaid balance after the intro APR period ends.
Are there credit cards with no balance transfer fees?
Yes, it is possible to find a card that doesn’t charge a balance transfer fee. However, those tend to come with shorter promotional periods. For a balance transfer card with a long promotional period, you will most likely end up having to pay a fee ranging from 3% to 5% of the amount transferred, which is then added to your balance.
Can I get a balance transfer card with fair credit?
Typically, balance transfer cards require good credit (a FICO Score of at least 670) or better to qualify for. If you have poor or fair credit, you may not qualify for a balance transfer card.
How high of a balance can I transfer to my new card?
This depends on your issuer. Some issuers allow cardholders to transfer up to their new balance transfer card credit limit, minus the amount of the balance transfer fee. Other issuers impose caps on how much you can transfer. The best way to find out is to call the issuer before you apply to see what the balance transfer limits are.
The information related to the Citi Simplicity® Card , the HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card, and the Chase Slate® has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of these cards prior to publication. Terms apply to American Express credit card offers. See americanexpress.com for more information.