15 Best Interest-Free Credit Cards of September 2024 | 0% APR for up to 21 Months
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Credit cards offering low interest can help reduce the amount you pay in interest. Many cards today offer a 0% introductory APR (no-interest credit card) for a year or more. Here we list the best interest-free credit cards for both balance transfers and purchases, which we update monthly.
- September 2024 Update on Interest-Free Credit Cards
- Best No-Interest Credit Cards
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card–Editor’s Pick
- Citi Custom Cash® Card
- U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
- Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Citi Simplicity® Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Chase Slate Edge
- Citi® Double Cash Card
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- BankAmericard® Credit Card
- How to Choose a No-Interest Credit Card
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
September 2024 Update on Interest-Free Credit Cards
The landscape for credit cards that offer an interest-free introductory period remained stable last month. There were no major changes to 0% APR intro periods. We recently added the Citi Simplicity® Card to our list due to its long 0% intro APR for balance transfers. There’s no annual fee for the card, and according to the data we collected from online forums, it looks like someone with a credit score as low as 650 was approved.
We have seen the regular APR on most cards rise. So far, however, the rising rates haven’t affected the no-interest intro offers. Finally, always have a plan for your debt when the promotional rate ends. As the CFPB warns, you can end up paying a lot of interest once the 0% intro APR expires.
Best No-Interest Credit Cards
The following 0% intro APR credit cards offer no interest on balance transfers, purchases or both.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card–Editor’s Pick
0% intro APR for 15 months + Cash Back + Welcome Offer
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers elevated cash back on several everyday purchase categories including groceries, dining, and select streaming services. It’s also a great travel credit card earning elevated cash back on hotels, rental cars, and entertainment. There’s no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.- 0% Intro APR: The card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months and on purchases for 15 months, after that the variable APR will be 19.99% - 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance transfer fee: Balance transfer fee applies
- Welcome Offer: $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
Citi Custom Cash® Card
The Citi Custom Cash® Card competes with other 5% cash back cards such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® which offers 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel. The big difference is that Custom Cash doesn’t have rotating categories. Instead, you can earn 5% cash back each month on up to $500 in purchases in one of several categories.The big deal is that you don’t have to pick the category in advance. Citi simply applies the 5% cash back to the eligible category in which you’ve spent the most each month. The result is a 5% cash-back card without the hassle of signing up every quarter or the limitation of just one or two categories qualifying each quarter.
All other purchases earn 1% cash back. There is no annual fee and a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers. Fair to excellent credit is required to qualify for the card.
- 0% Intro APR: The card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months and on purchases for 15 months, after that the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance transfer fee: Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
- Welcome Offer: Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card currently offers 0% interest for 21 months on balance transfers and purchases. There is a balance transfer fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, but no annual fee.- 0% Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and purchases. After that, a variable APR currently 18.74% - 29.74%.
- Balance transfer fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater.
- Welcome Offer:
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is known for one thing, a long 0% intro APR offer. It currently gives new cardholders a 0% intro APR for 21 months and 12 months on purchases. It’s one of the longest available today from any credit card. It charges no annual fee. The downside to this card is that it offers no rewards.- 0% Intro APR: 21 months and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- Balance transfer fee: Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
- Welcome Offer:
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi Simplicity® Card offers both a decent 0% rate for the first 12 months on Purchases and an even better 21 months on Balance Transfers. You won’t get any rewards, but this is a great card if you want to make a big purchase or transfer higher-rate debt.- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% for 12 months on Purchases and 0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers.
- Balance Transfer Fee: Intro fee 3% of each transfer ($5 min) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 min)
- Welcome Offer:
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is designed for those looking for a long 0% intro APR offer on purchases and excellent cash-back rewards. In addition, Chase recently added 0% balance transfers to the card. There’s no annual fee, free access to your FICO score, and a welcome offer.- 0% Intro APR: The card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months and on purchases for 15 months, after that the variable APR will be 20.49% - 29.24%.
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Welcome Offer: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
Chase Slate Edge
Chase Slate Edge offers 0% interest on purchases and balances for the first 18 months. What sets the card apart is that you can qualify to reduce your interest rate by 2% a year, until you reach 9.74% + the prime rate. To qualify to reduce your rate, you’ll need to pay your bills on time and put at least $1,000 on your card. You can also qualify for a credit limit increase after six months when you use the card responsibly and spend at least $500 on the card in the first six months.- 0% Intro APR: Get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 months. After that, the variable rate is 20.49% - 29.24% based on creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Welcome Offer: None
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
Citi® Double Cash Card
0% on balance transfers for 18 months + cash back
I’ve carried the Citi® Double Cash Card for years. It’s been my everyday card and even put our children through college. The cash-back rewards on two college tuitions were amazing.It pays 2% cash back on all purchases–1% when you buy and 1% as you pay your credit card bill. Pay in full every month as we do, and you earn the 2% right away.
As for its no-interest offer, you get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers made within four months of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%. Note that the 0% offer does not apply to purchases. There is no annual fee for this card.
It’s one of the highest-rated cards on the site.
- 0% Intro APR: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance transfer fee: Intro fee 3% of each transfer ($5 min) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 min).
- Welcome Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of your Citi Double Cash® card account opening.
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card comes with a 0% intro APR for and excellent cash back rewards. It’s also one of the few to come with a cash welcome offer.- 0% Intro APR: The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles After that, a variable APR currently 19.49% - 29.74%.
- Balance transfer fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
- Welcome Offer: $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express doesn’t have the longest 0% intro APR on our list. In addition, it charges an annual fee after the first year. In return, however, you get excellent cash-back rewards. These include a welcome bonus and up to 6% cash back (subject to spending caps as noted below). The cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout.- 0% Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months and for balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 19.24% - 29.99%.
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
*Terms Apply
Approval Odds*
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers cash back and bonus cash rewards, plus you get a 0% introductory APR rate for 15 months on purchases and on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.99% variable APR. There’s a $0 annual fee. Here are the details:- 0% Intro APR: Balance Transfer is back! Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 19.24% - 29.99% variable APR.
- Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
*Terms Apply
Approval Odds*
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card combines cash back and an early spend bonus with a solid 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that. It made our list of one of the best 1.5% cash-back cards as well.- 0% Intro APR: The card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months and on purchases for 15 months, after that the variable APR will be 19.99% - 29.99%.
- Balance transfer fee: Balance transfer fee applies
- Welcome Offer: One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers an excellent welcome offer and unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. There’s also no annual fee, and you get cell phone protection.- 0% Intro APR: The card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and on purchases for 12 months from account opening, after that the variable APR will be 20.24%, 25.24% or 29.99%.
- Balance transfer fee: 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a travel rewards card with a welcome offer, rewards, and no annual fee.- 0% Intro APR: The card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months and on purchases for 15 months, after that the variable APR will be 19.99% - 29.99%.
- Balance transfer fee: Balance transfer fee applies
- Welcome Offer: 20,000 Miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds*
BankAmericard® Credit Card
BankAmericard® Credit Card offers a decently long 0% intro APR: 18 billing cycles on purchases and on transfers made in the first 60 days. You can access your FICO score for free, so you can see how paying down your debt is affecting your credit rating. You won’t earn any rewards, but there’s no annual fee.- 0% intro APR: Get 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 months. You also get 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, as long as the transfer takes place in the first 60 days.
- Balance Transfer Fee: After the intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for all future balance transfers is 4%.
- Welcome Offer:
- Annual Fee: $0
Approval Odds
How to Choose a No-Interest Credit Card
What will you use the card for? No-interest cards offer a 0% intro APR on balance transfers, purchases, or both. With balance transfers, you can transfer one or more high-interest credit card balances onto the interest-free credit card and pay no interest during the introductory period. This helps you pay down your debt faster.
If your goal is to make a big purchase instead of paying off debt, you’ll want to pay attention to the introductory period on purchases. Sometimes, 0% intro APR for purchases ends before the balance transfer intro period.
What are the perks? Does the card offer a welcome offer or cash-back rewards? Also, pay attention to the cash-back rewards details. While one credit card might boast a 5% cash back, it’s likely limited to certain purchases, like gas or groceries so you’ll have to use your card for those spending categories to get 5% cash back. Plus, the categories usually change a few times a year and it can be a hassle to keep up with the rotating categories.
A card offering 1.5% or 2% cash back on all purchases might be a better fit for you. One last note regarding cash back, check if there is a limit to how much cash back you can get. Some cards offer unlimited cash back while others have a spending cap.
Does the card have an annual fee? This doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. If you do the math, sometimes the fee is worth paying if the cash-back savings allow you to earn your money back and more.
Is there a balance transfer fee? If there is a fee, it’s usually 3% of the balance you’ll be transferring. Remember, that 3% is still way better than paying the 15% or 20% APR you may be currently paying on your credit card balance every month.
What is the APR after the promotional period ends? The 0% intro APR won’t last forever so you want to make sure you pay off your credit card balance before the promotional period ends, otherwise, you’ll be back where you started, paying a high APR on whatever balance is left. Some credit cards offer 0% for up to 15 months, and there are a few cards that extend the 0% offer for 18 months or even 21 months on balance transfers and purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an interest-free credit card?
An interest-free credit card, also known as a 0% intro APR card, doesn’t charge interest for a period of time. The no-interest offer can apply to purchases, balance transfers, or both. The 0% intro APR typically lasts for at least 9 months, and many offers last for 12, 15, 18, or even 21 months.
What does 0% intro APR mean?
A 0% intro APR means that the credit card doesn’t charge interest on any balance you may owe. Keep in mind, however, that no credit card offers a 0% intro APR indefinitely. A 0% intro APR is always part of an introductory period, usually lasting for 12 months or more. Once the 0% intro APR period expires, any outstanding balances on the credit card will start to incur interest charges.
What’s the longest 0% intro APR offer available today?
It’s currently 21 months.
What credit score do you need to get a 0% intro APR credit card?
The credit score you need to get an interest-free credit card varies from card to card. Generally speaking, however, you should aim for a score of at least 680.
*The credit score data provided for some of the cards listed above came from publicly available information in a number of forums. The accuracy of the information cannot be verified. Keep in mind that credit card issuers consider more than an applicant’s credit score and that underwriting standards change over time.