The Best Credit Cards With Zero Percent Interest
Credit cards have become an essential part of our daily financial lives. They are a convenient and secure way to make purchases and earn a plethora of different rewards for your spending.
However, one of the biggest downsides of credit cards is the extremely high-interest rates they charge on balances that are not paid in full each month. With credit card interest rates at record highs, failing to pay your statement can spiral and lead to serious credit card debt that is impossible to get out of.
Luckily, there are credit cards out there that offer zero percent (0%) interest on all payments. While the 0% interest is often for a set period, these cards can be an excellent tool for those looking to pay off debt or finance a large purchase without incurring high interest charges. A credit card with a 0% interest rate can also be a lifesaver if you're looking to consolidate debt, finance a large purchase, or pay for a major expense.
To help you find a new credit card to take advantage of these 0% interest offers, we’ve pulled from our both personal experience and data in order to create a consolidated list of the best credit cards with zero percent interest. While this list is not definitive, these are our recommendations for the cards that you should look for!
Before we jump into the list of cards, let’s answer some common questions about 0% interest credit cards:
1. What are the eligibility criteria for getting a 0% interest credit card?
To qualify for a credit card with a 0% interest period, you typically need to have a good to excellent credit score. Most issuers require a score of 700 or higher, although this can vary by card. Some 0% interest cards come with an annual fee, so be sure to make sure that you’ll come out ahead despite any fees before applying. Additionally, many of these cards require you to make a minimum payment each month, so be sure to budget accordingly.
2. What happens if I miss a payment during the 0% interest period?
Assuming you don’t have any stipulation that requires a minimum payment, then the following will happen: absolutely nothing! The whole point of having a 0% interest card is that it’s okay to miss payments or pay for things when you want to. However, make sure everything is fully paid off by the time the 0% interest period expires or you’ll start collecting interest.
3. Are there any restrictions on the types of purchases that qualify for the 0% interest rate?
Nope! Generally, as long as you make purchases that are normally fine to put on a credit card (e.g., not rent, unless you have the BILT card), you are fine to pay for it with your 0% interest credit card!
4. What is a balance transfer?
A balance transfer is a feature offered by credit card companies that allows card members to transfer the outstanding balance on one credit card account to another credit card account. The purpose of a balance transfer is to consolidate multiple debts into one account with a lower interest rate, which can help to save on interest charges and simplify monthly payments. This involves transferring the outstanding balance from a high-interest credit card to a new card with a lower interest rate, usually for a promotional period.
Now that we have discussed some background information, it's time to jump into the top credit cards that feature no interest rates!
Best Credit Cards with 0% Interest
1. WELLS FARGO REFLECT CARD
The Wells Fargo Reflect
The Wells Fargo Reflect Card is one of the best credit cards without interest you can get. For the first (whopping) 21 months of having the card, you get a 0% introductory APR on all purchases and balance transfers. This makes the card one of the best options for those looking to consolidate high-interest debt or make a big purchase. With no annual fee, $600 of cell phone protection and insurance, and 24/7 roadside assistance for no added fee, the Reflect card is one of the simpler no-interest credit cards on the market. As well, the 21 months of 0% APR is essentially unmatched by almost every card out there. However, in order to get this card you will need a credit score of ~700 or better.
Summary:
Annual fee: $0
Length of 0% APR: 21 months
Rewards: None
2. DISCOVER IT CASH BACK CARD
The Discover IT Cash Back Credit Card is one of Discover’s most popular credit cards, and for good reason: this card offers a 0% intro APR period of 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. While this is not quite as long as the Wells Fargo Reflect, you'll be able to earn 5% cash back on rotating categories (see image below) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The ability to earn cash back and not pay any interest for over a year is a huge plus and are why we recommend this card! For reference, to qualify for this card you’ll need a credit score of at least 670.
The current quarterly 5% cash back calendar for the Discover It
Summary:
Annual fee: $0
Length of 0% APR: 15 months
Rewards: 5% cash back on rotating categories, 1% on everything else
3. U.S. BANK VISA PLATINUM CARD
The US Bank Visa Platinum
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is a popular choice for individuals seeking a no-interest credit card option. With an introductory APR of 0% for 18 months and no annual fee, this card is an excellent choice for those looking to make purchases while avoiding high interest rates. Additionally, the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers a suite of additional benefits, such as fraud protection, cell phone protection, and zero liability for unauthorized purchases. Cardholders can also take advantage of online account management tools and access their FICO credit score for free. Similar to the other cards on this list, you’ll need a credit score of about 690 or better to qualify for this card.
Summary:
Annual fee: $0
Length of 0% APR: 18 months
Rewards: None
Conclusion
In summary, zero-interest credit cards can be a great tool to manage debt and avoid high-interest fees. However, when looking for the best zero-interest credit card, it's important to compare offers and features to determine which card actually makes the most sense.
While we’ve given some basic information about these cards, make sure you always go through the fine text, particularly for details about any minimum payments you have to make. It's also important to make sure that you have a plan to pay off your debt before the zero-interest period ends. With careful research and responsible use, a zero-interest credit card can help you save money and achieve your financial goals.
We hope this article helped you find a credit card with zero interest that works well for you! Make sure to check out our guides for the best cards for hotel stays, the best cards for earning air miles, and the best credit cards for teens.