The 11 best 0% APR credit cards for up to 21 months of no interest

The best 0% APR credit cards offer long promotional APR periods, giving you a year or more to pay down your balance. Depending on your circumstances, you could save a bundle on interest payments.

Finding the best credit card among hundreds of options can be challenging. To help you narrow down the best options, the Fortune Recommends^TM team evaluated more than 30 0% APR credit cards available today and ranked them based on factors such as introductory period, annual percentage rate, rewards structure, consumer benefits, and more.

See our full methodology here. All interest rates, terms, and fees are subject to change.

Why trust Fortune Recommends

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. Read more about our editorial guidelines and the credit card methodology for the ratings below.

• Over a dozen balance transfer cards tested by staff
• Over 30 cards considered
• Over a half century of industry experience
• 4 levels of fact checking

Best 0% APR credit cards of August 2024

• Best 0% APR card overall (tie): Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
• Best 0% APR card overall (tie): U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
• Best for post-intro APR: BankAmericard® Credit Card
• Best for cash back: Chase Freedom Flex℠
• Best for flat-rate cash back: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best for first-year earnings: Discover it® Cash Back
• Best for flexible rewards: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for travel rewards: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
• Best for frequent purchases: Amex EveryDay® Credit Card
• Best small business 0% APR cash back card: American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
• Best small business 0% APR travel rewards card: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Best overall (tie): Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card gives you nearly two years to pay off your purchases, making it a solid choice if you have significant upcoming expenses, and your monthly budget would make it difficult to pay off the balance sooner.

Why we like this card: The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers an incredibly long 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 17.99%–29.99%) for purchase and 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR rate). You’ll be hard-pressed to find a card with a longer interest rate promotion.

The card also offers some other valuable benefits, including up to $600 in cell phone protection, which protects you against damage and theft when you use your card to pay your phone bill. While the card doesn’t offer rewards on your everyday purchases, you can earn cash back with select merchants through the My Wells Fargo Deals program.

For more info, check out our Wells Fargo Reflect review.

Wells Fargo Reflect Card benefits

• 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 17.99%–29.99%)
• 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers (balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR rate)
• $0 annual fee
• Cell phone protection
• My Wells Fargo Deals

Learn more

• A 0% APR card is a powerful tool that needs to be handled with care
• What is a good APR for a credit card?

Best overall 0% APR card (tie): U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is another excellent choice if you’re looking to extend your interest savings for as long as possible.

Why we like this card: The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card provides an equally long 0% APR promotion as the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card. Once you’re approved, you can enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers† for 21 billing cycles. After that, the APR is variable, 18.74%–29.74%.

In exchange for a long introductory APR promotion, the card doesn’t offer rewards, but it does offer some value after the promotional period ends. Most notably, you’ll get up to a $600 reimbursement if your cell phone is stolen or damaged when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card.

U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card benefits

• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers† for 21 billing cycles. After that, the APR is variable, 18.74%–29.74%
• $0 annual fee
• $0 fee on ExtendPay Plans opened within 60 days
• Cell phone protection

Best for post-intro APR: BankAmericard® credit card

If you have great credit and anticipate carrying a balance after the initial 0% APR period, you may be able to get both an introductory 0% APR and a relatively low ongoing interest rate after the promotional period ends with the BankAmericard® credit card.

Why we like this card: With the BankAmericard® credit card, you’ll get a long introductory 0% APR promotion, with no interest for the first 18 billing cycles on purchases, as well as balance transfers made within 60 days of opening your account. After that, your variable APR will be between 16.24% and 26.24% based on your creditworthiness. The card also doesn’t charge a penalty APR.

There aren’t many other notable features, but the card does offer access to your FICO credit score for free. Also, if you have a Bank of America checking account, you can link your card and use it for optional overdraft protection.

For more info, check out our BankAmericard® review.

Learn more

• What’s a good credit score?
• Credit card debt is on the rise. Here’s what to do about it

Card benefits

• 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles
• 3% balance transfer fee for the first 60 days (4% thereafter)
• $0 annual fee
• No penalty APR

Best for cash back: Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is an excellent 0% APR choice for people who want to combine the value of a 0% introductory APR promotion and a great rewards program. In particular, it’s worth considering if you like the idea of maximizing your cash back on a variety of spending categories.

Why we like this card: The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a solid introductory 0% intro purchase APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 20.49%–29.24%) and 0% intro balance transfer APR for 15 months (intro balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days). 

As a new cardholder, you’ll also earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within your first three months. Plus, earn 5% cash back on combined gas station and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year.

Additionally, you’ll earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. Here’s what to expect:

• 5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%)
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% cash back on dining (including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services)
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025)

For more info check out our Chase Freedom Flex review.

How to activate Chase Freedom Flex 5% categories

Somewhat oddly, Chase makes you manually “activate” your 5% rewards categories each time they rotate. Forget to activate, and you won’t earn any extra rewards that quarter. 

Thankfully, all it takes is one click and you have until the middle of the third month to do it (e.g. September 14th for Q3 2024). You can activate your Chase Freedom Flex 5% at any point by clicking the link in the reminder email or by simply visiting ChaseBonus.com.

Chase Freedom Flex 5% calendar

To give you some idea of what kind of rewards are in store, here are the Chase Freedom Flex 5% rewards categories from the past four quarters. You’ll notice a pattern in which the type of rewards match categories in which customers may seasonally spend: 

• October – December 2023: Wholesale Clubs (e.g. Costco, Sam’s Club), Select Charities and PayPal
• January – March 2024: Grocery Stores (excluding Wal-Mart and Target), Fitness Clubs & Gym Memberships and Self-Care and Spa Services
• April – June 2024: Amazon.com, Hotels and Restaurants
• July – September 2024: Gas Stations, EV Charging, Select Live Entertainment and Movie Theaters

As you can see, some quarters will probably end up being more lucrative than others since they have far wider spending categories (e.g. Amazon versus EV Charging). That’s why it might be a good idea to use the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card in tandem with the Chase Freedom Flex card so you’re always getting at least 1.5X on every purchase. 

More on that below as we discuss the “Chase Trifecta.” 

Chase Freedom Flex Card benefits

• 0% intro purchase APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 20.49%–29.24%)
• 0% intro balance transfer APR for 15 months (intro balance transfer fee: $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater in the first 60 days)
• $0 annual fee
• 5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%)
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025), 3% cash back on dining (including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services), 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, 1% cash back on all other purchases
• $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within your first three months
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance
• Cell phone protection
• Rental car insurance

Best for flat-rate cash back: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

If you want a 0% APR card that earns cash back and you prefer a simple rewards structure, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® credit card should be on your radar.

Why we like this card: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers a generous introductory 0% intro purchase APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 20.49%–29.24%) and a 15-month 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers (then 20.49%–29.24% variable APR).

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® doesn’t offer the same 5% cash back on rotating categories as the Freedom Flex®, but it does offer a higher base rewards rate (an additional 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back versus 1% cash back on all other purchases), and all other rewards rates are the same: 

• 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 4.5% cash back on dining including takeout and eligible delivery service
• 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases
• 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)
• 5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)

In addition to the 0% APR promotion, new cardholders earn additional 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back. That means 6.5X on Chase Travel, 4.5X on dining/drugstores and 3X on everything else for a total value of up to $300 extra cash back.

Other card perks include consumer and travel protections, such as purchase protection, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and rental car coverage. You’ll also enjoy a complimentary three-month membership to both DoorDash DashPass and Instacart+.

For more info check out our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards may be the best overall credit card rewards program thanks to its high point values, frequent promotions and flexible redemption options. 

For starters, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are always worth at least a penny each in statement credit, so you can always redeem them for cash at a pretty solid exchange rate (Amex Membership Rewards Points, by contrast, are only worth 0.6 cents each in cash). You can also redeem them for gift cards (sometimes with a 10% bonus), for travel bookings via Chase Travel or donate points to charity. 

If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card card you can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to one of Chase’s 14 transfer partners including Hyatt, Southwest, United, IHG and more. All three cards also receive a 25% to 50% redemption bonus on points redeemed through Chase Travel, and you can actually move points from a no-fee Chase card account (like the Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited) to a premium card account where it’s instantly worth more in travel redemption. We’ll explain how this works in the next section. 

Learn more about how to maximize your points (and spend them wisely) in our ultimate guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards. 

How to combine Chase Ultimate Rewards

In the section above, we mentioned how Chase gives you the ability to earn points with one card and spend them with a different card. Here’s how it works – and how it can amplify your rewards potential even further. 

To preface, Chase tracks the Chase Ultimate Rewards you earn with each of your Chase cards totally separately. So at any given moment, you may have 6,000 points in your Freedom Flex account, 4,000 points in your Freedom Unlimited account and 11,000 points in your Sapphire Preferred account. 

Even though they’re tracked separately, Chase gives you the option to “Combine Points” and move points from one credit card account to another. So in the above example, you could pool all 21,000 of your Chase Ultimate Rewards points into your Chase Sapphire Preferred account where they’re worth 25% more in Chase Travel redemption value. The same goes for the Ink Business Preferred and Sapphire Reserve cards, which have a travel redemption bonus of 25% and 50%, respectively. 

To put that into practice, let’s say you apply for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card and earn your $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within your first three months, which arrives in the form of 20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You could always redeem that for $200 cash, or alternatively, go Chase Ultimate Rewards > Reward Details > Combine Points and move them to your Sapphire Preferred account. Now, they’re worth $250 towards hotels, airfare, cruises and more, or 20,000 points with an airline or hotel partner. 

To learn more about this trick, check out Better Together: How to combine Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for maximum travel rewards. 

What is the Chase Trifecta?

While researching the best Chase cards (or rewards cards in general), you may see references to the “Chase Trifecta.” 

The Chase Trifecta is a combination of the Chase Freedom Unlimited, Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards. If you use these three cards in tandem it creates soaring rewards potential, hence the nickname. 

Here’s how it works: as you make everyday purchases, you can alternate between your Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited cards so you’re always earning between 1.5X and 5X. Then, once you’ve amassed a small fortune in points, you can use Combine Points to move them to your Chase Sapphire Preferred account where they’re worth 25% more via Chase Travel and can be transferred 1:1 to various travel partners. 

In other words, the Chase Trifecta combines the points-earning potential of the Freedom cards with the flexibility and redemption bonuses of the Sapphire cards. 

That all being said, you can always design your own Chase Trifecta to suit your needs. For example, if you think you’ll be traveling mostly for work, you can swap out the Chase Sapphire Preferred card for the Ink Business Preferred, which also boasts 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠ and offers a beefier welcome bonus to boot (120k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,200 cash back or $1,500 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠). 

Better yet, if you travel enough to justify upgrading to the $550 Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’ll enjoy a 50% multiplier on all points redeemed through Chase Travel. In effect, that raises the Freedom Flex’s earnings rate from 5X to 7.5X worth of Chase Travel, which is outstanding. 

To learn more about how far the Chase Trifecta can take you, check out the 4 best ways to spend your Ultimate Rewards sign-up bonus. 

Chase Freedom Unlimited Card benefits

• 0% intro purchase APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 20.49%–29.24%)
• 15-month 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers (then 20.49%–29.24% variable APR)
• $0 annual fee
• 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ , 5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), 4.5% cash back on dining including takeout and eligible delivery service, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and an additional 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty protection
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption insurance
• Rental car insurance

Learn more

• Better together: Combine Freedom and Sapphire cards for max travel rewards
• Chase Freedom vs. Sapphire: Which is better for you?

Best for first-year earnings: Discover it® Cash Back

The Discover it® Cash Back offers a value proposition similar to the Chase Freedom Flex®, giving cardholders a chance to maximize rewards on several spending categories throughout the year. What’s more, the card’s welcome offer has significant upside potential. 

Why we like this card: The Discover it® Cash Back offers a competitive 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 17.24%–28.24%) and 0% introductory APR for 15 months from date of first transfer (after that, the variable APR will be 17.24%–28.24%).

The card also offers 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in various categories throughout the year (then 1%). You’ll net 1% cashback on all other eligible purchases.

What makes the card stand out, however, is its unique welcome offer. Instead of giving you a set cash bonus after you meet a certain spending requirement, Discover will match all the cash back you earn during the first year—and there’s no limit to how much extra cash back you can earn.

As a cardholder, you’ll also get free access to your FICO score, and Discover will help you protect your identity by removing your information from select people-search websites that could sell your data and alerting you when your Social Security number is found on any of thousands of dark web sites.

For more info check out our Discover it Cash Back review.

How to activate Discover 5% categories

Like Chase, Discover requires you to manually “activate” your rotating 5X cash back rewards categories every quarter. Miss the deadline and your rate plummets to 1X, so you may want to set a calendar reminder well before the quarter ends. 

Luckily, activating your 5X rewards takes just a second. Simply log in to your Discover account via desktop or the app, find your Discover it Cash Back account and click “Activate.” You can also do it the old fashioned way by calling Discover using the number on the back of your Discover it Cash Back card. 

Discover 5% quarterly calendar

To give you an idea of what kind of rewards fall into Discover’s 5X categories, here are the rotating rewards from the past four quarters: 

• October – December 2023: Amazon.com and Target
• January – March 2024: Restaurants and Drug Stores
• April – June 2024: Gas Stations & Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Home Improvement Stores, and Public Transit
• July – September 2024: Walmart and Grocery Stores

Discover it Cash Back Card benefits

• 0% introductory APR for 15 months from account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 17.24%–28.24%)
• 0% introductory APR for 15 months from date of first transfer (after that, the variable APR will be 17.24%–28.24%)
• 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by April 10, 2024. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer.
• $0 annual fee
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined quarterly purchases in various categories throughout the year (then 1%)
• 1% cashback on all other eligible purchases
• Unlimited cashback match on all rewards earned during year one
• 25 unique card designs to choose from
• Free social security number alerts

Learn more

• How do 0% APR cards work?
• 4 reasons to get a 0% APR card—and 4 reasons not to

Best for flexible rewards: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card could be a great 0% APR option for people who are looking for more control over how they earn their cash-back rewards. The card allows you to pick your top bonus rewards category from a list of eligible options.

Why we like this card:  With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, you’ll enjoy an introductory 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee applies, after which the variable APR ranges from 18.24%–28.24% variable . You’ll also get a $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

What makes the card really shine, though, is its customizable rewards. More specifically, you can earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). You can change your category once a month or leave it as is.

Additionally, you’ll receive 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. Just keep in mind that your bonus rewards are capped at $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the 3% and 2% categories. After that, you’ll earn unlimited 1% on all other purchases. If you’re a Preferred Rewards member, though, you can earn 25% to 75% more cash back on every purchase.

For more info, check out our Customized Cash card review. BOA-CustomizedCashRewards-AnnualFee

How to activate Bank of America Customized Cash bonus categories

The Bank of America Customized Cash card lets you earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases)—that’s neat, but how exactly does it work? 

According to the card’s terms and conditions, you’ll get 3X on gas and EV charging stations by default and “you may not be able to change your Choice Category immediately.” But within a week or so, you should be able to swap categories by visiting Online Banking or the Mobile Banking App and tapping your Customized Cash card account. 

You can change your 3X category once per calendar month, and your chosen category will stay the same until you change it again. 

Bank of America Customized Cash Card benefits

• 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any BTs made in the first 60 days. A 3% fee applies
• $0 annual fee
• 3% balance transfer fee for the first 60 days (4% thereafter)
• 3% cash back in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases)
• 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases)
• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening

Learn more

• VentureOne vs. Venture vs. Venture X: What’s the difference?
• Get preapproved for these 6 cards without a credit pull

Best for travel rewards: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a 0% APR card worth considering if you want to focus your efforts on earning travel rewards and you don’t want a complicated rewards structure.

Why we like this card: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers an impressive 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (after that, the variable APR will be 29.99%) and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months (after that, the variable APR will be 29.99%).

As a new cardholder, you’ll also earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. Additionally, you’ll earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.25x miles on every other purchase.

When it’s time to redeem your travel rewards, you’ll get maximum flexibility. Options include booking through Capital One Travel and paying with miles, covering travel purchases using your miles or transferring your miles to one of several airline and hotel rewards programs. 

The card also offers some other perks, including travel accident insurance, rental car coverage and exclusive access to live events and dining experiences.

For more info, check out our VentureOne review.

Capital One Rewards

Unlike Chase or Amex, Capital One actually has two separate currencies tied to its rewards program: 

• Capital One Rewards are essentially the bank’s regular “points” that can be redeemed for cash back. You’ll earn Rewards by using a non-travel rewards card (e.g. the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card) and can redeem them for statement credit, gift cards or covering existing purchases on your account.
  
• Capital One Miles are earned by using one of the bank’s four Venture-branded travel rewards cards (including the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card card). Unlike Rewards, Miles aren’t worth much in statement credit – but they can be redeemed for a wider variety of travel-related options. You can use Miles to book trips through Capital One Travel, cover travel expenses that have posted to your account or transfer miles to one of Capital One’s 18 transfer partners including Air Canada Aeroplan and Wyndham Rewards. 

Naturally, if you’re looking to maximize your travel rewards you’ll want to lean towards a Venture-branded card and start racking up those Miles. But if you’re mostly interested in maximizing cash back, stick with a regular Rewards card. 

To learn more, check out Capital One Miles: Everything you need to know in 2024. 

Capital One VentureOne Card benefits

• 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (after that, the variable APR will be 29.99%)
• 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months (after that, the variable APR will be 29.99%)
• $0 annual fee
• 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 1.25x miles on every other purchase
• 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• No foreign transaction fees
• Extended warranty protection
• Rental car insurance
• Travel accident insurance
• 50% off handcrafted beverages at Capital One Cafés

Best for frequent purchases: Amex EveryDay® Credit Card

The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card can be a great option for people who tend to use their one credit card for all of their everyday spending.

Why we like this card: The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card offers new cardholders a 0% APR promotion on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, after which the variable APR jumps to 18.24% to 29.24%, depending on creditworthiness. You can also earn 10,000 points if you spend $1,000 in first 3 months (Terms apply). 

On an ongoing basis, you’ll earn 2X points per dollar on U.S. supermarket purchases ($6,000 limit on purchases per year, 1% thereafter), 2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases through AmexTravel.com and 1X points per dollar on all other purchases. What’s more, you can qualify for 20% extra points for each billing period in which you use the card 20 or more times on purchases.

Like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, this one allows you to transfer the Membership Rewards points you earn to various airline and hotel rewards programs, among other redemption options. You’ll also get car rental loss and damage insurance.

For more info, check out our Amex EveryDay review.

American Express Membership Rewards

The first thing to know about Amex’s Membership Rewards – it’s premier credit card rewards program – is that not all Amex cards generate Membership Rewards in the first place. 

In fact, the list is pretty short – the only personal (read: non-business) Amex rewards cards that generate Membership Rewards Points are the The Platinum Card® from American Express, , Amex EveryDay and Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card cards. The rest of Amex’s lineup generates straightforward cash back. 

But if you do have a card that generates Membership Rewards Points, the next thing to know is that they’re great for travel redemption but not-so-great for cash back. Amex itself is very upfront about this – it has a chart showing Membership Rewards Points are worth just 0.6 pennies each in statement credit and max out at 1 penny each in airfare booked through Amex Travel. 

On paper, that falls well behind Chase Ultimate Rewards where points are worth a penny each in cash and up to 1.5 cents in travel redemption. But Membership Rewards’ saving grace—and why it’s so beloved by travelers—is the ability to transfer points to a whopping 21 travel partners including Delta, Air France, Hilton, Marriott and more. Transfer ratios can run as high as 1:2, and if you’re strategic about where you move your points and when, you can stretch the value of a single Membership Rewards point to 3 cents and beyond. 

Learn more in our feature on American Express Membership Rewards: Everything you need to know in 2024.

Amex Everyday Card benefits

• 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
• $0 annual fee
• 2X points per dollar on U.S. supermarket purchases ($6,000 limit on purchases per year, 1% thereafter)
• 2X on Amex Travel purchases
• 1X points per dollar on all other purchases
• Earn 20% bonus when you make 20+ purchases in a billing cycle
• Amex Plan It and Pay It
• Rental car insurance

To view rates and fees of the Amex EveryDay® Credit Card, see this page

Best 0% APR card for business cash back rewards: American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

With a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your card in your first 3 months and 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1%), the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card makes up for a relatively brief 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 18.49%–26.49% variable) with generous and flexible rewards. It’s a superb choice if you’re looking for a business rewards card that balances cash back with 0% APR.

Why we like this card: Whether you run a rapidly growing business or just the occasional side hustle, the Amex Blue Business Cash Card, you’ll find plenty to like about the Amex Blue Business Cash Card. 

For starters, unlike many other business rewards cards, the Blue Business Cash Card doesn’t force you into stuffy, outdated rewards categories (e.g. 3X on office supplies and cable bills). Instead, it offers a blanket 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1%). 

You’ll also get 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 18.49%–26.49% variable) (no balance transfers). That’s obviously on the shorter end compared to personal cards, but is generous for a business card. It will come in handy if you need a little time to finance a medium-sized purchase for your business (e.g. laptop, online marketing campaign etc.). 

Plus, the Blue Business Cash Card comes with Amex’s Expanded Buying Power feature, which allows you to make pre-approved purchases beyond your existing credit limit and simply adds the surplus to your minimum payment amount next month. 

Toss in QuickBooks and Bill.com integration and you have an excellent all-around business rewards card. It may lack some of the travel-centric rewards and benefits that Amex is known for, but if you’re just looking for a business rewards card that maximizes everyday business spending, the Amex Blue Business Cash Card is a smart choice.

Can you get a business rewards card with a side hustle? 

Yes. 

You can apply for a business rewards card as a sole proprietor of your business, meaning all that you have to supply on your card application is your name, SSN and other basic personal information. You don’t need a formally registered business, meaning you can technically apply for one even if it’s only for a side hustle. 

For more ideas on which cards to apply for, check out our list of the best business rewards cards. 

Amex Blue Business Cash Card benefits

• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (after that, the variable APR will be 18.49%–26.49% variable)
• $0 annual fee
• 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year (then 1%)
• Expanded Buying Power
• Extended warranty protection
• Purchase protection
• Rental car insurance
• QuickBooks and Bill.com integration
• Employee cards at no extra cost

To view rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, see this page

Best 0% APR card for business travel rewards: The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express

If you’d like a business rewards card that’s optimized for travel rewards, the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express card might be a fit. The card offers 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (then a variable APR of 18.49%–26.49%), 2x Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases for the first $50,000 in purchases per year (1x point per dollar thereafter), a 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership and a litany of other small business-friendly perks.

Why we like this card: The The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is virtually identical to its sibling the Blue Business Cash card, only it offers travel-friendly Membership Rewards Points instead of cash back. You’ll get 2x Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases for the first $50,000 in purchases per year (1x point per dollar thereafter), 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (then a variable APR of 18.49%–26.49%). 

The Amex Blue Business Plus card is designed to help small business owners and side hustlers finance big expenses during your first year with the card. In addition to 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (then a variable APR of 18.49%–26.49%), you’ll get Amex’s Expanded Buying Power feature which allows you to spend beyond your credit limit (for pre-approved purchases) and simply adds the surplus to your minimum payment next month. 

To put that into context, let’s say you already have a $4,000 balance on a $5,000 limit and you need to buy a $2,000 laptop for your business. Amex pre-approves the purchase and adds $1,000 to your minimum payment next month, and you’ll even score 2x Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases for the first $50,000 in purchases per year (1x point per dollar thereafter) totaling 40 Membership Rewards Points. 

Like the Blue Biz Cash, the Blue Biz Plus comes loaded with free employee cards, QuickBooks integration, Vendor Pay by Bill.com and other business-friendly features. The card does charge 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars as a foreign transaction fee so it’s not great to travel with, but for earning Membership Rewards Points and booking travel in the first place, it’s an excellent small business companion.

What’s the difference between business and personal credit cards?

There are four main differences between personal credit cards and business credit cards: 

1. Business credit cards often have perks and rewards that are specifically geared towards helping business owners, such as cash back on travel/shipping/office supplies and free employee cards. 
2. Business credit cards require a business name, address and phone number on your credit card application (although you can always put down your own personal information and apply as a sole proprietor). 
3. Unlike personal credit cards, business credit cards are only supposed to be used for business-related purchases. That often goes for the points you earn, too. For example, the terms and conditions of the Amex Blue Business Cash card require you to certify that “ALL CARD(S) ISSUED ON THE ACCOUNT WILL ONLY BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS PURPOSES.” 
4. The fraud protections required for business cards are less stringent than those required for personal cards. That said, most major card issuers will provide fraud protection for business cards as a customer service issue. Be sure to check with your card issuer so you understand the exact fraud protection you have. 

Now, that all being said, we’ve rarely heard of anyone getting caught and having their account closed for using their business rewards card for personal purchases. But many cardholders choose to keep their business and personal purchases totally separate nonetheless since it makes accounting much easier during tax season. 

To learn more, check out our home base for all business rewards card-related content. 

Amex Blue Business Plus Card benefits

• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening (then a variable APR of 18.49%–26.49%)
• $0 annual fee
• 2x Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases for the first $50,000 in purchases per year (1x point per dollar thereafter)
• Expanded Buying Power
• Extended warranty protection
• Purchase protection
• Rental car insurance
• QuickBooks and Bill.com integration
• Employee cards at no extra cost

To view rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, see this page

What is a 0% APR promotion?

Normally, credit cards won’t charge interest on your balance as long as you pay it in full every month. If you carry a balance to the next month, you’ll not only be charged interest on the amount you still owe but you’ll also lose your grace period on new purchases until you pay it in full. 

For situations where you anticipate carrying a balance on a single large purchase or several smaller ones, a credit card with an introductory 0% APR promotion can help. These promotions typically give a new cardholder between 12 and 21 months after account opening to avoid interest charges on their purchases.

Once the promotional period ends, the card’s regular APR will kick in. If you still have a balance at that point, the standard APR will only apply to the remainder of that unpaid balance. You can contrast this feature to deferred interest offers—common with retail promotional financing offers—which may charge you interest retroactively if you don’t pay off your original purchase in full by the end of the promotional period. 

Additionally, many 0% APR credit cards offer no-interest promotions on balance transfers. 

Are there no interest credit cards?

It depends what you mean by “no interest.” If you’re looking for a card that offers 0% APR (aka zero interest) on purchases and balance transfers, then yes, there are many, and we’ve highlighted the best of them on this list. 

If you’re looking for a card that offers 0% APR in perpetuity, no such card exists. There are numerous cards out there offering up to 21 months of 0% APR (e.g. the Wells Fargo Reflect Card and the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card), but every credit card currently on the market will start to charge you regular APR eventually. 
The only cards that offer no interest as a regular policy are charge cards rather than credit cards. These cards are designed to be paid off each month and will charge you a fee and interest if you don’t pay the balance off in time. American Express Green, Gold, and Platinum cards are the most common charge cards on the market.

What’s the difference between a 0% APR credit card and a balance transfer credit card?

0% APR cards and balance transfer cards are both colloquial, unofficial terms that in many cases mean the same thing. 

Depending on who you ask, a “0% APR card” is a card that offers 0% APR on new purchases—and possibly also balance transfers. A “balance transfer card” is the opposite; it definitely offers 0% APR on balance transfers—and possibly also new purchases.

To illustrate, the Citi Double Cash card is a solid balance transfer card because it offers 0% APR on balance transfers for a full 18 months plus 2% cash back on all purchases. But most wouldn’t consider it a strong “0% APR card” since it charges regular interest (19.24% – 29.24%) on new purchases from day one. 

Pros and cons of 0% APR cards

0% APR cards are like bleach. When used with caution they can clean up big messes – but if you’re not careful you can create a monumentally bigger mess than the one you had before. 

That’s why it’s best to consider both the pros and cons of a 0% APR card before you apply for one. You might be surprised to hear that there are more potential cons to 0% APR than pros. 

But knowing the potential drawbacks to 0% APR can save you time, money and hassle and ensure you have a clear strategy for clearing your debt without leaving a massive bleach stain on your finances (so to speak).

Pros

• Can save you $1,000+ in interest on existing debt – If you’re struggling under thousands of dollars in high-interest credit card debt, moving your balance onto a 0% APR card and paying it off before the introductory period expires could easily save you $1,000+ in interest alone.
  
• Can act as a no-interest personal loan – If you need help financing a big expense (e.g. laptop, college textbooks), 0% APR on new purchases can act as a short-term personal loan with 0% interest. That’s not bad compared to an average ~15% interest on an actual personal loan these days.
  
• Provides peace of mind – If you’ve been watching interest rapidly snowball on your existing credit card debt, conducting a balance transfer and “freezing” the interest for 15 to 21 months can lend tremendous peace of mind as you work to pay it off. 

• Pay off debt faster – Since interest isn’t accumulating in the background, you can pay off a 0% APR credit card much faster than a card with regular APR above 20%.
  
• Possibly good for your credit score – Although applying for a new credit card will always ding your credit by a few points, 0% APR can improve your Payment History and reduce your Amounts Owed – both of which comprise 75% of your overall FICO score. 

Cons

• Requires Good or Excellent credit – Since 0% APR credit cards are essentially no-interest loans, banks typically require Good (670+) or Excellent (740+) FICO scores to successfully apply for one. And if you barely make the cut, you may not get the credit limit you were hoping for (e.g. $5,000 instead of $8,000).
  
• The 0% APR period doesn’t last forever – While 18 months may sound like a long time, you’ll still have to make sizable payments in order to clear your debt before regular APR kicks in. To illustrate, a $9,000 balance will require 18 monthly payments of $500 to clear, assuming you make $0 in new purchases in the meantime.
  
• 0% APR may not apply to everything – While you may get 0% APR on new purchases, you may not get it on balance transfers, cash advances and especially penalty APR for missing minimum payments.
  
• Carrying a balance may still impact your credit – Let’s say you’re carrying a $5,000 balance on a 0% APR card with a $10,000 limit. Even though interest isn’t accumulating, your utilization ratio (50%) is extremely high and can negatively impact your credit.
  
• You still have to make minimum monthly payments – A common mistake new cardholders make is assuming that 0% APR means no payments. You still have to make minimum monthly payments on your balance, and if you miss even one, the consequences could be dire.
  
• Missing a single payment could devastate your finances – In the fine print, many banks warn that if you miss a single payment they’ll cancel your 0% APR, slap you with a $30+ Late Payment fee and apply Penalty APR (29.99%) to your remaining balance, which could send you deep into unexpected debt. 

Needless to say, 0% APR isn’t a can of Lysol that you can simply spray on your finances to make the smell go away. It’s a big, heavy bottle of bleach that needs extremely careful handling to prevent an even bigger mess.

But if you know what you’re doing and have a budget going in, it can help you clear even the biggest “mess” in no time. For more on how to wield 0% APR carefully and wipe out your debt, check out 0% APR Credit Cards: A powerful tool that needs to be handled with care. 

What happens if I don’t pay off a 0% APR card in time?

If you don’t pay off your 0% APR card in time, the card’s regular APR will apply to your remaining balance on your next statement. So if you originally transferred a balance of $6,000 to your Chase Freedom Flex card and still have $1,500 left to pay off at the end of 15 months, the Flex card’s regular APR of 20.49% to 29.24% will apply to the $1,500 (not the full $6,000). 

Here’s how you can quickly calculate about how much interest will be added to your balance next month: 

1. Take your APR (let’s call it 24.00%) 
2. Divide it by 12 (so 2%) 
3. Multiply it by your remaining statement balance ($1,500 x 2% = $30)

So in our case, failing to pay off our Chase Freedom Flex before the 0% APR period runs out could result in our balance accumulating around $30 in interest next month. The reason it’s “around” $30 is because interest accrues daily and some months don’t have the same number of days as others. 

Needless to say, it’s best to try and clear your balance well before you get hit by sky-high interest. And if you need more time, you might consider applying for another balance transfer card before your credit score falls too low. 

How do I qualify for a 0% APR credit card?

For the most part, 0% APR credit cards require good or excellent credit to get approved. According to FICO, that means having a credit score of 670 or above, but each card issuer has its own criteria for determining what qualifies, so meeting that threshold doesn’t guarantee approval.

If you’re thinking about applying for a 0% APR credit card, check your credit score first to get an idea of where you stand and whether you need to make some improvements before you proceed. 

Can I get a 0% APR credit card with bad credit?

Generally speaking, no, you can’t get a 0% APR card with bad credit. Since 0% APR essentially amounts to an interest-free loan, virtually all banks require Good (670+) or Excellent (740+) credit to apply for a 0% APR credit card. 
If you’re looking for a rewards card that can help you repair your credit score, check out our guide on How to get a credit card with bad credit. And if you’re new to credit entirely, you might want to consider applying for a secured credit card before applying for a top-tier rewards card.

Is it possible to lose a 0% APR promotion?

Yes. Zero percent APR offers are typically contingent on your responsible card use. If you miss a payment, for instance, the card issuer may decide to revoke your promotional offer. If this happens, the card’s regular or even penalty APR may apply to your balance until you pay it in full.

How much can I save with a 0% APR card?

The amount you can save with a 0% APR card can range from $100s to well over $1,000. It entirely depends on:

1. Your current credit card balance, and
2. The APR you’re paying on that balance

To give an example, let’s say you have $6,600 in credit card debt (which happens to be the average for the Millennial generation in 2024, according to Experian) and you’re able to make $400 monthly payments towards your debt. At that rate, it will take you 21 months to pay off the balance and you’ll pay $1,570.42 in total interest. 

Alternatively, let’s say you transfer your balance to a 0% APR card like the BankAmericard instead. You’ll be charged a 3% balance transfer fee ($198 in our case) bringing your total balance to $6,798, but since you have 0% APR, interest won’t continue accumulating in the background as you pay it off. And if you continue making the same $400 monthly payments, you’ll be debt-free in 17 months. 

Putting it all together, moving a $6,600 balance from a 24.99% APR card to a 0% APR card could save you $1,372.42 in interest (net of fees) and you’ll pay off your balance four months early, provided you make the same $400 monthly payments.

When should I use a 0% APR credit card? 

A 0% APR credit card can be a great choice if you have an upcoming expense that you can’t avoid and you’re unable to cover the expense with cash or pay off the balance quickly. Some of the most common uses for a 0% APR credit card include:

• Emergency expenses
• Medical bills
• Wedding expenses
• Funeral expenses
• Home renovations
• Holiday purchases

If your card also offers a 0% APR balance transfer promotion, you can use it to consolidate high-interest credit card debt. 

That said, it’s important to be mindful of your situation and goals when considering a 0% APR credit card. While it’s not necessary to pay your balance in full by the end of the promotional period—you’ll still get the savings from the interest-free period—it’s best to try to pay off the debt before the regular APR kicks in.

So, try to estimate what your expenses will be, then divide that figure by the number of months in your 0% APR promotion to determine how much to pay each month. For example, if you’re planning on spending $3,000 and you have an 18-month 0% APR promotion, you’d have to pay roughly $167 per month to avoid interest charges. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does a 0% APR promotion hurt your credit?

On its own, using a 0% APR promotion won’t impact your credit score. However, if you rack up a large balance relative to your account’s credit limit, the resulting high credit utilization rate could negatively affect your credit score until you pay it down.

What credit card has the longest 0% interest rate?

The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card and the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card both offer no interest for 21 months, giving you plenty of time to pay off even larger balances.

How many 0% interest cards can I get at once?

You can have as many 0% APR credit cards at the same time as you’d like, as long as you can get approved for them. That said, it’s generally not a good idea to open multiple credit cards within a short period of time.

Applying for and opening multiple credit accounts in quick succession can negatively impact your credit score, and it can also be a red flag for lenders who may wonder if you’re having trouble managing your finances without debt. 

Additionally, using multiple 0% APR credit cards at once can make it more difficult to keep track of your balances and monthly payments, and possibly also make it more challenging to pay off all of your debt before your promotional periods expire. To make things simpler, consider using just one at a time. 

Our methodology 

To bring you our top picks for the 0% APR credit cards, the Fortune Recommends team compared more than 30 balance transfer cards available from major issuers. To learn more about how we rate credit cards, see our credit cards methodology.

We ranked each account in these six core categories: 

• Introductory 0% APR for purchases term (45%): The most heavily weighted factor in our rankings was the length of time that the introductory 0% APR on purchases lasts.
• Introductory 0% APR balance transfer term (15%): Since a 0% APR rate on both purchases and balance transfers could help with debt consolidation we also ranked any balance transfer promotional rates. 
• Post-promotional APR on purchases and balance transfers (10%): To ensure cardholders with an existing balance once the intro period is over aren’t burdened by excessive interest rates, we considered the APR each card charges for balance transfers and purchases after the promo rates end.
• Rewards (20%): Cards that also provide rewards (such as cash back or points) on spending were given a boost in our rankings.
• Consumer benefits (10%): Cards were awarded 0–5 points based on which consumer benefits/protections were included: purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone insurance, car rental coverage, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

Keep in mind that the interest rates, balance transfer terms, and fee structures for the cards mentioned are available for limited periods and subject to change. 

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Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.