Best 0% APR Credit Cards (18+ Months in 2026)
Avoid interest for over a year with the best 0% intro APR cards for purchases and balance transfers.
| Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Apply now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$200 after $500 spend in first 3 months | 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 18.24%–27.74% variable | $0 | Apply Now On Chase's secure site | |
$300 back after $3,000 spend in first 6 months | 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers | 19.49%–28.49% variable | $0 first year, then $95/year | Apply Now On American Express's secure site | |
$200 after $500 spend in first 3 months | 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 18.24%–27.74% variable | $0 | Apply Now On Chase's secure site | |
$750 cash back after $6,000 spend in 3 months | 0% for 12 months on purchases | 16.74%–24.74% variable | $0 | Apply Now On Chase's secure site | |
$200 back after $2,000 spend in first 6 months | 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers | 19.49%–28.49% variable | $0 | Apply Now On American Express's secure site | |
$200 after $1,000 spend in first 90 days | 0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases & transfers | 17.49%–27.49% variable | $0 | Apply Now On Bank of America's secure site | |
Check issuer site for current offer details | 0% intro APR on balance transfers | Check issuer site for details | $0 | Apply Now On Citi's secure site | |
$200 cash bonus after $500 spend in first 3 months | 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers | 18.49%–28.49% variable | $0 | Apply Now On Capital One's secure site | |
$750 cash back after $6,000 spend in 3 months | 0% for 12 months on purchases | 16.74%–24.74% variable | $0 | Apply Now On Chase's secure site | |
$200 after $1,000 spend in first 90 days | 0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases & transfers | 17.49%–27.49% variable | $0 | Apply Now On Bank of America's secure site | |
$200 cash back | 0% for 15 billing cycles | 17.49%-27.49% Variable APR | $0 | Learn More On Bank of America's secure site | |
25,000 points ($250 value) | 0% for 15 billing cycles | 17.49%-27.49% Variable APR | $0 | Learn More On Bank of America's secure site | |
$50 cash back | 0% for 6 months | 16.49%-25.49% Variable APR | $0 | Learn More On Capital One's secure site | |
Cashback Match — all cash back doubled after first year | 0% for 6 months on purchases | 16.49%-25.49% Variable APR | $0 | Learn More On Discover's secure site | |
None | 0% for 18 billing cycles | 16.24%-26.24% Variable APR | $0 | Learn More On Bank of America's secure site | |
Cashback Match — all rewards doubled after first year | 0% for 6 months | 16.49%-25.49% Variable APR | $0 | Learn More On Discover's secure site | |
25,000 points ($250 value) | 0% for 15 billing cycles | N/A | $0 | Learn More On Bank of America's secure site | |
Check issuer site for details | Check issuer site for details | Check issuer site for details | $0 | Learn More On Discover's secure site | |
None | 0% for 7 billing cycles | N/A | $0 | Learn More On Bank of America's secure site |
Intro APR
0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.24%–27.74% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500)
Why We Like It
- 15-month 0% intro APR gives solid debt payoff runway
- 5% rotating categories + 3% dining and drugstores
- $200 welcome bonus with an accessible $500 spend threshold
Where It Falls Short
- Quarterly 5% categories require manual activation each period
- 5% earning capped at $1,500 per quarter
Pro Tip
Make a payoff plan before transferring a balance — divide what you owe by the number of months in the intro period so you're debt-free before interest kicks in.
Intro APR
0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.49%–28.49% variable
Annual Fee
$0 first year, then $95/year
Rewards Rate
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year)
Why We Like It
- 6% at U.S. supermarkets and select streaming subscriptions
- $120 Disney+ credit effectively covers first year's annual fee
- 3% on transit and U.S. gas stations for strong daily earning
Where It Falls Short
- $95 annual fee kicks in year two — requires ~$1,583 grocery spend to break even
- 6% supermarket earning caps at $6,000/year, then drops to 1%
Intro APR
0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.24%–27.74% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5% cash back on all purchases
Why We Like It
- 15-month 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers
- Flat 1.5% on everything — no tracking or activation needed
- 3% dining and drugstores, 5% on Chase Travel purchases
Where It Falls Short
- 1.5% base rate trails category-optimized no-fee cards
- Best long-term value requires pairing with a premium Chase card
Pro Tip
Avoid making new purchases on a 0% balance transfer card unless that same rate applies to purchases — otherwise new charges often accrue interest immediately.
Intro APR
0% for 12 months on purchases
Regular APR
16.74%–24.74% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on office supplies & internet/cable/phone (up to $25K)
Why We Like It
- 5% on office supplies and internet/cable/phone — rare for no-fee card
- 12-month 0% intro APR helps manage new business expenses
- $750 welcome bonus with a reachable $6,000 spend requirement
Where It Falls Short
- $25,000 annual cap on 5% and 2% bonus categories
- Best redemption value typically requires pairing with a premium Chase card
Intro APR
0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.49%–28.49% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000/year)
Why We Like It
- 15-month 0% intro APR with no annual fee
- 3% on groceries, online retail, and gas — three major spend categories
- $84 Disney+ streaming credit adds ongoing value
Where It Falls Short
- 3% categories each capped at $6,000/year, then drop to 1%
- $2,000 spend requirement for welcome bonus is higher than competitors
Pro Tip
Set a calendar reminder 1–2 months before your intro period ends — if you can't pay off the balance in time, it may be worth transferring again or seeking a lower permanent rate.
Intro APR
0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases & transfers
Regular APR
17.49%–27.49% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
6% cash back in choice category first year
Why We Like It
- 6% in your choice category first year — customize to match your spending
- 15-billing-cycle intro APR with no annual fee
- Preferred Rewards members may earn 25%–75% more cash back
Where It Falls Short
- Choice category rate drops from 6% to 3% after the first year
- $2,500 quarterly cap on bonus category and grocery earning
Intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers
Regular APR
Check issuer site for details
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5% on top eligible spend category (up to $500/billing cycle)
Why We Like It
- Automatic 5% on your highest spend category — no activation needed
- Works as a targeted complement to a flat-rate card
- No rotating category signups required
Where It Falls Short
- 5% capped at $500 per billing cycle ($25 max monthly reward at top rate)
- 3% foreign transaction fee limits usefulness for international travel
Intro APR
0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
18.49%–28.49% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Unlimited 3% cash back on food and entertainment
Why We Like It
- Unlimited 3% on dining and entertainment with no annual fee
- $200 welcome bonus requires only $500 spend — low bar to clear
- No foreign transaction fees
Where It Falls Short
- 12-month intro APR is shorter than several competitors in this set
- 1% on non-bonus purchases limits value for varied spending
Intro APR
0% for 12 months on purchases
Regular APR
16.74%–24.74% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5% cash back on all purchases — unlimited
Why We Like It
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back — no categories to track or caps to manage
- $750 welcome bonus with an accessible $6,000 spend threshold
- 12-month 0% intro APR helpful for financing early business costs
Where It Falls Short
- 1.5% flat rate underperforms category cards for most business spend
- Full point value typically requires pairing with a premium Chase card
Intro APR
0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases & transfers
Regular APR
17.49%–27.49% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
2% cash back on all purchases (first year), 1.5% after
Why We Like It
- 15-billing-cycle intro APR — one of the longer periods in this group
- Preferred Rewards members could earn up to 2.62% on all purchases
- Simple flat-rate earning with no categories to track
Where It Falls Short
- Base rate drops from 2% to 1.5% after the first year
- Full value requires a Bank of America or Merrill banking relationship
Intro APR
0% for 15 billing cycles
Regular APR
17.49%-27.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
6% cash back in choice category (first year)
Why We Like It
- 6% cash back in your chosen category the first year (then 3%)
- $0 annual fee with a $200 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend
- Long 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
Where It Falls Short
- 3% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
- 3%/2% category earnings capped at $2,500/quarter combined
Intro APR
0% for 15 billing cycles
Regular APR
17.49%-27.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5X points per $1 on all purchases
Why We Like It
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Generous $250 welcome bonus for a student card
- Long 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers
Where It Falls Short
- Requires good credit, limiting access for true credit beginners
- Minimum redemption requirements and manual card upgrade needed after graduation
Intro APR
0% for 6 months
Regular APR
16.49%-25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5% cash back
Why We Like It
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase — no category tracking
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- 0% intro APR for 6 months plus automatic credit line reviews
Where It Falls Short
- Lower earning rate than category-specific cards
- Modest $50 welcome bonus with a low spend threshold
Intro APR
0% for 6 months on purchases
Regular APR
16.49%-25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
2% cash back at gas stations & restaurants
Why We Like It
- Automatic 2% on gas & dining — no activation needed
- Cashback Match doubles all rewards earned in year one
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no credit score required to apply
Where It Falls Short
- 2% category earnings capped at $1,000 per quarter
- Lower earning potential than rotating-category student cards
Intro APR
0% for 18 billing cycles
Regular APR
16.24%-26.24% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
N/A
Why We Like It
- Longest 0% intro APR of any student card at 18 billing cycles
- No annual fee — great for budget-conscious students
- Helps build credit history with accessible approval for fair credit
Where It Falls Short
- No rewards program or welcome bonus
- 3% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for studying abroad
Intro APR
0% for 6 months
Regular APR
16.49%-25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5% on rotating categories
Why We Like It
- Cashback Match doubles all rewards earned in year one
- 5% cash back on rotating categories (up to $1,500/quarter)
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, plus free FICO score
Where It Falls Short
- Must activate rotating categories each quarter to earn 5%
- Short 6-month intro APR period compared to non-student cards
Intro APR
0% for 15 billing cycles
Regular APR
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
N/A
Why We Like It
- No annual fee ever
- $250 welcome bonus after modest spend
- Long 0% intro APR period
Where It Falls Short
- Rewards rate details unclear
- No ongoing APR transparency
Intro APR
Check issuer site for details
Regular APR
Check issuer site for details
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Check issuer site for details
Why We Like It
- No annual fee keeps costs low
- Discover known for no foreign transaction fees
- Balance transfer focus helps consolidate debt
Where It Falls Short
- Key APR and rewards details unavailable
- Discover accepted less widely than Visa or Mastercard
Intro APR
0% for 7 billing cycles
Regular APR
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Unlimited cash back
Why We Like It
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 7 billing cycles
- Unlimited cash back on purchases
Where It Falls Short
- Short intro APR period vs. competitors
- Limited details on rewards rate and benefits
Finding the Best 0% APR Credit Cards
What Are 0% APR Credit Cards?
A 0% APR credit card gives you a promotional period — typically anywhere from 12 to 21 months — during which you pay zero interest on purchases, balance transfers, or both. APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, which is the cost of carrying a balance on a credit card. Most standard cards charge between 20% and 29% APR, so a 0% intro offer is genuinely valuable. During the promotional window, every dollar you pay goes directly toward reducing your balance rather than covering interest charges. Once the promotional period ends, the regular APR kicks in on any remaining balance, which is why the end date matters as much as the rate itself. These cards are issued by banks and credit unions to attract creditworthy customers, and qualifying typically requires a good to excellent credit score — generally 670 or above. Some cards focus on new purchases, others on transferring existing debt, and many cover both. Knowing which type fits your situation is the first step.
Why Do People Use 0% APR Credit Cards?
The most common reason people reach for a 0% APR card is to pay down existing high-interest debt without the meter running. If you're carrying $5,000 at 24% APR, you're paying roughly $100 a month in interest alone. Moving that balance to a 0% card for 18 months means every payment chips away at the principal instead. That's a real, measurable difference. Others use these cards to finance a large planned purchase — a home appliance, medical expense, or car repair — and spread the cost over time without interest. Freelancers and small business owners sometimes use them to smooth out cash flow gaps between invoices. Newlyweds and people relocating often use 0% cards to cover moving or furnishing costs. The common thread is that these cards work best when you have a clear repayment plan and the discipline to follow it. They're a financial tool, not a safety net, and they reward people who use them intentionally.
What to Consider When Choosing 0% APR Credit Cards
The length of the intro period is the headline number, but it's not the only thing that matters. First, check whether the 0% rate applies to purchases, balance transfers, or both — this varies by card and changes which one is right for you. If you're doing a balance transfer, look closely at the transfer fee, which typically runs between 3% and 5% of the amount moved. On a $6,000 balance, that's up to $300 upfront, so you need to factor it into your math. Also pay attention to what the regular APR becomes after the intro period ends — a card that jumps to 29% is less forgiving if you don't pay off your balance in time. Some cards come with rewards programs, which can add value if you'll use them, but don't let perks distract you from the core offer. Finally, check the credit score requirement honestly before applying, since a hard inquiry that leads to a denial isn't worth it.
How to Get the Most Out of 0% APR Credit Cards
The single most effective strategy is to divide your total balance by the number of months in the intro period and pay that exact amount every month. If you owe $4,500 on a card with an 18-month 0% window, that's $250 a month — a fixed, predictable target. Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment so you never accidentally trigger a penalty rate, which some issuers impose if you miss a due date. Mark the end of your promotional period in your calendar three months out so you're not caught off guard. If you're using the card for new purchases, avoid the temptation to charge more than you can pay off within the promo window. For balance transfers, stop using the old card once you've moved the debt — adding new charges defeats the purpose. Think of the promotional period as a contract with yourself: you've bought time to get ahead, and the clock is already running.