Best Credit Cards with a 0% Intro APR (2026)

The short answer: A 0% intro APR offer lets you carry a balance interest free for a set window, usually 12 to 21 months, which turns a card into a short interest-free loan. the American Express® Blue Cash Preferred leads our list of strong cards that also run a 0% intro offer.

A 0% introductory APR is one of the most valuable tools a credit card offers. For a set promotional window, commonly 12 to 21 months, you pay no interest on new purchases, on balances you transfer over, or on both, which lets you spread out a large purchase or knock down existing debt without the roughly 21 percent interest a carried balance normally costs.

The cards below all earn real rewards and also run a 0% intro offer, so you get a card worth keeping after the promotion ends rather than a bare balance-transfer card you would cancel. We rank them by the everyday rewards value they deliver, and each pick lists the exact length of its current 0% offer so you can weigh the intro period against the rewards. Always pay off the balance before the promotional period ends, because the regular APR applies to whatever is left.

Our top picks

1. American Express® Blue Cash Preferred 6x on groceries

The American Express® Blue Cash Preferred has a $95 annual fee, plus a welcome offer of $300 statement credit.

  • 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers

2. Citi Double Cash® 2x flat

The Citi Double Cash® has no annual fee, plus a welcome offer of $200 cash back.

  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months

3. TD Double Up Credit Card 2x flat

The TD Double Up Credit Card has no annual fee, plus a welcome offer of $200 cash back.

  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles and purchases for 12

4. Wells Fargo Active Cash® 2x flat

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® has no annual fee, plus a welcome offer of $200 cash rewards bonus.

  • 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers

5. U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® 2x flat

The U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® has no annual fee.

  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles

6. Citizens Summit® World Mastercard® 3x on dining

The Citizens Summit® World Mastercard® has no annual fee.

  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 billing cycles

7. USAA Eagle Adapt™ Credit Card 3x on dining

The USAA Eagle Adapt™ Credit Card has no annual fee, plus a welcome offer of $200 cash bonus.

  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months

8. Chase Freedom Unlimited® 3x on dining

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee, plus a welcome offer of $200 cash bonus.

  • 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Compare the top cards

CardRewards rateAnnual feeWelcome offerDetails
American Express® Blue Cash Preferred6x on groceries$95$300 statement creditReview
Citi Double Cash®2x flatNo annual fee$200 cash backReview
TD Double Up Credit Card2x flatNo annual fee$200 cash backReview
Wells Fargo Active Cash®2x flatNo annual fee$200 cash rewards bonusReview
U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature®2x flatNo annual feeNo current offerReview
Citizens Summit® World Mastercard®3x on diningNo annual feeNo current offerReview
USAA Eagle Adapt™ Credit Card3x on diningNo annual fee$200 cash bonusReview
Chase Freedom Unlimited®3x on diningNo annual fee$200 cash bonusReview

Rewards rates and offers verified August 2026. Every point is valued at a flat 1 cent. Run your own numbers in the rewards calculator, and check the best current welcome offers for cards running an elevated bonus right now.

Frequently asked questions

How does a 0% intro APR work?
For a set number of months after you open the card, the issuer charges no interest on qualifying balances, either new purchases, transferred balances, or both. When that window ends, the card's regular variable APR applies to any remaining balance, so the goal is to pay it off before then.
Is a 0% intro APR the same as no interest ever?
No. It is a temporary promotional rate. Once the intro period ends, the standard APR kicks in on whatever balance remains, and that rate is often around 20 percent or higher. Treat the 0% window as a deadline, not a permanent feature.
Should I get a 0% card for purchases or balance transfers?
Choose based on your goal. A purchase intro APR helps you finance a planned big buy interest free, while a balance transfer intro APR helps you pay down existing high-interest debt. Some cards offer both, but balance transfers usually carry a one-time fee of 3 to 5 percent, so factor that in.

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Bryce Casson

Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. About the author.