Best Zero Interest Credit Cards of December 2024: Top Offers, Benefits, and Expert Tips

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The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Citi Prestige® Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

Introduction to Zero Interest Credit Cards

A credit card that offers 0% interest for a period of time can help you save money when you need to carry a balance on your purchases. Business Insider reviewed dozens of the best credit cards with introductory 0% APR offers to come up with the following best-in-class options. 

Best 0% Interest Credit Cards of December 2024

• Best for long introductory APR period: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
• Best for rotating cash-back categories: Discover it® Cash Back
• Best Chase option: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Best ongoing cash rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• Best bonus cash back at U.S. supermarkets: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
• Best for booking Capital One Travel: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for dining cash back: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for optimizing cash back: Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
• Best for building credit: Chase Slate Edge℠

Compare the Top Zero Interest Credit Cards 

 

Best 0% Interest Credit Card Reviews

Zero-interest credit cards for large purchases offer long periods of no interest so you can pay off your outstanding balance over time.

The best cards for 0% introductory APR also offer the same benefit for balance transfers and earn generous rewards on select bonus categories such as supermarkets, travel, dining, and more. 

The cards in this guide were hand-selected by Business Insider's team of credit card experts as the top 0% intro APR credit cards of 2024.

Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Long Introductory Period: Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

0% APR offer: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days, followed by a 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% variable APR (rates and fees)

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: N/A

If you're looking for an ultra-long period of no interest, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card fits the bill. It's got an outstanding intro APR offer: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers made within 120 days (then 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% variable).

The downside is that the card doesn't earn rewards for spending. So if rewards are important to you, you might be better off with a card that offers a slightly shorter zero-interest period that does earn rewards.

Beyond the intro APR offer, the card comes with a modest array of benefits, including cellphone protection and roadside dispatch. 

Learn more in our Wells Fargo Reflect credit card review.

 

Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Rotating Cash-Back Categories: Discover it® Cash Back

Introductory APR Offer: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.74% - 27.74% Variable APR 

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically.

Consider the Discover it® Cash Back if you want to earn rewards and save money on interest without an annual fee. Once you enroll, this card lets you earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in quarterly bonus categories that change every three months (then 1%) plus 1% back on all other purchases (from October 1 to December 31, 2024, earn 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Target on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

Discover Cashback Match will match all the cash back you earned in your first year of card membership, which works as a delayed welcome bonus of sorts. And that's not to mention the lucrative intro APR offer this card extends.

Learn more in our Discover it Cash Back card review.

 

Best Chase Zero Interest Credit Card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Introductory APR Offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, followed by a 19.99% - 28.74% Variable APR

Annual Fee: $0

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® starts new customers off with additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). 

They can also earn 5% back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

Considering the card's intro APR offer, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a standout choice for consumers who want to earn rewards on a big purchase and pay down their balance over time without paying any interest. 

Learn more in our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

 

Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Flat-Rate Cash Rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening, followed by a 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable APR (rates and fees)

Annual fee: $0

Rewards: Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

If you're looking for a card with a solid welcome bonus offer and strong Wells Fargo Rewards earning on all purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is an excellent choice. New cardholders earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.

The card's 0% intro APR offer is generous, and you'll have access to a number of good benefits, including cellphone protection. However, this card charges foreign transaction fees, so it's not a good pick for international travel.

Learn more in our Wells Fargo Active Cash card review.

 

Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Bonus Cash at U.S. Supermarkets: Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening, followed by a 18.49% - 29.49% Variable APR (rates and fees)

Annual fee: $0

Rewards: Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per category per year, then 1%) and 1% cash back on other purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout).

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card offers a welcome bonus of $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months of card membership.

You can also earn:

• 3% back on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%)
• 3% back at U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 spent in purchases and at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%)
• 3% back on online retail purchases on up to $6,000 spent at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1%)
• 1% back on everything else

Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout.

Learn more in our Blue Cash Everyday Amex card review.

 

Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Booking Travel with Capital One: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), followed by a 19.74% - 29.74% Variable APR (rates and fees)

Annual fee: $0

Rewards: Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card earns an unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 1.5% back on all other eligible purchases, and that's on top of the welcome offer: one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within three months of account opening.

Since this card also comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), then a 19.74% - 29.74% Variable APR, it's an excellent option for debt consolidation or avoiding interest on large purchases. 

Learn more in our Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards credit card review.

 

Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Optimizing Cash Rewards Each Month: Citi Custom Cash℠ Card 

Introductory APR Offer: 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months, followed by a 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR

Annual fee: $0

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500, then 1%), 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is a great choice if your spending habits tend to change from month to month. It offers a welcome bonus of $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. In addition, cardholders earn 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in the eligible category they spend the most in each billing cycle (then 1%), and 1% on all other purchases.

The qualifying categories include everyday expenses that should appeal to most folks: restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment.

Although it's marketed as a cash-back card, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card actually earns Citi ThankYou points, which are worth 1 cent apiece for cash back, travel booked through Citi, gift cards, merchandise, and more. And again, if you have a Citi Strata Premier℠ Card or Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants), you can pool your rewards and transfer points to Citi's airline and hotel partners.

Learn more in our Citi Custom Cash card review.

 

Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Dining Rewards: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (3% fee for the first 15 months, then 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), followed by a 19.74% - 29.74% Variable APR (rates and fees)

Annual fee: $0

Rewards: Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), and 1% cash back on all other purchases

If your goal is earning cash back while saving on interest on purchases, check out the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. This card has a good welcome offer: $250 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases within three months from account opening.

Cardholders earn:

• 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 3% back on dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), entertainment, and streaming services
• 1% back on everything else

Learn more in our Capital One Savor Cash card review.

 

Best Zero Interest Credit Card for Building Credit: Chase Slate Edge℠

Introductory APR offer: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from account opening, then a 20.49% - 29.24% Variable APR

Annual fee: $0

Rewards: N/A

The Chase Slate Edge℠ comes with no welcome bonus offer, and it doesn't earn rewards. It's geared toward those who are taking steps to improve their financial situation, and offers features that can help you increase your credit score and reduce the amount of interest you pay.

One benefit designed to help you build your credit is an automatic, one-time review for a higher credit limit if you've paid on time and spent at least $500 in your first six months of opening the Chase Slate Edge℠. A higher limit could have a positive effect on your credit utilization ratio and potentially improve your credit score.

In addition, on each account anniversary, you'll be considered for a 2% APR reduction, as long as you've paid your card on time and spent at least $1,000 on purchases in the previous anniversary year. The reduction is capped, though — it will only be reduced until your APR reaches the Prime Rate plus 9.74% (Prime Rate is 8.00% as of 9/19/2024). 

Learn more in our Chase Slate Edge card review.

How to Choose the Best 0% Interest Credit Card

With so many cards to choose from, your options may seem overwhelming. Here are some of the features to consider when evaluating no-interest credit cards to ensure you maximize the benefits of 0% APR.

0% Intro APR: Purchases vs. Balance Transfer 

The goal of a 0% APR credit card is to help you pay down a balance without incurring interest. If you are using the card to buy something expensive, you'll want one that offers zero interest on new purchases. If you already have outstanding debt, you want a credit card that offers zero interest on balance transfers. If you plan to incur a mix of both types of debt, focus on cards that don't charge interest on both purchases and balance transfers. 

Consider Balance Transfer Fees

Not all 0% intro APR balance transfer credit cards are created equal. Most cards charge anywhere from 3% to 5% of the transaction amount, and some offer a slightly lower transaction fee during the initial period after you open the card. If you plan to transfer a large debt from an existing card to a zero-interest card, you may save a few hundred dollars by choosing a product that offers lower balance transfer fees. 

Understanding Post-Introductory APR Rates

Your period of no interest won't last forever, and fees can quickly skyrocket if you miscalculate or misunderstand when your grace period ends.

A best practice for avoiding unnecessary fees is to note your 0% intro APR expiration date on your calendar when you first receive the card and set periodic reminders to check your outstanding balance and expiration date.

You can always find your 0% APR rate and expiration date on your monthly statements, or call your credit card issuer for more details. 

Look for 0% APR Cards with No Annual Fees

Plenty of the best zero-interest credit cards don't charge annual fees, so there's no need to choose a 0% intro APR card with an annual fee unless there are additional benefits to the card that make the cost worth your while. 

Additional Benefits and Services 

A good 0% intro APR credit card should come with additional benefits and rewards in addition to the zero-interest period. Common perks include entertainment discounts and early access, travel advantages and protection, and credit score monitoring.

Access to Your FICO Score

Many credit cards offer the ability to check your FICO credit score for free. Most issuers that offer this feature provide monthly updates, and you can check your scores online or via your credit card app.

Credit Card Fraud Protection

Many issuers offer text and email alerts if they detect suspicious activity. In addition to preventing unauthorized transactions where possible, your credit card issuer may also offer a liability guarantee for fraudulent charges.

Digital Wallet Technology

Many credit cards now integrate with mobile payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, making it easy to pay for your purchases using your smartphone or other devices.

Instant Virtual Numbers

You may even be able to use your card immediately after approval if the issuer offers instant virtual credit card numbers. This is especially valuable if you apply for your zero-interest credit card right before you make a large purchase.

Best Zero-Interest Credit Cards: Frequently Asked Questions

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Zero-Interest Credit Cards

Business Insider chose the best credit cards with 0% introductory APR offers by looking through all the credit cards that offered zero-interest periods. We then evaluated the terms and length of each introductory offer, with cards that offer longer introductory periods ranking more highly than others. We also considered rewards, like cash back or travel points, card benefits, and factors like annual fees and foreign transaction fees.  

Here's Business Insider's methodology for how we rate credit cards.

Tessa Campbell

Investing and Retirement Reporter

Tessa Campbell is an investing and retirement reporter on Business Insider’s personal finance desk. Over two years of personal finance reporting, Tessa has built expertise on a range of financial topics, from the best credit cards to the best retirement savings accounts.ExperienceTessa currently reports on all things investing — deep-diving into complex financial topics,  shedding light on lesser-known investment avenues, and uncovering ways readers can work the system to their advantage.As a personal finance expert in her 20s, Tessa is acutely aware of the impacts time and uncertainty have on your investment decisions. While she curates Business Insider’s guide on the best investment apps, she believes that your financial portfolio does not have to be perfect, it just has to exist. A small investment is better than nothing, and the mistakes you make along the way are a necessary part of the learning process.Expertise: Tessa’s expertise includes:

• Credit cards
• Investing apps
• Retirement savings
• Cryptocurrency
• The stock market
• Retail investing

Education: Tessa graduated from Susquehanna University with a creative writing degree and a psychology minor.When she’s not digging into a financial topic, you’ll find Tessa waist-deep in her second cup of coffee. She currently drinks Kitty Town coffee, which blends her love of coffee with her love for her two cats: Keekee and Dumpling. It was a targeted advertisement, and it worked.

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Angela Fung

Marketing Compliance Manager

Angela Fung is the Compliance Manager for Business Insider's Personal Finance division, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice.The compliance team's mission is to maintain reader trust by confirming stories are fact-checked and current so that readers can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by maintaining clear, precise language that is compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team.

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