Cards

Best 0% APR and Low-Interest Credit Cards of 2024

Irina Tsymbaliuk
Best 0% APR and Low-Interest Credit Cards

Credit cards are popular financial tools widely used for different purposes. Yet, many of them come with high rates that might eat out a hole in your budget if not estimated and managed properly. So, it’s essential to effectively handle debt and get the most out of your credit card to maintain financial health. One of the most effective strategies to achieve this is to leverage credit cards with 0% APR or low interest rates.

The primary benefit you’ll get is the potential to save on interest payments. With reduced or eliminated interest, you have more flexibility to allocate your funds towards paying down the principal balance, investing, or saving for future expenses and larger purchases.

The landscape of credit cards featuring no interest or low interest is rich with opportunities for savvy consumers. To save you the trouble of scrutinizing and comparing multiple offers, we’ve made a list of the best 0% APR credit cards and cards with low interest rates.

3 Best No-Interest Credit Cards

A zero-interest credit card usually offers an introductory period with no interest charged on your purchases or balance transfers. This period can range from a few months to over a year, providing a valuable opportunity to pay off existing debt or finance new purchases without accruing interest. You should be aware, though, that at the end of the intro APR period, you’ll automatically switch to a regular APR that might fall within a higher range.

Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

Intro APR: 0% for 21 months

Regular APR: 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable

AnnualFee: $0

Welcome Bonus: None

Pros:

  • Long 0% APR introductory period;
  • Competitive regular APRs;
  • Intro APR is applicable to purchases and eligible balance transfers;
  • Zero liability protection.

Cons:

  • No rewards program in place;
  • Good to excellent credit is required to qualify.
  • Offering a no-interest period of nearly 2 years, the Wells Fargo Reflect Card is by far the best credit card with 0% interest on the market.
  • Balance transfers settled within 120 days of opening an account qualify for a 0% fee, while regular transfers will entail a 5% fee, with a $5 minimum charge.
  • Cash advances and foreign transactions are charged at 5% and 3% accordingly.
  • With My Wells Fargo Deals, you can earn cashback on shopping and deals with eligible merchants.
  • A nice detail about this card is 24/7 emergency roadside assistance and $600 mobile phone protection against theft.

BankAmericard® Credit Card

Intro APR: 0% for 18 billing cycles

Regular APR: 16.24% - 26.24% variable

AnnualFee: $0

Welcome Bonus: None

Pros:

  • No penalty APR;
  • Quite low regular APR;
  • $0 Liability Guarantee;
  • Free monthly FICO score updates.

Cons:

  • No rewards are available for this card;
  • A good to excellent credit score is required. 
  • Balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening will benefit from lower 3% fees. All further balance transfers will be exposed to a 4% fee.
  • Digital Wallet technology enables shopping offline and online using all popular payment apps and platforms.
  • A Balance Connect function allows for linking your credit card to your checking account to protect against overdrafts, with no transfer fees applied.
  • With handy account alerts, you’ll catch up with your balances and won’t miss your due dates.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Intro APR: 0% for 15 months

Regular APR: 20.49% - 29.24% variable

AnnualFee: $0

Welcome Bonus: $200 for $500 spent within 3 months 

Pros:

  • No annual fee;
  • Unlimited 1.5% cash back;
  • A generous bonus;
  • Zero liability protection;
  • High level of security;
  • Nice partner offers.

Cons:

  • 29.99% penalty APR;
  • Higher regular APR;
  • High cash advance and regular balance transfer fees. 
  • You can get instant access to your newly issued card and online payment systems via a digital wallet.
  • The Chase reward program offers 1.5% on all eligible purchases, 3% on dining, 3% on drugstore, and 5% on travels.
  • Credit Journey tool will help you monitor and improve your credit score.
  • Chase Pay Over Time service enables splitting eligible purchases into smaller monthly installments to be paid within 3 to 24 months.
  • A welcoming bonus of $200 is available to first-time cardholders.
  • If you delay a minimum payment for over 60 days, your introductory APR period will be stopped.

3 Best Low APR Credit Cards

Unlike 0 percent APR credit cards, low-interest cards initially offer lower APRs which makes them a choice for long-term financial management. They are ideal for individuals who may carry a monthly balance from month to month and want to minimize the interest they pay over time.

This credit card category is typically issued by credit unions and smaller regional banks and is not common for major national banks. Besides, eligibility criteria often revolve around membership requirements. However, the benefits they offer in terms of savings in interest are well worth the effort.

AFCU Visa® Platinum Rewards Credit Card

Intro APR: Not available

Regular APR: 14.74% variable

AnnualFee: $0

Welcome Bonus: None 

Pros:

  • No annual fees and balance transfer fees;
  • No minimum finance charge;
  • Each dollar spent will earn one point in rewards;
  • You can cash out points or redeem them for gift cards, travel, merchandise, etc.;
  • Exclusive discounts for AFCU Visa cardholders.

Cons:

  • Aerospace Federal Credit Union membership or Visa Platinum Card ownership is required to qualify;
  • $6,000 minimum limit for Visa Platinum;
  • No introduction period is available;
  • Foreign transaction fees.
  • With free balance transfers, cash advances and foreign transactions entail 1.5% and 1% fees accordingly.
  • To qualify for an AFCU Visa Platinum Rewards Card, you should have an above-average credit score.
  • A well-thought reward program brings points for virtually all purchases you make using the card.
  • You can schedule one-time or recurring redemptions.
  • The card comes with a robust digital protection shield against fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized use.

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

Intro APR: Not available

Regular APR: 15.24% variable

AnnualFee: $49

Welcome Bonus: None 

Pros:

  • No minimum credit score requirements;
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus;
  • 1% cash back rewards on purchases;
  • Good for offline and online payments where a Mastercard is accepted;
  • Allows for building credit.

Cons:

  • Annual fee;
  • Security deposit required;
  • High foreign transaction and cash advance fees;
  • High late and return payment penalties;
  • No upgrade to a non-secured card.
  • With no credit history required, this card is a great option for individuals with poor credit scores or no credit history available.
  • Your line of credit will depend on the deposit amount, ranging from $200 to $2,000 and determined by your credit rating.
  • An advanced mobile app will let you stay on top of all your transactions, rewards, and reports.
  • The APR formula is a Prime Rate + 6.74%. As such, it’s impacted by market fluctuations and economic shifts.
  • 6 months of timely payments will not only work for your credit boost but also unlock an opportunity to receive a second credit card.

Choice Rewards World Mastercard®

Intro APR: Not available

Regular APR: 13.50% - 18% variable

AnnualFee: $0

Welcome Bonus: 20,000 points for $3,000 spent within 60 days

Pros:

  • Great rewards program for regular card use;
  • No balance transfer fee;
  • No transaction fees;
  • Secure and easy-to-use mobile app;
  • Mastercard branded protection.

Cons:

  • A balance transfer is required within 90 days of opening an account;
  • First Tech Credit Union membership is required. 
  • This card offers a nice combo of a low regular APR with a complex and well-though reward program.
  • You’ll get 2 points for each dollar spent on groceries, gas, household goods, electronics, and telecommunications and 1 point for a dollar spent on other eligible purchases. Reward points are not limited and won’t expire.
  • The card entails no fees for foreign transactions, cash advances, and balance advances.
  • Though variable, your maximum APR won’t exceed 18%.
  • You’ll have access to a 90-day Mastercard Purchase Assurance.
  • Despite a membership requirement, there are many ways one can qualify for this card.

Conclusion

By carefully evaluating your needs and comparing the available low-rate and 0% APR credit card options, you can find the perfect card to help you manage your finances more effectively, save on interest, and achieve your financial goals.