It is important to build up a strong credit score, establish responsible money management habits, and rack up points and cash back with card bonuses. But with so many positives comes a major drawback: interest. That’s why choosing one the best 0% APR credit cards can save you a lot of money.
A 2021 survey of 2,000 Americans with poor, unknown, or no credit found that 43 percent of credit card users make only minimum payments, leaving them permanently unable to catch up with accruing interest. But many Americans rely on credit cards to make ends meet, allowing them to spread out the impact of a bill or expense over multiple payments. With a recent survey finding that money is the top stressor for Americans, and three in four young adults naming money as their biggest mental health issue, it’s important to identify potential solutions to the problem.
But 0% APR credit cards offer a solution to this problem. Many give new users nearly two full years without accruing interest, allowing users to spread out their purchases or pay down debt without typical obstacles. Several cards even offer the great bonuses and cash back rewards that initially entice many credit card users.
There are a lot of 0% APR credit cards out there, each with its own set of offers, rates, and promises. To help in the search for the perfect fit, we searched the internet high and low to find the best 0% APR credit cards that experts recommend. These are our top picks, but be sure to let us know if we missed your favorite in the comments below.
The List: Best 0% APR Credit Cards, According To Experts
1. Wells Fargo Reflect Card
Our top pick stands out from the crowd as the card with the longest introductory APR period. “As long as you make on-time minimum payments, this card has one of the longest intro APR offers around, giving you close to two years to focus on paying down debt or new purchases,” says Bankrate.
“Not only can you take advantage of the 0% introductory APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for an entire 18 months from account opening, but you can earn a three month extension on that timeframe if you pay all of your minimum payments on time during the introductory period,” adds CNET.
On top of enjoying a long period of time with 0% APR, the Wells Fargo Reflect card has no annual fee and reasonable interest rates for applicants with good credit. “The Wells Fargo Reflect Card is ideal for someone looking to either pay off large purchases over time or consolidate existing debt,” says CNBC.
2. U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card
Coming in at our second spot, U.S. Bank’s Visa Platinum Card is another great pick for those who want to stretch out payments on purchases without accruing interest. “If you need extra time to pay your current bills, 18 billing cycles without interest is exceptional compared to other credit cards,” says CNN. “And that long runway enables a peace of mind that you can weather a storm without a looming interest rate hike.”
The 0% APR for 18 billing cycles also extends to balance transfers. “The card doesn’t come with any spending rewards, but it has a solid cell phone coverage benefit and no annual fee,” explains CNBC. “The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card is useful for those looking to transfer existing credit card debt or finance new purchases at a great rate.”
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited
If you’re looking for a 0% APR card with great cash back and bonuses, Chase Freedom Unlimited is the card for you. “Beyond the generous introductory interest rate on purchases, the Chase Freedom Unlimited comes with three bonus categories and also earns 1.5% cash back on everything else you buy,” CNN says.
Chase Freedom Unlimited users enjoy 15 months at 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers. And some purchases will earn greater cash back, with “5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases,” CNBC explains. “The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a surprisingly powerful card,” says The Points Guy.
4. Chase Freedom Flex
The Chase Freedom Flex card is a great choice for travel lovers to earn points with 0% APR for 15 months. “The Chase Freedom Flex delivers a formidable 5% cash back on select bonus categories and travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards,” says The Points Guy. “This card is an excellent addition to your wallet as it provides ongoing rewards, a welcoming sign-up bonus and no annual fee to worry about.”
If you aren’t big on travel, the Chase Freedom Flex card also has rotating bonus categories, providing extra cash back on various purchases throughout the year. “The real value of this card is spending within Chase’s quarterly 5% cash-back categories, so if you regularly spend in different categories, this card may be a good fit,” says CNBC. “This card has the brawn to handle just about all of your credit card spending needs without an over-inflated price tag,” Forbes adds.
5. Wells Fargo Active Cash Card
Rounding out our list, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card brings a lot to the table with 15 months at 0% APR, a $200 welcome bonus, and unlimited two percent cash back on all purchases. “The Wells Fargo Active Cash offers an unlimited 2% cash rewards rate on purchases and charges no annual fee. This puts it in competition with the best flat-rate cash back cards on the market,” says Forbes, affording the card its top pick.
Plenty of cards offer competitive cash back on various categories, but it’s hard to find one with a better rate for purchases of all kinds. “While you might be able to earn higher rewards rates in individual categories with other cards, this is one of the best credit cards for everyday spending,” says CNET. “It’s one of the most rewarding flat-rate cash back credit cards around, making it a good card to keep in the long run,” LendingTree adds.
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links.
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