- 0% APR cards ranked by intro length
- Best for financing a big purchase
- Best for paying down existing debt
- How long "21 billing cycles" really is
- Best if you want rewards too
- True 0% APR vs. deferred interest
- Rules that protect your 0% rate
- Is a long 0% offer right for you?
- Cards that changed recently
- Frequently Asked Questions
0% APR cards ranked by intro length
All have a $0 annual fee. APRs are variable, as of October 2026.
| Card | 0% on purchases | 0% on transfers | Transfer fee | Regular APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Reflect | 21 months | 21 months | 5% (min $5) | 17.74%, 24.24% or 28.49% |
| Chase Slate (new) | 21 months | 21 months | 5% or $5 | 18.24%–28.24% |
| U.S. Bank Shield Visa | 21 billing cycles | 21 billing cycles | 5% (min $5) | Check U.S. Bank |
| BankAmericard | 21 billing cycles | 21 billing cycles | 5% | 15.24%–26.24% |
| Citi Diamond Preferred | 12 months | 21 months | 3% first 4 months, then 5% | Check Citi |
| Citi Simplicity | 18 months | 18 months | 3% first 4 months, then 5% | 17.74%–28.49% |
| Citi Double Cash | None | 18 months | 3% first 4 months, then 5% | 18.49%–28.74% |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited | 15 months | 15 months | 5% or $5 | 18.24%–27.74% |
| Chase Freedom Flex | 15 months | 15 months | 5% or $5 | 18.24%–27.74% |
| Discover it Cash Back | 15 months | 15 months | 3% in first 15 months, then 5% | 17.74%–26.74% |
| Amex Blue Cash Everyday | 15 months | 15 months | 3% or $5 | 19.74%–28.74% |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash | 12 months | 12 months | 3% for 120 days, then up to 5% | 18.74%, 24.74% or 28.74% |
Promotions change often, so check the issuer's current terms before applying.
Best for financing a big purchase
If you need time to pay off something new, like a repair or medical bill, you want a long 0% window on purchases. Wells Fargo Reflect, the new Chase Slate, U.S. Bank Shield and BankAmericard all give about 21 months. The Chase Slate also adds purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
Divide the purchase by the number of intro months to get your target payment. A $4,200 expense over 21 months is $200 a month.
Best for paying down existing debt
For an existing balance, look at the transfer fee as well as the length. Citi Diamond Preferred pairs 21 months with a 3% fee if you transfer within 4 months, while most other 21-month cards charge 5%. Our best balance transfer cards page has a full savings example, and fee math shows when a shorter, cheaper offer wins.
How long "21 billing cycles" really is
U.S. Bank Shield and BankAmericard count their intro period in billing cycles rather than months. Check how your card counts the period. Check your statement for the exact end date and plan your last payment before it.
Cards that count "from account opening" start the clock when you're approved, not when your transfer posts. A transfer that takes two or three weeks to process uses up part of your 0% window, so request it right away. Our step-by-step guide lists typical processing times by issuer.
Best if you want rewards too
A 15-month intro period on a rewards card can be better value if you'll keep the card for years. Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5% on everything plus 3% on dining and drugstores. Discover it Cash Back offers 5% rotating categories and matches all cash back at the end of the first year. Amex Blue Cash Everyday pays 3% at U.S. supermarkets, gas stations and online retailers, each up to $6,000 a year. Compare more in no-annual-fee cash back cards.
True 0% APR vs. deferred interest
Every card above offers a true 0% intro APR: no interest builds during the promo, and only the balance left at the end starts accruing interest from then on.
Store cards often advertise "no interest if paid in full" instead. That's deferred interest: interest accrues from the purchase date and is charged retroactively if any of the promo balance remains at the end. The CFPB found that over half of consumers hit with deferred interest charges had paid more than the full promo balance during the promo, and typical rates are around 25%. Read the fine print before using a retail financing deal.
Rules that protect your 0% rate
- Minimum length: under federal rules, an issuer can only raise a promotional rate after a period of at least six months.
- Late payments: an issuer may end the promo rate if your minimum payment is more than 60 days late, and many card agreements are stricter. Set up autopay.
- Payment order: payments above the minimum go to the highest-APR balance first, which helps if you carry both promo and full-rate balances.
See how balance transfers work for the full process.
Is a long 0% offer right for you?
These cards generally need good to excellent credit. If your score is lower, start with getting approved with fair or bad credit. If you can't clear the debt in 21 months, compare a personal loan, which gives a fixed payoff date.
Cards that changed recently
- Chase Slate Edge closed in January 2026 and was replaced by the new Chase Slate, with 21 months at 0% and a 5% fee. The original Slate's $0 transfer fee is gone.
- Discover it Balance Transfer is no longer available. Discover it Cash Back, now issued by Capital One, offers 15 months on purchases and transfers.
- Citi Simplicity lists 18 months on current reviews; some older pages show a different figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wells Fargo Reflect and the new Chase Slate offer 21 months on purchases; U.S. Bank Shield and BankAmericard offer 21 billing cycles. All four also cover balance transfers for the same period.
Yes. Any remaining balance starts accruing interest at the regular variable APR. With a true 0% offer, interest isn't charged back to the purchase date.
No. Store promos are often deferred interest, which charges all the interest from the purchase date if you don't pay in full by the deadline. Bank 0% intro APRs don't work that way.
Yes. Federal rules let an issuer end it if your minimum payment is more than 60 days late, and card agreements may be stricter. Always pay at least the minimum on time.
No. It closed to new applicants in January 2026 and was replaced by the new Chase Slate, which offers 0% for 21 months on purchases and balance transfers with a 5% or $5 fee.
Wells Fargo Reflect review — Forbes Advisor
Chase Slate rebrands with long intro APR — CNBC Select
U.S. Bank Shield Visa review — CNBC Select
BankAmericard review — Forbes Advisor
Citi Diamond Preferred review — Forbes Advisor
Citi Simplicity review — NerdWallet
Citi Double Cash review — CNBC Select
Chase Freedom Unlimited — Chase
Chase Freedom Flex review — Forbes Advisor
Discover it Cash Back review — NerdWallet
Amex Blue Cash Everyday review — NerdWallet
Wells Fargo Active Cash review — NerdWallet
Regulation Z §1026.55, limits on increasing APRs — CFPB
Regulation Z §1026.53, allocation of payments — CFPB
CFPB encourages more transparent promotions — CFPB
Card terms, rates and fees change often and APRs are variable. Information was checked in October 2026; confirm current terms on the issuer's website before applying. MoneyVerge may be compensated by some card issuers; this does not affect our assessments.