Credit cards

Best 0% Intro APR Credit Cards

A 0% intro APR can give you breathing room on a big purchase or a balance transfer, but the rules differ: some cards cover purchases, some only balance transfers, and transfer fees vary.

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Compared on published terms — verify the current APR, fees and bonus at the issuer.

Wells Fargo0% intro APR
Wells Fargo Reflect
No rewards (built for interest savings)
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for 21 months on purchases & qualifying transfers (within 120 days)
See card
Terms change — verify at the issuer.
CitiBalance transfer
Citi Double Cash
2% total: 1% when you buy + 1% as you pay
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for 18 months on balance transfers (not purchases)
See card
Terms change — verify at the issuer.
ChaseCash back
Chase Freedom Unlimited
5% travel via Chase Travel; 3% dining & drugstores; 1.5% else
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% for 15 months on purchases & balance transfers
See card
Terms change — verify at the issuer.

This is independent, informational comparison and not financial advice. A 0% intro period only helps if you have a clear payoff plan before it ends, because the regular APR afterward is high and applies to any remaining balance.

Pay close attention to whether the 0% offer applies to purchases, balance transfers, or both, and to the balance transfer fee. All figures here can change, so verify the current intro length, fees, and regular APR at the issuer before applying.

Wells Fargo Reflect: longest intro window (21 months)

The Wells Fargo Reflect offers the longest intro period of these three: 0% for 21 months on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers (transfers must generally be made within 120 days of opening). It has a $0 annual fee and no rewards, since it is built purely for the intro period.

After the intro window, the regular APR is roughly 17.49%–28.24% variable, and the balance transfer fee is 5%. If you need the most time to pay down either a purchase or a transferred balance, Reflect's 21 months is the standout, but confirm the transfer deadline, fee, and APR with Wells Fargo.

Citi Double Cash: 18 months on balance transfers only

The Citi Double Cash offers 0% for 18 months, but on balance transfers only, not on new purchases. That is a crucial distinction: if you make purchases on this card during the intro period, they can accrue interest at the regular rate.

It has a $0 annual fee, a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5%, and a regular APR of roughly 17.49%–27.49% variable. It also earns 2% cash back (1% when you buy, 1% as you pay), which Reflect does not. Choose it if your goal is specifically a balance transfer and you want ongoing rewards afterward. Verify the BT-only terms at Citi.

Chase Freedom Unlimited: 15 months plus rewards

The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 0% for 15 months, the shortest of the three, but it pairs the intro period with a full rewards program: 5% on Chase Travel, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% on everything else, with a $0 annual fee.

Its regular APR is roughly 18.24%–27.74% variable. This card fits someone who wants some interest-free room on purchases and ongoing cash back afterward, rather than the maximum payoff window. Note Chase's 5/24 rule can affect approval. Confirm whether the 0% applies to purchases, transfers, or both, plus any transfer fee, at Chase.

Purchase intro vs balance-transfer intro, and the fees

Two cards here, Reflect and Freedom Unlimited, advertise a 0% intro on purchases, while the Double Cash's 0% applies to balance transfers only. Match the card to your actual need: a 0% purchase offer does not help a balance transfer, and vice versa.

Also weigh the upfront balance transfer fee, which can offset the interest you save: Reflect charges 5%, while Double Cash charges 3% to 5%. On a $5,000 transfer, a 5% fee is $250 up front. After any intro period, the regular APR (roughly 17%–28% variable across these cards) applies to leftover balances, so aim to finish before it ends. We earn affiliate commissions but rank by terms and fit; verify all details at the issuer.

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Frequently asked questions

Which card has the longest 0% intro period?: Among these three, the Wells Fargo Reflect has the longest at 0% for 21 months on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers, with transfers generally needing to be made within 120 days of opening. The Citi Double Cash offers 18 months but on balance transfers only, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited offers 15 months. The right choice depends on whether you need the time for purchases, transfers, or both. Intro lengths can change, so verify the current offer at the issuer before applying.
Does the 0% APR apply to purchases or balance transfers?: It varies by card, which is why this matters so much. The Wells Fargo Reflect and Chase Freedom Unlimited advertise 0% on purchases (Reflect also covers qualifying transfers). The Citi Double Cash's 0% applies to balance transfers only, not purchases, so new purchases on it can accrue interest at the regular rate. Always check exactly what the intro APR covers on the issuer's page before you apply. This is informational comparison, not financial advice.
Do balance transfers have a fee?: Yes. The Wells Fargo Reflect charges a 5% balance transfer fee, and the Citi Double Cash charges 3% to 5%. That fee is paid upfront on the amount you transfer, so on a $5,000 transfer a 5% fee is $250. Factor this into whether a transfer saves you money versus the interest you would otherwise pay. Fees and terms change, so confirm the current balance transfer fee and any transfer deadline directly with the issuer before applying.
What happens when the 0% intro period ends?: Any balance remaining when the intro period ends starts accruing interest at the card's regular APR, which is roughly 17%–28% variable across these cards. The 0% offer does not erase the balance; it only pauses interest temporarily. To benefit fully, plan to pay off the balance before the intro window closes. If you may carry a balance afterward, compare the regular APR ranges and confirm current rates with the issuer. This is not financial advice.