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Updated: April 28th, 2012 by Timothy James -- In this section we'll show you how to choose the most suitable 0% APR Credit Card for your personal circumstances and also tell you what the best card offers are for the current week. Read the guide then compare the cards! Alternatively, if you want search for other card types, you can do that here.

 
 
card guide Read The Guide...
This guide will give you important information you should know before applying; such as:
 
How 0% APR credit cards work.
How they can save you money.
How to play the cunning card game!
The top 10 cards for this week.
 
 
compare cards Compare The Cards...
Looking for the best offers for 0% APR credit cards? >> Here is our top 10
Recommended:
Most popular credit card in this category.
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0% APR Credit Cards - What are they & how do they work?
This type of card gives you an initial period where you pay 0% interest on new purchases. The initial (introductory) period varies, depending on the card issuer and can range anywhere from 3 months to as much as 21 months.

At the end of the introductory period, your interest rate reverts back to the normal rate and you then pay interest on any outstanding balance you have on the card when your statement comes through at the end of the month.

As a result, you must always be very sure to check what the APR will be after the initial period is up, because it can sometimes be huge! (after they have cunningly lured you in with that primary offer)

How this card type can save you money...
0% credit cards are very beneficial if you have any large' purchases on the horizon for which you will need to borrow money. For example, if you are looking to redecorate or renovate your home, go on vacation, buy a used car, even insure a new car, then you would benefit from a 0% interest rate.

The reason why is that it will be FAR cheaper to borrow the money in this way than it would using other methods, such as short term personal loans or re-mortgaging. In fact, in most cases this is NO COST borrowing (as long as there are no annual credit card fees).

BUT and it's a big 'but', in order for this to be no cost, you must make sure you make your monthly payments on time, pay off the debt by the time the initial period is up, and AVOID using the card for day to day spending. In other words, use this type of card for planned purchases only!

Don't confuse this card type with 0% APR balance transfer cards.
0% APR credit cards should be used for new debt only, as that is where their advantage lies. If you want to slash the on-going cost of existing credit card debt then you should look at our balance transfer credit cards section. We'll explain why there.
Play your own game with the credit card companies!
Here's a clever trick change credit cards just before the initial 0% APR period is up. More specifically, shift any debt you have on your 0% card to a brand new 0% balance transfer card.

As 0% balance transfer cards have time periods (up to 21 months or more) where you don't pay interest on the debt that you have transferred, you get an extended period of paying no interest on the balance that you built up on your 0% APR credit card.

The best 0% APR Credit Card offers for the current week...
Whilst other finance websites usually vast huge numbers of available credit card offers on a single page, in our view, all that does is create confusion (and a lot of research work) for you, the consumer. We've done all that work for you.

The top three cards in our opinion are each marked with 5 stars. Remember, credit card companies change their offers all the time and the below information is correct at the time of writing. Be sure to double check the terms of the offer on the provider's website before completing an application.

#1 - Chase Freedom Visa® $100 Bonus Cash Back + 0% Intro APR
     
 
  • Earn $100 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent at grocery stores and movie theaters from 4/1/12 - 6/30/12
  • You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like gas stations, restaurants and even airlines. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
12.99-22.99%(Variable)$00% for the first 15 monthsExcellent - Good
 
#2 - Slate® from Chase - No Balance Transfer Fee
     
 
  • No Balance Transfer Fee!*
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • Transfer your higher rate balances during the first 30 days your account is open and you will pay no balance transfer fee!
  • After the first 30 days, the fee for future balance transfers is 3% of the amount transferred with a minimum of $5
  • Avoid interest on everyday purchases
  • Pay down your balance faster
  • Zero liability on unauthorized purchases*
  • No Annual Fee*
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
11.99% - 21.99% Variable$0None on transfers made within 30 days of account opening. All other transfers: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.Excellent
 
#3 - Slate® from Chase - No Balance Transfer Fee
     
 
  • No Balance Transfer Fee!*
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
  • Transfer your higher rate balances during the first 30 days your account is open and you will pay no balance transfer fee!
  • After the first 30 days, the fee for future balance transfers is 3% of the amount transferred with a minimum of $5
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
11.99-21.99% Variable$0 Intro: 0% For the first 15 monthsExcellent
 
#4 - Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
     
 
  • 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the APR will be 11.99%-21.99% based upon your creditworthiness.
  • 24/7 access to personalized concierge service providing assistance in booking hotel, flights, concert tickets and much more
  • Special access for Citi cardmembers to purchase presale tickets, preferred seating, VIP packages, and other unforgettable live entertainment experiences through Citi Private Pass®.
  • $0 liability on unauthorized purchases and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions
  • No annual fee*
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
11.99% - 21.99%* (Variable)$0*3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.Excellent
 
#5 - Citi® Platinum Select® MasterCard®
     
 
  • 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the APR will be 11.99%-21.99% based upon your creditworthiness.
  • Extra Cash from Citi: enjoy discounts on gift cards, travel, merchandise and more
  • Citi® Identity Theft Solutions
  • Secure, free online account management
  • No annual fee*
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
11.99% - 21.99%* (Variable)$0*3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimumExcellent
 
#6 - Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa® Card - $100 Cash Back
     
 
  • $100 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
  • 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 12 months. After that, the APR will be 12.99%-22.99% variable based on your creditworthiness*. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
  • Earn 5% cash back at The Home Depot and on Home Furnishing and Home & Garden purchases from 4/1/12 to 6/30/12 when you enroll.
  • Enroll each quarter for new categories that earn additional cash back. To learn more, visit dividend.quarterlyoffer.citi.com.
  • Full 1% cash back on all other purchases and eligible cash advances
  • No Annual Fee*
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
12.99% - 22.99%* (Variable)$0*3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.Excellent
 
#7 - Citi Simplicity® Card
     
 
  • 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99% - 21.99% based on your creditworthiness.
  • Peace of mind through direct access to a service representative, no late fees and no penalty rate
  • No annual fee*
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
12.99 - 21.99% (variable)$0*3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.Excellent
 
#8 - Citi Forward® Card
     
 
  • $100 in gift cards - When you redeem the 10,000 bonus ThankYou® Points received after you make $650 in purchases and sign up for paperless statements within the first 3 months
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers and for 7 months on purchases. After that, 12.99% - 22.99% variable
  • 5 points for every $1 spent at restaurants and on books, movies and music. 1 point for every $1 you spend on all other purchases
  • APR reduction on purchases when using credit wisely
  • No Annual Fee
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
12.99% - 22.99%* (Variable)$0*3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimumExcellent
 
#9 - Blue Cash EverydaySM Card from American Express
     
 
  • Earn $100 cash back after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, flexibility to pay over time
  • Get 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • No spend minimum, No enrollment, and No rotating rewards categories
  • Get a $25 Referral Bonus for each friend or family member who is approved for the Card
  • No annual fee, flexibility to pay over time
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
17.24%-22.24% Variable$0*Yes*Excellent Credit*
 
#10 - InkSM Classic Business
     
 
  • Up to 25,000 bonus points - 10,000 bonus points after your first purchase, plus an additional 15,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months!
  • 5X points per dollar on the first $25,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
  • 2X points per dollar on the first $25,000 spent annually at gas stations and for hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel
  • 1 point per dollar on all other card purchases with no limit on the amount you can earn
  • Cash back rewards do not expire
  • 0% Introductory APR for 12 months
  • No Annual Fee
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
10.24%* (Variable)$0*Yes*Excellent Credit*
 
#11 - Miles by Discover® Card
     
 
  • Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles with every $2,000 in purchases within the first 6 months - up to 20,000 Bonus Miles
  • 1 Mile on every $1 you spend - Plus flexible redemption options like travel credits, merchandise, gift cards or cash
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 15.99%*
  • No restrictions on travel--fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates
  • Travel benefits include secondary collision damage insurance when you rent a car with your Miles by Discover card
  • Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--16 years in a row! (2012 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report)
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
  • *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information
Regular APRAnnual FeeBalance transfersCredit Needed
10.99%-15.99% (Variable)*$0*Yes*Excellent
 
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