The Blue Cash EveryDay® Card from American Express offers a 0% APR for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases. The go to rate is 12.99% to 23.99% depending on your credit rating. 3% balance transfer fee. 

May 2020 Update! The following American Express Everyday Card offer appears to no longer be available. Please post below if you have any information.

The American Express Everyday Card (different card offer) also features a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR from 13.99% to 24.99% (same ongoing purchase rate as Blue Cash Every Day) with $0 aka No Balance Transfer Fee (Balance transfers must be requested within 60 days of account opening).  Click to compare the AMEX Blue Cash Everyday® with other 0% APR cards that are up to 21 months (6 months longer than this card) (Sponsor Link)

You can transfer debt from department store cards and other financial institutions (other than credit card issuers) using the 18 month offer – not every issuer will let you do this (Chase for example only allows you to transfer credit card debt in certain situations).

The variable purchase rates will be used after the promotional period expires and are as low as 6.95% up to 20.95% depending on your credit-worthiness. Also, since this card is from a credit union, you must join the credit union before you can apply (assuming your eligible to join). Compare the TruWest card with other 0% APR cards here that are up to 21 months (3 months longer than this offer). (Sponsor Link)

Citizen’s Bank Clear Value MasterCard– 0% for 18 Months (Non Advertiser)

Citizen’s Bank, headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, offers 0% on balance transfers (no special pricing rate on purchases) for 18 months from the account opening date on their Citizens Bank Clear Value® MasterCard®. There is a standard 3% balance transfer fee.

Afterwards, the rate changes to 14.99%-22.99% based on your creditworthiness and the rate will vary based on LIBOR, which is the he London Inter-bank Offered Rate (and is not based on Federal Reserve prime rate that almost all cards use). The card is available nationwide and you can apply online or by phone (you can apply in person at one of their branches in the Northeastern part of the country). Click here to compare the Citizens Bank card with other 0% APR cards here that up to 21 months (3 months longer than Citizens offer). (Sponsor Link)

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card – 0% Intro APR for 15 Months (Non Advertiser)

This 0% cash back card offers a one-time $150 cash rebate bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months of opening your account (though we do NOT suggest using a card for purchases after you transfer a balance to it).

With the Capital One® Quicksilver® MasterCard, enjoy a 0% rate on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (15.49%-25.49% variable APR after that)- 3% transfer fee applies. Click here to compare this card with other 0% APR cards that last up to 21 months (6 months longer than Capital One). (Sponsor Link)

Chase Freedom 0% for 15 Months on Purchases and Transfers (Non Advertiser)

Features a 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 14.99% to 23.74%. Balance transfer fee is 3% of the amount transferred (3% is a typical fee), $5 minimum. Please note that the intro Balance Transfer 3% Fee is only available for the first 60 days after you apply- it goes up to a 5% fee after 60 days.

Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (please note even though the 0% rate applies to purchases as well, we generally don’t recommend making new purchases on this card if you do a balance transfer as the goal is to lower your debt). Learn more about this card offer and to compare it to similar 0% intro or teaser rate offers that last longer (up to 21 months).  (Sponsor Link)

 

HSBC Gold Mastercard® Credit Card – 0% for 18 Months (Non Advertiser)

HSBC offers a zero or 0% on both purchases and balance transfers for 18 months from the account opening date on their HSBC Gold Mastercard® credit card. There is a balance transfer fee of 4% or $10, whichever is greater.
Like most 0% offers, you should not apply if your credit is bad.

This particular offer is best for those with a credit score 660+.
Afterwards, the ongoing rate changes to 14.49%, 18.49% or 24.49% based on your creditworthiness.  The APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.  The card is available nationwide and you can easily apply online.  HSBC also offers other cards with 0% APR introductory offers balance transfers and purchases. Also features a Late Fee Waiver (unique benefit) and no penalty APR if you’re late on a payment.

Click here to compare the HSBC Gold Card to other Balance Transfer Cards that offer terms up to 21 months (3 months longer than the Gold MasterCard) (Sponsor Link)

 

The BankAmericard® Credit Card– 0% for 15 months on Purchases and Transfers (Non Advertiser)

The BankAmericard® credit card (MasterCard) is a balance transfer credit card offer worth considering if you aren’t a Bank of America customer (anyone can apply as long as your credit is good). It features a 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles (for the first 60 days your account is open).

A 3% balance transfer fee applies (minimum of $10), which is typical for most similar offers. It can make sense to pay this fee because few 0% offers last for 18 months (most are 12 months in length).

The regular purchase APR after the introductory rate expires is between 14.49% – 24.49% variable. Also, BofA has No Penalty APR – meaning that if you make a payment late, it won’t automatically increase your interest rate (APR). However, please note that you can lose your balance transfer promo rate if you default on your account. One nice cardholder perk is that you will get your FICO® Credit Score for free (though many card issuers offer this same benefit now). Compare the Bank of America offer with other 0% APR cards from other card issuers. (Sponsor Link)

Expert Commentary: We asked Steve Rhode, the founder of GetOutofDebt.org, and he provided some wise advice on balance transfers. “All balance transfer offers need to first be evaluated in context. These are marketing offers designed to induce you over to a new account or creditor in hope you will carry a balance past the introductory period and have to pay interest on the remaining balance. The smart financial move here is to repay the full balance before the introductory period ends, if possible.“

Discover it® – 0% for 14 Month Balance Transfer Offer* (Non Advertiser)

The Discover it card has an offer to transfer balances with a 0.00% interest rate for 14 months (online application link) and also offers 0.00% on new purchases for 14 months. This card comes with an intro 3% balance transfer fee until April 10, 2020, then goes up to 5%.  After 14 months, the rate will vary from 13.49% – 24.49%.  Click here to “Learn More” about this card.

Other benefits include cash back rewards, the lack of an annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and a report of your FICO credit score on every bill. If you’re making a concerted effort to get your financial house in order, this card is a tremendous tool to have.  Click here to compare the Discover it Card to other Balance Transfer Cards that offer terms up to 21 months (7 months longer than the Discover it Card) (Sponsor Link)

Santander Sphere 0% 18 Month – Regional Offer (Non Advertiser)

As you might expect, the Santander Sphere® 18 Month offer is a 0.00% APR on balance transfers for a full 18 months provided the transfer is made within 90 days of opening the account. The downside of this offer is a slightly larger balance transfer fee.

For most cards, the fee is 3%, but for the Santander Sphere, it’s 4%. For many, the extra three months of no interest will be well worth paying an additional percentage point in fees. After the promotional rate expires, remaining balances will shift to the current variable purchase rate which is 14.49% to 24.49% pending creditworthiness. Later on, we’ll show you how to use an online balance transfer savings calculator to see where you stand.

In addition, Santander is one of the relative few balance transfer cards that offers a rewards program. They offer one point per dollar spent, and points can be exchanged for travel, gift cards, or cash back. They also offer 0% for 18 months on purchases. Cards are available nationally, but you must apply in person at a local branch. All branches are located in the Northeastern United States.

Click here to compare the Santander Sphere Card to other Balance Transfer Cards that offer terms up to 21 months (3 months longer than the Sphere Card) (Sponsor Link)

Consumer Experience:We spoke with a retired teacher with over $50,000 in credit card debt. “When I was thinking of transferring, I was looking at offers no longer than 12 months. I was afraid I could not pay it off in 12 months, so I did nothing. On hindsight, even if I did not have it all paid off before the intro time period ended, I still could have possibly saved thousands in interest during that time.”

SunTrust Prime Rewards Card– 3.25% for 36 Months (Non Advertiser)

The 3 year term offer is much longer than the typical 0% offer and has become more appealing as the prime rate has dropped in the past year. The prime rate is currently 3.25%. So, new cardholders will enjoy 3 years at an intro APR of 3.25% with the Prime Rewards Card on balance transfers made in the first 60 days.

U.S. Bank Platinum Visa® – 20 Months (Non Advertiser)

Enjoy a special 0% introductory APR* on purchases and balance transfers for 20 billing cycles and thereafter, a variable APR applies, currently 13.99% – 23.99%. Fee is 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater. As an added benefit, cardmembers enrolled in online banking can obtain their TransUnion® Credit Score at no cost.

Click here to compare the US Bank Platinum Card to other Balance Transfer Cards that offer terms up to 21 months (1 whole month longer than the US Bank Platinum Card) (Sponsor Link)

Other Cards to Consider (Non Advertisers):

Although not a zero or 0% APR, great savings for the long-term can be found with a card from NASA Federal Credit Union*** (anyone can join this credit union). They offer three different cards that offer as low as 6.9% – 17.99% APR (your rate will depend on your application screening) on balance transfers for the LIFE of the balance (rate will not go up as long your account is in good standing!) with no balance transfer fee.

You have to complete the transfer within 90-days of opening your account and your ongoing purchase rate will be based on creditworthiness). After three years if you qualified for a 9.9%, that would be a savings of $3,408 on a $16,000 balance with no balance transfer fee up front.

Simmons Bank*** in Arkansas also offers a 0% balance transfer rate for 12 months (3% fee) with their Visa Platinum card.  After the introductory 12 months 0% APR, the rate goes to a low 8.25% (Non Advertiser) and NO balance transfer fee. This card is available nationally, but you need good to excellent credit to qualify.

Finally, Navy Federal CU (non advertiser) offers a 0% rate on its Platinum Visa for 12 months on balance transfers with no fee. After that, the rate goes to 7.49% – 18.00% depending on your credit rating and application review.

The only downside is that you must have a military affiliation to apply for their card as Navy Federal is a credit union. Also, please note that Navy Federal can only accepts balance transfers from other card-issuer accounts – balances from other creditors are not eligible for this offer.

The Feds Recently Cut Rates

Credit card interest rates have been steadily rising since late 2016, but the good news for consumers is that the Feds just cut rates significantly due to the Covid 19 health crisis. This will lower the purchase APR rates on all credit cards, including the ongoing rates after the introductory rates expire on balance transfer offers (the go to rate after a 0% rate ends).

Unfortunately, this rate cut may NOT result in any more 0% offers than are currently available (and we may see less 0% offers as the economy is hurting) and may not result in longer term introductory offers (how long the intro rate lasts). We will have to wait and see. 🙂

According to experts, the possibility for additional rate hikes in 2020 from current levels is not likely, but could still happen. The bigger risk in our opinion is less 0% offers and credit card companies getting more strict regarding who they approve (making it harder to qualify for a good 0% offer unless your credit is really good- 700+ range). If you have a significant credit card balance, even a small rate increase can represent a much larger payment or longer payment period.

Transferring your debt into a single or multiple balance transfer cards can be an excellent move to lock in low rates and protect yourself against these rate increases. Above we list some of the longest balance transfer cards, which are at least 15 months in duration. Our partner site offers a more comprehensive comparison of 0% balance transfer offers that are less than 15 months*, including a few no fee 0% cards (no balance transfer fee).

Above, we will share some of our favorite no interest credit card balance transfer offers with you.  With the prospect of higher interest rates, now is the best time to transfer balances from high interest credit cards and consolidate to a card with a 0% APR introductory time period.  Imagine the interest savings going from 13 to 20%+ down to 0% on existing balances for 12 to up to 18 months.

We wish you well in your card research and selection and sincerely hope that you realize true savings as you pay your balance down through 2020. Click here for more information, including tips and tricks regarding balance transfer credit cards.

Balance Transfer Cards 101

The general premise behind balance transfer cards is simple. They will allow you to transfer your balance from other credit cards—for a relatively small one-time fee (typically 3%)—and give you a 0.00% interest rate on your balance transfer for several months (typically for 6 to 12 months). They’re betting that you will either not pay off the entire balance in time, or that you will make new purchases that will be subject to interest charges.

Still, if you’re disciplined, one of these cards can make a big difference in your financial picture. Here’s a test. Take your last credit card statement and look at how much of your payment went to your principal and how much went to interest. Now imagine if the entire payment went towards your principal. If you get a sick feeling in your stomach, you’ll want to investigate these cards.

Below, we will answer some typical questions posed regarding balance transfer or 0% APR credit cards.

• Please note that we have been in a rising rate environment for the last couple of years or so, but fortunately the Feds cut rates recently by .25% three times (at the end July and in Sept and Oct of last year). But no one knows whether rates will go up or down going forward. As a result, we advise that you lock in a 0% balance transfer rate now as they may become more scarce going forward. Be sure to share balance transfer tips and read tips from other consumers at the bottom of this page
  
• What is the definition of 0% Intro APR?
  This is an introductory offer provided by the card issuer for a set amount of time where a 0% interest rate is applied to either a balance or balances transferred or to future purchases. Most offers are for balance transfers, but there are also offers for 0% APR for purchases for a set amount of time.  Most time periods range between 12 and 21 months on 0% offers.
• What exactly is a 0% APR credit card?
  A 0% APR credit card is a card that is offering a 0% rate on balance transfers and/or purchases for a set period of time. Although many offers are for one or the other, you can find offers where both balance transfers and purchases are offered for an introductory 0% APR interest rate.  These cards are great for transferring one or more balances from existing credit cards, effectively paying off those cards and consolidating that debt into one payment.  You may also hear about zero interest credit cards, which is just another way of referring to a 0% APR credit card.
• What is the national average interest rate for credit cards?
  At the time of this writing, according to federal reserve data dated for November 2019, the national average interest rate for credit cards (all accounts) for purchases is 14.87 percent and those with assessed interest average to 16.88%.
  According to a study by Gobankingrates.com, credit card rates tend to fall between an average of 11 and 17 percent currently with student credit cards, balance transfer and low-interest cards offering the lowest rates.  On the low end, you may find rates as low as 7.24% or on the higher end of the spectrum, you can see rates as high as 23-29%.
• What is a go-to rate?
  A go-to rate is the interest rate offered for purchases or balance transfers after the introductory time period is over. This is typically the purchase APR or purchase rate for the credit card.  If you received 12 interest-free months at 0% APR, when that period ended, your remaining balance would then be charged interest at the current purchase rate.  This typically averages between 11 and 17 percent based on your credit score and the type of credit card.  Lower credit scores will typically have higher purchase rates.
• How do you choose the best 0% APR offer?
  This entirely depends on your situation and how you need to use the 0% offer. For example, if you currently have $10,000 in debt on credit cards at 17.99%, it might be in your best interest to transfer that debt to a card offering a 0% balance transfer offer for 12-21 months, especially if you think you can pay it off during that time period.  If, on the other hand, you know you have large purchase you need to make, you may want a credit card offering a 0% APR for purchases for the longest time you can find.
• One key thing to take into account when transferring a balance from existing cards is the balance transfer fee.  Most nationally available cards have between a 3% and 5% balance transfer fee, with a minimum of $5 or $10, whichever is greater.  Overall, you can find $0 or free balance transfer fees up to 5%, depending on the card and the issuer.  Be sure to note what that fee is before transferring a balance. One other thing to note is whether there is an annual fee.  Most cards do not have an annual fee, but it never hurts to check before you apply.

Online Balance Transfer Calculator

The devil, as they say, is in the details, and the details of your financial situation aren’t necessarily going to be the same as those of anyone else. As a result, we recommend using an online Balance Transfer Calculator to calculate just which card is going to be the most useful for your situation.

According to a 2016 American Credit Card Debt Study, a typical American family carrying balances on credit cards has about $16,000 of credit card debt with an average interest rate of 15%.

Transferring that debt to a card with a 0.00% APR for 18 months with a 15% APR after the introductory period would cost $480 for the standard 3% transfer fee, but would save $3,120, overall a savings of $2,640.

If you don’t think you can pay off your entire debt in the introductory period, getting a lower interest rate after the introductory period can produce wonders. For example, that average family with $16,000 in credit card debt paying a 15% APR would see $3,203 in savings during the introductory period with a credit card that features a 4.99% transfer APR for 24 months and no transfer fee. Assuming a $5,000 remaining balance and a 9.99% post-promotion rate, the family could also save an additional $250 on interest the first year after the introductory period is over.

Other Related Articles:

The 12 Best Balance Transfer Credit Card Offers: Longest Terms

Should You Apply For A No Interest Balance Transfer Credit Card Or A Store Card

Our Ratings/Disclaimer:

When reviewing these cards, we do our best to put ourselves in your shoes. We choose cards based on such things as maximizing savings through promotional interest-free periods, (lack of) fees, finance charges and ease of use. In other words, if we wouldn’t use these cards ourselves, we wouldn’t recommend them!

* NOTE: We are proud that the majority of cards that we list (about 60%) are cards that don’t advertise with us― almost all of our competitors ONLY list cards that advertise with them. About 40% of the credit card offers that appear in this article are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation (these cards are listed as such on our site). They are noted above with an asterisk.

The bottom line is that we don’t know of another site that prominently lists as many non-advertiser cards! Please note that rates are current as of the publishing date of this article and should be verified prior to applying.

Co-written by Curtis Arnold, a nationally recognized consumer advocate and founder of CardRatings.com, the pioneering website that started posting the first credit card ratings online around 20 years ago, and Shane Tripcony, personal finance blogger and web marketing consultant. Curtis and Shane are the founders of BestPrepaidDebitCards.com, which provides ratings and reviews of prepaid cards and credit cards.

Please note: “The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.”

Please read and share your customer or cardholder reviews of the best 0% BT offers below.