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Unforeseen emergencies such as car problems that require expensive repairs or medical treatments with high out-of-pocket costs can blindside even the most responsible consumers. If you can’t afford to pay for an urgent purchase or expense out of your own pocket, you may have no choice but to use a credit card.
The good news is there’s no shortage of credit cards that make it easy to charge big-ticket purchases or expenses without accumulating interest from day one. Dozens of credit cards come with 0% introductory purchase APR periods, many of which last 12 months or longer.
Although every introductory APR period eventually comes to an end, the opportunity to get a head start on repaying big purchases without worrying about ballooning interest is invaluable.
Best Credit Cards With 0% APR Interest on Purchases
These are the best credit card offers with 0% purchase APR promotions on the market today.
Although most charge no annual fee, some carry miscellaneous fees and charges that can raise the cost of card ownership prior to the end of the intro APR period and beyond. Each credit card company has its own way of doing things on this front.
Pay attention to each card’s regular (post-promotion) purchase APR too. Some of these cards stake their reputations on low ongoing APRs (low interest), while others are less generous, especially to cardholders without excellent credit.
And don’t sleep on these cards’ rewards programs either, as some count among the best cash-back cards on the market.
1. U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
0% Intro Purchase and Balance Transfer APR for 20 Months
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It’s hard to get simpler than the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card. For a limited time, it comes with a 20-month 0% purchase and balance transfer APR, after which variable APR applies, depending on your creditworthiness and prevailing rates. Qualifying balance transfers must be made within 60 days of account opening to snag the intro APR.
Additional perks include no annual fee, a free credit score accessible through your account dashboard, and a cellphone protection plan that provides up to $600 in coverage.
- Introductory APR: There is a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 20 months (billing cycles) from the date of account opening for your new card. After that, variable regular APR applies.
- Key Fees: There is no annual fee. Foreign transaction fees range from 2% to 3%, depending on how the transaction is denominated.
- Sign-Up Bonus: There’s presently no sign-up bonus.
- Other Perks: The cellphone protection plan provides up to $600 in coverage per incident and $1,200 in coverage per year once the $25 deductible (per incident) has been met.
See our U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how you can apply here.
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2. Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
0% Intro Purchase and Balance Transfer APR for 18 Months
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Like its close cousin, the Citi Simplicity® Card, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card has one of the best purchase APR promotions around: 0% APR for 18 months from account opening, after which variable APR applies, depending on prevailing rates and your creditworthiness.
Diamond Preferred also comes with an 18-month 0% balance transfer APR for transfers made within four months of account opening, after which rates align with the regular purchase APR.
Although this card is great for cardholders looking to avoid interest charges for as long as possible, it’s not ideal for folks who crave cash back, travel rewards, or sign-up bonuses. What you see is what you get here.
- Introductory APR: There is a 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months. After that, variable regular APR applies.
- Key Fees: There are no annual or late payment fees. Foreign transactions cost 3%.
- Sign-Up Bonus: There’s presently no sign-up bonus.
- Other Perks: This card comes with a nice lineup of standard Citi perks, including Apple Pay mobile wallet integration, customizable account alerts, EMV chip protection, and the ability to choose your payment due date.
See our Citi Diamond Preferred Card review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how you can apply here.
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3. Citi® Double Cash Card
0% APR on Balance Transfers for 18 Months; 1% Cash Back When You Spend and 1% Cash Back When You Pay Your Balance
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The Citi® Double Cash Card‘s 18-month 0% APR balance transfer promotion is among the best in the cash-back category and makes it one of the best balance transfer credit cards overall. If you’re struggling with high-interest credit card debt and seek a payoff method that earns a nice return on spending and has a modest balance transfer fee, Double Cash is a top contender.
To be sure, Citi Double Cash’s two-tiered cash-back program is the main attraction for most new applicants.
Cardholders earn 1% cash back on all eligible purchases when they make them, then another 1% cash back when they pay off those purchases. Pay your statement in full each month to effectively earn 2% cash back on virtually all card transactions, with no bonus categories to worry about.
Just be mindful that cash back expires after 12 months of account dormancy (meaning no purchases or redemptions).
- Introductory APR: Enjoy 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months (billing cycles), then variable regular APR applies. Qualifying transfers must be made within four months of account opening.
- Key Fees: There’s no annual fee. The foreign transaction fee is 3%.
- Sign-Up Bonus: There’s presently no sign-up bonus on the Citi Double Cash Card.
- Other Perks: This card comes with a standard package of Citi perks.
See our Citi Double Cash Card review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.
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4. Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card
0% APR on Purchases for 15 Months; Up to 5% Cash Back on Eligible Purchases
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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card is first and foremost a cash-back credit card. With no annual fee and a flat return of unlimited 1.5% cash back on most eligible purchase spending, it’s among an elite cadre of premium cash-back products for everyday spending.
Freedom Unlimited doesn’t stop at 1.5% cash back. Select purchases earn more:
- Unlimited 5% cash back on eligible purchases through Chase Travel
- Unlimited 3% cash back on eligible drugstore and restaurant purchases (including takeout and eligible delivery)
Freedom Unlimited also has a strong 0% APR introductory offer: 15 months at 0% APR on purchases. If you’re planning to finance a major purchase in the near future, why not opt for a 0% APR offer that earns cash back too?
- Introductory APR: There is a 0% APR on purchases for 15 months (billing cycles). After that, variable regular APR applies.
- Key Fees: There is no annual fee, but foreign transactions cost 3%.
- Sign-up Bonus: Earn $200 bonus cash when you spend $500 on qualifying purchases within three months of account opening. Plus, earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year. This benefit does not include grocery purchases at Target or Walmart.
- Other Perks: Other perks include extended warranty coverage and complimentary secondary coverage on car rentals purchased in full with your card.
See our Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.
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5. Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card
0% APR on Purchases for 15 Months; Up to 5% Cash Back on Eligible Purchases
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The Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card earns 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in eligible purchases in quarterly rotating bonus cash back categories, plus unlimited 5% cash back on eligible purchases through Chase Travel and 3% cash back on eligible drugstore and restaurant purchases (including takeout and eligible delivery).
All other eligible purchases earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. And a nice sign-up bonus packs an additional punch for new cardholders.
That’s all on top of the 15-month 0% APR promotion on purchases, after which variable regular APR applies.
- Introductory APR: There is a 0% APR on purchases for 15 months. After that, variable regular APR applies.
- Key Fees: There is no annual fee. Foreign transactions cost 3%.
- Sign-up Bonus: Earn $200 bonus cash when you spend $500 on qualifying purchases within three months of account opening. Plus, earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases on up to $12,000 spent in the first year, excluding grocery purchases at Target or Walmart.
- Other Perks: Additional perks include extended warranty coverage and complimentary secondary coverage on car rentals purchased in full with your card.
See our Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card review for more information. Find out how to apply for this card here.
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6. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
0% APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 Months From Account Opening
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The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card has one of the best 0% APR introductory promotions of any no-annual-fee cash back credit card: 15 months from account opening for both purchases and balance transfers. The sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards program (with automatic rotating categories that require no activation) provide even more incentive to use Custom Cash early and often.
- Introductory APR: Enjoy 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. Thereafter, variable regular APR applies.
- Key Fees: There’s no annual fee. Foreign transactions cost 3% of the transaction amount.
- Sign-up Bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $750 in the first 3 months of card membership. This bonus is fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou points.
- Other Perks: This card has a two-tiered cash back program that earns 5% cash back on the first $500 in purchases in your top eligible spending category each month (then 1% cash back on purchases above the cap) and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. Spending categories that qualify for bonus cash include restaurants, gas stations, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, live entertainment, home improvement stores, and drugstores. Plus, this card has a generous slate of value-added Mastercard benefits.
Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.
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7. Wells Fargo Platinum Credit Card
0% Intro APR on Purchases & Balance Transfers for 18 Months
The Wells Fargo Platinum Credit Card has an 18-month 0% introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers. This makes it a great choice for applicants who care less about racking up credit card rewards than about paying down existing high-interest debt or financing major purchases at low cost.
With no annual fee and no penalty APR, it’s an excellent choice for long-term use as well.
- Sign-up Bonus: There’s presently no sign-up bonus.
- Introductory APR: 0% purchase and balance transfer APR for 18 months. Thereafter, variable regular APR applies (currently 16.49% to 24.49% variable, depending on creditworthiness and prevailing rates).
- Key Fees: There’s no annual fee. The foreign transaction fee is 3%. Balance transfers cost the greater of $5 or 3% of the transferred amount for the first 120 days, after which they cost the greater of $5 or 5% thereafter.
- Other Perks: Enjoy access to your FICO score through your account dashboard and complimentary cellphone protection coverage that reimburses you up to $600 for eligible theft or damage claims, less a $25 deductible.
See our Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Credit Card Review for more information. Learn more about this card and find out how to apply here.
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8. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
0% Intro Purchase APR for 15 Months; Up to 3% Cash Back on Purchases
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The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a no-annual-fee cash rewards credit card that boasts a 15-month 0% introductory APR on purchases (see rates and fees page). After the intro period ends, variable regular APR applies (13.99% to 23.99%), depending on creditworthiness and prevailing rates.
Blue Cash Everyday has more to offer than a generous introductory APR promotion. Its three-tiered cash-back program rewards users as follows:
- U.S. supermarket purchases (grocery stores) earn 3% cash back up to a $6,000 annual limit, and 1% cash back after that
- U.S. gas station and department store purchases earn 2% cash back
- All other eligible purchases earn 1% cash back.
Plus, there’s a nice welcome offer: 20% back on Amazon.com purchases on your card in the first 6 months of account opening, up to $150 back, plus $100 back after you spend at least $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months. Cash back accrues as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
- Introductory APR: There is a 0% APR on purchases for 15 months. Then variable regular APR applies, currently 13.99% to 23.99%.
- Key Fees: There is no annual fee. The foreign transaction fee is 2.7%. See rates and fees page.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 20% back on Amazon.com purchases on your card in the first 6 months after account opening, up to $150 back. Plus, earn $100 back after you spend at least $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months. Cash back accrues as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
See our Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.
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9. Citi Rewards+℠ Card
0% Intro Purchase and Balance Transfer APR for 15 Months; 2x Points on Supermarket & Gas Station Purchases
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The Citi Rewards+℠ Card has a generous introductory APR promotion for purchases and balance transfers: 15 months at 0% APR on both types of transactions, with the balance transfer APR kicking in only after the first transfer.
Once the introductory period ends, variable regular APR applies, depending on your creditworthiness and prevailing interest rates.
This card’s rewards program is worth calling out here. Eligible supermarket and gas station spending earns 2 points per $1 spent, up to $6,000 in combined category spending per year. All other eligible spending earns an unlimited 1 point per $1 spent.
Plus, Citi rounds up rewards earned on every purchase to the nearest 10 points — turning (for example) a 5-point purchase into a 10-point purchase — and kicks back 10% of redeemed points up to the first 100,000 points redeemed each year.
Depending on how you spend and redeem, your rate of return on spending can exceed 2% on supermarket and gas station purchases and top 1% on all other purchases.
- Introductory APR: There is a 0% introductory purchase and balance transfer APR for the first 15 months. After that, variable regular APR applies.
- Key Fees: There is no annual fee. Foreign transactions cost 3%.
- Sign-up Bonus: Earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months of account opening (worth up to $150 at redemption).
- Other Perks: Citi Entertainment entitles you to specially priced and/or exclusive tickets, reservations, and experiences. Fees and restrictions may apply.
See our Citi Rewards+℠ Card review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.
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10. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
0% Intro Purchase APR for 12 Months; Up to 6% Cash Back on Purchases
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The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the only cards on this list with an annual fee after the first year: $0 for the first year, then $95 each year thereafter. It makes up for this extra cost with an extremely generous cash-back rewards program. See rates and fees page.
First things first: the introductory purchase APR is 0% for 12 months, after which variable regular APR applies (currently 13.99% to 23.99%), depending on prevailing rates and your creditworthiness. See rates and fees page.
Now, for the goods: Blue Cash Preferred has the most generous cash-back program of any card on this list. Supermarket and select streaming purchases earn 6% cash back up to an annual limit of $6,000, and 1% cash back thereafter. Gas station and transit purchases earn 3% cash back. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. Cash back accrues as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
And don’t sleep on the welcome offer: When you spend at least $1,000 in eligible purchases within three months of account opening, you’ll earn a $300 bonus statement credit.
- Introductory APR: There is a 0% APR on purchases for 12 months, after which variable regular APR applies (currently 13.99% to 23.99%).
- Key Fees: The annual fee is $95 after the first year, and the foreign transaction fee is 2.7%.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 20% back on Amazon.com purchases on your card in the first 6 months of account opening, up to a maximum of $200 back. Plus, earn $150 back after you spend at least $3,000 on purchases within the first 6 months. Cash back accrues as Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
See our Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express review for more information. Find out how you can apply for this card here.
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Final Word
Credit cards with 0% intro purchase APR promotions are great for financing big-ticket purchases — such as supplies for home improvement projects or wedding expenses — that you’d normally struggle to pay for out of pocket.
However, it’s essential to pay off these big-ticket items before the promotional APR expires. If you don’t, you could find yourself struggling just to make the minimum payments on your card — and facing a pile of interest-accumulating credit card debt that could stay with you for years.
Create a plan to pay off purchases made during your 0% APR period before the rate rises. And if you expect to make many large purchases over time — perhaps to finish off that home improvement project or turn your wedding dreams into reality — look into low-APR credit cards with affordable regular interest rates that reduce the cost of carrying a monthly balance.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please visit this rates and fees page.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please visit this rates and fees page.
Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.