By otakuyassine3@gmail.com 
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
With the holidays quickly approaching, you might be worrying about how you’ll pay for presents without racking up a bunch of credit card debt. Many people turn to ‘buy now pay later’ loans (BNPL) to spread the cost of gift-giving across a couple of months. However, BNPL loans often lack many of the benefits and consumer protections that credit cards offer.
If you want even more time to pay off your holiday shopping spree, as well as added perks and consumer protection, you should look into opening a 0% APR credit card.
A 0% APR credit card can help you defer interest while still providing you with shopping protections, and potentially, the ability to earn rewards.
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Using a 0% intro APR credit card this holiday season
Let’s say you plan on spending $1,500 this holiday season. If you were to put those purchases on a credit card with a 23.99% APR, and you just made the minimum payment each month (let’s say it’s $40), it would take you 70 months to pay off the card and you’d spend nearly $1,300 in interest.
However, you can avoid interest with the right 0% APR card. For example, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months (17.49%, 23.99% or 29.24% variable APR thereafter) from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 5% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5;. Some 0% APR cards even earn cash back or other rewards.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
On Wells Fargo’s secure site
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Rewards
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Welcome bonus
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
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Regular APR
17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% variable APR
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Balance transfer fee
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- Long introductory APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- Access to Visa Signature® Concierge
- Get up to $600 cell phone protection (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Access to My Wells Fargo Deals to earn cash back in the form of an account credit when shopping, dining
Cons
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
- 3% fee charged on foreign transactions
With 0% APR cards, you’ll still need to pay at least the minimum each month. To make the most of the card, it’s best to figure out a payment plan so you can pay off the balance before the 0% APR period ends. With the Reflect card, you’ll want to pay about $72 per month over the 21-month period to avoid interest charges on the $1,500 balance.
The cards below all offer an introductory 0% intro APR, along with a list of other benefits.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
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Rewards
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
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Welcome bonus
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for first 15 months
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
5% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum)
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- No annual fee
- 5% cash back in eligible spend categories like restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment
- $200 cash back welcome bonus if meet spending threshold
Cons
- 5% cash back is limited to top spend category, up to the first $500 spent
- 3% foreign transaction fee when traveling outside the U.S.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
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Rewards
Enjoy 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
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Welcome bonus
INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
0% for the first 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, on transfers made within 60 days of account opening. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
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Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
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Credit needed
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Member FDIC. Terms apply.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Rewards can be transferred to a Chase Ultimate Rewards card
- Generous welcome bonus
Cons
- 3% fee charged on foreign transactions
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
On the American Express secure site
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Rewards
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, up to $6,000 per year, then 1%, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
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Welcome bonus
Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
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Annual fee
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Intro APR
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening.
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Regular APR
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Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
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Foreign transaction fee
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Credit needed
Pros
- 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 a year, then 1%)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%)
- Amex Offers, which provide statement credits or opportunity to earn more rewards at select merchants
Cons
- 2.7% fee on purchases made abroad
- Not great for people who don’t regularly go grocery shopping
- Estimated rewards earned after 1 year: $547
- Estimated rewards earned after 5 years: $1,935
Rewards totals incorporate the points earned from the welcome bonus
Choosing a 0% intro APR credit card
All 0% intro APR credit cards have the same major benefit: Giving cardholders the chance to avoid interest charges for a specific amount of time. However, these cards are not all created equal. Here are some points to remember when choosing a 0% intro APR credit card.
Cashback or travel rewards
Not all 0% APR cards offer a rewards program, though many do. Consider if the length of the 0% intro APR offer is more important to you or if you want to earn rewards. For example, you can get 2% cash rewards on all eligible purchases with the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, but if rewards aren’t as important to you, you could consider the Citi Simplicity® Card. It offers 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from the date of first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening (18.49% – 29.24% variable after; see rates and fees). Balance transfers must be completed in the first four months. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Length of 0% introductory period
Each card offers a different introductory APR period, typically from six to 21 months. It is wise to evaluate how fast you can pay your balance off. If you cannot pay off your credit card balance before the introductory APR period ends, the card will resume charging its normal interest rates.
Consumer protections
If you’re making holiday purchases with this card, you’ll want one that offers consumer protections. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® provides purchase protection and extended warranty protection, which covers purchases made with the card against theft, damages or defective products.
While there are some restrictions for these coverages, no additional work is needed on your end. Simply swipe with the respective card, and your purchases are protected.
Your credit score
You usually need a good or excellent credit score to be approved for a 0% intro APR credit card. Credit card issuers have strict requirements for these cards because they want to be sure you will pay back your balance in full, so they aren’t left with a potentially high balance card without payment.
FAQs
What credit score do you need to get a 0% APR card?
You’ll have the best chance of approval for a 0% APR card with a good or excellent credit score (scores of 670 and above).
What credit card has the longest interest-free period?
Some of the longest 0% intro APR periods currently available are for up to 21 months.
Should I apply for a new credit card for my holiday shopping?
If you have been considering applying for a new credit card, the holidays can be a good time. You can benefit from the card’s shopping protections and have your holiday spending go towards any potential welcome bonuses.
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For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Everyday, click here.
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