The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Monday, October 7, 2024

9 Best 0% APR Signup Bonus Credit Cards (Oct. 2024)

Best 0 Apr Signup Bonus Credit Cards
Bob Haegele

Writer: Bob Haegele

Bob Haegele

Bob Haegele,

Bob Haegele is a personal finance writer who specializes in topics like credit cards, banking, and investing. After repaying his student loans and taking control of his finances, he’s made it his mission to help people get out of debt, save, and invest for a better future. His practical approach helps people simplify their finances and stop overspending. He’s been quoted or featured in media outlets such as Business Insider, Forbes Advisor, MarketWatch, TIME, and many others.

See Full Bio »
Close
Jon McDonald

Editor: Jon McDonald

Jon McDonald

Jon McDonald, Contributing Editor

Jon leverages 15-plus years of journalism expertise to inform financial consumers about emerging trends and companies making an impact in the industry. He is most knowledgeable in the areas of budgeting, credit card rewards, and responsible credit use. Jon has a passion for writing and editing, and his articles have appeared in publications produced by The New York Times.

See Full Bio »
Close
Ashley Fricker

Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

See Full Bio »
Close
Advertiser Disclosure

As competition heats up in the credit card industry, we have seen more credit cards with 0% APR offers. These cards allow you to make a balance transfer to your new card with as low as 0% APR for nearly two years, in some cases.

Many of these cards also offer signup bonuses. These bonuses may be worth hundreds of dollars, depending on the card’s annual fee. With a qualifying credit score, you could get one of these cards, save money, and also earn bonus rewards.

Best Overall Cards With Signup Bonuses and 0% APRs

The best 0% APR signup bonus credit cards offer rewards and 0% introductory APRs on balance transfers and purchases. Benefits and perks vary by card, but these cards have plenty to offer  — and no annual fee in many cases. Consider these cards to help consolidate credit card debt, earn cash rewards, and get a competitive APR.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America’ssecure website

  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
  • If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% – 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.74% – 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is all about choices — you select the categories in which you earn the highest rewards. Regardless of what you choose, you’ll also earn a higher cash back rate at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.

In addition to these benefits, the card has no annual fee. It also includes a basic signup bonus and an introductory 0% APR offer. Keep in mind that bonus cash back rewards have a quarterly limit, and you can only change your category once per month. The opportunity to choose from several common spending categories makes this card worth a look.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America’ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – you’re not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% – 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.74% – 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers a generous signup bonus despite having no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. That makes it the perfect travel companion as you journey around the world.

One of this card’s biggest benefits is that it offers a bonus cash back rate on all purchases. There’s no limit to how many points you can earn, and your points never expire. It also includes an intro 0% APR offer on balance transfers but has no intro APR offer for purchases. The card has a balance transfer fee that applies to all transfers, though this is standard for most credit cards.

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card lets you earn cash back while also providing a 0% intro APR offer. Rewards don’t expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem them for any amount. This card also includes a signup bonus.

This card also has a competitive regular APR despite having no annual fee. Translation: it can be cheap to use — or free if you pay off your balance every month. The card typically includes a new cardmember offer, allowing you to earn an additional cash bonus.

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% – 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great choice if you like to go to dinner and then catch a show — or if you prefer to order in and have a Netflix marathon. Those purchases fall into the card’s highest cash rewards rate categories — which include travel, dining, and entertainment. You’ll earn a high cash back rate on grocery purchases, too.

Qualifying balance transfers and purchases benefit from the card’s intro APR period. Plus, you’ll earn a signup bonus if you spend enough from account opening. The bonus is easy enough to earn, and there’s no annual fee.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • Earn $200 back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership
  • 3% cash back on groceries from U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
  • 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
  • 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 1% back on other purchases
  • Introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable rate applies
  • Find out if you Pre-Qualify for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card or other offers in as little as 30 seconds
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
18.74% – 29.74% Variable
$0
Good

As its name suggests, The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is an excellent choice for daily purchases. That’s because it earns a high cash back rate on common spending categories, including gas, groceries, and online purchases.

Balance transfers and purchases both have a 0% intro APR on the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, and its regular APR is competitive. It offers a basic signup bonus and several credits that help you save money — all with no annual fee.

Discover it® Miles Review

at Discover Card’ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0
  • UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
  • Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
  • No annual fee
  • Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.74% – 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
17.74% – 27.74% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

The Discover it® Miles card is a great choice if you want a card that allows you to earn a high number of miles on every purchase. It also benefits from Discover Match®, which doubles all of the miles you earn in your first year. Another benefit of this approach is that the card has no minimum spending requirement to receive the match.

Like many cards on this list, it has no annual fee. You can redeem rewards in many ways, including travel purchases, shopping on Amazon.com, and PayPal redemptions. The card also allows you to convert miles into cash in any amount at any time.

Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card’ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds. No annual fee.
  • Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
17.74% – 27.74% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

The Discover it® Cash Back card has no annual fee and allows you to earn cash back on purchases up to a spend cap in bonus categories. You must activate your bonus categories each quarter, as is often the case with rotating category cards. But you can redeem your cash back at any time for any amount, and rewards never expire.

Discover offers additional card features, including online privacy protection, $0 fraud liability, and Social Security number alerts. It also includes free FICO® Score checks.

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

Travel credit cards often have premium perks, but they typically come with a price. That’s not true of the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, which has no annual fee and a reasonable APR. You also get an attractive intro APR on balance transfers and purchases. Plus, you can earn bonus miles after spending enough in the first three months from account opening.

Perhaps the card’s biggest benefit is that you earn a bonus rewards rate on every purchase. And if you book through Capital One Travel, you’ll earn an even higher rate. The card has no foreign transaction fee, so it’s safe to take it wherever you go.

Citi Custom Cash® Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★

4.5

OVERALL RATING

4.7/5.0
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 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.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • 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.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% 15 months on Purchases
0% 15 months on Balance Transfers
18.74% – 28.74% (Variable)
$0
Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers an exceptional cash back rate on your top spending category — and it doesn’t require manual activation every quarter. Bonus cash rewards are capped at a low amount, but they reset every billing cycle. All non-bonus purchases earn a flat cash back rate, and the card includes a signup bonus.

There is also no annual fee and $0 liability for unauthorized charges. However, there is a foreign transaction fee, so keep that in mind while traveling. Another benefit is that both balance transfers and purchases are included in the 0% APR intro period.

What is a Signup Bonus and How Does it Work?

A signup bonus is a reward for opening a new credit card. Depending on the type of card, incentives may come in the form of points, miles, or cash back. Credit card issuers offer these bonuses to attract new customers, and some can be quite lucrative.

Here’s how signup bonuses work:

  • Qualify: The first step to receiving a signup bonus is qualifying for a card that includes one. Many credit cards have great signup bonuses.
  • Meet the spending requirements: Most signup bonuses require you to spend an amount within a certain time period. For example, you may need to spend $1,000 with your card in the first three months of account opening.
  • Wait for the bonus to post: Bonuses typically aren’t available right away. This may vary by card issuer, but, generally, it should be available the next billing cycle after your statement closes. It may take longer in some cases.
  • Redemption: Once you earn the bonus, you may have many ways to redeem it, depending on the card. For example, redemption options may include a statement credit, travel, cash back, or transfer to travel partners.

Keep in mind that some credit cards can have significant spending requirements to earn the signup bonus — especially premium credit cards with high annual fees. Be mindful of those annual fees and whether you’ll use the card to justify the fee after earning your signup bonus.

What is a 0% APR and How Does it Work?

0% APR offers include a promotional period during which the cardholder is not charged interest on their balances. For example, a credit card may have a 0% intro APR for 15 or 21 months. This 0% APR may apply to balance transfers, purchases, or both.

If the promotional APR applies to purchases, you won’t owe any interest on purchases during the intro period. If it applies to balance transfers, you can make balance transfers from other credit cards without interest during the intro period.

Typically, you can only transfer balances from different card issuers. You often may be required to complete balance transfers in the first three or four months to qualify for 0% APR.

card terms and conditions example
APR information is disclosed within a card’s terms and conditions.

After the promotional period ends, any remaining balances begin accruing interest at the regular APR. This is likely significantly higher than the intro APR, so it’s important to pay off balances before the intro period ends.

Also, keep in mind that even if a card has 0% APR on transferred balances, it typically still includes a balance transfer fee. Watch out for 0% intro APR cards with deferred interest, which can lead to a larger bill than expected at the end of the intro period.

What Credit Score Do You Need for a 0% APR?

The credit score you need may vary by the card issuer, but, generally, you need a good to excellent credit score to qualify for a 0% intro APR credit card. To increase your approval odds, you should have a FICO® Score of at least 670. For the best chance of approval, you should have a FICO score of at least 740, which is considered very good to excellent.

Reaching a FICO Score of 740 won’t guarantee approval, but it can increase your approval odds compared to applicants with lower credit scores. This is partly because credit card issuers may consider factors other than just credit score. Issuers may also consider income, debt-to-income ratio, and how many recent credit applications you have.

credit score range graphics

If your credit score isn’t high enough for approval, you can work on building credit with the right habits. These include paying bills on time, regularly monitoring your credit, and maintaining low balances on your credit cards. Also, research different credit card options before applying, as different types of credit cards (including secured cards) may be better suited to those with lower credit scores.

Which Cards Give You Free Money for Signing Up?

Most credit cards won’t give you free money just for signing up, but several offer incentives in the form of signup bonuses which, in some cases, can be worth hundreds of dollars. All the credit cards on our list offer a signup bonus, and many of them have low spending requirements. Typically, you must meet the spending requirement within the first three to six months from account opening.

Signup bonuses often come in the form of cash back, points, or miles. You can typically redeem your rewards in many forms, including cash. Most credit cards allow you to earn points, miles, or cash back on purchases, often with bonus rates for certain categories.

balance transfer savings table

Another way some credit cards help is with 0% intro APR offers on balance transfers and purchases. Avoiding interest charges during the intro period can save you a significant amount of money. However, remember that balance transfer fees usually apply, even during the intro period.

Does Not Paying a 0% APR Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?

A 0% APR credit card works the same as any other credit card, meaning not making payments on it can and will hurt your credit score. Even if a credit card has a 0% intro APR, you are still expected to make at least the minimum payment by the due date every month. Failure to pay can result in not only a drop in your credit score but also several other consequences:

  • Credit score impact: The most apparent impact of not paying your 0% APR card will likely be a drop in your credit score. This is because payment history makes up 35% of your score, the single largest factor. Missing even a single payment can cause a large drop in your credit score.
  • Late fees: Missing a payment usually results in a late fee, adding to your credit card debt. Additional fees can accrue if you continue to miss payments.
  • Loss of promotional APR: Some cards have terms that eliminate the promotional APR if you miss a payment. At this point, the regular APR goes into effect, which is likely much higher than the promotional rate.
  • Increased debt: Missing payments means your credit card balance will grow, and late fees will only add to it. The effect will only get worse if you lose your intro rate.
  • Contact from debt collectors: You could eventually receive phone calls and other actions from debt collectors if you go too long without paying your card. This may lead to derogatory marks on your credit report and even result in legal action against you.

In short, failure to pay your credit card can hurt your credit score, even during the 0% intro APR period. To minimize negative impacts on your credit report, ensure you at least make the minimum payments each month.

Should You Pay Off a Zero-Interest Credit Card Early?

Whether you should pay off a zero-interest credit card early depends on several factors, including your financial situation. The length of the zero-interest interest period may also play a role. They typically range from 12 to 21 months, after which the remaining balance incurs a much higher interest rate.

Another aspect to consider is other debt you may have. If you have more significant debt obligations, it may make sense to focus on those before the card with 0% interest, especially if your other debts have higher interest rates. Remember that you should keep making at least the minimum payment on your 9% APR credit card to avoid late fees and penalties.

Also, think about your income and cash flow. If neither is particularly high, you may need cash for other expenses. For example, if you have a lot of upcoming bills or you don’t have enough money in your emergency fund, you may choose to have more cash on hand.

credit utilization scenarios table

Finally, consider the potential impact on your credit score. Depending on your balance and total credit line, carrying a balance on your credit card can increase your credit utilization ratio, which may negatively impact on your credit score. If you plan to apply for a car loan or mortgage soon, it may be best to reduce your credit utilization ratio to secure better financing rates.

Tips to Maximize Signup Bonuses

As mentioned, some credit issuers offer lucrative signup bonuses. Following these tips can help you get the most out of them:

  1. Stagger your applications: If you are applying for credit cards for their enticing signup bonuses, it’s usually best to spread them out. This can help you avoid large drops in your credit score due to hard credit inquiries and allow you to meet the spending requirements for each card.
  2. Take advantage of bonus categories: Each credit card has bonus categories that align with different spending categories. Choose cards that make the most sense based on how you typically spend your money.
  3. Get organized: Credit cards may not show your progress toward meeting your minimum spending requirement. Therefore, you should track your spending and possibly use a spreadsheet to keep track of your progress toward the minimum spend. This can help ensure you meet the requirements in the specified time frame. It can also help you monitor the expiration of points or miles.
  4. Pay your balances in full: You may not pay your balance in full right away, especially if you have applied for a 0% intro APR credit card. However, you should work to pay off your credit card before the end of the promotional period to avoid interest charges and fees.

Signup bonuses can be highly rewarding for cardholders, but you should ensure you take full advantage of them. You should also consider the card’s overall value, its terms and conditions, and whether it aligns with your financial goals.

How to Choose a 0% Signup Bonus Credit Card

With so many great options for 0% signup bonus credit cards, you should consider several factors to find the best credit card for your situation. One consideration is the length of the intro period. Some credit cards offer intro periods as long as 21 months.

A longer intro period gives you more time to pay off the card and can save you money on interest charges. The longer the intro period, the longer this benefit can be.

You should also consider the type and value of the signup bonus. Some credit cards may offer points, miles, or cash back. If you rarely travel, a mile bonus probably wouldn’t be very useful to you. Also, see how the bonus compares to similar credit cards offering bonuses of the same type.

The spending requirement is also a key factor. A credit card might have an enticing signup bonus, but if you have to spend $20,000 in six months to earn it, you may realize it won’t work with your spending habits.

steps to earn credit card signup bonuses

Another important factor is the regular APR after the intro period. A credit card with a 0% intro APR for 21 months sounds excellent, but be sure to check the APR after the first 21 months. If it’s much higher than the regular APR on similar cards, it may not be the best choice.

Also, identify other fees and costs. Some credit cards have high annual fees and other fees, including foreign transaction fees and balance transfer fees. Some of these fees are common, but they can be higher on some cards than others.

You have many aspects to consider when applying for a 0% signup bonus card. Paying close attention to factors such as the length of the intro period, regular APR, and spending requirements can help you make the best choice.

Benefits of 0% Signup Bonus Credit Cards

A 0% signup bonus credit card can include many benefits. Here are a few to consider:

  • Saving money with interest-free periods: A 0% APR credit card offers a promotional period during which you pay no interest on balance transfers, purchases, or both. This is useful for making large purchases or consolidating other credit card debt and potentially saving money on interest charges.
  • Bonuses and rewards: These cards often come with signup bonuses in the form of cash back, points, or miles. You receive these after spending a certain amount in a specified period. In addition, these cards often provide rewards on everyday purchases, which you can redeem in a variety of ways.
  • Building your credit: If you use your card responsibly, make your payments on time, and maintain a low credit utilization ratio, you can build your credit score with a 0% intro APR card. This can lead to several benefits, including lower interest rates on loans and better approval odds for financing.
  • Managing cash flow: A 0% intro APR can help you manage your cash flow better, especially if you have irregular income or unexpected expenses. It may also provide a financial cushion, allowing your income time to catch up with your expenses.
  • Additional perks: Credit cards are often loaded with additional hidden perks, such as cell phone insurance, extended warranties, and travel insurance. These perks can provide additional value, convenience, and peace of mind. They can help protect you against unforeseen circumstances, and they might even be included on a no-annual-fee card.

A 0% intro APR card provides many benefits, such as saving money on interest, bonuses and rewards, and cash flow management tools. However, the most important benefits will vary based on your financial habits, preferences, and goals.

Bottom Line

0% APR signup bonus credit cards offer attractive features, including high rewards rates on common spending categories plus extra bonuses and perks. You generally need good to excellent credit to qualify for these cards.

If you don’t yet qualify, try applying for a different card or work on building your credit. Once you work on your credit score, you can qualify for one of these cards and take advantage of their numerous perks.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.