Best Credit Cards with No Interest for 12+ Months (May 2026)

In the world of credit cards, companies are fiercely competing to catch your attention in every possible way. One of their main tactics is offering you no-interest borrowing and balance transfers as a new cardmember.

Our experts have identified the best credit cards with no interest for at least one year. This can be especially useful if you want to charge a big-ticket item or consolidate your credit card balances. Read on to learn which cards give you the best interest-free introductions.

These cards let new cardmembers stretch out interest-free payments on new purchases for a year or longer. Depending on your credit limit, an introductory offer could save you hundreds of dollars in interest charges.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card allows cardholders to choose a category that will yield them the top tier cash back rate. These categories include online shopping, which provides even more money back for purchases you’re already making. Who doesn’t love free money?

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

CardRates Expert Rating

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

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• Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Enjoy 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; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% – 28.49%.
• No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

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Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months

Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months

Regular APR 18.99% – 28.49% Variable

Annual Fee $0

Credit Needed Good/Excellent

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers new cardmembers interest-free purchases for a promotional period. This no-annual-fee card provides zero liability protection, 120-day new-purchase protection, a year extension on eligible warranties, and free unlimited access to your credit score.

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card markets to new cardmembers by offering over a year of 0% APR on purchases. This no-annual-fee card offers unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases and a one-time cash bonus when you spend a set amount in the first three months from account opening.

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers new cardmembers a 0% APR on promotional purchases. It has four tiers of unlimited cash back rewards and a one-time cash bonus when you spend the required amount on purchases during the first three months. The card charges no annual fee.

The Discover it® Cash Back card offers an extended introductory APR for new customers. The regular APR will apply after the introductory period ends. When activated, quarterly bonus categories offer high cash back rates (up to the quarterly maximum) and cash back at a reduced standard rate on all other purchases.

The Discover it® Miles card offers a lengthy introductory period on new purchases. The regular APR will apply after the introductory period ends. You also earn miles rewards on all purchases with no brand restrictions as well as other benefits like a free FICO score and instant account freeze/unfreeze.

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card gives new cardmembers an initial 0% APR on purchases. This $0-annual-fee card offers a mileage reward on every dollar you spend on purchases. Furthermore, you get bonus miles when you purchase the required amount in the first three months. Your miles never expire as long as the account remains open.

These cards give you at least 12 months to enjoy interest-free balances transferred from other credit cards. Most of them will charge a one-time fee for each transfer, even during the introductory period. Plus, some cards require you to complete your transfers within the first few months after opening the account to qualify for the promotional rate.

You get an introductory 0% rate for balance transfers and purchases with the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card. Balance transfers incur a fee and earn no cash back. Purchases earn unlimited cash back, and you get a one-time cash bonus by spending the required amount during the first three months after opening the account. The card charges no annual fee.

The Discover it® Chrome offers a lengthy introductory period on balance transfers. You earn bonus cash back, up to a spending cap, on quarterly rotating categories that you activate, plus regular flat-rate cash back on all other purchases. Transferred balances do not earn rewards. Keep in mind, the regular APR will apply after the introductory period ends.

The Citi Double Cash® Card charges an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers you complete within four months of account opening. Transfers must be made within four months of opening the account to qualify for the intro rate, and a fee applies to each transfer.

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a tiered rewards card with varying rates of cash back on different purchase categories. You must pay a fee for each balance transfer during the introductory period. Transfers earn no cash back, and the annual fee is $0.

The annual percentage rate, or APR, is the interest rate applied by a credit card to unpaid balances. Usually, if you settle your entire card balance by the next due date, you won’t face any interest charges.

An introductory 0% APR for 12+ months means you won’t have to pay interest on the balance during a promotional period of at least 12 months from account opening. Credit cards sometimes make separate 0% introductory offers for purchases and balance transfers.

Many cards charge a balance transfer fee that is the larger of a fixed percentage or cash amount. For example, you may see a fee of 3% of the transferred amount or $5, whichever is greater.

None of the cards in this review charge retroactive interest on transferred balances that are not fully paid by the end of the introductory period. However, if you pick a card that is outside of this group, check the fine print before applying.

A smart approach to avoid interest charges is by always opting for a card that offers a 0% APR to new members. This means switching to a new credit card when the introductory period on your current card ends. With many cards offering a year or more without interest, you have plenty of choices.

If you pick a new card that offers no interest on both purchases and balance transfers, you can move your remaining balance on your old card to the new one. This will extend your 0% APR from the old card, but you will have to pay a fee for the maneuver. Typical transfer fees range from 3% to 5%.

Amount Transferred	3% Fee	5% Fee
$1,000	$30	$50
$2,000	$60	$100
$3,000	$90	$150
$4,000	$120	$200
$5,000	$150	$250
$6,000	$180	$300
$7,000	$210	$350
$8,000	$240	$400
$9,000	$270	$450
$10,000	$300	$500

The downside of this strategy is that over time, you’ll accumulate credit cards you might not use once the introductory period ends. However, this isn’t necessarily negative, as your available credit will increase with each new card, reducing your credit utilization ratio and possibly boosting your credit scores.

The other method of avoiding credit card interest is simply to pay your full balance every month. Use the credit card as a convenient alternative to cash and checks, not as a way of financing your lifestyle. You’ll avoid interest charges throughout the year and won’t have to worry about replacing your credit card or transferring balances when the introductory period expires.

Shifting your high-interest credit card debt to one with 0% interest can be a smart way to cut down on fees and consolidate your debt. Let’s walk through exactly how you can do this:

1. Check Your Current Balance and Interest Rate

Log in to your account and note your current balance and its interest rate. This will help you compare offers and see if a balance transfer will actually help you save money when you factor in the transfer fee.

2. Choose and Apply For a Card

Once you find your perfect match, it’s time to apply. Your credit score and income will determine the types of cards you qualify for.

To complete your application, you’ll need your Social Security number, household income (including your spouse’s income and any other funds you can access), and some personal details like your address, email, and phone number. Most applications are a breeze, taking no more than five minutes to complete, and you’ll likely receive an approval decision almost instantly once you hit “submit.”

3. Initiate the Transfer

During the application process, a screen might pop up asking if there’s a balance you want to transfer. This is where you’ll enter your existing account details and the amount you plan to move to the new card.

If this screen doesn’t appear, you’ll need to contact the new card issuer to initiate the transfer. You can do this over the phone or online, but the steps are the same — you must provide your existing account details, and the new issuer will submit the transfer request.

4. Wait for the Transfer to Process

It could take 5-21 days for your old balance to reach $0 and the transferred amount to appear on your new card’s balance. Be sure you don’t miss a payment due date on the old card and schedule payment as you normally would. You don’t want to be slapped with an unnecessary late fee.

5. Begin Paying Down the Debt

Once you see the balance on your new card, it’s time to figure out how much you should pay each month to clear the debt before the 0% promotional rate runs out. Having a longer promotional period gives you more flexibility, allowing you to make smaller, more manageable monthly payments.

But be sure not to use the previous card to rack up a new balance, or else you’ll be worse off than before.

You have plenty of choices if you want to avoid paying credit card interest. The cards that offer up to 18 months of interest-free purchases are perfect for financing a big-ticket item.

If those high interest rates on your credit card debt are stressing you out, consider switching to a card that offers no interest on balance transfers. This can help you tackle your debt more effectively. With these cards, your entire monthly payment reduces your balance, and all you pay is a one-time transfer fee.

No matter why you’re looking for an interest-free card, it’s important to evaluate all features, including bonuses and rewards, when you’re weighing your options.