When considering “0 intro APR credit cards,” evaluating several key factors is essential to ensure they align with your financial goals. First, understand the duration of the introductory 0% APR period, as this will determine how long you can benefit from interest-free purchases or balance transfers.
Additionally, review the terms and conditions to identify any fees associated with balance transfers or annual charges that could offset the benefits of the introductory offer. It’s also crucial to assess the regular APR that will apply after the introductory period ends, as this will impact your finances if you carry a balance beyond the promotional timeframe.
Lastly, consider any rewards or benefits the card offers, such as cashback, travel points, or purchase protection, to maximize the card’s value beyond the introductory period. Our true comparisons & industry-standard reviews can help you make the smartest decision.
BEST CARDS BALANCE TRANSFER TRAVEL CASH BACK REWARDS NO ANNUAL FEE STUDENTBest 0% Intro APR Credit Cards of 2025 (Updated March 2025)
Best for: Best all-in-one cash rewards card
Smartfinancialways rating
4.9/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% – 5% on purchases
Intro offer
Upto $200 bonus
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
19.49% – 28.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- Cash back on drugstore purchases.
- Cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout.
- Cash back on eligible delivery services.
- Cash back on all other purchases.
Card details
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 19.49-28.24%.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49-28.24%.
- 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!
- 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; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- Earn Unlimited Double Cash Back: Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year. There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn. Every dollar you earn is a dollar Chase will match.
- After your 1st 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.
- 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!
- Shop with points at Amazon: Link your Chase Freedom Unlimited card to your Amazon.com account and instantly redeem your Cash Back rewards to pay for all or part of your eligible Amazon.com orders at checkout.
- Gift cards: Redeem for a variety of gift cards and certificates for shopping, dining and entertainment, and more..
- Zero Liability Protection: You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card.
- Purchase Protection: Covers your eligible new purchases for 120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $500 per item.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the time period of the manufacturer’s U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: You can be reimbursed up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares, if your trip is canceled or cut short.
- Auto Rental Coverage: Decline the rental company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. Coverage provides reimbursement for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance: If you run into a problem while traveling away from home, this benefit provides legal and medical referrals and access to other travel and emergency assistance services.
- 5% Cash Back on Lyft Rides: arn 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025.
- 29.24% is cash advance APR. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate..
- You can earn $50 cash back for each friend who gets any participating Chase Freedom® credit card.
- Member FDIC
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
- High rewards rate
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers
- It could offer much better long-term value than the typical no-annual fee rewards card, especially for frequent travelers
- No annual fee ever
- Most of the times requires excellent to good credit
- A few other cards offer a higher flat cash back rate (2 percent on all purchases), so they could prove more beneficial if you don’t spend much on travel or dining
Other choices
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- The Citi Double Cash® Card
- The Capitol One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for: 21-month long intro APR on purchases & balance transfers
Smartfinancialways rating
4.2/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
670-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 21 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months
Regular APR
17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases. Intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers.
- Cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Zero Liability protection. This feature ensure that you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized transactions.
Card details
- No annual or hidden fees.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers.
- Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants.
- It can take up to 14 days to post a balance transfer to your Wells Fargo Reflect Credit Card account.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No annual fee
- Offers the same length of intro APR period on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- Comes with cell phone protection against damage or theft up to $600
- Roadside Dispatch®: A 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, towing, or locksmith service
- Card’s balance transfer fee is relatively high
- There’s no rewards program, so the card has limited long-term value
- There is a Foreign Currency Conversion fee of 3% for each transaction amount converted to U.S. dollars
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
- The Citi Simplicity® Card
Best for: Longest 0% intro APR offer on purchases & transfers
Smartfinancialways rating
4.2/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months
Regular APR
17.24% – 27.99% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Liability on unauthorized charges.
- Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers.
- Intro APR for 12 months on purchases.
Card details
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, after that APR is 17.49% – 28.24%.
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months (on transfers completed within 4 months of account opening), after that APR is 17.49% – 28.24%.
- Your FICO credit score will refresh each month, helping you to stay on top of any changes .
- Citi Diamond Preferred cardholders get early or VIP access to tickets for a variety of entertainment options — including music, sports, dining experiences and more.
- Citi’s Easy Deals are discounts you can earn on everyday purchases from participating retailers and restaurants (including local businesses). Enrollment is required, but if you spend a certain amount per year, you can gain access to even more discounts.
- The Citi Flex Loan program allows you to borrow money against your Citi credit card’s credit line at a fixed interest rate. You can pay the loan back over a set period of time with no additional fees.
- Citi Flex Loans aren’t available to all Citi cardholders; you can check your account to see if you’re eligible.
- Free identity theft protection that the Citi Diamond Preferred card offers through Mastercard.
- Custom pay date: Your own due date grants you the flexibility to shift your payment date to any available due date within the month.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No annual fee
- One of the longest Intro APR period on balance transfers
- Intro APR offer on purchases is much shorted considering other balance transfer cards
- There is a 3% foreign transaction fee, which becomes a hassle for some people when they use this card abroad
- 5% ($5 min) balance transfer fee is high compared to similar options
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Best for: Long balance transfer offer + no late fees
Smartfinancialways rating
4.5/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months
Regular APR
18.24% – 28.99% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- No Penalty Rate.
- No Late Fees.
- Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers.
- Intro APR for 12 months on purchases.
Card details
- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee… Ever.
- 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases; after that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- 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).
- After each promotional period ends, a variable APR of 18.24% – 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness, applies to unpaid promotional balances, new purchases and new balance transfers.
- For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 18.24% – 28.99%, based on creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors.
- Foreign purchase transaction fee is 3% of each purchase transaction in U.S. dollars.
- APR for Cash Advances is 29.49%.
- Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No annual fee ever
- You won’t have to worry about late fees & penalty APRs with this card (though late payments still affect your credit)
- Intro APR on new purchases
- Intro APR on balance transfers, making it a good choice to pay off your debt
- No new cardholder bonus offer
- No rewards program, so the card holds limited long-term value
- Compared to other balance transfer cards, the intro APR on purchases is much shorter than the intro APR on transfers
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify for this card
Other smart choices
- The BankAmericard® credit card
- The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Best for: High flat-rate cash back + long intro APR on balance transfers
Smartfinancialways rating
4.8/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 5%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200 cash back
Recommended credit score
630-850 (Fair – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
No Caps & No Category Restrictions
No need to enroll or categories to keep track of
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
Regular APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of your Citi Double Cash® card account opening.
- Unlimited cash back: 1% when you buy, 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- Special Travel Offer: Cash back on hotel, car rental & attractions when you booked on Citi Travel ℠portal through 12/31/2025.
- Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers.
Card details
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- 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).
- 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.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- Intro balance transfer fee
- High rewards rate
- Long Intro APR period on balance transfers
- No annual fee ever
- Intro APR offer doesn’t include purchases
- There is a 3% foreign transaction fee, which becomes a hassle for some people when they use this card abroad.
Other smart choices
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card
- The Capitol One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for: Long intro APR period on purchases & balance transfers
Smartfinancialways rating
4.5/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
N/A
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
Regular APR
15.24% – 25.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Intro APR for 18 months for purchases.
- Intro APR for 18 months for balance transfers made in the first 60 days.
Card details
- $0 annual fee.
- 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases. After intro period, a Variable APR that’s currently 15.24% – 25.24% will apply.
- 0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After intro period, a Variable APR that’s currently 15.24% – 25.24% 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%.
- No penalty APR. Paying late won’t automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply.
- Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
- 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.
- Foreign Transaction is 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction made in a foreign currency..
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No annual fee
- Long 0% Intro APR period for purchases & balance transfers
- No ongoing rewards and categories
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
- It charges a 3 percent foreign currency conversion fee, which will be a hassle for people who enjoy traveling abroad
Other smart choices
- The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
- The Citi Simplicity® Card
Best for: Entertainment and dining + balance transfer
Smartfinancialways rating
5.0/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 8%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200 Cash back
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
- Cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Cash back on dining.
- Cash back on entertainment.
- Cash back on popular streaming services.
- Cash back on select grocery stores.
- Cash back on all other purchases.
Card details
- No annual fee.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- 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 & conditions apply.
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services.
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards.
- Cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
- No foreign transaction fee.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- Some of the best spending category coverage and unlimited rewards potential available on one card
- Redeem your rewards with Paypal when you make purchases online
- Use your rewards, pay for millions of items at Amazon.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- Virtual Card Numbers from Eno
- This card is missing a handful of rewards categories e.g gas, general travel & transit
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card
- The Citi Double Cash® Card
- The Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card
Best for: Everyday use + no annual fee + intro APR period
Smartfinancialways rating
4.9/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 3%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% – 29.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Earn cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- Earn cash back on U.S. Online Retail Purchases, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- Earn cash back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- Earn cash back on other eligible purchases.
- Earn back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Card details
- No Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- 3% Cash Back at 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, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 18.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 18.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card to spend $9.99 or more each month on a subscription to the Disney Bundle. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- $15 in statement credits back per month after you use your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card to purchase a Home Chef subscription.
- Send & Split®: You can send money and split purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Terms apply.
- Pay It®: Allows you to make a payment equal to the amount of a billed purchase less than $100 through the American Express® App.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. It lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into monthly installments with a fixed fee.
- Events with Amex™: Card Members enjoy special ticket access and presales to select can’t miss moments and events across sports, music, theatre, and more.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When you pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory.
- Global Assist® Hotline: It help with coordination and assistance services when you are traveling 100 or more miles from home.
- You can add an Additional Card for anyone who makes purchases for you, like your child (13+), spouse, or employee.
- APR for cash advances is 29.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Foreign transaction fee is 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
- Terms Apply.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- Earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases
- Other purchases earn 1% cash back
- Good to have a 0% intro APR on purchases & balance transfers
- Solid bonus offer for new cardholders
- A spending cap per calendar year on your highest earning categories may limit your cash back potential
- If you spend at least $61 per week at the supermarket, you may be better off paying the annual fee on the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express because of its higher rewards rate
- This card also lacks the bonus streaming and transit rewards of the “Preferred” version
Other smart choices
- The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card
Best for: Everyday shopping + cash back in quarterly bonus categories
Smartfinancialways rating
4.7/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 5%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200 bonus
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
19.49% – 28.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.
- Cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 %).
- Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- Cash back on dining, including takeout and delivery services.
- Cash back on drugstore purchases.
- Cash back on all other purchases..
- Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
Card details
- No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 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 unlimited 1% cash back 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!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases, then a variable APR of 19.49%-28.24%.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49%-28.24%.
- Shopping at Amazon.com: Link your Chase Freedom Flex® card to your Amazon.com account and instantly redeem your Cash Back rewards to pay for all or part of your eligible Amazon.com orders at checkout.
- $0 Liability Protection: You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card
- Purchase Protection: Covers your eligible new purchases for 90-120 days from the date of purchase against damage or theft up to $500 per item.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Extends the time period of the manufacturer’s U.S. warranty by an additional year, on eligible warranties of three years or less.
- Cell Phone Protection: Get up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per 12-month period in cell phone protection against covered theft or damage.
- Auto Rental Coverage: When you charge entire rental cost to your card, this coverage provides reimbursement for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles.
- Keep tabs on your credit health – Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Foreign Transaction fee is 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
- Member FDIC.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- Offer flat-rate cash back
- Offer rotating bonus categories
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Intro APR period on purchases & balance transfers
- No annual fee ever
- It gives excellent travel protections and partner benefits for a no-annual-fee card
- You’ll need to pair it with a higher-tier Chase card to get top redemption value for travel purchases
- You must enroll to take advantage of the bonus categories each quarter
- You’ll only earn a top rewards rate on your first $1,500 in spending each quarter, so it’s not ideal for large purchases or big spenders
- Quarterly categories may not be the best fit for you if you have consistent spending habits, making earning rewards more complicated
Other smart choices
- The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
- The Discover It® Cash Back Card
Best for: Simple cash back rewards + intro APR period offer
Smartfinancialways rating
4.6/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5% – 5%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200 cash bonus
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Fair – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Annual fee plus no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside of the United States.
- 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.
- Cash back on every purchase, every day.
- Cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
- Intro APR for 15 months on purchases.
- Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers.
Card details
- $0 annual fee, and $0 foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capitol One Travel.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
- No rotating categories to keep track of or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases; 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR after that.
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers; 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR after that; Balance transfer fee applies.
- 29.24% is APR for cash advances. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Your cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
- Use your Capitol One rewards to make purchases at millions of online stores when you check out with PayPal.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com, to pay for millions of items at checkout.
- Get cardholder-only access to a collection of VIP packages, events, on-site perks and more.
- Use your rewards, your card or a combination of both to get tickets to thousands of events.
- Enjoy booking made easy. Pick your event, choose your seats and buy tickets online, in just a few taps.
- Extended Warranty: Get additional warranty protection at no charge on eligible items that are purchased with your credit card.
- Travel Accident Insurance: Get automatic insurance for a covered loss at no extra charge when you use your credit card to purchase your fare.
- Virtual Card Numbers from Eno: Pay for online purchases with virtual card numbers and keep your actual card safe.
- $0 Fraud Liability: If your card is lost or stolen, you will not be responsible for unauthorized charges.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No annual fee
- Good option to take with you when travelling internationally, as it has No foreign transaction fees
- Medium to high rewards rate
- $0 intro APR period on both purchases & balance transfers
- No rotating categories to keep track of or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards
- Rewards are unlimited, also allows you to redeem your rewards in any amount, at any time
- No bonus categories
- Flat cash back rate is lower than the flat rates issuers offer on other rewards cards
- Better suited for hotel, rental car reservations, & online shopping not good choice for dining, gas & groceries
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The Citi Double Cash® Card
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card
- The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Best for: Everyday shopping + quarterly rotating bonus categories
Smartfinancialways rating
4.4/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 5%
Cashback
Intro offer
Cashback Match
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Cash back = $1 to Redeem:Earn cash back you can spend with Discover. One dollar earned is worth one dollar you can spend.
- Unlimited cash back: 1% when you buy, 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- Unlimited cash back: 1% when you buy, 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- Cash back on everyday purchases when you shop each quarter–like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more–up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
- Fraud Liability Guarantee: You’re never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card.
Card details
- No annual fee. Apply and you could get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.
- Start shopping and earning rewards in minutes with our digital card, before your physical card arrives in the mail, if eligible.
- 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.
- 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!
- Double Up on Cash Back: We’ll automatically double all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards limits. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
- 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. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Then 18.24% to 27.24% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time. Plus, your cash back will never expire.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- Cash rewards
- Good Intro APR period
- No annual fee ever
- Discover matches the cash back you earn at the end of the first year
- Very few fees, a chance at a low APR and a more forgiving late payment policy than most rivals
- Lower acceptance when you travel overseas
- Complicated rewards program to follow along
- You must enroll to take advantage of the bonus categories each quarter
- You’ll only earn a top rewards rate on your first $1,500 in spending each quarter, so it’s not ideal for large purchases or big spenders
Other smart choices
- The Chase Freedom Flex® Card
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for: Travel rewards for beginners
Smartfinancialways rating
4.2/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.25 Miles – 5 Miles
Intro offer
Earn 20,000 miles
Recommended credit score
670-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Earn unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase.
- Earn 20,000 bonus miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Card details
- No 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 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.
- Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn.
- Earn unlimited 1.25x miles on every purchase, every day.
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus could be one of the most valuable upfront offers
- Unlike many travel rewards cards, it comes with solid intro APR offers
- No annual fee ever
- Flexible rewards redemption
- 1.25x-mile flat rate is lower than other starter travel cards’ flat rates, even those with no annual fees
- Travel incentives aren’t very noteworthy when compared to other travel rewards cards
- Rewards have limited flexibility
- Requires good to excellent credit to qualify
Other smart choices
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card
- The Capital One Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for: High flate-rate cash back
Smartfinancialways rating
4.3/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
2%
Cashback
Intro offer
$200 cash rewards
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months
Regular APR
19.24% – 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with no categories to track or quarterly activations.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Intro APR for 12 months: On purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
- Cell phone protection against damage or theft.
- Cash redemption available in $20 increments when you use your Wells Fargo ATM or Debit Card.
Card details
- $0 annual fee.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- 29.99% APR for Cash Advances and Overdraft Protection Advances.
- For each foreign currency conversion/transaction 3% of service fee charged, converted to U.S. dollars.
- You cannot transfer a balance from any account issued by Wells Fargo or any of its affiliates.
- The total amount of your balance transfer request(s), including fees, cannot exceed your available credit.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No annual fee
- Paying your cellphone bill each month with this card gets you cellphone protection against damage or theft (limit of two up to $600 claims per year, subject to a $25 deductible)
- 2% cash rewards cards doesn’t weigh down your rewards with spending caps or minimum redemption requirements
- No categories to track or quaterly activations
- 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers
- Roadside Dispatch® available whenever you’re in need of a tow – for eligible Wells Fargo cardholders
- Your reward redemption options are limited to cash rewards; you can’t transfer rewards to travel partners
- It charges a 3 percent foreign currency conversion fee, which will be disappointing to people who enjoy traveling abroad
- No bonus categories
Other smart choices
- The Citi® Double Cash Card
- The Discover It® Cash Back Card
Best for: Everyday use of households and families
Smartfinancialways rating
4.9/5
Annual fee
$0 intro for 1st year, then $95
Rewards rate
1% – 6%
Cashback
Intro offer
$250
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months
Regular APR
18.24% – 29.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Cash back at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- Cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- Cash back at U.S. gas stations.
- Cash Back on other purchases.
- Earn back after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Card details
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card to spend $9.99 or more each month on a subscription to the Disney Bundle. Valid only at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Send & Split®: You can send money and split purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Terms apply.
- Pay It®: Allows you to make a payment equal to the amount of a billed purchase less than $100 through the American Express® App.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. It lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into monthly installments with a fixed fee.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Events with Amex™: Card Members enjoy special ticket access and presales to select can’t miss moments and events across sports, music, theatre, and more.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When you pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory.
- Global Assist® Hotline: It help with coordination and assistance services when you are traveling 100 or more miles from home.
- Purchase Protection: It can help protect your Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged.
- Extended Warranty: Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less.
- With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
- Earn More Cash Back: You can earn cash back every time an Additional Card Member makes an eligible purchase with their Card in the same way you do on your own purchase.
- APR for cash advances is 29.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Foreign transaction fee is 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases
- 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, at U.S. gas stations and on U.S. online retail purchases
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including such things as taxis, parking, tolls, trains and buses)
- Other purchases earn 1% cash back
- Good to have a 0% intro APR on purchases & balance transfers
- Solid bonus offer for new cardholders
- Great benefits, including purchase protection, return protection and an extended warranty
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 every year
- Annual fee seems steep for cash back credit card, but you will make up for it with rewards by just spending $32 per week at U.S. supermarkets
- Purchases at wholesale clubs, superstores (like Walmart), and specialty stores (bakeries, farmers markets, etc.) are excluded from the card’s U.S. supermarket
Other smart choices
- The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card
Best for: Students
Smartfinancialways rating
4.9/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 5%
Intro offer
Unlimited cashback Match
Recommended credit score
No credit score required to apply
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months
Balance transfer intro APR
10.99% intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months
Regular APR
17.24% – 26.24% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Earn 5% cash back each quarter at grocery stores up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Earn 5% cash back each quarter at restaurants up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Earn 5% cash back each quarter at gas stations up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- Intro APR for 6 months on purchases. Designed just for students.
Card details
- No credit score required to apply.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.24% – 26.24% applies.
- 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. So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
- 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.
- Rewards never expire. Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- 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. Activate by mobile app for free.
- Discover reports your credit history to the three major credit bureaus so it can help build your credit if used responsibly.
- $0 Fraud Liability: An “unauthorized purchase” is a purchase where you have not given access to your card information to another person or a merchant for one-time or repeated charges.
- Purchases must be made with merchants in the U.S. To qualify for 5%, the purchase transaction date must be before or on the last day of the offer or promotion.
- 10.99% intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer, for transfers under this offer that post to your account by May 10, 2025.
- 29.24% APR for cash advances, it will vary with market based on Prime Rate.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No annual fee ever
- No foreign transaction fee
- No penalty APR and even waive your first late payment
- Intro APR offer is a rare but potentially helpful perk for newly independent cardholders
- No credit score is required to apply
- One of the most lucrative rewards credit cards available to students
- Rotating bonus rewards program might be too high-maintenance for credit card newbies
- Lower acceptance when you travel overseas
- You must enroll to take advantage of the bonus categories each quarter
Other smart choices
- The Capital One SavorOne® Student Cash Rewards card
- The Capital One Quicksilver Student® Cash Rewards Card
- The Discover it Student Chrome® Card
Best for: Business cash back & financing + Intro APR
Smartfinancialways rating
4.5/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1% – 2%
Cashback
Intro offer
$250
Recommended credit score
690-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
17.49% – 27.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- Annual fee.
- Cash Back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per year, (then 1%).
- Cash back on other purchases. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- Statement Credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Card details
- No Annual Fee.
- Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.49% – 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- As business needs evolve, your spending power should too. Expanded Buying Power gives you the freedom to spend above your credit limit and get the business done.
- The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: As a Card Member, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory when you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver(CDW) at the Rental Company counter.
- Global Assist® Hotline: Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline‡ is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance.
- Extended Warranty: Extended Warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less.
- Purchase Protection: You may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase.
- Add Employee Blue Business Cash™ Cards and you can earn cash back on employee purchases in the same way you do on your own Card.
- Foreign transaction fee is 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
- Terms Apply.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- Intro APR period on purchases
- High cash-back rewards rate
- New member bonus offer
- Expanded Buying Power feature gives business owners more flexibility if they need to go over their credit limit for an unexpected expense
- $50,000 spending cap per year for 2% category limits your reward earning potential
- Besides the Expanded Buying Power feature, there are limited cardholder perks
- 2.7% foreign transaction fee can add up and cut into your rewards earnings if you conduct business overseas
Other smart choices
- The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- The Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
Best for: Business card for ease-of-use
Smartfinancialways rating
4.2/5
Annual fee
$0
Rewards rate
1.5%
Cashback
Intro offer
Earn $750 bonus cash back
Recommended credit score
670-850 (Good – Excellent)
Get your free credit score
Purchase intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
Balance transfer intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
17.49% – 23.49% Variable APR
Card rewards breakdown
- No annual fee.
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.
- Introductory APR for 12 months on purchases.
- Earn a total of 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2025 with your Chase Ink Unlimited card.
Card details
- No Annual Fee.
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases.
- With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases.
- Balance transfer APR is 17.49% to 23.49%. Note: This account may not be eligible for balance transfers.
- Cash Advance APR is 29.24%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Foreign transaction fee is 3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
- 29.24% APR for cash advances, it will vary with market based on Prime Rate.
Smartfinancialways insight
Pros
- No annual fee ever
- It offers a solid flat cash back rate for a business card
- Use intro APR to free up cash flow or finance large business purchases while minimizing interest charges
- The card’s welcome offer carries a high spending requirement of $6000
- Not suitable for small scale business owners
- 3% foreign transaction fee can become a hassle for conducting business abroad
Other smart choices
- The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
- The Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card