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How to Choose the Best Low-Interest Credit Card for You

6 min read

Published August 29, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

A 0% or low intro APR credit card offer may help you finance major expenses or manage credit card debt.
Any remaining or new balance after the intro period ends accrues interest at the standard rate.
The best no-interest credit cards for you may offer features you value.

If you tend to carry a balance on your credit card, then a low-interest credit card offer may make it easier to manage your credit card bills. The annual percentage rate (APR) on a credit card determines how much interest your balances accrue. To save money on interest, look for a credit card with a low introductory APR offer after account opening. The right low-interest credit card offer may help you finance an expensive purchase or manage your credit card debt.

What credit score is needed to get a 0% interest credit card offer?

There’s no specific credit score that guarantees a 0% APR credit card offer. Each credit card company has unique eligibility requirements and priorities. But a good credit score or better generally increases your chances.

With a lower credit score, you may not qualify for 0% interest. However, even with less-than-perfect credit, you may qualify for a low introductory APR card. While you’d still have to pay some interest on your transactions, a low intro APR credit card may still save you money.

Factors to consider when picking low-interest credit cards

A wide range of credit cards may come with 0% or low APR introductory offers. The best no-interest credit cards (or low-interest credit cards) for you depend on your spending habits and credit needs.

The best features for a new everyday card may not be the same as the best features for a balance transfer, for example. To find the right fit, review the card details for information about the following factors.

Length of promotional period

A credit card’s promotional APR typically kicks in right after account opening. Purchases you make on the card during the promotional period accrue interest at the lower rate (or don’t accrue interest at all). But any balance that remains on your credit card after the promotional period ends accrues interest at the standard rate.

Introductory periods may last several months or over a year. If you’re financing a major purchase, you may want to prioritize a card with a long promotional period. For example, a low-APR credit card with an 18-month introductory period may work better for covering a vacation than a 0% APR card with a 10-month intro period. That way, you have more time to pay off the expense before the regular interest rate kicks in.

Standard APR after the promo period

Consider your card’s regular APR, especially if you plan to make your new card your everyday card after the promotional period ends. Ideally, you should try to pay your credit card bill in full each month to avoid accruing interest at the regular rate. But if you tend to carry a balance, then the card’s standard APR may influence your decision.

Did you know?

A good credit score may help you qualify for 0% APR credit cards. If your score isn’t as strong as you’d like, consider a secured credit card, which requires a refundable deposit. You may be able to establish a stronger credit history with a secured card if you practice good credit habits.

Learn More

Credit card rewards

Many low-interest credit cards offer rewards like cash back, miles, or points. Prioritize credit cards that reward the types of purchases you already make to maximize your cash back. If you go on road trips often, you might want a card that offers rewards at gas stations. With the Discover it^® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card, for example, you may earn cash back on your next road trip with 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants, on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.¹

If you’re not sure where you spend the most money, track your shopping for a month or review your transactions on your online banking or mobile banking statement for your most frequent purchases.

Annual fee and other fees

Interest isn’t the only credit card cost to consider. A high annual fee may cut into your rewards or make it more difficult to pay down your balance before the promotional period ends. Discover has no annual fee on any card, but other card issuers may charge for each year of card membership. Before applying for a card, make sure the fee doesn’t offset the potential interest savings.

If you’re transferring a high-interest balance to your new credit card, consider the balance transfer fee. Even if you get a 0% APR balance transfer credit card offer, you may still have to pay. Some credit card issuers charge a flat balance transfer fee, while others charge a percentage of the amount of money you transfer.

When should you get a low interest credit card?

It’s never a bad time to save money on interest. But a low-APR credit card offer may be especially helpful for certain financial needs.

Make a large purchase

Maybe you’re preparing to pay for your annual family vacation, furnish a new apartment, or buy a boat. With a low-interest credit card offer, you may divide that purchase across the promotional period and make regular payments each month.

Just ensure the transaction doesn’t take up too much of your credit limit, or you may increase your credit utilization ratio.

Transfer high interest debt

If you have credit card debt on a high-interest card, you might feel like your payments barely chip away at the balance. A balance transfer credit card offer may help you get back on track.

A credit card balance transfer lets you move your debt from a card with a high APR to a new credit card. Your new credit card issuer may offer a 0% intro APR for balance transfers.

Without mounting interest costs increasing your balance, you may be able to pay down your debt more easily. It’s important to repay your balance before the introductory period ends and the regular interest rate kicks in.

The introductory interest rate for new purchases on your credit card may not be the same as the introductory interest rate for balance transfers. Before you shop, check your card details for information about the regular interest rate.

Cover an unexpected expense

An unexpected expense, like an emergency vet visit or home repair, may throw off your budget. A low-interest credit card offer may give you the flexibility to address the situation right away instead of worrying about paying the cost all at once. The promotional period gives you time to repay the cost in installments.

The bottom line

A low introductory APR credit card offer may help you tackle a major purchase or manage your credit card debt. But responsible credit habits are crucial. If you don’t repay your balance in full during the promotional period, you may miss out on interest savings.

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