A 0% APR credit card offers no interest for a period of time, typically six to 21 months. During the introductory no interest period, you won't incur interest on new purchases, balance transfers or both (it all depends on the card).
A 0 percent APR credit card can be a great financial tool, but there are debt traps to be aware of when using one. Always make the minimum payments on your credit card to avoid consequences like late fees, damaged credit and penalty APRs.
Even though you won't be charged interest during your promotional 0% APR period, you'll still owe a minimum payment amount each month. In fact, if you don't pay at least the minimum due each billing cycle, your interest-free offer may be voided. (More on that below).
When your intro APR ends, your credit card's regular APR will kick in on any remaining and new balances. Knowing when your promotional period ends helps you pay off your balance beforehand and keeps you from being surprised by mounting interest on a residual balance.
A credit card with an introductory 0 percent APR can help you manage new debt or pay off old balances. However, a 0 percent intro APR card can hurt your credit if it causes you to carry a higher balance than usual or if you carry your balance beyond the introductory offer period.
The card's regular interest rate will kick in
This interest rate will apply to all new purchases (and potentially balance transfers) that you don't pay off in full every month, as well as any unpaid balance from the intro period — and it will be a much higher rate than 0%.
Companies that offer zero-interest loans tout these vehicles as no-lose opportunities for borrowers. A major purchase that might otherwise require a lump-sum payment can be spread out over 12 months to several years, with 0% interest, thereby creating a more palatable cash flow situation.
A 0% APR credit card can work better for you if you plan on making a large purchase and don't anticipate paying the balance anytime soon. However, if you plan on paying the balance in full after each billing cycle and want to minimize costs, then a no annual fee card would be recommended.
The minimum payment is the smallest amount of money that you have to pay each month to keep your account in good standing. Paying it will avoid late fees and penalty APRs, but you'll still carry a balance on your card.
Your 0% APR deal could be canceled
Even with a 0% APR card, you'll still have to make monthly minimum payments — usually a small percentage of your balance. And if your payment is late, even by a single day, your card issuer could cancel the 0% offer and reset your card's interest rate to the ongoing APR.
There are many reasons that automakers and dealerships advertise 0 percent APR rates to customers. The main reason is that they want to sell cars, and this attractive offer often gets people in the door. Unfortunately, once you get in the door: You may realize that you don't qualify for 0 percent APR.
Your 0% interest rate is usually an introductory/promotional offer given to you for a limited time. Afterwards, any remaining introductory/promotional rate balance, will be charged at the card's standard rate.
Just because it's a 0% APR card doesn't mean it's free of fees. There could still be fees for late payments, cash advances and foreign transactions. Many of these fees may apply during the 0% introductory period, including balance transfer fees.
You'd save money on interest
If you paid $200 per month on such a card, you could become debt-free in 20 months with $0 in interest paid.
The bottom line on APR
Remember that APR is only applied if you're carrying an outstanding balance on your card. You can typically avoid paying any interest charges if you pay off your card balance before the statement period ends each month. Selecting the right credit card shouldn't be complicated.
A 0% APR credit card is a credit card that charges no interest on qualifying purchases, balance transfers or both for a fixed amount of time. This no-interest period is called a promotional period. If the promotional period is based on opening a new account, it may be referred to as an introductory period.
If you're disciplined to make on-time payments and pay off your balance before the intro period ends, then you will likely do well with a 0% APR credit card. However, if the 0% tempts you to overspend, you may face paying high interest charges if you're still carrying a balance after the intro period.
A 0 percent APR or interest-free auto deal essentially means you borrow money for free. Your monthly payments reimburse the lender for the money it paid the auto dealer, but no extra money from your pocket goes into the lender's bank account.
Key Takeaways
You usually need a very high credit score to qualify for zero interest loans. Zero interest car loans usually come with a higher price tag, expensive extras and strict repayment terms. If you miss even one payment, you lose your 0% interest rate and get charged late fees.
Unfortunately, the introductory offer doesn't last forever. When a credit card's intro 0% annual percentage rate (APR) period ends, you'll incur interest on any remaining balance and new purchases that aren't paid in full by the due date.
Then they make money from interchange fees that retailers pay on every purchase that a consumer charges to a credit card, from balance-transfer fees, and from customers who don't pay off the balance before the introductory period ends, thus having their remaining balances subject to the banks' regular interest rates.
Since the dealership only profits from the actual sale, they will rarely agree to bargain down the price and often waive other incentives, like cashback rebates. Stripping away rebates helps them make their money back. Because of this, a no-interest loan could cost more than the savings you'd get negotiating on price.
In most cases, a 0 percent intro APR is a special promotional interest rate that allows you to borrow money for a limited period of time — usually between 12 to 21 months. During that time, no interest accrues on your qualifying credit card balance.
A 0% car finance deal allows you to buy a car and pay for it in instalments without paying any interest. In other words, it lets you spread the cost of the vehicle over time without paying anything extra.