Best Low-Interest-Rate Credit Cards & Offers in 2023
A low-interest credit card is an outstanding tool to utilize short-term borrowing. Along with favorable interest rates, these credit cards often have many other perks that can benefit cardholders.
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
MoneyGeek experts looked at several of the best low-interest-rate credit cards to find the top cards available. We compared cards based on their interest rates, rewards programs, and initial bonus offers. We looked for cards that offered 0% introductory APR offers as well.
0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months then a 17.74% – 28.49% Variable APR afer that
Introductory Fee– either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater for the first four months of account opening, after that balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% after first four.
Intro balance transfer fee: 3% or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5
Introductory Fee– either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater for the first four months of account opening, after that balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% after first four.
Intro balance transfer fee: 3% or $5 minimum, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5
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Low interest rates are available on nearly any type of loan. Credit cards, mortgages, auto loans and student loans all have significant differences in interest rates. Still, with an excellent credit score and due diligence, you can find a product that fits your needs and gives you the low interest rate you desire.
Best Low-Interest-Rate Credit Cards in 2023
A credit card with 0% interest on balance transfers or new purchases can be seen as nearly an interest-free loan. It is quite popular to put a large purchase or transfer an old credit card balance to one of these cards, to utilize an interest-free loan.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card - Best for balance transfers
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card comes with an intro 0% APR offer on balance transfers for 21 months from the date of the first transfer. However, you need to pay balance transfer fees and must complete your balance transfers within four months from account opening. Its 0% APR offer on purchases lasts for 12 months from account opening. This card does not charge any annual fees.
Citi Simplicity® Card - Perfect for balance transfers
The Citi Simplicity® Card’s 0% APR offer extends to 21 months for balance transfers and 12 months for purchases. You need to carry out your balance transfers within four months of account opening to take advantage of the offer, and you need to pay balance transfer fees. This card comes with no annual fees.
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card - Ideal for purchases and balance transfers
The no-annual-fee U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 20 billing cycles. However, the offer only applies to balances transferred within 60 days of account opening, and you’re required to pay balance transfer fees. This card offers complimentary cell phone protection.
Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Card - Great for purchases and earning rewards
The Wells Fargo Autograph Visa Card comes with an intro APR offer on purchases for 12 months but not on balance transfers. It’s also worth noting that not only will you be charged the regular APR for balance transfers, but you’ll also have to pay a balance transfer fee. You earn 3X points per dollar on restaurant, travel, transit, gas, phone plan and popular streaming service purchases. All other purchases earn 1X points per dollar. Additional benefits come in the form of cell phone protection, roadside dispatch and auto rental collision damage waiver. This card does not charge any annual fees.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card - Perfect for balance transfers and purchases
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card comes with an intro 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months. The bank extends the offer by three months if you make all your payments on time, taking the total to 21 months. You get 120 days to carry out balance transfers to take advantage of the offer. While you need to pay balance transfer fees for each balance transfer you carry out, you pay no annual fees. Added benefits include complimentary roadside dispatch and cell phone protection.
Citi® Double Cash Card - Best for balance transfers and cash back
The Citi® Double Cash Card’s intro 0% APR offer applies on balance transfers for 18 months. You need to complete the transfer process within four months from account opening, and you’ll need to pay a balance transfer fee. This no-annual-fee card lets you earn up to 2% cash back on all purchases. You earn 1% when you make purchases and an additional 1% when you make your payments.
Chase Slate Edge℠ - Great for balance transfers and purchases
The no-annual-fee Chase Slate Edge℠ Card comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months. Using this card to transfer balances requires that you pay balance transfer fees. If you spend at least $1,000 each year and make all your payments on time, you get the ability to lower your regular APR by 2% every year until it reaches a predetermined minimum threshold. Making your payments on time and spending at least $500 within the first six months qualifies you for an automatic higher credit limit review.
Chase Freedom Unlimited - Great for purchases, balance transfers and cash back
The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited Card comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. Balance transfer fees apply. You can earn up to 5% cash back on category-based spending. Bonus categories include travel, dining and drugstore purchases. You also stand to earn a spend-based welcome bonus.
Chase Freedom Flex℠ - Perfect for balance transfers, purchases and cash back
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card charges no annual fees. It comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months. You need to pay balance transfer fees when transferring balances from other cards. This card offers 5% cash back on different quarterly bonus categories and up to 5% cash back on bonus categories that stay the same at all times. A spend-based welcome bonus is also there for the taking.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card - Best for purchases, balance transfers and cash back
You pay no annual fees to use the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card. Its 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers stays in place for 15 months. All purchases you make using this card come with 2% cash back. Meeting a simple spend-based requirement earns you a welcome bonus. This card also offers complimentary cell phone protection.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Best balance transfer card for immediate transfers
ExcellentRecommended Credit
0% Intro APR on new purchasesAPR Offer
12 monthsAPR Offer Duration
0% Intro APR, then 17.74% – 28.49% variable APR thereafterBalance Transfer Offer
17.24% – 27.99% VariableAPR
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is an effective balance transfer solution. A 0% APR applies on balance transfers for 21 months, from the date of the first transfer. The card also comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases for 12 months.
Afterward, you’ll face a variable APR based on your credit score. This basic card limits your ability to make use of the balance transfer offer after four months, so you’ll need to use this card quickly to take advantage of its benefits.
With that in mind, this can be a fantastic balance transfer card if you have a specific financial goal in mind and if you want to benefit from Citi’s other deal-sweeteners, including special tickets to events like concerts or dining experiences and free FICO score access.
All told, this simple balance transfer card is quick to grasp and easy to use to its full extent, making it a particularly good choice for cardholders that don’t like a lot of complex rules or bells and whistles.
Pros
Long 0% APR introductory term
No annual fees
Free access to FICO score online
Special access to Citi-branded tickets to events, etc.
Cons
Limited time to make balance transfers
No other significant rewards
Balance transfer fee of 5% of each amount transferred or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months and 0% APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of between 17.24% – 27.99% based on your credit
Enjoy Citi Entertainment rewards and tickets upon making your account
Free FICO score access can be found through your online account’s portal
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
The Citi Simplicity® Card might work well for people who’re looking for balance transfer cards with no annual fees. This card comes with a 0% APR offer on balance transfers for 21 months, after that, the variable APR will be 17.74% - 28.49%. However, you need to complete your balance transfer within the first four months, and you need to pay an Introductory Fee- either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater for the first four months of account opening, after that balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% after first four. An intro 0% APR offer also applies on purchases for 12 months, after that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.99%.
If you get the Citi Simplicity® Card, you may choose your own due date. You may also benefit through Citi Identity Theft Solutions and $0 liability on unauthorized charges
This card comes with foreign transaction fees and cash advance fees. It is one of the few cards you may find that charge no late payment fees. However, returned payments attract fees.
Pros
No annual fee
Long 0% APR introductory offer
Citi perks
No penalty rate
No late fees
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
No rewards
You need to pay an Introductory Fee- either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater for the first four months of account opening, after that balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% after the first four.
You can have a flexible payment due date that can adjust to your unique situation.
0% intro APR for purchases for 12 months and 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers, then variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.99% thereafter
No annual fees.
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
An excellent balance transfer card with no annual fees and an extended intro APR offer
Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
0% Intro APR on new purchasesAPR Offer
18 billing cyclesAPR Offer Duration
0% Intro APR, then 18.74% – 28.74% variable APR thereafterBalance Transfer Offer
18.74% – 28.74% VariableAPR
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card is an excellent option for people who wish to pay no interest on purchases and balance transfers for an extended duration because this card's 0% APR offer stays in place for the first 18 billing cycles. After the intro period, a creditworthiness-based interest rate of 18.74% – 28.74% (Variable) applies.
You pay no annual fees for the life of the card. You may use its complimentary cell phone protection in case you lose or damage your phone. Fraud protection safeguards you against possible misuse of your card.
If you're looking for a card to pay off high-interest credit card debt through a balance transfer within 18 billing cycles, this card might work well for you.
Pros
No annual fee to increase your expenses
Excellent intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers
Comes with cell phone insurance
Flexible bill payment dates
Cons
Foreign transaction and cash advance fees
No rewards
0% APR for 18 billing cycles after account opening applies on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.74% – 28.74% (Variable) APR after the introductory period
Balance transfer fee is 3% of the transfer amount or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Up to $600 cell phone protection against theft or damage, provided you pay your monthly cellular bill with this card
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
A good no-annual-fee business credit card for earning cash back/reward points
Good – ExcellentRecommended Credit
$0Annual Fee
1.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
7.99% + prime – 17.99% + primeAPR
We recommend the Wells Fargo Business Platinum Credit Card to small and mid-sized business owners who wish to earn cash back/rewards without paying any annual fees. The fact that you may add up to 99 employee cards without paying any additional fees also helps. Plus, you may benefit from this card’s introductory nine-month 0% APR offer.
New cardholders earn a cash back bonus of $300 or 30,000 bonus points if they spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. If you choose to earn cash back, all eligible purchases come with 1.5% cash back. If you opt for reward points, every dollar spent on purchases earns 1 point, and you earn 1,000 bonus points if you spend at least $1,000 during a billing cycle.
Using this card outside of the U.S. is ideal, as it comes with no foreign transaction fees. Additional benefits include access to online spending reports and cash management tools.
Pros
No annual fees
Earn reward points or cash back
Spend-based welcome bonus
0% APR offer for the first nine months
Get up to 99 employee cards
No foreign transaction fees
Cons
Balance transfer fees
Redemption fee applies when you redeem points for airline tickets
Need to spend at least $1,000 per month to earn bonus points
No annual and foreign transaction fees
Earn 30,000 bonus points or $300 as a cash back bonus by spending $3,000 on purchases within three months
Earn 1.5% cash back on purchases by selecting the cash back option
Earn 1 point per dollar through the reward points option
Opt for reward points to earn 1,000 bonus points each month by spending at least $1,000 during the preceding billing cycle
0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first nine months
Receive three balance transfer welcome letter checks by mail to use for balance transfers
Need to pay a 4% balance transfer fee
Need to pay a $24 redemption fee if you redeem points for airline tickets
Auto rental and travel accident insurance
Purchase security and zero liability protection
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
A good no annual fee card with a lengthy 0% APR offer
Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
$0Annual Fee
18 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
18 monthsAPR Offer Duration
We recommend the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card to people who’re looking for 0% APR cards with no annual fees. This card comes with a 0% intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers. In addition, if you make on-time payments, you may qualify for an extension of up to three more months.
If you wish to qualify for the intro rate offer on balance transfers, you need to carry out the desired transfers within 120 days from account opening. In this case, a balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the transferred amount (greater of the two) will apply. For transfers initiated after the 120-day period, the fee changes to $5 or 5% of the transferred amount.
All cardholders get complimentary cell phone insurance and access to 24/7 emergency roadside assistance. If you plan to use your card outside of the U.S., you’ll need to pay a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Pros
No annual fee
Up to $600 cell phone protection for eligible theft or damage
0% introductory APR on new purchases and balance transfers
Opportunity to extend intro APR period with timely payments
Zero liability protection
Competitive variable APR
Cons
No rewards program or welcome bonus
Foreign transaction fee of 3%
Balance transfer fee increases from 3% to 5% after 120 days
Intro APR may lapse if you don't make on-time payments
0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for up to 21 months
No annual fee
$600 cell phone protection available for those who pay their monthly cell phone bill with this card
Cash back is available in the form of statement credit through My Wells Fargo Deals
24/7 on-demand roadside dispatch network that offers roadside assistance, locksmith services and towing
$40 late fee
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
A great no-annual-fee card that offers up to 2% cash back
Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
$0Annual Fee
2% Cash Back*Rewards Rate
2xRewards Rate on Gas
2xRewards Rate on Groceries
We think the Citi® Double Cash Card is a great no-annual-fee card because it lets you earn up to 2% cash back on purchases across all categories. You may redeem your cash back in the form of a statement credit, a direct deposit, a check or even by converting it to points.
You may look forward to savings by using the card's 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.24% – 28.24% (Variable) if you wish to pay off existing balances from high-interest cards.
Features such as 24-hour fraud protection, identity theft solutions, $0 liability on unauthorized charges and the lost wallet service are in place to safeguard cardholders' interests.
All cardholders get access to Citi Entertainment, through which they may purchase presale tickets.
Pros
Pay no annual fees
Pay 0% APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months
Earn up to 2% cash back on purchases across all categories
No caps on earning cash back
Options to redeem cash back rewards include a statement credit, direct deposit, check or conversion to points
Purchase tickets to scores of events, including presale tickets, through Citi Entertainment
Increased account safety through 24-hour fraud protection and $0 liability on unauthorized charges
Complimentary Lost Wallet service and identity theft solutions
Cons
Cash back rewards expire if you do not earn any cash back from purchases or payments for those purchases in a 12-month period
Foreign transaction fees
Cash advance fees
Balance transfer fees
Penalty APR applies in case of late and returned payments
$0 annual fees
Up to 2% unlimited cash back on purchases
Redeem cash back rewards as a statement credit, a check or a direct deposit
Converting cash back rewards to Thank You points is an option
Intro 0% APR offer on balance transfers for the first 18 months, then variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.24% after that.
Get access to presale tickets via Citi Entertainment
24-hour fraud protection, $0 liability on unauthorized charges and identity theft solutions provide added peace of mind
Get emergency cash through the lost wallet service
Foreign transaction fees apply on international transactions
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
A great no annual fee cash back card with a 0% APR offer
Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
$0Annual Fee
2% Cash BackRewards Rate
2xRewards Rate on Gas
2xRewards Rate on Groceries
We think the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card might work well you if you wish to earn cash back and pay no annual fee. As a new cardholder, you may earn a $200 cash rewards bonus if you spend $1,000 on purchases during the first three months. This card also comes with a 0% APR offer for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers 2% cash back on all purchases. You may use the cash back you earn to offset eligible purchases, you may redeem it as a credit to an existing Wells Fargo credit card, checking or mortgage account, you may redeem it through ATMs or you may use it to purchase gift cards.
Additional benefits come in the form of cell phone protection and access to a 24/7 concierge service as well as the Visa Signature Hotel Collection. Using this card outside of the U.S. might not work well for you, given its 3% foreign transaction fee.
Pros
2% cash back rewards on all spending
Unlimited cash back rewards that don't expire
No annual fee
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
$200 welcome bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases within three months from account opening
Access to Visa Concierge and Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
Balance transfer fees
Limitations on welcome bonus eligibility
No annual fee
2% cash back on all purchases
Redeem cash back as a statement credit, a direct deposit to a Wells Fargo account, or a mailed check
Spend $1,000 within three months from account opening to earn a $200 welcome bonus
Enjoy 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for first 15 months
3% foreign transaction fee
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.
For those interested in reducing the amount they pay in credit card interest, the best way to avoid interest altogether is to pay your credit card balance in full. While that isn’t always possible, the next best thing is to consider a credit card with zero interest or low interest rates.
Creditworthiness required: Qualifying for most low-interest credit cards requires that you have good to excellent creditworthiness. This means you should have a FICO score of 670 or higher.
Annual fees: Some of the best low-interest cards do away with annual fees. However, you might need to pay annual fees if you’re looking for a card that also offers higher-than-usual rewards or travel benefits.
Foreign transaction fees: You need to pay attention to this aspect if you plan to use your card outside of the U.S. While some low-interest cards charge this fee, you can find several cards that do not.
Payment flexibility: Some low-interest cards let you pay for your purchases over time through plans that charge fixed monthly fees and no interest. The Chase Slate Edge℠ credit card makes for a perfect example.
Introductory APR: The duration of the intro APR offer may vary from one card to the next. For example, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card’s intro 0% APR offer applies for 21 months on balance transfers but only for 12 months on purchases. The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card, on the other hand, comes with a 0% APR offer for the first 20 billing cycles on both purchases and balance transfers. >>MORE: APR vs. APY
Ongoing APR: This aspect requires your attention if you plan to maintain revolving balances once the promo period ends. Bear in mind that any outstanding balance from your balance transfers starts accruing interest at the end of the intro APR period.
Rewards: Not all low-interest-rate credit cards offer rewards or cash back. Moreover, while you may find cards that offer the same rewards-earning rate across all purchases, there are others that offer higher-than-usual rates on bonus categories.
Sign-up offers: Depending on the card you select, you may earn a welcome bonus. For example, you might earn $200 as a cash reward by spending $1,000 within the first three months.
Added perks: Added perks typically come at a cost, usually in the form of an annual fee. While $0 fraud liability is a staple across most consumer cards, you might not expect much else from most no-annual-fee low-interest cards. Some of the other benefits that cards on this page may offer include cell phone protection and roadside dispatch
MoneyGeek’s Quick Guide to Low-Interest-Rate Credit Cards
A low-interest-rate credit card is an excellent product to have in your wallet to give yourself spending flexibility. In addition, using your credit card responsibly and ensuring your statement is paid on time each month can quickly improve your credit score.
However, just because a card has a low-interest rate doesn’t mean that any extra money out of your pocket is a good thing. When looking for a low-interest credit card, be sure to read the terms and conditions of each credit card carefully.
If the card advertises an APR over 12%, that would be considered a high-interest rate. Anything below 10% is regarded as a low-interest credit card.
If you have a large purchase coming up, or revolving credit card debt, consider sitting down and running the numbers of how much interest you would accrue with a low-interest-rate credit card. Interest rates are important, but what you’ll spend in interest overall is just as crucial to consider.
Here are a few benefits to having a low-interest credit card.
Short-Term Lending: If you are running into financial difficulty and need to make a purchase, a low-interest credit card is an excellent product to do that. If you go this route, be sure to pay your bill off as quickly as possible. The faster it’s paid, the less interest you’ll accrue.
Rewards Programs: Typically, credit cards with 0% introductory APR offers don’t offer robust rewards for your spending. Low-interest credit cards will likely offer either travel rewards or cash back to incentivize spending.
How Do Low-Interest-Rate Credit Cards Work?
Low-interest-rate credit cards are simple products. The credit card issuer offers you flexible spending and repayment terms while you pay them an interest rate for the service.
The benefit of using a low-interest-rate credit card is that you have flexibility with how much you pay back over time without unreasonably high interest rates. This strategy is typically good for a large purchase — such as a TV or appliance — that you plan to pay off relatively quickly.
Once your monthly balance is calculated, you’ll be charged interest on the amount not paid off.
For example, let’s say you have a $1,000 balance on a low-interest credit card, and you only pay $100 per month at a 9% interest rate. Your total amount of interest you will pay is $36 over 11 months. For many, this interest rate is nominal compared to the overall balance.
However, with that same $1,000 balance on a card with an 18% interest rate, paying $100 per month will cost you $75 over 11 months. That’s double the interest accrued on a low-interest credit card.
Low-Interest-Rate vs. Regular Credit Cards
It can be challenging to decipher the differences between low-interest-rate credit cards and regular credit cards. The standard interest rate for many credit cards will hover around 18%, which is high. At that interest rate, it’s not advised to have a revolving balance. Additionally, it’s rare to see a credit card ever advertised as “low interest.”
The chart below can help you distinguish between low interest rates, somewhat high interest rates, high interest rates and extremely high interest rates.
How to Make the Most Out of Low-Interest Rates or Offers
A low-interest credit card is a great tool to utilize when you need short-term financing for a purchase.
If you regularly carry balances on your credit card, it’s best to strategically have them on low-interest credit cards to avoid spending more money on interest than necessary. Additionally, you may also qualify for a 0% introductory APR where you can transfer your balance to a card that won’t accrue any interest for a select period.
Keep in mind that if you’re a loyal and on-time paying customer, a credit card issuer may lower your interest rate if you ask. Issuers spend millions of dollars in advertising to get your business, so it benefits them to lower your interest rate rather than lose your business.
Low-Interest-Rate Credit Cards for Paying Down Debts
If paying interest is a regular occurrence for you, think about getting a low-interest rate credit card to pay down your debt. Given that many credit cards come with APRs of around 18%, transferring such debt to a card with a low interest rate or even an introductory 0% APR rate can save you a significant amount of money each month.
Low-Interest-Rate Credit Cards for Financing Big Purchases
A low-interest-rate credit card can be a convenient way to make a large purchase without accruing excessive interest. For example, you could use the Simmons Rewards Visa Signature® Card to make the purchase and benefit through its modest variable purchase APR. Alternatively, you may transfer a balance from an existing card to make use of its 0% APR offer on balance transfers for 12 months.
Low-Interest Rate Credit Cards for Carrying a Balance
Carrying a balance on a credit card is usually best avoided. However, paying some interest can be a small cost for much-needed financial flexibility. In such a case, a credit card with a 9% APR and a $2,000 revolving balance only accumulates $15 per month in interest if you pay $150 each month.
How to Reduce Your Interest Payments
The best way to reduce your interest payments is to bring down your outstanding balances as quickly as possible. To do this, you need to pay more than the minimum monthly payment, and ideally, as much as possible. Negotiating with your card’s issuer for a lower interest rate is an option, although there’s no guarantee that this will happen. You may also think about consolidating debt from multiple cards and moving it to a balance transfer card.
How Much You Will Pay With Your Current Credit Card
How Much You Will Pay When You Transfer Your Balance
Current outstanding balance: $13,000 Regular APR: 18.49% Monthly payment: $650 Time required to pay off the balance: 25 months Total amount to pay: $15,660.80
Balance transfer amount: $13,000 Balance transfer fee: 3% Intro APR: 0% for 20 months Regular APR: 16.49% Monthly payment: $650 Time required to pay off the balance: 20 months Total amount to pay: $13,394.30
Total savings: $2,266.50
How We Rank Low-Interest-Rate Credit Cards
Our lists of the best credit cards are based on publicly available data from card issuers and other reputable sources like the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.
We review each card's fees, interest rates, rewards, benefits and more to assign a rating for each feature. These ratings are stack ranked and weighted for each card category to determine our top selections for each type of user.
Because card details change regularly, we revisit our data each month to update our ratings, recommendations and other card information as needed. Learn more about our data collection and ranking process.
Top Rating Criteria for Low-Interest-Rate Cards
On-Going APR
0% APR Offers
Balancer Transfer Offers
Expert Advice For Finding the Right Card
We’ve asked financial experts from around the country a few important questions about low-interest credit cards and how they work to help you with the decision-making process.
In what way can making a large purchase on a low-interest credit card hurt a cardholder’s credit score?
What can people do to increase their odds of getting lower APRs on their credit cards?
Is it possible to get a lower interest rate on an existing card? If so, how can one go about making it happen?
Malcolm Robinson
Professor of Economics at Thomas More University
John Drea
Ruth Badger Pixley Professor of Social Sciences and Professor of Business at Illinois College
Steven J. Welch
Associate Professor of Finance and Chair of the Department of Accounting & Finance at at College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
Haibo (Stephen) Yao
Assistant Professor of Insurance & Risk Management at the University of Central Arkansas
Drew Gold
Associate Professor at Saint Leo University
Debora Almirall
Instructor of Finance at the Labovitz School of Business and Economics at the University of Minnesota
Brian Blank
Assistant Professor of Finance at Mississippi State University
Dr. Dima Leshchinskii
Associate Professor of Finance at Menlo College
Carlo Silvesti
Adjunct Professor of Accounting, Gwynedd Mercy University
Chris Tamm
Associate Professor of Finance, Director - Institute for Financial Planning & Analysis at Illinois State University
Seddik Meziani
Professor of Finance at Montclair State University and ETF Author and Speaker
Dr. Mary Sasmaz
Assistant Professor at Baldwin Wallace University
Matthew Imes
Assistant Professor of Finance at Stetson University
Martha Cruz Zuniga
Clinical Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics at The Catholic University of America
Lawrence Chui
Associate Professor of Accounting at the University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business
Ariel Belasen
Professor of Economics and Finance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Scott Lail
Assistant Professor of Accounting at Wingate University
Mauricio Rodriguez
Professor at the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University
Jennifer Bethel
Professor of Finance at Babson College
Priya Raghubir
Professor of Marketing at New York University Stern School of Business
Richard M. Proctor
Associate Professor of Finance at University of Siena
Dr. Arun Upadhyay
Associate Professor - Department of Finance at Florida International University
Henry McKoy
Faculty Member and Director of Entrepreneurship, School of Business; Managing Director of the Eagle Angel Network at North Carolina Central University
Dr. Corey Cole
Assistant Professor of Finance at Eastern New Mexico University
Robert H. Scott III, Ph.D
Professor in the Department of Economics, Finance and Real Estate at Monmouth University
Prasenjit Ghosh
Assistant Professor of Ag Business at the University of Southern Indiana
Robert Bergman
Professor of Marketing at Lewis University
Jaime Peters
Assistant Dean & Assistant Professor of Finance at Maryville University
Keith Johnson
Vice President and Executive Director of The Regency Foundation at Cairn University
Dr. Brock Zehr
Associate Professor Business & Economics at Huntington University
Dan Horne
Michael A. Ruane Professor of Marketing at Providence College School of Business
Dr. Jeff Jones
Head of the Finance and General Business Department at Missouri State University
Scott E. Hein, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Finance at Rawls College of Business, Texas Tech University
Joseph K. Grant
Professor at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Dr. Francisca Marie Beer
Professor of Accounting and Finance at California State University, San Bernardino
Lawrence J. White
Professor of Economics, Stern School of Business, New York University
Dr. Randal Ice
Barnabas Professor of Finance at the University of Central Oklahoma
Suzanne Fogel
Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Marketing at DePaul University
Dr. Jukka Laitamaki
Clinical Professor at New York University School of Professional Studies
Xavier Garza-Gomez
Professor of Finance at the University of Houston-Victoria
Gregory Germain
Professor at Syracuse University College of Law
Dr. Sahar Milani
Associate Professor of Economics at St. Lawrence University
Michael Bond
Adjunct Lecturer in Finance at the Eller College of Management
Andrea Francis
Professor of Accounting at LaGuardia Community College
Dr. Scott Thorne
Instructor in Marketing at Southeast Missouri State University
Dr. Julie Heath
Executive Director of the Alpaugh Family Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati
Andrew Macdonald, CFA, CFP
Adjunct Professor of Finance, Knauss School of Business, University of San Diego
Cristian Tiu
Chair and Associate Professor of Finance at the University at Buffalo
Wei-Chung Wang
Professor of Business and Economics and Associate Provost at Juniata College
Suman Banerjee
Associate Professor of Finance, School of Business at Stevens Institute of Technology
Kathryn Morrison
Instructor at the School of Health & Consumer Sciences at South Dakota State University
Jim Connell, DBA
Associate Professor of Finance in the Stephens College of Business at the University of Montevallo
Dr. Jack McCann
Course Lead and Graduate Faculty in HRM at Purdue University Global
Wooyang Kim, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marketing at Minnesota State University Moorhead
Elizabeth Minton
Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Wyoming
Masud Chand
Professor at Wichita State University
Mark S. Rosenbaum, Ph.D.
Dean of the College of Business at Hawai‘i Pacific University
Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing, Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University
Mr. D. Scott Emge
Executive in Residence - Finance, Sellinger School of Business at Loyola University Maryland
Paul Goebel
Director of the Student Money Management Center at the University of North Texas
Robert Murphy
Associate Professor at Boston College
Shawn Tysiak
Senior Lecturer of Finance at the University of Toledo
Dr. Geoffrey Ngene
Associate Professor of Financial Economics at the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business at Mercer University
Seung Hee Choi
Chair and Professor of Finance at The College of New Jersey
George Haloulakos, CFA
CFA Charterholder and Finance Instructor at UC San Diego
Brian Starr
Assistant Professor of Economics at Lubbock Christian University
Dr. Leo Chan
Associate Professor of Finance Economics at Utah Valley University
Dr. Eric R. Kushins
Assistant Professor of Management at Campbell School of Business
Thomas J. Norman
Professor at California State University - Dominguez Hills
Catalin Stefanescu
Professorial Lecturer at the Kogod School of Business at American University
Dr. Abigail Hall Blanco
Associate Professor of Economics at Bellarmine’s Rubel School of Business
Dr. Kwamie Dunbar
Associate Professor of Finance at Simmons University
Breagin Riley
Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at UNC
Latha Ramchand
Executive Vice Chancellor, Provost at the University of Missouri
Stephanie Black, PhD
Associate Professor at Texas A&M University – San Antonio
John Gironda
Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Dr. Susanne L. Toney
Associate Professor of Economics at Hampton University
Linda M. Hooks
Professor of Economics and Head of the Economics Department at Washington and Lee University
Jared Watson
Assistant Professor of Marketing at New York University Stern School of Business
FAQs About Low-Interest-Rate Credit Cards
Low-interest credit cards can seem to be too good to be true, but they aren't. Low-interest options are an excellent choice for those who want purchasing power at a relatively small cost.
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about low-interest-rate credit cards.
Currently, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card and the Citi Simplicity® Card offer the longest 0% interest offers on balance transfers — at 21 months. However, their 0% APR offers on purchases only last 12 months. The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card scores better when it comes to purchases. Its 0% APR offer for 20 months applies to both balance transfers and purchases.
To qualify for a low-interest-rate credit card, you’ll likely need at least a credit score of 600. However, keep in mind that your credit score isn’t the only factor considered when you apply.
Someone could be denied a low-interest-rate credit card because of a low credit score, high debt-to-income ratio, lack of employment history, delinquency or bankruptcy.
If you’re paying an exorbitant amount of interest on credit card debt, you may want to consider transferring some of your revolving debt onto a low-interest credit card. Alternatively, consider taking out a personal loan to consolidate and pay your debt.
It’s unlikely, but it’s worth a shot. Worst case scenario, you’ll be denied for the low-interest credit card. If that is the case, consider a secured credit card to help build up your credit score.
Low-interest-rate credit cards are a good option for nearly everyone as they charge lower interest fees than other credit cards.
Yes. As long as you pay your credit card statement on time, a low-interest credit card can help you build a positive credit history.
It is highly unlikely. It’s best to stick with secured credit cards to begin building back your credit score.
Yes, many low-interest credit cards offer rewards. Be sure to look at each card individually to see what type of rewards it offers.
There are several credit cards available that offer introductory 0% interest offers. The pitfall of these credit cards is that the low introductory offers are only for a finite amount of time. Once the time is up, the credit card will return to a normal interest rate.
Interest rate fluctuation on credit cards is very normal and occurs in reaction to federal interest rates dictated by the Federal Reserve.
Low-interest-rate credit cards are a great way to lower your expenses each month. The best way to save money is to avoid accruing interest altogether. When that isn’t an option, paying lower interest on your balances is always better.
Remember that as a customer of the credit card companies, they want to work with you. If you’re struggling to pay off credit card debt, or simply need your interest rates lowered, don’t hesitate to give customer service a call. It could help you out more than you think.
Brett Holzhauer is a personal finance reporter. He has written for several leading publications and is mentioned in many others, including Forbes Advisor, Lending Tree, CNBC and ValuePenguin. An alum of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State, when he is not reporting, Brett is likely scuba diving, golfing or watching college football. He tweets regularly at @brett_holzhauer.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more aboutour editorial policies andexpert editorial team. Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.