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The best cash back credit cards don’t charge an annual fee, and many also come with introductory APR offers that apply to purchases, balance transfers or both. These benefits let you cash rewards on your spending while paying down your balance interest-free for a limited time. Cash back cards with 0 percent APR intro offers also tend to have long-term value, since the other benefits don’t stop after the intro period ends.
While it’s easy to find a card with cash back or an intro offer, we’ll show you the cards that have the best of both worlds and how to choose the right one for you.
Comparing the best cards for cash back with 0% intro APR offers
| Card Name | Introductory offer | Reward highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR. |
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| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 months and 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, then 19.49% – 28.24% Variable APR. |
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| Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card | 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months and 0% intro on purchases for 15 months, then 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable) APR. |
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| Citi Double Cash® Card | 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers, then 18.24% – 28.24% (Variable) APR. |
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| Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 Months, then 17.49% – 23.49% Variable APR. |
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Top cash back cards with 0% intro APR offers
Best for flat-rate cash rewards
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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is ideal for people who want to earn cash back on every purchase without keeping track of bonus categories or earning caps. It’s uncommon to find an intro APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers on a card that also offers 2 percent cash rewards on every purchase. This is an effective choice for anyone who needs to transfer a balance or make a large purchase since the flat rate cash rewards extends the card’s value beyond the end of your intro period.
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Pros
- The welcome offer can help you offset the cost of a large purchase.
- Paying your cellphone bill with this credit card will qualify you for up to $600 in cellphone protection.
Cons
- You may not want to pack this card in your carry-on since it has a 3 percent foreign currency conversion fee.
- If you were looking for tons of perks, you might have better luck with another cash rewards card.
Best for bonus categories
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If you swipe your card the most at restaurants and drugstores but still want to earn a respectable rate of cash back everywhere else, then the Chase Freedom Unlimited® might be the right card for you. With some planning, you could stack the welcome bonus with the introductory APR offer to pay off a large purchase over time. Compared to other cards in this category, the Chase Freedom Unlimited has a slightly longer intro offer period, which may make it easier to pay off any balances you accumulate.
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Pros
- The longer introductory period allows more time to pay off a balance without interest.
- This card comes with several perks that align with the bonus spending categories.
Cons
- The 3 percent foreign transaction fee means you won’t want to take this card on vacation abroad with you.
- If you aren’t a big spender on travel, dining or drug stores, this card might not be worth it for you.
Best for dining and entertainment
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People who spend a lot on food and fun will enjoy this cash back card with the added benefit of an intro APR for a limited time. The versatile Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card provides a high rate of cash back on entertainment and travel purchases. You’ll also be rewarded well for swiping at grocery stores, restaurants and for streaming services.
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Pros
- This card pairs well with highly rated travel cards like the Capital One Venture One Rewards or the Venture X.
- There’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fees to cut into your cash back with this card.
Cons
- If you aren’t able to pay off your balance by the end of the intro APR period, your remaining balance will be subject to a high interest rate.
- You’ll need excellent credit to qualify for this card, so it may be out of reach if your credit score needs a glow up.
Best for balance transfers
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The Citi Double Cash Card earns a healthy 2 percent total cash back, with 1 percent back on purchases and 1 percent back when you pay. There’s also an introductory APR offer for balance transfers, which is helpful if you need some help paying off a balance. Although the lengthier introductory period allows more flexibility to pay down debt, that intro offer doesn’t apply to purchases. The Citi Double Cash is perfect for people who want a lucrative balance transfer offer upfront but want to be able to earn cash back for the long haul once they’re debt-free.
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Pros
- The rewards structure of this card encourages you to pay off your balance.
- The intro APR offer is longer than most other cards in this category.
Cons
- You don’t have access to the full amount of your cash back until you repay the balance.
- The introductory offer on this card only applies to balance transfers, not purchases.
Best for small business
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Consider the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card if you want to earn long-term cash back with a business card with no annual fee, but you also want to pay down a large purchase (or several) for up to one year interest-free. Regular purchases earn a respectable flat rate of 1.5 percent cash back, so you won’t have to juggle bonus categories. The perks on this card also make it worth it for business owners with free employee cards, purchase protection, extended warranties and various travel insurance protections.
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Pros
- The substantial welcome offer can help you offset upcoming business expenses.
- If you have another Chase card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can combine your rewards.
Cons
- Other small business credit cards offer a higher rate of cash back on purchases with similar perks.
- Reaching the welcome offer spending requirement might be a stretch for some small businesses.
How to choose a cash back card with a zero-interest intro offer
When choosing a cash back credit card that has a zero percent offer, take these steps to make the right choice for you:
- Put your goals at the forefront. Are you using this card to pay off debt and earn rewards in the long run? Or are you making a big purchase and need time (and a sweet welcome offer) to pay it off? Whatever your goal is, make that the driving factor in your selection process.
- Decide what to prioritize. Would you prefer a long introductory APR period, high cash back rate or extensive perks and benefits? Get clear on the features you can’t live without and which ones you couldn’t care less for. If it helps, break out the pen and paper to make a list comparing the features of cards you like the most.
- Develop a clear plan for using the card. If you’re making a large purchase, for instance, that means you need to know how much it costs, when you’re making the purchase, and how quickly you can reasonably pay it off. All of those factors affect which cards you should go for.
- Know your credit score. Before you jump into applying for cards, check your credit score and know where your credit stands so you can quickly determine which cards you qualify for. If your top cards have a pre-qualification or pre-approval tool, make use of it to avoid wasting those precious hard inquiries that could drop your score. You can also use Bankrate’s CardMatch to find cards that match your credit profile.
Maximizing your zero-interest intro offer on a cash back card
A 0 percent intro APR offer on a cash back credit card is a great feature to help you pay off purchases or debt. Here’s how best to use this type of card to maximize its features:
- Don’t miss any payments: Missing a payment can void your intro APR offer — ending it prematurely — and affect your credit score. Stay on top of your credit card due dates and make at least the minimum payment (if not, larger payments) to adhere to the intro offer stipulations.
- Pay off the card before the end of the intro period: Whether you’re making a large purchase or doing a balance transfer, try to pay off the card before the end of the intro APR period. If you can’t pay the balance fully, at least plan to finish paying it off shortly after the intro APR period ends. If you don’t, then interest will begin accruing on your leftover balance.
- Don’t let rewards tempt you into overspending: While getting cash back and an intro APR on purchases or balance transfers is great, don’t let the allure of cash back tempt you into spending more than you can afford to pay off.
Why a 0% APR credit card with cash back is the best of both worlds
Cash back credit cards with 0 percent intro APR on purchases, balance transfers or both can be useful, both now and in the future. Not only can cardholders benefit from the rewards they earn and the intro APR offer that lets them skip interest for a limited time, but they can also continue earning rewards on their spending for as long as they have the card.
This is important since you may not want to open new credit cards frequently, given that how often you open new lines of credit — and how long you keep old accounts open — plays a role in the health of your credit score. New credit makes up 10 percent of FICO scores, while the average length of a person’s credit history makes up another 15 percent.
By opening a single cash back credit card with 0 percent APR and keeping it for the long-term, you can avoid damage to your credit score caused by opening new cards (and the hard inquiries that result) and shortening the average length of your credit history by opening a slew of new accounts throughout the year. At the same time, you’ll gain the ongoing value of cash back rewards, even after your 0 percent intro APR period expires.
What’s next?
Find your next cash back card with Bankrate’s tools.
The bottom line
The best cash back credit cards with a 0 percent intro APR will earn their place in your wallet for years to come. Many even come with valuable benefits and no annual fees. To find the card with the best zero percent intro APR offers, you’ll want to compare options and know the pros and cons of various cards to find the right fit for your spending.
However, even with the best cash back card at your disposal, interest charges can quickly outweigh the benefits if you aren’t paying off the balance in full each month. Once an intro APR offer ends, you’ll want to get in the habit of doing this to avoid credit card interest and maximize the value of your rewards.
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