Does a 0% APR card hurt my credit score?

Applying for a 0% APR card can cause a small, temporary dip in your credit score due to the hard inquiry, but the card itself won't hurt your score if you manage it responsibly.

What happens if I miss a payment during the 0% transfer promo?

You can lose the promo APR, get hit with a penalty APR, and owe late fees. Set autopay for at least the minimum and add calendar reminders.

How long do I have to initiate the transfer to keep the 0% rate?

Issuers give a transfer window (often 60–120 days after account opening). If you initiate after that, the standard APR may apply to the transfer.

Will new purchases accrue interest if I’m carrying a transferred balance?

Often, yes. Carrying any balance can forfeit the purchase grace period, so new purchases may accrue interest immediately. Use a separate card for new spending.

Balance Transfer

Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards 2025

Moving high-interest credit-card debt to a card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers can give you a real runway to pay it down faster. During the promo period, transferred balances don’t accrue interest; you still owe at least the minimum payment (and ideally more). The catches: there’s usually a one-time balance-transfer fee, you can lose the purchase grace period on new spending, and when the promo ends, the remaining balance moves to the card’s regular variable APR. The playbook below helps you pick—and use - the right 0% balance transfer card from the MoneyAtlas table. Always verify the promo length, transfer window (how long you have to initiate a transfer), balance-transfer fee, eligibility rules, and go-to APR in the issuer’s latest terms before you apply.

How 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards Work

A balance transfer moves existing credit-card (and sometimes other revolving) debt to a new card offering a time-limited 0% intro APR on transfers. During the promo, interest on the transferred amount is 0%. After it ends, any leftover balance accrues interest at the card’s regular variable APR. Most issuers require you to complete the transfer within a set window (e.g., 60–120 days) to qualify.

Important: Unless the card separately advertises a 0% purchase APR, new purchases are not interest-free and may forfeit your grace period if you carry the transferred balance.

Pros

One-time transfer fee reduces savings upfront.
Grace-period gotcha: new purchases can accrue interest right away if you don’t pay the statement balance in full.
Eligibility limits: generally no transfers within the same issuer; your new credit limit might not cover the full amount.

Cons

One-time transfer fee eats into savings upfront.
Grace-period gotcha: new purchases may start accruing interest right away if you don’t pay the statement balance in full.
Eligibility limits: you generally can’t transfer debt within the same issuer, and credit limits may not cover your full balance

Types of 0% Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Card Type	Ideal User	Insights
0% Purchases Only	Financing a planned expense	Great for spreading the cost of a renovation, wedding, or tech upgrade over time without interest.
0% Balance Transfer Only	Paying off existing debt	Look for the lowest transfer fee and the longest promo you can qualify for; avoid new purchases until the balance is gone.
Dual 0% Intro (Purchases + Transfers)	Both new spending and old balances	Handy if you need flexibility, but dual offers sometimes come with shorter promo lengths or higher transfer fees.
Low Ongoing Rate + Short 0% Intro	Long-term revolvers	A modest promo period paired with a below-average go-to APR cushions future borrowing costs once the intro ends.
Secured or Rebuilder 0%	Credit starters & rebuilders	Rare, but a few secured cards now include brief 0% purchase windows—use them to establish payment history without finance charges.

Key Features to Compare

Promo Length: Aim for enough time to erase the balance - longer isn’t always better if a no-fee shorter offer saves more overall.
Balance-Transfer Fee: Usually 3%–5%, charged immediately. Compare fee vs. expected interest avoided.
Go-To APR: The rate after the promo; matters if any balance might remain.
Transfer Window: How many days after approval you have to initiate transfers to lock the 0% rate.
Credit Score Needs: The best offers often require good credit (~670+ FICO); some banks consider fair profiles.
Extras: Rewards and perks are secondary—nice only if they don’t tempt overspending during payoff.

Five-Step Selection Framework

Check Your Score to filter for realistic approvals.
Define Your Goal: move and crush existing balances (not new spending).
Map Your Payoff Timeline so the promo length fits—and plan to kill the balance at least one statement early.
Compare Fee + Terms: transfer fee (%), transfer window, and go-to APR.
Apply, Transfer, Automate: initiate the transfer promptly, set autopay for at least the minimum, and calendar reminders 90 and 30 days before the promo ends.

Smart Usage Tips

Front-Load Payments: Larger early payments reduce the principal faster and cushion the end of the promo.
Don’t Mix Balances: Use a separate card for new purchases. Mixing can trigger interest and complicate allocation.
Mind Allocation Rules: Issuers apply amounts over the minimum to the highest-APR balance first—but minimums can still keep lower-APR portions lingering.
Watch Eligibility: You typically can’t transfer from another card of the same bank; check issuer rules.
Have a Fallback: If a balance remains near the deadline, consider a second transfer (if terms make sense) or a fixed-rate personal loan.

November 2025