Cash-back credit cards aren’t well-known for new-cardholder 0% APR offers, those promotions that promise not to charge you interest on new purchases — or sometimes balance transfers — for a certain number of months.
But a bunch of cash-back rewards cards feature 0% APR offers, some so good they’re among the best you can get. You might get no-interest periods lasting 12 months, 15 months or 18 months. The promotional rate might apply to new purchases you make with the card or balances you transfer from another card, or both.
Generally, you don’t want to focus on a rewards card when you’ll be carrying a monthly balance because the interest you pay will erode or surpass the value of rewards. Better would be a card specifically tailored for those wanting a no-interest period or low ongoing interest.
But these cash-back cards buck conventional wisdom by giving you the best of both worlds: cash-back rewards along with an impressive APR offer that buys you time to pay down debt. And many of them don’t even charge an annual fee.
0% APR, purchases and balance transfers
Discover it® Cash Back
APR offer: 0% intro APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 11.99% – 22.99% Variable APR.
Cash-back rewards: 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate (on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Previous bonus categories have included things like restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and more.
Discover it® chrome
APR offer: 0% intro APR for 14 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 11.99% – 22.99% Variable APR.
Cash-back rewards: Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
APR offer: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 12 Billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 14.99% – 23.99% Variable APR.
Cash-back rewards: 4 points per $1 spent on dining; 2 points per $1 spent at grocery stores, gas stations and on eligible streaming services; 1 point per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Nerd tip: Some cards technically earn points that can be used as cash back. We generally consider them to be cash-back cards if you can redeem points for 1 cent each.
0% APR, purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
APR offer: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 14.99% – 23.74% Variable APR.
Cash-back rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
APR offer: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 13.99% – 23.99% Variable APR. Terms apply.
Cash-back rewards: 3% back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year (then 1%); 2% back at U.S. gas stations and select U.S. department stores; 1% back on other purchases. Terms apply.
Annual fee: $0. Terms apply.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
APR offer: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 13.99% – 23.99% Variable APR. Terms apply.
Cash-back rewards: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 in spending per year (then 1% back); 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions; 3% back on transit including U.S. gas stations; 1% back on other purchases. Terms apply.
Annual fee: $95. Terms apply.
0% APR, balance transfers
Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
APR offer: 0% on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 13.99% – 23.99% Variable APR.
Cash-back rewards: 2% cash back — 1% when you make the purchase, and another 1% back when you pay it off.
