The Best Cash Back Cards With 0% Intro APR Offers

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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

Top cash back cards with 0% intro APR offers

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.