Credit card 0 apr ba - Spaans (2024)

FAQs

Why might 0% APR not be good for your credit? ›

A 0% APR is not good for your credit if you overspend, as high credit utilization and missed payments hurt your credit score. If you end up carrying a balance from month to month after the 0% period ends, you will also owe expensive interest charges, making it hard to pay your bills on time and build credit.

0% APR cards require good to excellent credit

This means you'll need a FICO credit score of at least 670 or a VantageScore credit score of at least 661. If you have very good or excellent credit, which means a FICO score of at least 740 or a VantageScore of at least 781, your chances of approval are even higher.

Carrying a balance can negatively impact your credit score by increasing your credit utilization ratio. It is important to have a plan to pay off any balance before the end of the 0 percent intro APR period, and to make at least the minimum monthly payments on time.

on your credit – which can lead to a dip in your score. Plus, once your card's 0% APR promotional period ends, the regular interest rate will kick in. And if you're carrying a balance once the interest-free period ends, you'll owe interest on the remaining debt which, if unpaid, can negatively affect your credit score.

Avoiding interest is always a good goal, but zero-interest loans can lead buyers to overspend and come with a lot of strings attached. Carefully evaluate your purchase—is this what you intended to buy, and will you realistically pay off the loan within the given time?

These deals are real, and you won't pay any interest on your car loan. However, that doesn't mean they're the best deal for you. Even without interest payments, you could still pay more overall. That's because taking a 0% financing deal will usually make you ineligible for manufacturer rebates offered on new cars.

You need a credit score of at least 700 to get a 0% APR credit card, as credit cards with 0% APR promotions require good or excellent credit for approval in most cases. The higher your credit score is, the better your odds of approval for a 0% APR credit card will be.

A 0% APR credit card can work better for you if you plan on making a large purchase and don't anticipate paying the balance anytime soon. However, if you plan on paying the balance in full after each billing cycle and want to minimize costs, then a no annual fee card would be recommended.

Interest rates

One way to lower the cost of buying a car with your credit card is to take advantage of 0% intro APR offers on purchases. These promotions are typically less than two years, so they have a shorter term than most car loans.

While a 0% utilization is certainly better than having a high CUR, it's not as good as something in the single digits. Depending on the scoring model used, some experts recommend aiming to keep your credit utilization rate at 10% (or below) as a healthy goal to get the best credit score.

What happens after 0 APR ends? ›

If you're carrying a balance once the 0% intro APR period is over, you'll have to pay interest on that remaining amount.

It's a good idea to pay off your credit card balance in full whenever you're able. Carrying a monthly credit card balance can cost you in interest and increase your credit utilization rate, which is one factor used to calculate your credit scores.

Credit cards with 0% interest on purchases can be a good way to spread cost and build up your credit score. For example, you could use one to book flights, pay for a holiday or cover the cost of home improvements and then pay it back in monthly repayments.

Paying zero interest on consolidated debt with a balance transfer credit card can help you pay down your debt significantly faster. Without any interest charges added to your bill each month, every cent you pay toward your debt goes directly toward your principal balance.

Choose a 0% APR credit card that suits your financial needs.

It is usually best to apply for a card with a long 0% APR offer, because it will give you more time to pay off your balance. And if you keep your account in good standing, it will eventually help you build credit.

While a 0% utilization is certainly better than having a high CUR, it's not as good as something in the single digits. Depending on the scoring model used, some experts recommend aiming to keep your credit utilization rate at 10% (or below) as a healthy goal to get the best credit score.

Costs of an interest-free deal

If you still have money owing after the interest-free period ends, you'll be charged interest. Interest rates can be as high as 26%. Retailers also charge fees on interest-free deals, which may be added to the amount borrowed.

If the borrowed money has a 0 percent APR, no interest will be charged on that money for a fixed period of time. Zero interest credit cards, or 0 percent intro APR credit cards, allow cardholders to make payments with no interest on purchases, balance transfers or both for a set period of time.

Key takeaways

A 0 percent intro APR card can help you consolidate and pay down debt faster — without interest payments — if you're disciplined in how you use it. These cards typically come with a balance transfer fee, and you risk losing the 0 percent intro APR if you're late with a payment.