Nearly one in four holiday shoppers expect they’ll still be paying off their holiday purchases into the following year, according to a new ICSC survey. That can add up quickly.
The average credit card interest rate is about 22.15% APR, according to the Federal Reserve. At that pace, a $3,000 holiday balance paid at $150 a month would rack up about $780 in interest.
A 0% intro APR card pauses that interest clock, and the longest offers currently available stretch well into the future. Here are three standout choices, each suited to a different need.
1. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: Best intro APR card for holiday purchases
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card (rates and fees) is my top choice for spreading out holiday spending. It offers 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, followed by a 17.74%, 24.24%, or 28.49% Variable APR.
If you open the card now, that promo period could last until roughly late summer of the following year. In practical terms, it gives you a long runway for paying for one holiday season and then some.
At $150 per month, a $3,000 holiday bill would be paid off in 20 months with no interest charged. That means you could finish earlier than you would at the average APR and avoid about $780 in interest.
The drawback is that it doesn’t earn rewards, and balance transfers come with a 5% fee, minimum $5. That makes it especially appealing for new purchases.
Best for: Large holiday spenders who want the longest possible window to pay off gifts, travel, and hosting costs.
2. Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Best for transferring an existing debt balance
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is a strong option for moving debt from another card. It offers 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers, which helped it earn our Best Balance Transfer Credit Card award. After the promotional period, a 16.74% to 27.49% Variable APR applies.
Plenty of people are carrying credit card debt. Americans owed $1.263 trillion in credit card balances in the second quarter of 2026, according to the New York Fed.
There is an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer, with a minimum of $5, for transfers completed within the first four months after account opening. After that, the fee rises to 5% of each transfer, minimum $5. On a $6,000 balance, that 3% fee would come to $180, and paying about $300 a month would clear the debt within the 21-month promotional period.
That same payoff plan at the average APR would cost roughly $1,550 in interest. Even after paying the fee, the savings would be about $1,375.
Best for: Anyone with high-interest debt who wants to move it now and stop interest for nearly two years.
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for smaller debt and earning cash back
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) is the card to consider if you want both 0% intro APR and rewards. It earned our Best Cash Back Credit Card award, and it’s a long-time favorite for many cardholders.
This card earns 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel, 3% on drugstores, restaurants, takeout, and eligible food delivery, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
It includes a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by an 18.49% to 27.99% Variable APR. If approved now, the promotional APR period would run for more than a year.
That is six months shorter than the other two cards here. Balance transfers also must be completed within the first 60 days to qualify for the intro rate.
Best for: Holiday shoppers who want to spread out spending while still earning rewards after the introductory APR ends.
How to choose the right 0% intro APR card for your needs
The best 0% intro APR card depends on whether you’re paying for something new, paying down something old, or both.
- New purchases: Choose the card with the longest purchase promo period.
- Existing balance: Pay close attention to the balance transfer window and the fee.
- Long-term use: Pick a card that earns rewards, or it may end up unused after the intro offer expires.
After selecting a card, divide your balance by the number of months in the no-interest period, round up slightly, and set that amount as an automatic monthly payment.
Zero interest can make a big difference
Borrowing at 0% is very different from borrowing at 22%. Choose the card that fits your goal, set up autopay, and let the introductory APR offer do the work.
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