Our picks are ordered by the length of the intro APR period. Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
Best for: Balance transfers
NerdWallet star rating: 2.2
0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.24%-26.24% Variable APR
U.S. Bank Business Platinum Card
is far longer than what you’ll find on competing cards, and it applies not just to purchases, but also to balance transfers. But the card has minimal value beyond the intro APR period due to its lack of rewards. Want a balance transfer business card with long-term value? Check out the
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
below.
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
Best for: Overall 0% APR business card
5
0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.24%-28.24% Variable APR
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
offers a long intro APR period that applies to purchases and balance transfers. This is also a solid cash-back card for small-business owners.
Earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, office supply stores, cell phone service providers and restaurants. Earn 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases
. Plus, the
U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards World Elite Mastercard®
has a $
0
annual fee and a competitive welcome bonus. Learn more and apply.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Best for: Sign-up bonus
5
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-24.49% Variable APR
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
is an excellent, no-fuss card for entrepreneurs. You earn
1.5%
cash back on every purchase, and the bonus offer is outstanding for a card with no annual fee:
Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Best for: Up to 2% cash back
4.9
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-26.49% Variable APR
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
shines with one of the better 0% intro periods among business cards and a strong rewards rate.
Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement. Terms Apply.
(see rates and fees). Learn more and apply.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Best for: AmEx rewards points
4.9
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-26.49% Variable APR
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
is a virtual twin of
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
. The key difference: It earns AmEx Membership Rewards points rather than cash back:
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms Apply.
(see rates and fees). Learn more and apply.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Best for: Up to 5% cash back
5
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-24.49% Variable APR
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
gives you bonus cash back in common business spending categories:
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year, Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year, Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn
. The bonus is great, too:
Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit
Best for: Unlimited 1.5% cash back
4
0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 months, and then the ongoing APR of 21.24%-29.24% Variable APR
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit
also offers cash back:
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back for your business on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions. Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
This card does not offer a sign-up bonus, though, so consider another option if you want to use a 0% APR business card to finance a big purchase. (See rates and fees.) Learn more and apply.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
Best for: Up to 2.62% cash back on everything
4.7
0% intro APR on Purchases for 9 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-28.49% Variable APR
Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card
. This card offers
1.5%
cash back on all purchases with no annual cap. Rewards can climb even higher for Bank of America® customers who qualify for the bank’s Preferred Rewards for Business program — up to 2.62%, depending on the tier — which is tough to beat among flat-rate cash-back business credit cards. Learn more and apply.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
Best for: Travel rewards
3.8
0% intro APR on Purchases for 9 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-28.49% Variable APR
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
pays solid rewards on every purchase and gives you wide flexibility in redeeming your points for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Learn more and apply.
With a 0% APR business credit card, you’ll pay no interest on a specified number of months or billing cycles. Depending on the card, that could be nine, 12 or even 15 months. During that time, you won’t be charged interest even if you don’t pay off the card in full every month.
You must still make a monthly payment, though. Failing to do so could let the issuer not only terminate your interest-free period early, but also charge you a higher penalty APR. No matter when or how your intro period ends, interest will accrue on whatever balance remains — plus on any charges you carry going forward.
Personal cards can be an option for sole proprietors, as long as you don’t mix business and personal expenses on it. You’ll also want to pay attention to your credit score if you plan to finance a major business purchase that will potentially crunch your debt-to-income ratio. Incorporated businesses — LLCs, LLPs and corporations — should avoid using a card in their personal name for business expenses altogether, as it could jeopardize their limited liability protections.
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Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
:0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% Variable APR
-
BankAmericard® credit card
:0% Intro APR for 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 16.24% – 26.24% will apply
-
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
:0% intro APR for 18 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.74%-29.74% Variable APR
-
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
:0% intro APR on purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 20.49%-29.24% Variable APR
Almost any entrepreneur can benefit from a 0% APR business credit card. It’s essentially an interest-free loan — at least for a little while. But these cards can be especially beneficial in the following instances:
-
You’re starting a new business. A 0% APR business card can be a good business credit card for startups. You can use these cards to finance business expenses while you’re building cash flow.
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You need to finance large purchases, but don’t qualify for small-business loans. Business loans charge interest from the start. So even if you can qualify for one, using a credit card with a 0% APR intro offer and paying it off quickly may be a cheaper form of financing.
-
You already have business credit card debt. A balance transfer business credit card may allow you to move your balance to a card with a lower interest rate, though 0% APR business cards that allow you to transfer a balance and not accrue interest are somewhat rare.
-
You have a pay-off plan. You have to pay the ongoing APR on any outstanding balance after an intro APR period ends — and those interest rates tend to be high. If you might take months or even years beyond an intro APR period to pay off your debt, using a credit card may be very expensive in the long run.
In general, you’ll need good or excellent personal credit to qualify for most business credit cards. That’s especially true for those with a 0% intro APR.
Business credit card issuers generally perform a hard credit check when reviewing your application, which can temporarily affect your personal credit score. Review each card issuer’s guidelines and focus your search on cards you’re likely to qualify for.
Also, know that business credit cards require personal guarantees, which means you’ll be on the hook for any debt your business can’t pay. That’s especially important to keep in mind if you plan to use an interest-free period to finance big-ticket items.
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit
, see this page.
