Business owners often have startup or major costs that come with investing in their businesses. A credit card with a 0 percent intro APR offer can buy you time to pay off a big purchase without accruing interest. As long as you pay off the balance by the end of the intro period — so you’re not charged interest — this type of card can be a win-win for your business.
Several business cards offer the same intro APR period, with varying rewards rates and categories. Take a look at our picks below to find the right one for your business.
Top 0% intro APR business cards
Badge Icon Best for the highest flat-rate cash back
By earning 2 percent cash back on all eligible purchases with the The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, you’ll tap into one of the highest flat rates on the market every time you swipe — on up to $50,000 per year, then 1 percent. After opening the card, you could finance a big purchase with a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for 12 months (then a 16.99% – 26.99% Variable APR). This card also comes with a solid welcome offer to help kick-start your cash back earnings.
Pros
You’ll have the opportunity to pay off a big purchase over 12 months’ time without accruing interest.
Earn generous cash back without needing to manage a complicated spending strategy or bonus categories.
The Expanded Buying Power feature lets you spend above your credit limit for no fee under certain conditions.
Cons
If you’re likely to spend more than $50,000 a year, your rewards potential becomes limited.
The foreign transaction fee makes this a subpar card for international business travelers or those making purchases in foreign currency.
Badge Icon Best for the highest flat-rate travel rewards
In the same family as the Amex Blue Business Cash card, the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers a similar rewards structure but in the form of travel points. You’ll earn:
2X points on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1 percent
2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through American Express Travel
1X on all other purchases
It has the same intro APR offer as its sibling card of 12 months on purchases, followed by a 16.99% – 26.99% Variable APR.
Pros
This card allows you to join the world of Amex travel by earning Membership Rewards points to redeem for travel or transfer to high-value airline and hotel partners.
Enjoy Expanded Buying Power and free employee cards.
Cons
The $50,000 annual spending cap may be too low for some businesses.
International business travelers pay a foreign transaction fee.
Badge Icon Best for bonus cash back on business expenses
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card gives you an intro 0 percent APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 17.24% – 25.24% Variable APR.
Plus, you’ll earn:
5 percent cash back on up to $25,000 in combined spending each account anniversary year at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services
2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $25,000 combined spending a year)
1 percent on everything else
Pros
If you spend a lot on business supplies, utilities, gas and dining out, this rewards structure could help you reap more cash back than with a flat-rate card.
Your rewards accrue as Chase Ultimate Rewards points so they can be redeemed as cash back or as travel rewards.
Cons
Some businesses might spend more on certain types of inventory or travel that don’t fall under the boosted rewards categories.
Foreign transaction fees mean you won’t want to bring this card internationally or use it to make purchases with foreign vendors.
Badge Icon Best for unlimited flat-rate cash back
For business owners who want to earn straightforward cash back with no spending caps, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card could be a great fit. You’ll get unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases, as well as the chance to earn a welcome bonus to kick off your earnings. And you’ll enjoy an intro 0 percent APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 17.24% – 25.24% Variable APR.
Pros
Earn simple, unlimited cash back on every purchase for your business with no strategy required.
Enjoy free employee cards, purchase protection and cell phone protection add value to this no-annual-fee card.
Cons
This flat rate isn’t as high as other 2 percent flat-rate cards.
The foreign transaction fees will negate — doubly so — rewards earned on purchases in foreign currency.
Badge Icon Best for a generous welcome bonus
The Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card offers an impressive combination of a high flat rate — unlimited 2 percent cash rewards on all eligible purchases — and a high welcome bonus of $500 after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. Your rewards are redeemable for travel or gift cards. And you’ll get 12 months of 0 percent intro APR before a variable APR of 16.99 percent to 24.99 percent kicks in.
Pros
After opening the account, you can earn a good welcome bonus, 12 months of no interest and 2 percent cash rewards on eligible purchases.
You’ll get a complimentary Priority Pass membership, which lets you enter a number of airport lounges for only a “pay as you go” fee.
Cons
To apply for the card, you must be a Wells Fargo customer with a checking or savings account that’s been open for at least two months.
Wells Fargo rewards are valued slightly lower than competitors because they have a limited list of travel transfer partners.
Comparing 0% intro APR business cards
Card name
Best for
Annual fee
Recommended credit score
Intro APR offer
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Highest flat-rate cash back
No annual fee
Excellent/Good
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 16.99% – 26.99% Variable
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Highest flat-rate travel rewards
No annual fee
Excellent, Good
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then 16.99% – 26.99% Variable APR
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Bonus cash back on business expenses
$0
Good, Excellent
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 17.24% – 25.24% Variable APR
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Unlimited flat-rate cash back
$0
Good, Excellent
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a 17.24% – 25.24% Variable APR
Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card*
Generous welcome bonus
$0
N/A
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, then a variable APR of 16.99%-24.99%
How to choose a 0% intro APR business card
As you search for a business card with a 0 percent intro APR offer, consider the following factors:
Check the regular APR. After the 0 percent intro APR period ends, the regular interest rate begins. If you’re still carrying a balance, you’ll start accruing interest charges, so make sure you’re comfortable with the standard variable APR and what it could cost you in the long run. Card applicants with excellent credit may get approved for a lower APR.
Consider the type of rewards structure you want. Some cards offer flat-rate cash back or points on every purchase, while others offer bonus rewards on office supplies and other categories. If your main goal for the card is to pay off a big purchase, look into whether it falls under a card’s bonus category. If not, a high flat-rate card might get you the most rewards on that purchase.
Make sure you can secure the welcome bonus. Some welcome bonuses have higher spending requirements in the first few months than others. If you run a small business that won’t spend $5,000 in three months, for example, then you may want to opt for a smaller welcome bonus with a smaller spending requirement. That’s better than not earning a welcome bonus at all.
Is a 0% intro APR business card right for you?
Choosing a business credit card with a 0 percent intro APR offer is a good idea if you want to finance a large purchase without paying high interest fees. Some business cards offer a 0 percent intro APR period for balance transfers too, which buys you time to pay off credit card debt, interest-free.
It’s best if you can pay off the balance by the time the intro period ends, or you’ll start accruing interest quickly. Before you apply for the card, have a monthly repayment plan in place that reduces your debt to zero in 12 months or however long the intro offer lasts.
However, if you don’t need to pay off debt or a large purchase over time, one of the best business credit cards without an intro APR offer could offer better rewards, a bigger welcome bonus and more benefits.
What’s next?
The bottom line
A business credit card that gives new cardholders months of interest-free financing is enticing. Not only can you save money on interest and repay with flexibility, but you can often earn rewards and a welcome offer. A 0 percent intro APR card might be what your business needs to get off the ground or grow to the next level.
Frequently asked questions
You usually need good to excellent credit to qualify for business credit cards, or a FICO score of 670 or higher. Your best chance of approval may be with a score of at least 740. There are also limited options for business cards for bad credit.
With this type of card, the issuer won’t charge interest fees on the balance during the intro period, as long as you remain in good standing. To avoid interest on a 0 percent APR card, you’ll want to pay off the entire balance before the intro period ends. After that, the regular variable APR kicks in.
Yes, a card issuer may cancel a 0 percent intro APR prematurely if you pay less than the minimum payment or make late payments. Enrolling in credit card autopay ensures you’ll make at least the minimum payment on time.
*The information about the Wells Fargo Signify Business Cash® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
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